8/10/2014 PM 5 Mile and Somers Fire Updates

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 10, 2014 PM

5 Mile and Somers Fires – Joseph, Oregon

Information Contact Number: 541-432-0119

Location:  Two fires near Imnaha, Oregon.

Current situation: Smoke settled into the area creating an "unhealthy" outdoor environment today for those sensitive to poor air quality.  The air quality should improve tomorrow and greatly improved by Tuesday.  Those sensitive to the smoke should remain inside and limit outdoor activities. An Air Quality Monitoring Group has been requested to assist in assessing the smoke and its health effects. The smoke created visibility issues for flying and halted all air operations for the majority of the day. Plans have been made to move part of the helibase and the air operations closer to the two fires.

5 Mile Fire –Firefighters continued to mop-up containment lines along the southeast flank.  Infrared photography shows heat diminishing along southeast flank. The east, north, and west flanks are all in mop-up and rehabilitation status. Fences damaged during suppression actions are being repaired on private property. A chipper will work tomorrow along the Hat Point Road cleaning up brush from earlier suppression efforts. The need for the Level 1 Evacuation Notice was again 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.  Public should be aware of additional fire traffic on the Imnaha Road.

Start Date-August 3 

Cause-Under investigation 

Acres- 4,700

Percent Contained-65%

Total Personnel-386

            Crews-8           Engines-11       Water Tenders-8          Dozers-1          Helicopters-4

Somers Fire – The fire grew laterally north, south, and west.  Firefighters are prepared to defend the historical Tryon Creek Ranch and continue to work around the Temperance Ranch.  A plan has been developed to spike two crews in Dorrance Cow Camp.  These crews will scout potential containment lines along Summit and Tyron Ridges.  Other firefighters are being shuttled by jet boat and helicopters to provide point protection at various locations in the canyon. After the smoke lifted this afternoon, heavy air tankers dropped retardant and heavy helicopters worked to check the fire from moving westward. Two Remote Automatic Weather Stations (RAWS) were placed near the Somers Fire to gather site specific weather information for operational planning. Boaters on the Snake River need to be aware of water dipping activities and to use caution while in the area.

Start Date-August 3 

Cause-Lightning 

Acres- 26,000

Percent Contained-0%

Total Personnel-20

Weather:

Hot and dry weather will persist with temperatures in the mid-90s.  A Red Flag Warning has been issued for all of northeastern Oregon beginning Monday at 11:00 am through Tuesday 11:00 pm 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. 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 to the south. For a full listing of the closures please see the following links:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3812310.pdf

http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3812309.pdf

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. 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:

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

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