Saturday, August 9, 2014

8/9/2014 PM 5 Mile and Somers Fire Update

Fire Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 9, 2014 PM

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

Location:  Two fires near Imnaha, Oregon.

Current situation:
5 Mile Fire –Firefighters continued to build and secure containment lines along the south flank.  The high humidity, smoky conditions, and unfavorable winds inhibited the burnout operation.  The east, north, and west flanks are all in mop-up and rehabilitation status. The need for the Level 1 Evacuation Notice was reviewed and will be reevaluated tomorrow. 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 has been identified to respond to any new fire starts within the local vicinity.
Start Date-August 3 
Cause-Under investigation 
Acres- 4,700
Percent Contained-50%
Total Personnel-403
            Crews-10         Engines-11       Water Tenders-8          Dozers-2          Helicopters-5

Somers Fire – The fire continued to grow laterally north and south due to the light fuels and an extended burn period. Firefighters have secured the historical Tryon Creek Ranch and continue to work around the Temperance Ranch. Preparations include constructing fire line, removing receptive fuels around infrastructure, setting up sprinkler systems, and wrapping buildings in fire resistant foil. The priority continues to be point protection of the radio repeater at Somers Point and additional sites located in the canyon.  The Wisnor Place cabin was lost today as the fire moved south.  Firefighters will be scouting potential containment lines, specifically along Summit Ridge.  Resources continue to transition from 5 Mile Fire to Somers Fire.  Firefighters are being shuttled by jet boat and helicopters. Heavy helicopters will continue with bucket drops of water to cool the fire's edge on the north and south flanks.  Boaters on the Snake River need to be aware of water dipping activities and to use caution while in the area. Three Remote Automatic Weather Stations (RAWS) are being strategically placed near the Somers Fire to gather site specific weather information for operational planning. The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has implemented a Closure restricting the use of the Oregon and Idaho river frontage for ¼ mile inland along the Snake River.  See Closures below for more information.
Start Date-August 3 
Cause-Lightning 
Acres- 20,000  
Percent Contained-0%
Total Personnel-23

Weather:
Continued hot and dry weather will persist with temperatures in the upper 90s to 100 degrees with relative humidity of 9-15%. A Fire Weather Watch will be issued for all of northeast Oregon late Monday through Tuesday for abundant lightning.
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. Two new Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Closure orders are being implemented that will close 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 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. The TFR over the Somers Fire has been expanded due to the perimeter growth. Please check the NOTAM for current information. TFR 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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