FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE: Monday, September 11, 2017
Ochoco
National Forest suppressing wilderness fire
PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Smoke may be visible over the Ochocos
from Prineville and Highway 26 due to the Desolation fire, a new start within
Mill Creek Wilderness about 20 miles northeast of town.
First reported just before noon on Saturday, September 9,
the fire is estimated at 154 acres and burning near the intersection of the East
Fork of Mill Creek and Desolation Canyon.
The fire is burning in patches of dead and live timber on
steep slopes just below Whistler Point. Aircraft dumped water on the fire
yesterday to check its growth and today crews are flying the fire to get a
better size estimate.
No firefighters have been sent in on the ground yet due to
safety concerns over the abundance of snags, but the Forest is suppressing the
fire when and where it’s possible to do so safely.
Fire managers plan to use containment lines prepared during
the Belknap fire in August along the southeast boundary of the wilderness to
protect nearby private property and infrastructure should the fire grow and
move.
Weather forecasts are calling for a cold front to pass
through Central Oregon sometime over the next two days bringing with it wind
gusts up to 20 miles per hour, which means that existing fires have some
potential for growth.
There are no area or trail closures associated with the
fire at this point, but managers will reassess whether any public safety restrictions
could be appropriate should the need arise.
The Forest urges hunters and other fall hikers into the
wilderness to use caution and be aware of current fire activity before using
the wilderness.
Might want to add "Service" after "Forest", in "the Forest is suppressing the fire "...
ReplyDeleteCan you cut a safe route in using chain saws?
ReplyDeleteNeed update for today.
ReplyDeletePatrick, can you answer, please. Report on Monday says planes dropped water. Doesn't seem right. Or did they dump retardant.
ReplyDeleteFire detected Saturday. What was done right away? Your report sounds like no action until Monday?
ReplyDeletePatrick, please, put fire on inciweb.
ReplyDelete