Bridge 99 Complex Update, 7/18

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -
Incident Information Officer Jeanne Klein
Incident Command Post located at Sisters Middle School
E-mail: bridge99fire@gmail.com
Fire Information: (541) 549-3219

Bridge 99 Complex

Start date: 7/13/14	Cause: Lightning	Estimated Size: Bridge 99 Fire: 3,687 acres; Bear Butte 2 Fire: 2,682 acres Total complex acres 6,369	% Contained: 5%	# of Firefighters: 418
Injuries to date: None	Estimated Containment Date: N/A	Closures: Pioneer Ford, Lower Bridge, Allen Springs, Canyon Creek, Monty, Perry South, and Candle Creek Campgrounds; Portions of Forest Roads 12, 14, 1140, and 1420400. Jefferson Lake, Sugarpine Ridge, Shirley Lake, Cabot Lake Trails, and a 5 mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail. An area closure as shown on Inciweb Map	# of 20-person hand crews: 11	# of helicopters: 2 Type I (Heavy), 1 Type III (Light

Sisters OR - The Bridge 99 Complex consists of two fires (Bridge 99 Fire and Bear Butte 2 Fire) started by lightning on Sunday July 13. The complex grew in size from yesterday by 2,905 acres and is now 6,369 acres. The 3,687-acre Bridge 99 Fire increased by 1,850 acres from yesterday and is burning 18 miles northwest of the town of Sisters, east of the Metolius River and on the west-facing slopes of Green Ridge. The growth of this fire yesterday was towards the northeast. The Bear Butte 2 Fire is estimated to be 2,682 acres, an increase of 1,055 acres from yesterday and grew towards the north. It is located 4.5 miles southeast of Mt. Jefferson. Approximately 2,115 acres have burned on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs land, with the remaining fire area located on the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness area. The Bear Butte 2 Fire is 7 miles northwest of the Bridge 99 Fire. Yesterdays fire growth was far less than expected. Crews and dozers started fireline construction to the east of the Bear Butte 2 Fire and improved existing road systems for better access and stronger containment lines.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department has issued the following evacuation orders:
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. These evacuation orders have not changed from yesterday.

The following Forest Service roads, trails, campgrounds and lands are closed: Forest Road 12, from its intersection with Forest Roads 1270/1298 to Bridge 99, Forest Road 14, from Bridge 99 to its intersection with Forest Road 1400700 (Allen Springs Campground), Forest Road 1140, from its intersection with Forest Roads 1150/1180 to the intersection with Forest Road 1152, Forest Road 1154, from its intersection with Forest Road 1150 to the intersection with Forest Road 1140, and Forest Road 1420400. The Lower Bridge, Pioneer Ford, Allen Springs, Canyon Creek, Monty, Perry South, and Candle Creek Campgrounds are closed. The Jefferson Lake Trail (#4001), Sugarpine Ridge Trail (#4002), Shirley Lake Trail (#4003.1), and the Cabot Lake Trail (#4003) are closed within the Mt Jefferson Wilderness. A 5-mile segment of the Pacific Crest Trail (#2000) is closed. The south closure is located north of the Shirley Lake Trail (#4003) junction and the north closure is located near Cathedral Rocks. An area closure has been designated on a map that is available on the Inciweb website listed below.
A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for low relative humidity (12%) and high winds until 11:00 p.m. Friday night. Temperatures are expected to be in the mid 80s. The complex is burning in very steep and rugged country with heavy timber and brush at an elevation of 3,000 to 4,000’.

For detailed information on the fire including Operational Period maps, area closure maps, and photos please visit:http://www.inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3963/