FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Waterman Complex – Mitchell, Oregon
Information Center – 541-787-4321
Incident Commander Doug Johnson
|
Start Date
|
Cause
|
Total
Acres
|
Percent Containment
|
|
7/12/2014
|
Lightning
|
12,520
|
80%
|
|
Crews
|
Engines
|
Water
Tenders
|
Helos
|
Dozers
|
Total
Personnel
|
|
23
|
39
|
28
|
4
|
5
|
876
|
Highway (Hwy) 26 reopened to two lanes of traffic restricted to a speed of 35 MPH at 8:30 PM on July 22, 2014. Vehicle headlight use is required when traveling through the fire area. Stopping within the fire zone will not be allowed and all traffic must remain on Hwy 26. The highway could close at any time due to safety concerns. All Forest Roads (FR) will continue to be closed off of Hwy 26.
Evacuation Notices
Marks Creek area is at a Level 1 Evacuation. The Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office lifted all West Branch Evacuation notices effective 12:00 PM, July 22, 2014.
Current Situation
The Complex now consists of five fires the Bailey Butte, Toney Butte, Junction Springs, Incident #376, and a new fire identified today (Incident #443) within the Waterman Complex’s area of initial attack responsibility. The Bailey Butte Fire and the new fire are being actively managed. The other fires are 100% contained and will continue to be monitored by air. Water dropping helicopters were used today to assist fire suppression activities in the adjacent Ochoco Complex.
Incident #443 –A single tree on fire identified 7/22/2014. Suppression planned, no containment at this time.
Bailey Butte Fire – 10,276 acres, 80% contained. The fire line has been constructed completely around the fire perimeter. Crews will continue to work to secure the established line through mopping-up of hot spots into the interior to create a “cold-black” rim around the fire. Wednesday night operations will be reduced to two engines and supervisory personnel to patrol and extinguish hot spots on the fires perimeter.
Toney Butte Fire – 2,229 acres, 100% contained. The fire will be monitored by the air. Smoke may be visible from interior burning.
Junction Springs Fire – 15 acres, 100% contained. This fire remains in patrol status and monitored by air.
Incident #376 - .25 acres, 100% contained.
Weather:
A Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning is forecasted over the area for Wednesday. An initial attack organization from the Complex is prepared to respond to new ignitions within the vicinity of the Waterman Complex. Firefighters will remain diligent watching for effects of strong, erratic winds associated with thunderstorms and take necessary precautions.
Ochoco National Forest Closure Area:
A Forest Closure Order 06-07-01-14-001-01 is in effect on Ochoco National Forest System lands. The closure prohibits the public from entering the Closure Area except under special exemption. The closure is due to firefighting activities and the safety of the public within the Closure Area. The public is encouraged to check with the Forest before they travel. To view the entire Forest Closure Order please see the following link:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/centraloregon/alerts-notices/?aid=24081
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): A TFR remains in place over the Bailey Butte fire. Please check the NOTAM for current information.
For more information on the Waterman Complex visit:
Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3961/ Facebook Waterman Complex
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