Tuesday, August 12, 2014

8/12/2014 AM 5 Mile and Somers Fire Update


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2014 AM

5 Mile and Somers Fires – Joseph, Oregon
Information Contact Number: 541-432-0119

There will be a Community Meeting in Imnaha this evening at 5 PM at the Imnaha Christian Fellowship Church.  Please come hear updates on the two fires and ask questions.

Location:  Two fires near Imnaha, Oregon.

Current situation: Smoke has settled into the area and is rated "Moderate." This means "Air quality is acceptable; however, for some pollutants there may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution". An Air Quality Monitoring Group has arrived to assist in assessing the smoke and its potential health effects on the public and firefighters. Part of the helibase and the air operations are moving to be closer to the two fires. Crews and other resources are being transitioned from 5 Mile Fire to Somers Fire as available.

5 Mile Fire –Containment lines are in mop-up and rehabilitation status. Hot spots along the southern and eastern edges were identified and are being addressed to reduce the potential threats posed to the fire line. Fences and water lines damaged during suppression actions are being repaired on private property if damaged during firefighting efforts. Road grading and maintenance will begin today on Hat Point Road FR4240. This fire is expected to be in patrol status by end of shift today. The operational priority remains to secure the town of Imnaha and keep the fire from the Oregon Department of Forestry protected private lands, ranches, and homes along the Imnaha River Road. An initial attack group will respond to any new fire starts within the local vicinity.  The public should be aware of the potential for additional fire traffic on the Imnaha Road.
Start Date-August 3 
Cause-Under investigation 
Acres- 4,524 (new lower acreage reflects removal of unburned areas)
Percent Contained-80%
Total Personnel-292
            Crews-3           Engines-6        Water Tenders-8         Dozers-1          Helicopters-5

Somers Fire –Yesterday, air attack worked on the most active part of the fire near Lord Flat on the ridge above Deep Creek in the northwest corner. Spotting occurred over the two-track trail on the Summit Ridge when a thunder cell passed. Firefighters successfully burned out around the historical Tryon Creek and Temperance Ranches as the fire approached. Temperance Ranch received rain and the burnout operation wasn't completed. Other priority areas of point protection include infrastructure in Deep Creek, Copper Creek, and Hat Point. Other firefighters are being shuttled by jet boat and helicopters to provide point protection at various other locations in the canyon. Hand crews are positioned at a staging area at Thomason Meadows and air shuttled to the fire line. Proposed indirect containment lines have been defined including: Saddle Creek on the south, Summit Ridge on the west, and the Summit Ridge to the north where it meets the Snake River.  If weather conditions are favorable, firefighters will engage with a direct attack strategy. A helibase will be established at a spot near Thomason Meadows. A spike camp will be established at Memaloose. Spike camps are being established to position firefighters and resources


closer to the fire. Boaters on the Snake River need to be aware of water dipping activities and to use caution while in the area.
Start Date-August 3 
Cause-Lightning 
Acres- 26,500
Percent Contained-0%
Total Personnel-100
            Crews-4          

Weather:
Hot and dry weather will persist with temperatures in the mid-90s and relative humidity 11-16%.  A Red Flag Warning will continue through Tuesday 11:00 pm for abundant lightning.  Local unit and incident firefighters are prepared to respond to any new fire starts.

Evacuations:
A Level 1 Evacuation Notice remains in place for the town of Imnaha and residents along the Imnaha River Road 5 miles south of Imnaha near Freezeout Creek to 10 miles north of Imnaha near Fence Creek.

Closures:
The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has closed Hat Point Road FR4240. Wallowa County has closed the Upper Imnaha Road; private landowners will be allowed access. The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest implemented two Closure Orders closing the Oregon and Idaho river frontage of the Snake River ¼ mile inland.  The river will be closed on the Oregon side from Copper Creek to Rush Creek and on the Idaho side from the Forest Boundary to the north and the mouth of the Salmon River to the south. For a full listing of the closures please see the following links:

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): Two TFRs are in place over the two fires. Please check the NOTAM for current information. TFRs are in place for safety to restrict other aircraft from entering the fire area while incident aircraft are working.

For more information on the 5 Mile and Somers Fires visit:

Look us up on Twitter @5MileFire and on Facebook 5 Mile Fire                                                     http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/

No comments:

Post a Comment

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