7/19/2014 Waterman Complex AM Update

   Fire Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 19, 2014 AM

Waterman Complex – Mitchell, Oregon

Information Center – 541-787-4321

Incident Commander Doug Johnson

Evacuation Notices

The West Branch area remains under a Level III Evacuation Notice. A Red Cross Shelter is located at

the 108 S. Nelson St (Community Hall) in Mitchell.

The Marks Creek area remains under a Level III Evacuation.  A Red Cross Shelter is located at the

Crook County High School in Prineville.

Current Situation

The Complex consists of four fires (Bailey Butte, Toney Butte, Junction Springs and Incident #376), two
of which are now contained.  Firefighting resources continue to arrive to assist in suppression efforts and are
assigned to the priority fire of Bailey Butte.  As fires become contained in the Complex, resources are
redirected to Bailey Butte. Suppression actions of the day include providing structure protection on the
West Branch Road and Marks Creek area; constructing and holding fire line, mopping-up hot spots, patrolling, scouting new fire line locations, preparing existing roads, and rehabilitating and repairing fire line construction
impacts (i.e water barring dozer lines). Aviation assets will be utilized in containment efforts. Firefighters are challenged with steep terrain, heat, and other weather conditions.

Those seeking to travel to or from the Mitchell area are advised to check the Oregon Department of
Transportation Trip Check website for open roads.  The Ochoco National Forest has closed public access
within the forest south of the Bailey Butte fire due to increased fire activity.  An additional Forest Closure
Order is anticipated.

With several other fires in the local area besides the Waterman Complex, smoke may be heavy at times with
the inversion; caution is urged when driving with limited visibility on roads.  Highway 26 is currently being
assessed for and felling hazard trees in an effort to facilitate its reopening to traffic.

Oregon Incident Management Team 3 held a “Safety Pause” focused on the health and well-being of the
Complex firefighters as specifically related to heat illnesses.  An emerging trend around the Region in Oregon
and Washington reflects an increase in wildfire suppression incidents of heat related stress and illnesses. All firefighting personnel were engaged in the discussion.

Bailey Butte Fire – 8,415 acres, 10% contained. The east flank of the fire has been creating the most
challenges to firefighters.  The forward movement and spotting over Forest Road (FR) 2210 near Court House Rock has been a priority focus area with the fire backing down into the West Branch Road area.  Structural protection engines remain in place.  The fire also grew southeast toward the Wildwood Campground.  A successful burnout operation was completed last night along FR 302 and FR 2210 to check the forward movement of fire spread towards the infrastructure of the Wildwood Campground and Crystal Springs
Organization Camp.  Burnout operations are expected to continue today along FR 2630.  The fire has moved
out of the Research Natural Area and is burning towards areas of managed stands that will be used to reduce
fire behavior.  The northwest flank from the head of the fire into Dodds Spring is tied in with dozer line.
Crews will be working today to continue this line into FR 27.  A spike camp has been established in Spears Meadow to reduce travel time for firefighters.

Toney Butte Fire – 2,220 acres, 90% contained.  The fire experienced no growth but some interior smokes remain. Crews will continue to cold trail, mop up hot spots, and patrol the fire perimeter. These resources
remain available for initial attack.

Junction Springs Fire– 20 acres, 100% contained. This fire remains in patrol status and monitored by air.

Incident #376 - .25 acres, 100% contained.  This fire is cold and black.  One snag remains to be felled.

Ochoco National Forest Closure Area:

Closure Order 06-07-01-14-001 has been enacted due to firefighting activities taking place within the closure area and for the protection of public and employee safety. The Bailey Butte Fire Closure Area is established within boundary lines on its north side by the Forest boundary and its 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 Whistler are closed.

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.

For more information on the Waterman Complex visit:

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

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Oregon Trip Check at http://www.tripcheck.com