Friday, August 25, 2017

Milli Fire Evening Update, August 25

Sharing for the SWA Incident Management Team 2

Fire Information Line: 541-719-8135
Email: millifireinfo@gmail.com
Blog: http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com/
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5517
Twitter: @CentralORFire
YouTube Channel: https://goo.gl/SRRAr3

Location of Origin: 9 miles west of Sisters, OR
Start date: August 11, 2017, 2:42 pm
Percent Contained: 32%
Size: Approximately 13,485 acres
Cause: Lightning
Resources Assigned: 673 personnel

Milli Fire
August 25, 2017 Evening Update

Planned aerial and burnout activities were delayed today due to poor visibility from heavy smoke, but were commencing as of the release of this update. Operations will continue as conditions allow. Plans involve air support from planes dropping fire retardant to prepare a line of defense for future burnout operations in an area north of OR 242. The retardant will coat the fuel bed making it less receptive to possible ignition. This is a precautionary measure to help minimize fire spread, coupled with the mechanical clearing conducted over the past few days. Crews were also delayed in burning this afternoon along Forest Road 1018 south of OR 242. If conditions allow for a burnout tonight residents of Black Butte Ranch could see distant flames as well as smoke during these operations. These burnout activities and retardant drops are being conducted to build a fuel break or "catcher's mitt" intended to stop the fire should it spread toward the north and east. Burning operations could continue for the next few evenings.

Warmer and drier weather is predicted to increase fire activity this weekend. Fire activity on the west side of the fire burning in the wilderness is expected to increase and smoke columns will once again be seen from the area.

Work continues with clearing fuels along strategic roadways as well as mop-up along the fire's edge. Mop-up continues on the east edge of the fire, firefighters are concentrating on the southeast corner, which is difficult and unsafe terrain for the firefighters to access. Forest Road 15 south of the fire's edge continues to be prepped to be used as a containment line.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in consultation with its partners on the Milli Fire, are continually evaluating the need for possible changes to evacuation notices. At this time there are still communities under a Level 1 (Be Ready) and Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation level. Evacuation questions should be directed to the Deschutes County Sheriff's office non-emergency number: 541-693-6911

Current evacuation levels:
Level 2– Crossroads subdivision, Edgington Road, Remuda Road, Peterson Burn Road, Wildwing and Three Creeks Road residences returned to Level 2 (Be Set) Evacuation Notice on 8/23/17, allowing residents to return to their homes.
Level 1 – The subdivision of Tollgate, all areas between OR 242 and HWY 20 and west of Cold Springs Cutoff (FS1018), which includes Black Butte Ranch.

Road Closures:
OR242 east of Cascade Crest to the junction of Forest Road 15. For further information see www.tripcheck.com

Links:
Forest Closures: For further information go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices

Smoke monitoring information is available at: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com
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