Tuesday, July 22, 2014

7/22/2014 9:00 am Bridge 99 Complex Update


Bridge 99 Complex:

Sisters OR – Firefighters made good progress yesterday constructing containment lines and conducting small burn-outs to further secure the Bridge 99 Fire. Cooler temperatures and higher humidity aided the effort, limiting the spread of the fire. Fire operations officials report that the fire settled down nicely under a heavy cloud cover for most of the day. Crews initiated mop-up on several portions of the fire line, which is nearly complete for the entire perimeter of the Bridge 99 Fire. Firefighters continued to monitor the southern portion of the Bear Butte 2 Fire, where helicopters are dropping water to cool hotspots and slow the advance of the fire. Crews continue to scout out future contingency lines on this fire. Total complex acreage increased only slightly yesterday, to 5,888 acres.

Today, fire crews will be challenged by an incoming weather system that is expected to bring thunderstorms and lightning to the area. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for abundant lightning and thunderstorm-driven high and erratic winds. Temperatures will be in the 70s, with relative humidity in the 20% range. Crews will continue line reinforcement and mop-up activities. Depending on weather conditions, completion of a burn-out operation on the NW corner of the Bridge 99 Fire will complete the fire line around the perimeter today.

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Department evacuation orders remain unchanged and are as follows:

All private lands along the Metolius River from Allen Springs Campground to Lake Billy Chinook (including the Metolius Arm) are under 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 Cove Palisades State Park are in a Level I Evacuation Order.  The Cove Palisades State Park remains open.

The following Forest Service roads, trails, campgrounds and lands remain 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.  The Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery remains closed to the public.
 The above closures and evacuation levels will be reassessed again today to determine if they remain appropriate to protect public health and safety.
 For additional information on the Bridge 99 Complex:
 For information on smoke impacts to air quality in your community, go to the Oregon Smoke Blog at: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com. For detailed information on the fire including Operational Period maps, area closure maps, and photos please visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3963/.




--
Carol Connolly

Public Affairs Specialist
National Riparian Service Team
cconnoll@blm.gov
(541) 416-6892

Public Information Officer
Northwest Interagency Coordination Center
(503) 808-2764
Twitter: @nwccinfo

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.