Milli Fire
September 3, 2017 Daily Update
Fire Information Line: 541-719-8135 Location of Origin: 9 miles W of Sisters, OR
Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/
Special Announcement: A Red Flag Warning (which means critical weather conditions are or will occur) remains in effect over Central Oregon for hot, dry, and unstable weather through Tuesday. The combination of the Red Flag Warning and the multiple, consecutive, lack of overnight relative humidity recovery could cause any ignition source on dry fuels to start a wildfire. Forest visitors are remind to stay vigilant and “Know Before You Go”.
General Information:
Smoke from several near-by fires and from the Milli Fire settled over the area yesterday keeping temperatures 10 degrees lower than predicted and moderating fire behavior. As a result, the air quality became an issue and the same is predicted for today. The poor air quality and visibility has also restricted the use of helicopters to assist firefighters.
Air Quality: Air quality reported from Air Now http://www.airnow.gov/ is in the “Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups” (UHSG) (orange) air quality range. The “UHSG” range is defined as the air quality is unhealthy for people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged activity or heavy exertion. Information is also available at: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com
Incident Management: Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, with Doug Johnson, Incident Commander, is managing and supporting the firefighters of the Milli Fire. The incident command post (ICP) is located at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds, east of Sisters, Oregon.
Fire Update: The majority of smoke produced from the Milli Fire yesterday resulted from the partial burning of the interior island of regeneration located on private lands firefighters have been working to protect over the past several days. All fire movement was interior and stayed within the confines of the established perimeters.
The east, southeast, and south flanks of the fire are in patrol status with firefighters mopping up any detected heat to further secure containment lines. Several smokes were detected near the containment line and were mopped-up. Secondary containment lines outside the perimeter are in the repair process. Crews, dozers, excavators and wood chippers are working to return unused containment and dozer lines to a more natural state. Unneeded equipment is being back hauled to the incident command post.
On the southwest flank, the fire is backing down into the old Pole Creek burn. Heavy smoke has kept firefighters from visually monitoring this perimeter. Several engines and firefighters have been working in the Lava Camp area to mop-up hot spots and secure the infrastructure of the campground. The fire has backed down to Hwy 242 at Windy Point.
Clean-up is underway along Hwy 242 removing logs, rocks, and debris however the road will remain closed as additional work will be required to remove hazards. It will be closed until Oregon Department of Transportation has assessed the condition of the road and can ensure it is safe for travel.
Weather: Temperatures are forecasted for 84-88 degrees (dependent on the smoke and elevation), relative humidity 11-14%, with west/northwest winds 7-10 mph with gusts up to 13 mph. Looking forward to mid-week, there will be chances of isolated thunderstorms. Widespread wetting rains are not expected until possibly late week or next week-end.
Resources: Total personnel assigned to the Milli Fire: 347 personnel, comprised of 2-type 2 initial attack crews, 2-type 2 crews, 3-camp crews, 17-engines, 1-masticators, 4-skidgens, 2-heavy helicopters, 1- light helicopters, 4-dozers, 9-water tenders and 134 overhead. Available resources remain limited and are being prioritized within the region and nationally. Resources continue to be shared amongst nearby fires. Additional critical resources have been reordered.
Evacuation Levels: For additional information on evacuation levels, please contact the Deschutes County Sheriff’s office at 541-693-6911. Current evacuation levels:
Level 2– Crossroads subdivision, Edgington Road, Remuda Road, Peterson Burn Road, Wildwing and Three Creeks Road residences.
Level 1 – Tollgate subdivision, all areas between OR 242 and US 20, west of Cold Springs Cutoff (Forest Road 1018) which includes Black Butte Ranch.
Highway Closures: OR Hwy 242 is closed east of the Cascade Crest to the junction of Forest Road 15. For more information visit www.tripcheck.com
Forest Closures- For further information go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/
The Sisters Chamber of Commerce would like to invite and remind the public the businesses are open and ready to host visitors over the holiday weekend.
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