Ochoco Complex Fire Update, 7/22

Ochoco Complex Fire Update

July 22, 2014

Fire Information:  208-741-9262

OchocoComplex@gmail.com

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3972/

Start Date	Cause	Size	Percent Contained	Heli	Engines	Crews	Dozers	Total Personnel
July 13, 2014	Lightning	6,333	22	1	13	8	3	285

Summary: Lightning swept across the area July 13 starting many fires across the Forest and neighboring BLM land.  Four of these fires are now being managed as the Ochoco Complex.  Great Basin Management Team 6, under the direction of Incident Commander Tracy Dunford assumed command of the fire at 6 pm, July 19, 2014. 

·        Antelope Springs Fire:  Located near Antelope Spring, about 3 miles east of Forest Road 22 along Forest Road 900, near the Forest’s northern border.  21 acres.  100% Contained.; Broadway Fire:  Located south of Forest Road 22, near Peterson Lava.  5 acres.  100% Contained.; Fox Fire/Oscar Canyon:  Located approximately 3 miles northwest of the North Fork Wilderness Study Area, near Forest Road 4230 and 17 miles east of Post, Oregon.  6,116 acres.  18% Contained.; Lava Fire:  Located near the junction of Forest Roads 22 and 4210, near the northwest corner of Big Summit Prairie.  191 acres.  45% Contained.

Current Situation:  Firefighters made excellent progress yesterday, keeping acreage growth to a minimum.  Crews completed mop up on the Antelope Fire and will continue mop up on the Broadway Fire for a couple of more days to secure the line.  These two fires are now in patrol status.   Firefighters established hose lays and felled snags on the Lava fire yesterday to reduce threats to containment lines.  All additional resources coming in are being assigned to the Fox Fire.  One light helicopter and one medium helicopter were used yesterday to apply retardant and water drops on the Fox Fire, and will be used again today.  A heavy helicopter is expected to arrive this morning to assist ground forces on the Fox Fire.

Firefighters will remain vigilant today due to a Red Flag warning over the fire area.  Low relative humidity, lightning, and strong, erratic winds are expected near storm cells; but only light, scattered precipitation is predicted.

Closures:  A Closure Order is in effect.  For the full Closure Order and Map, visit Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3972/.  Highway 26 east of Prineville will be reopened to the public, with pilot car escorts, today at 8 am.