7/19/2014 10AM Sunflower Fire Update

Sunflower Fire

July 19, 2014

Fire Information: 1-800-923-6891

Inciweb:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3964/

Great Basin Team 5 Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1pjXNdz                        

Start Date    07/14/2014

Cause        Lightning

Size in acres   5,300   

Percent Containment   10%

Helicopters    1           

Engines         10

Crews            10

Water Tender   4         

Dozers            1

Total Personnel:  299

Summary: On Monday, July 14, 2014 a thunderstorm ignited the Sunflower Fire 10 miles northwest of Monument, OR. The fire is well established on the south side of Wall Creek drainage between Happy and Wilson Creeks.  Short duration crown runs, torching and spotting have been observed due to afternoon localized winds. The fire has grown to 3,059 acres.

Current Situation: Localized afternoon winds in the Wall Creek drainage pushed the fire south and southeast into Indian Creek Friday evening. A night shift is assigned to monitor the fire and secure and hold existing line.

Today, crews in the northern eastern section of the fire will reinforce existing line and begin mopping up hot spots. In the southern perimeter, crews will use existing roads to scout unchecked line and continue line construction.  On the western flank of the fire, crews will hold and improve containment lines to keep the fire east of the 2128 forest road. 

Smoke will be visible throughout the valleys until midday when the inversion typically lifts, and the fire is to grow to the south and east today as afternoon winds increase. 

Weather:  Mostly sunny to partly cloudy with light and variable winds.  A cooling trend is expected to begin setting up Sunday and into Monday.  This will calm fire behavior and assist firefighters with suppression efforts. 

Area Fire Closures:  An area closure was expanded around the fire for firefighter and public safety. Information and map can be found @ http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3964/

Fire Restrictions: Phase A fire restrictions go into effected today, July 19^th, 2014. For information on area fire restrictions please visit: www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla

      

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