Wednesday, August 13, 2014

8/13/2014 5 Mile and Somers Fire Update

Information Contact Number: 541-432-0119

Location:  Two fires near Imnaha, Oregon.

Special Announcements:
The Level 1 Evacuation Notice for Imnaha and the Upper Imnaha River Road residents has been lifted by the Wallowa County Sheriff's Office in conjunction with fire managers.  The Upper Imnaha Road is also now open to all traffic.  Smoke may be visible from the road; however these smokes are interior and are not considered a threat to the containment lines.  Firefighters are still working in the area patrolling. The public should use caution while in the area.

Current situation:
Somers Fire – There was very little movement of the Somers Fire perimeter yesterday. Spotty rain was received over the fire from the thunderstorms. Crews on the north-end started from the Snake River working uphill and another started downhill from the Tryon Ranch, cold trailing the line. On the south end of the fire, the area at Memaloose admin site and Hat Point Overlook are being prepped by removing receptive fuels around infrastructure and wrapping buildings in fire resistant foil.  Firefighters are working along the ridge prepping the two-track trail towards Grassy Knoll as a containment line.  Proposed indirect containment lines have been defined including Saddle Creek on the south, Summit Ridge on the west, and the Tryon Ridge to the north where it meets the Snake River.  A smaller spike camp has been established at Thomason Meadows as a crew shuttle location into Dorrance Cow Camp.  A secondary helibase is established at a spot near Thomason Meadows. A spike camp is also established at Memaloose guard station. Spike camps are established to position firefighters and resources closer to the fire. A 15,000 gallon heliwell, large portable tank, is positioned near Memaloose spike camp. This water source will provide a quick turn around for helicopters to fill buckets.  Helicopters will also continue dipping water from the Snake River, so boaters should remain aware of this and other fire related activities and use caution while in the area.
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

5 Mile Fire –Crews continued to patrol, mop-up and provide traffic control.  The containment lines were tested with wind gusts up to 40 mph from all directions by isolated afternoon thunderstorms. Multiple new smokes became visible and were suppressed. No lines were compromised and the fire is now in patrol status.
Start Date-August 3 
Cause-Under investigation 
Acres- 4,524
Percent Contained-85%
Total Personnel-29
            Crews-1           Engines-2        Water Tenders-1        

Weather:
A new Red Flag Warning is in effect until 11:00 pm tonight for dry lightning.  Local unit and incident firefighters are prepared to respond to any new fire starts.  High temperatures are forecasted for mid to uppers 80s and relative humidity of low to mid 20%. Cooler conditions with possible showers will continue through Friday and then return to an August seasonal weather pattern of warm and dry conditions.

Closures:
The Hat Point Road FR4240 on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest remains closed to the public.  The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has placed 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):  One TFR remains in place over the Somers Fire. Please check the NOTAM for current information. This TFR is 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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