FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2014 PM
5 Mile and Somers Fires – Joseph, Oregon
Information Contact Number: 541-432-0119
Location: Two fires near Imnaha, Oregon.
Special Announcements:
Effective immediately, per the Wallowa County Sheriff's Office, the Level 1 evacuation for Imnaha in addition to the Upper Imnaha River Road closure has been lifted. The fire danger to these areas has lessened and is safe for travel. Smoke might be visible from the road; however these smokes are interior and are not considered a threat to the containment lines.
Current situation:
5 Mile Fire –Crews continued to cold trail and extinguish hot spots within the perimeters. The fire experienced wind gusts up to 40 mph from isolated afternoon thunderstorms. No lines were compromised and the fire will go into patrol status with 29 people tomorrow.
Start Date-August 3
Cause-Under investigation
Acres- 4,524 (new lower acreage reflects removal of unburned areas)
Percent Contained-85%
Total Personnel-29
Crews-1 Engines-2 Water Tenders-1
Somers Fire –Crews were able to gain access to the south end of the fire from Memaloose spike camp and begin point protection by wrapping structures at Hat Point Overlook. Structure protection and handline construction will continue on the north flank of the fire, to slow the forward movement. Crews on the north end started from the river working uphill, cold trailing the 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. A helibase will be established at a spot near Thomason Meadows. A spike camp will be established at Memaloose. Spike camps are established to position firefighters and resources closer to the fire. A 15,000 gallon heliwell, large portable tank, will be positioned near Memaloose spike camp. This will provide a quicker turn around for helicopters to fill buckets. Boaters on the Snake River should still be aware of helicopters dipping water and other fire related activities, and use caution.
Start Date-August 3
Cause-Lightning
Acres- 27,000
Percent Contained-0%
Total Personnel-345
Crews-4 Dozer-1 Water Tender-2 Jet Boat-1
Weather:
A Red Flag Warning will continue through tonight at 11:00 pm for abundant lightning. Local unit and incident firefighters are prepared to respond to any new fire starts. Two upper level low fronts merged off the coasts of Oregon and Washington today and are bringing cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and more instability. The moister and cooler conditions will continue through Friday, then return to an August seasonal weather pattern of warm and dry conditions.
Closures:
The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has closed Hat Point Road FR4240. the Upper Imnaha Road is now open. 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:
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