6/10/14 8:00 am Two Bulls Fire Morning Update

Two Bulls Fire Morning Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       Twitter: @twobullsfire, @CentralORFire#twobullsfire

June 10, 2014 0800 hrs                                                               Facebook: Two Bulls Fire- Bend, Oregon                    

Information Phone: 541-389-6421                                        GPS: 44 6’ 48”, 121 28’ 2”

                                                                                                            CentralOrFireInfo.blogspot.com

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Level III Evacuation Notice remains in place for the following areas:

•      Skyliners Road area outside of the City of Bend (approximately 50 residences.)

Level II Evacuation Notices are still in effect for the following areas:

•      Area south of Shevlin Park, west of Mt. Washington, and north of Century Drive.

•      Saddleback Subdivision on both sides of Johnson Road (lowered from Level III yesterday evening.)

Level I Evacuation Notices continue for the following areas:

•      Remainder of Northwest Crossing (the area east of Mt. Washington Drive).

•      Residents in the area north of Shevlin Park, west of Mt. Washington Drive.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office will be working with fire managers throughout the day to discuss evacuation levels.  Please contact their information line at 541-550-4850 for any evacuation updates. 

Displaced residents in need of a place to stay or other resources are encouraged to contact the American Red Cross by calling 541-382-2142.

A livestock shelter has been opened at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds in Redmond, OR.

The following road closures remain in place:  All of 4606, 1610, Skyline Forest, 4601, 4603, and Tumalo Falls.

Current Fire Information

Progress on the fire went very well yesterday and last night, and fire managers are happy to report that the only remaining unsecured portion of the fire had line completed around it last night.  Due to the aggressive mop up operations on the eastern and southern portions of the fire yesterday, firelines were able to hold during the late afternoon winds that developed and lasted throughout the evening.  Day shift crews will continue mop up operations deeper interior along the eastern flank of the fire today. On the western flank, line reinforcement and deploying hose lines will be the main focus throughout the day.  Smoke conditions should be less than it has been over the last few days, as fuels within containment lines are being consumed and mop up operations are reaching further interior.  Although temperatures are forecasted to be a little lower than yesterday, the concern for today will be for increasing winds from the north-northwest this afternoon with gusts up to 20 mph. 

With the good progress being made on the fire, structure protection task forces mobilized under the Conflagration Act have been reduced from three to two, and the need for the remaining two task forces will be evaluated throughout the afternoon. 

•      6,837 acres consisting of heavy brush and timber

•      250 homes threatened with 50 remaining under Level III Evacuation

•      No structures lost or damaged

•      1 Firefighter with a minor leg laceration

•      Cause under investigation

•      25% containment

•      6 helicopters, 77 engines, 11 dozers, and 1018 personnel assigned to the fire

•      Estimated costs to date- $2.4 million

Additional Information

The fire is being managed under a unified command of Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2 (Incident Commander, Chris Cline) and Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Green Team (Incident Commander, John Ingrao).
Cooperators working the incidents include Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office, US Forest Service, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, City of Bend, American Red Cross, Bend-La Pine School District, and Cascade Timberlands LLC.
Interested media should report to the Incident Command Post located in the field across from 63685 Johnson Road.  Public Information Officers will be available for interviews; media is required to check in with Information immediately upon arrival.  Media personnel that would like a guided tour of the fire need to arrive with full nomex, hard hat, and fire shelter; the fire camp does not have enough equipment to accommodate those that do not have this.  A media update will be given at 1000 hrs followed by a media fire tour at 1300 hrs. 

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Evacuation Levels Explained

Level I (Ready)- 

Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, and monitor local media outlets for information.  Residents with special needs, such as those susceptible to breathing problems in wildfires or those with animals and pets, should take note and begin making arrangements to evacuate. For wildfires, smoke can often cause the most problems for residents, especially those sensitive to smoke.  Evacuations at this time are voluntary.

Level II (Set)-

This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area.  For those that choose to remain, they should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.  Access into the area is typically controlled by law enforcement.  Law enforcement may also decide to not allow residents back into the area once they leave. 

Level III (Go)-

This level means to leave immediately!  Danger to your area is current or imminent, and your life safety cannot be guaranteed.  Residents should listen to local media, and watch for emergency personnel who may be coming by to give further instructions regarding the evacuation.