Nash Fire Update, September 3

Nash Fire Update
Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Doug Johnson
September 3, 2017 - 9:00 AM

Fire Information Line: 541-719-8135
Size: 3,132 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Cause: Lightning
Personnel: 54
Email: nashfire17@gmail.com
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5580/#
Blog: http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com/
Twitter: @CentralORFire
Travel Information: tripcheck.com or call 511
Closures; www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices
You Tube Channel: https://goo.gl/SRRAr3 (Milli and Nash Fire updates)

The Nash Fire is under a fire Red Flag Warning for high temps, strong winds, very low relative humidity, and unstable atmospheric conditions. Any combination of these factors will cause any ignition source on the dry fuels to start a wildfire. This dynamic condition should put tourists and recreationists on high alert. Forest visitors are reminded to “know before you go”.
Fire Information: The fire is a result of lightning storm in early August which generated numerous fires throughout the Cascades Range in Oregon and Washington. The Nash Fire is in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area along the crest of the Cascades on the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests. Smokejumpers initially worked to suppress the fire however due to safety concerns of very active fire behavior and steep terrain, the smokejumpers were removed. Infra-red detecting flights are conducted over the fire, when possible, to estimate and monitor perimeter growth. Continual heavy smoke has restricted any safe access or aerial observations.

Air Quality: Air quality forecasted for the Bend and Sisters areas are in the Moderate to Unhealthy range. People sensitive to poor air quality should take the necessary precaution to avoid exposure while those needing to work outdoors should limit heavy outdoor exertion. Information is available at: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com and https://airnow.gov
Incident Management: Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, Doug Johnson, Incident Commander is managing and supporting the fire fighters of the Nash Fire. The incident command post (ICP) is located at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds in Sisters, Oregon.
Update Fire: The Nash and nearby Separation Fires joined in a small area crossing Separation Creek on Friday. This area is steep, deep and narrow. A column was visible in the morning while skies were clear and burned actively. The fire moved slightly to the northwest, utilizing stringers of trees for fuel, and continued to burn throughout the day. Smoke from Nash and other fires and the lack of wind is acting as a cap, moderating active fire behavior.

When the fire does have clean air it has the potential to move in any direction quickly. After evaluating values at risk, the decision has made to engage the fire with direct, indirect and aerial, full suppression tactics where feasible. Fire managers are making plans for when it moves out of the Wilderness. Movement to the southeast out of the Wilderness through vegetative timber stringers would be toward the Elk Lake area.

A Structure protection group continues triage of infrastructures in the Elk Lake area including the resort, 40 plus recreation residences, and the historic Forest Service Elk Lake Guard Station. As resources become available fuels along roads near the fire will be reduced.

Evacuations: The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with fire managers, has placed a Level 2 (Set) evacuation notice for the areas surrounding the Elk Lake and Hosmer Lake including Elk Lake Resort, Elk Lake Guard Station, Elk Lake Campground(CG), Point CG, Mallard CG, Sunset View Day Use area, Beach Day Use Area, and Quinn Meadow’s Horse Camp and a Level 1 (Ready) evacuation notice for the areas surrounding Lava Lake and Little Lava Lake including Lava Lake Resort, Lava Lake CG, and Little Lava Lake CG. Current maps including the evacuation areas can be found at https://arcg.is/D9OPi

Trail closures are in place: Closed trails include: Wickiup Plains, South Sister/Devil’s Lake, Green Lakes, Sisters Mirror Lake, Elk Lake, and PCT from Irish and Taylor Lake north to Olallie Lake. PCT Trail Angels will be at Cultus Lake to help hikers. Information can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices

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