8/7/2014 PM 5 Mile and Somers Fire Update

Fire Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 7, 2014 PM

5 Mile and Somers Fires – Joseph, Oregon

Information Contact Number: 541-432-0119

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 southeast flank of the 5 Mile Fire became very active again today. Firefighters assisted by heavy helicopters with water drops and retardant from single engine air tankers are engaged to keep the fire south of the Hat Point Road. 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 northern flank near Imnaha and west flank along the river continue to hold.  Firefighters continue to mop-up hot spots to secure those lines and structure protection remains in place.

Today will be a critical operational day to hold this fire.  Firefighters are attempting to utilize Thorn Ridge for a containment line to prevent the southerly movement of the fire. A contingency containment line further south will be scouted.  Timber fallers began to fall snags along Hat Point Road. Structure protection efforts will begin at College Creek Guard Station and at Cayuse Flats.

Start Date-August 3 

Cause-Under investigation 

Acres- 4,700

Percent Contained-25%

Total Personnel-359

            Crews-7           Engines-16      Water Tenders- 9        Dozers-4          Helicopters-3

Somers Fire – The Somers Fire is located in the Hells Canyon Wilderness Area. The fire grew significantly yesterday and last night. An infra-red radar flight from early this morning displayed the fire had backed down to the Snake River encompassing approximately seven miles of river frontage. Today, the fire continued to grow north and south (laterally) with little movement east or west. The priority continues to be point protection of Pittsburg administrative site, the radio repeater at Somers Point, and additional sites located in the canyon.  Equipment will be flown into the Temperance and Tryon Creek Ranches (locations north and south of the fire respectively) to prepare the sites as a precaution. Preparation will include removing receptive fuels around infrastructure, setting up sprinkler systems, and wrapping buildings in fire resistant foil. A new radio repeater will be installed on the Idaho side of the Snake River to aid in radio communications.  Ten rappellers continue to staff this fire.  Lack of availability of resources continues to be an issue on this fire.  Resources will be assigned as they become available. Heavy helicopters will continue with bucket drops of water to cool the fire's edge.  Boaters on the Snake River need to be aware of water dipping activities and use caution while in the area.

Start Date-August 3 

Cause-Lightning 

Acres- 12,000  

Percent Contained-0%

Total Personnel-10 Rappellers

Weather:

Continued hot and dry weather will persist tomorrow with temperatures in the mid and lower 90s with relative humidity of 12-17%.  A chance of thunderstorms begins tomorrow afternoon and increases through-out the week-end.

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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