8/6/2014 PM 5 Mile and Somers Fire Update

        Fire Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 6, 2014 PM

5 Mile and Somers Fires – Joseph, Oregon

NEW Information Contact Number: 541-432-0119

A Community Meeting is scheduled for tomorrow at the Community Center in Joseph at 6 pm. The public is invited to hear an update on the fires and ask questions.

Location:  Two fires near Imnaha, Oregon.

Current situation: Additional firefighting resources are arriving to assist with suppression efforts.  Resources continue to be prioritized to protect high value assets and the community of Imnaha.

5 Mile Fire – 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. The flanks along the north towards Imnaha and west along the river are holding.  Firefighters continue to work to secure those lines with structure protection in place. The southeast flank became very active today. Fire moved across Dunlap Creek throwing embers across the Hat Point Road.  The spots totaled approximately 1 acre in size.  Two hotshot crews were moved there to suppress them.  As timber fallers are made available, snags along Hat Point Road will be felled for safety. Firefighters are preparing a fireline on Thorn Ridge overlooking Jody Creek. Planes applied retardant along Hat Point Road and the ridge again today. Hand line construction began from an anchor point on the Imnaha River uphill and tying into an existing dozer line in preparation of a burnout along this ridge. The burnout will potentially occur tomorrow. 

Start Date-August 3 

Cause-Under investigation 

Acres- 4,700

Percent Contained-20%

Total Personnel-351

            Crews-7           Engines-22      Water Tenders- 9        Dozers-1          Helicopters-6

Somers Fire – The Somers Fire is located in the Hells Canyon Wilderness Area. The fire continues to back towards the Pittsburg administrative site on the Snake River.  The concern is the fire will spread laterally along the River.  Ten rappellers continue to staff this fire.  Other resources will be reassigned from the 5 Mile Fire as they become available. The priority will be continued point protection of Pittsburg administrative site. Heavy helicopters were used to suppress the downhill fire movement near the Pittsburg administrative site. 

Start Date-August 3 

Cause-Lightning 

Acres- 2,300  

Percent Contained-0%

Total Personnel-10 Rappellers

Evacuations:

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 remain at a Level 1 Evacuation Notice.

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.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): Two TFRs are in place over the two fires. Please check the NOTAM for current information.

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

Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4048/  and http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4053/

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