7/16/2014 Waterman Complex

Fire Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 16, 2014 PM

Waterman Complex – Mitchell, Oregon

Information Center – 541-462-3140 (Will be routed through the school switchboard)

Incident Commander Doug Johnson

Start Date	Cause	Total Acres	Percent Containment	Crews	Engines	Water Tenders	Helos	Dozers	Total Personnel
7/11-12/2014	Lightning	4,319	28%	16	15	4	1	4	419

Location:  Three fires near Mitchell, Service Creek, and Kimberly, Oregon.

Current Situation:.  The Complex consists of three fires: Bailey Butte, Toney Butte,
and Junction Springs.  The incident command post is located at the Mitchell High
School in Mitchell, Oregon. Firefighting resources continue to arrive to assist in
suppression efforts. Suppression actions of the day included: providing structure
protection on the West Branch Road, constructing and holding fire line, mopping-
up hot spots, scouting new fire line locations, and falling snags along Hwy 26.
Aviation assets were utilized to assist in containment efforts.

Bailey Butte Fire – 2,105 acres, 50% contained. An inversion settled over the fire
for the majority of the day and dampened the fire behavior.  The fire activity
increased as the inversion dispersed at approximately 2:30 pm.  This prompted
 Crook County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the fire managers, to issue
 a Level I Evacuation Notice for the Marks Creek Estates.  Growth was experienced
 toward the east and the west flanks.  Retardant drops were used to check the
forward movement. Later this evening, the fire behavior increased and moved
 aggressively to the south.  Due to the this behavior and fire movement, a Level II
 Evacuation Notice for the residents in the Marks Creek Estates was issued. 
Residents need to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.  . This behavior
 has also prompted the Ochoco National Forest to issue an Area Closure fire
area to the south of Walton Lake; Highway 26 remains closed.  Details are
outlined below in the Closure Area.

Toney Butte Fire – 2,194 acres, 5% contained. Firefighters coordinated with
 landowners and worked diligently to minimize acres burned on ODF protected
 private lands by establishing fire line to aid containment. A cold, black line
now surrounds the fire perimeter. Crew will hold and mop-up hot spots.

Junction Springs Fire– 20 acres, 90% contained. This fire is now in patrol status.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): Two TFRs are in place over the
Complex. One is located over the Bailey Butte Fire and the other over the
Toney Butte Fire. Please check the NOTAM for current information.

Ochoco National Forest Closure Area:

This closure has been enacted due to firefighting activities taking place
within the closure area and for the protection of public and employees
safety. The Bailey Butte Fire Closure Area is established within boundary
lines on its north side by the Forest boundary and it’s south side following
 a system of closed Forest roads which include:

Forest Roads 450, 2630, 150, 2200, 2210, 300, 2610, Buck Creek Road
to its intersection with the east edge of the Mill Creek Wilderness and
Forest Roads 650, 27, 2745, 010 and the 2750.  All roads and trails
within the bounds of the Forest Closure are closed.  All campgrounds
within the Forest Closure area including Walton Lake, Round Mountain,
 Crystal Springs, Wildwood, Ochoco Divide, and Whistle are closed.
Persons or their invitees who live or own property within the closure area,
permitees who have a legitimate need to access their permitted allotments,
escorted or approved by the Incident Management Team may be allowed
into the closure area.

Weather: Red Flag warnings (critical fire weather conditions) are in effect
over the fire area for breezy winds and low humidity from Wednesday
afternoon through Friday evening. Hot and dry conditions will continue
through the rest of the week. Winds are expected to increase as a dry cold
front crosses the area.  Wind will decrease slightly on Friday.  These winds
 along with low relative humidities and dry fuels will create critical fire
weather conditions.

For more information on the Waterman Complex visit:

Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3961/

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