8/3/2014 10:48 Logging Unit Fires Update

Update for Logging Unit Fires
and Bear Butte 2 Fire

August 3, 2014

Fire officials and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs have agreed to reduce the closed area associated with the Logging Unit Fires. Ollallie Butte and Blue Lake are now open to Tribal members
for huckleberry picking. The area north of the powerline near Blue Lake remains closed.

Crews are using handheld InfraRed units to detect hot spots within 300 feet of the line around the Camas Prairie fire. While the fire is producing very little smoke, there is still significant heat and firefighters made good progress Saturday helping to cool the firelines.

Firefighters also continue to strengthen the northern portion of the fireline on the Bear Butte 2 Fire, preparing it to withstand a potential push from the south in the future. The eastern portion of the fire is now in patrol status.

Early Saturday evening, three crews and a water tender assisted Warm Springs firefighters with a new fire north of the Shaniko Butte Fire that is estimated to be about 300 acres and has been named the Nena Fire.

Saturday was the last day for many resources which have reached their 14-day limit. Today several crews will be returning home for two or more days of rest before their next assignment.

Overnight there was good relative humidity recovery and the Red Flag Warning for lightning has been lifted. There is still a slight chance for thunderstorms late in the day on Sunday. Moving into the week, firefighters face dryer conditions and stronger winds.

Local berry pickers are reminded that they will be sharing stretches of forest roads with fire traffic. All users of Highway 26 are reminded that fire traffic will be entering and exiting the highway throughout the day.

Fire at a Glance

Total Incident Size: 10,447 acres
-Bear Butte 2 (north half): 3803 ac.
- Logging Unit Fires: 6644 ac.

Containment:
-Bear Butte 2 (north half) – 70%
-Logging Unit Fires – 80%

Assigned Personnel: 940
Aircraft:
-2 Type 1 Heavy Lift helicopters
-1 Type 3 Light Lift helicopter
-1 Fixed Wing Air Mgt Aircraft

Location:
-Logging Unit Fires: 15 miles WSW of Simnasho on the Warm Springs Reservation.
-Bear Butte 2 Fire: 25 miles WSW of Warm Springs on the Warm Springs Reservation.

Cause: Started by lightning on  July 16, 2014

Fire Information Number: (541) 553-2996

Fire Information E-Mail:
LoggingUnitFiresInfo@gmail.com
Fire Information Website: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3973/#