Central Oregon MORNING Fire Update, 8/13

Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center

4550 SW Airport Way

Prineville, OR  97754

Contact:  Media Desk:  541-416-6811           

 NEW! NEW! NEW!!! Email:   Centralorfireinfo@gmail.com

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FIRE NEWS--Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center

For Immediate Release:  August 13, 2014 9:00 a.m.

Central Oregon MORNING Fire Update

Central Oregon – By Thursday, most areas should have enough wetting rain and moisture from previous storms to significantly lower the threat of new fire starts.  Yesterday, parts of the region received nearly an inch of rain while other areas still only a trace.  The Red Flag Warning issued by the National Weather Service is in effect until 11:00 p.m. Wednesday. 

This weather event has brought a total of over 27000 lightning strikes to Oregon, Washington, and Northern California.  Within Central Oregon, the lightning has brought between 30-40 new fire starts, all small in size and managed quickly with local resources in place. 

While the Muskrat Fire continues to be managed with a Type 3 Incident Management Team, firefighters are making good progress on mop up operations and management of this fire will likely be turned back to the local Type 4 team today or tomorrow.  The Six Lakes Trailhead remains closed to accommodate the Muskrat Fire Incident Command Post (ICP).  The fire remains estimated at 25% contained and approximately 50 acres. 

As of August 12, 2014 at 8:00 a.m., all evacuation notices in the Cultus Lake area are lifted.  The areas that have been under Level III Evacuation notice remain under an area closure order enacted by the United States Forest Service due to fire operations. 

Emergency Area Closure:  Closed National Forest Service Lands include: areas on the west and north shores of Cultus Lake including: West Cultus Campground, Big Cove Campground, Little Cove Campground, boat-in areas north and west on Cultus Lake, and back country areas and trails north of Cultus Lake including Corral Swamp, Winopee Lake, Muskrat Lake and Teddy Lake.

Lands generally described as the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail #2000 to the west; Winopee Lake to the junction of the Corral Swamp Trail #8 and FSR 4628 to the north, Cultus Lake to FSR 600 to the south and Corral Swamp Trailhead to Winopee Lake Trailhead to the east.  The Pacific Crest Trail remains open.

Closed National Forest Service System Trails include:

·         Deer Lake Trail #6 from the Deer Lake Trailhead to the junction with Many Lakes Trail #15

·         Corral Swamp Trail #8 in its entirety

·         Teddy Lake Trail #5 in its entirety

·         Many Lakes Trail #15 in its entirety

·         Winopee Lake Trail #16 in its entirety

·         Metolius Windigo Trail #99 from the junction with  Corral Swamp Trail #8 to the junction with Senoj Lake Trail #41.1 

The South Fork Complex is located 5 miles south of Dayville around the south fork of the John Day River.  The fire is burning in a mix of private, BLM, Forest Service, and Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife managed lands. There are numerous evacuations and closures in place due to fire activity for both fires. The fire information number for this incident is 866-347-0636 or find the most recent closures and announcements at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4042/. 

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