Central Oregon EVENING Fire Update, 7/21

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center

4550 SW Airport Way

Prineville, OR  97754

Contact:  Media Desk:  541-416-6811           NEW! NEW! NEW!!! Email:   Centralorfireinfo@gmail.com

Twitter:  @CentralORfire                              For more information visit: CentralORfireinfo.blogspot.com

FIRE NEWS--Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center

For Immediate Release:  July 21, 2014 8:00 p.m.

Central Oregon EVENING Fire Update

YELLOW Highlight indicates changed information since the last Update

Central Oregon- Initial attack crews prepare to take on new fire starts as thunderstorms with abundant lightning are anticipated tomorrow in Central Oregon while fire crews on large incidents continue to contain fires started by last week’s lightning.

Fire Name	Location	Size (ESTIMATES)	Activity
Bridge 99 Complex Deschutes National Forest	Bridge 99 - ½ mile east of Lower Bridge Campground, 9 miles north of Camp Sherman off of FS Rd. 1490 Bear Butte 2 adjacent to Jefferson Creek and west of Park Creek drainage within the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness.	5,848 acres TOTAL 25% contained Bridge 99 Fire is 5,235 acres Bear Butte 2 Fire is  613 acres	Oregon Incident Management Team 2 is managing the fire.  For more information on the fire: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3963/#  or phone: 541-549-3219. Fire management activities today focused on strengthening containment lines and continuing burnout operations on the northwest perimeter of the Bridge 99 Fire. EVACUATIONS in place: All private lands along the Metolius River from Allen Springs Campground to Lake Billy Chinook (including the Metolius Arm) are in a Level III Evacuation Order.  The Three Rivers Subdivision is in a Level II Evacuation Order.  The subdivisions of Rim Park, Forest Park, and Air Park along with the Cove Palisades State Park are in a Level I Evacuation Order. CLOSURES:  Forest Road 12, from its intersection with Forest Roads 1270/1298 to Bridge 99, Forest Road 14, from Bridge 99 to its intersectin with Forest Road 1400/700(Allen Springs Campground), Forest Road 1140, from its intersection with Forest Roads 1150/118 to the intersection with Forest Road 1152, Forest Road 1154, from its intersection with Forest Road 1150 to the intersection with Forest Road 1140 an Forest Road 1420400.  The Jefferson Lake Trail (#40001.1), Sugarpine Ridge trail (#4002), Shirley Lake Trail (#4003), Cabot Lake Trail (#4003) and the Pacific Crest Trail north of the Shirley Lake Trail and south of the Willamette National Forest boundary in the Cathedral Rocks Area are closed.
Center Fire Prineville BLM Post-Paulina RFPA	3 miles NE of Post. Private and	2,800 acres 25% contained	No additional information available at this time.
Logging Unit Fires Warm Springs Reservation Mt. Hood National Forest Deschutes National Forest	North side of Bear Butte near the Bear Butte 2 fire	9,500 acres 5% containment	Pacific Northwest Team 2 (Incident Commander Chris Schulte) took command of the Logging Unit Fires. The Logging Unit Fires currently include Camas Prairie, Logging Unit, Skyline, Haily and the north side of Bear Butte 2. The south side of Bear Butte 2 is being managed by the Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 2 (Incident Commander Brett FIllis). For more information on the web:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3973/ NEW Public Information Line:  541-777-2862 The fire continues to be active in the late afternoon.  The Camas Prairie Fire is approximately 3.5 miles from the closest structure.  An evacuation plan is in place and a structure protection group is available to respond as needed. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity today should assist firefighters today. National Guard Blackhawk and Chinook  helicopters and air tankers were used to cool the eastern flank of the Camas Prairie/Logging Unit Fire; allowing hotshot crews to construct line and develop a solid anchor point for fighting the fire. EVACUATIONS: A Level 2 Notification has been issued to the residents of the Sid Walter Flat Area.  Approximately 54 residences are affected by the notification.  The fire is approximately 3.5 miles from the closest structure and 8 miles from the Incident Command Post on County Line Road. CLOSURES:  On the Mt. Hood National Forest, Forest Road 4220 between Forest Road 46 and Warm Springs.  Closure area near Ollalie Lakes. Pacific Crest Trail from Breitenbush Lake (Mile 2047.1) to Forest  Road 42 at the Joe Graham campground (Mile 2083)
Ochoco Complex- Ochoco National Forest Service Prineville BLM	Lava Fire Near the junction of FS Road 22 and FS Road 4210, near the NW corner of Big Summit Prairie Fox Fire/Oscar Canyon Fire 3 miles NW of the North Fork Wilderness Study area, near FS Road 4230. Broadway Fire S of FS Road 2630, near Peterson Lava Antelope Fire 3 miles E of FS Road 22 near FS Road 900	6,301 acres TOTAL 191 acres 6,036 Acres 53 acres 21 acres	Great Basin Incident Management Team 6 is managing the fires.  The complex includes 4 fires (Lava, Fox, Broadway, and Antelope) on the Ochoco National Forest and the Oscar Canyon Fire burning on the Prineville BLM within the North Fork Wilderness Study area.  The Oscar and Fox fires burned together today. Fire crews are patrolling and mopping up the Antelop and Broadway Fires today.  The Lava Fire established a 5 acre spot in Howard Creek yesterday.  Fire crews were successful at lowing th progress of the spot fire.  The Fox fire is the largest fire in the complex and encompasses the Oscar Canyon fire.  Partly cloudy and relatively cooler weather today, combined with light winds and moderate humidity will moderate fire behavior. CLOSURES: The Ochoco National Forest has issued an area closure that encompasses all National Forest system lands from Forest Road 42, along both the north and south forest boundary to Highway 26 on the west, with additional acreage north of the Mill Creek Wilderness. The closure covers all campgrounds, trailheads, forest roads, and developed facilities on National Forest System lands within the closure area.  The closure order and a map of the closure is located on the web at: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3972
Pine Creek Complex Now includes: Pine Creek Fire Jack Knife Fire Black Rock Fire Donny Brook Fire Sherman County Oregon Department of Forestry Prineville BLM Ash Butte Rangeland Fire Protection Association Private lands	Donny Brook Fire 11 miles SW of Antelope Black Rock Fire 3 miles NW of Clarno; NW of the Pine Creek Fire Pine Creek Fire  11 miles south of Fossil, in the Carrol Rim Area Jack Knife Fire Lower John Day Recreation Area, Sherman County, 8 miles SE of Grass Valley.	129,178 acres TOTAL 22,756 acres 0% contained 34,177 acres 55% contained 30,245 acres 35% contained 13,263 acres 100% contained	A Type II Western Montana Team (Fry) is managing these fires. NEW Public Information Line: 541-763-0917.  This line will be staffed from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. NEW Information available on the web: Donny Brook Fire: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3980/ Black Rock Fire: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3977/ Pine Creek Fire: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3969/ Jack Knife Fire: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3975/ The public is asked to use caution when driving on local roads as fire equipment and personnel are moving between areas and there may be smoky conditions on the roadways. EVACUATIONS: Wheeler County Sheriff Dept. issued Level II Evacuation Order for scattered homes in the Brush Creek area near Twickenham. CLOSURES: The John Day River remains open; however, people recreating on the river should be aware that helicopters may be working in the area and dipping into the river and use appropriate caution.
Shaniko Butte Warm Springs Reservation	12 miles north of the town of Warm Springs.	42,000 acre 50% containment	Oregon Incident Management Team 1 is managing the fire.  Firefighters were not able to complete their planned burnout operation yesterday due to unfavorable weather conditions yesterday.  If weather conditions are favorable today they will do burnout operations on the southern end of the fire to secure lines and increase containment of the fire. Eighty-one firefighters were demobilized on Sunday and reassigned to other fires in the region. For information on this fire, contact the Shaniko Butte incident at 541-553-8190, or look for information on at  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3960/ EVACUATIONS:  Level 2 for all residences in the vicinity of Dant, OR and Level 1 for all residences in the vicinity of Road S-300 and in the Kaskela area. CLOSURES: S-300/Highway 3 Junction and Redlake Cemetery Road/Highway 3 Junction. The BLM OPENED the Lower Deschutes River today at 6 a.m. Rafters should be aware that river rangers may need to hold rafters at times to allow for water dips in the river by helicopters.
Sunflower Fire Umatilla National Forest	10 miles NNE of Monument	6,736 acres 35% containment	The fire is burning on the south side of the Wall creek drainage between Happy and Wilson Creeks has moved into the Little Wilson and Big Wilson Creek drainages.  Localized winds caused torching and spotting throughout the day yesterday. Ground and aerial resources were able to make excellent progress connecting dozer lines with hand line on the southern perimeter of the fire.  The fire crossed Forest Road 190 but crews were able to complete hand line and secure the fire from spreading. Cooler temperatures with relatively high humidity will aid in fighting the fire today. For more information contact the fire information line (1-800-923-6891) or find information on the web at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3964/ CLOSURES: National Forest System Road (NFSR) 22 from the junction with NFSR 22 and NFSR 21 in Section 23, T6S, R26E to the south and east to the Section 20 & Section 21 border; thence southerly along the Section 20 & Section 21 border from the NFSR 22, Section 20 & 21 border junction to the NFSR 22 where it crosses the Section 29 & Section 28; thence south westerly on NFSR 22 to the junction with NFSR 23 in Section 29, T7S, R27; thence west on NFSR 23 to the junction with NFSR 2128 in Section 25 of T7S, R26E; thence northerly on NFSR 2128 to where it intersects with the Morrow County OHV park boundary on the northwest corner of Section 2, T7S, R26E; thence easterly and northerly along the boundary of OHV park to where the OHV park boundary meets the NFSR 22 road on the boundary of Section 23 & Section 26, T6S, R26E; thence northerly to the NFSR 22 and NFSR 21 junction in Section 23, T6S, R26E.
Ward Canyon Private lands South Sherman County	8 miles west of Antelope	Estimated at 15,000 acres	The fire continues to be managed by South Sherman County.
Waterman Complex Oregon Department of Forestry Ochoco National Forest	Bailey Butte (private land west of Mitchell). Toney Butte (10 miles northeast of Spray, just east of Hwy 207). Junction Springs	11,989 acres TOTAL 60% contained Bailey Butte 9,745 acres 50% contained Toney Butte 2,200 acres 100% contained Junction Springs 15 acres 100% contained #376 .25 acres 100% contained	Oregon Incident Management Team 3 is managing this incident. Successful burnout operations are allowing Hwy 26 to REOPEN tomorrow for travel.  One lane of travel will be available and cars will be escorted with a pilot car.  People should anticipate up to 45 minute delays at times. A Public Meeting will be held tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Bowman Museum, 246 N. Main Street, in Prineville to share information on the Waterman and Ochoco Complexes. For more information, visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3961/ Fire Information Phone #: 541-787-4321 Email: watermancomplex2014@gmail.com Due to an increase in relative humidity, firefighters were unable to complete burnout operations early this morning.  During the evening crews did burnout operations from Corral Flats to the Hwy 26 corridor.  Once the burnout and hazard tree operations along Hwy 26 it will partially open for travel. EVACUATIONS:  The Crook County Sheriff’s Office, in conjunction with fire managers, has lowered the Evacuation Notice to a Level 2 in the Marks Creek areas of 9 a.m. this morning.  The Evacuation Level for the West Branch area was lowered to a Level 2 today. ALTERNATE ROUTE BETWEEN PRINEVILLE AND MITCHELL: An alternate driving route through the Ochoco National Forest between Prineville and Mitchell is open, but the Forest Roads can be steep, rock and washed out in places.  People should have a map and an appropriate vehicle before choosing this route. From Prineville, turn south on Combs Flat Road and continue east on Highway 380 past Post and Paulina.  About 5 miles east of Paulina, turn north on Wolf Creek Road and continue north to a Y where Forest Road 42 and Forest Road 58 depart.  Take Forest Road 42.  The road passes Salters Cabin campground and Wolf Creek campground as it enters the national forest. Follow Forest Road 42 to Six Corners junction, then turn onto Forest Road 122, which leaves the junction heading east before turning north.  Stay on Forest Road 12 to its junction with Highway 26, about 10 miles east of Mitchell.  For additional information, please contact Patrick Lair, Ochoco NF Public Affairs Officer, at 541-416-6647. CLOSURES: Forest Roads 450, 2630, 150, 2200, 2210, 300, 2610, Buck Creek Road to its intersection with the east edge of the Mill Creek Wilderness and Forest Roads 650, 27, 2745, 010 and 2750.  Walton Lake, Round Mountain, Crystal Springs, Wildwood, Ochoco Divide and Whistler campgrounds are all closed.