7/20/2014 10:00 am Bridge 99 Complex Update

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Bridge 99 Complex

Sisters OR - The Bridge 99 Complex consists of two fires (Bridge 99 Fire and Bear Butte 2 Fire) started by lightning on Sunday July 13.  The complex grew in size from yesterday by 468 acres and is now 5,310 acres.  * The significant reduction in acres is the result of the management decision to transfer fire-suppression responsibilities for the Warm Springs portion of the Bear Butte 2 Fire to an incident management team working on Logging Unit Complex.  They will now manage the 3,098 acres of the Bear Butte 2 Fire burning on the Confederated Tribes of Warms Springs lands.  The 4,699-acre Bridge 99 Fire increased by 468 acres from yesterday and is burning 18 miles northwest of the town of Sisters, east of the Metolius River and on the west-facing slopes of Green Ridge.  The growth of this fire yesterday was towards the north.  Crews were successful in continuing to secure the southern part of the fire line along Forest Road 14, east of the Metolius River.  Late in the afternoon the Bridge 99 Fire became active along the northern perimeter and burned approximately 400 additional acres towards the north and eastward, across several roads.  The southern portion of the Bear Butte 2 Fire is now estimated to be 611 acres within the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, on the Deschutes National Forest.  The Bear Butte 2 Fire is 7 miles northwest of the Bridge 99 Fire.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department has issued the following evacuation orders:

All private lands along the Metolius River from Allen Springs Campground to Lake Billy Chinook (including the Metolius Arm) are in a Level III Evacuation Order.  The Three Rivers Subdivision is in a Level II Evacuation Order.  The subdivisions of Rim Park, Forest Park, and Air Park along with the Cove Palisades State Park are in a Level I Evacuation Order.  The Cove Palisades State Park remains open.  These evacuation orders have not changed from yesterday.

The following Forest Service roads, trails, campgrounds and lands are closed (There are no changes in the closure orders): Forest Road 12, from its intersection with Forest Roads 1270/1298 to Bridge 99, Forest Road 14, from Bridge 99 to its intersection with Forest Road 1400700 (Allen Springs Campground), Forest Road 1140, from its intersection with Forest Roads 1150/1180 to the intersection with Forest Road 1152, Forest Road 1154, from its intersection with Forest Road 1150 to the intersection with Forest Road 1140, and Forest Road 1420400.  The Lower Bridge, Pioneer Ford, Allen Springs, Canyon Creek, Monty, Perry South, and Candle Creek Campgrounds are closed. The Jefferson Lake Trail (#4001), Sugarpine Ridge Trail (#4002), Shirley Lake Trail (#4003.1), and the Cabot Lake Trail (#4003) are closed within the Mt Jefferson Wilderness.  A 5-mile segment of the Pacific Crest Trail (#2000) is closed.  The south closure is located north of the Shirley Lake Trail (#4003) junction and the north closure is located near Cathedral Rocks.  An area closure has been designated on a map that is available on the Inciweb website listed below.

Temperatures are expected to remain in the mid 80s and the relative humidity (the amount of moisture in the air) is predicted to be around 20%.  The predicted fire behavior, or fire intensity will continue to challenge firefighting efforts.  The complex is burning in very steep and rugged country with heavy timber and brush at an elevation of 3,000 to 4,000'.  There have been no injuries or accidents reported to date, as the safety of the firefighters is being emphasized.  Prevention of heat-related injuries and safely traveling to and from fire assignments has been a priority

 A public meeting was held at the Lake Chinook Village Store yesterday evening attended by approximately 100 people.  Many questions were asked by local residents and the public about the status of the fire, evacuation levels, and air quality concerns.

For detailed information on the fire including Operational Period maps, area closure maps, and photos please visit:http://www.inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3963/