FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2014 AM
Somers and 5 Mile Fires, Joseph, Oregon
Information Contact Number: 541-432-0119
Location: Two fires near Imnaha, Oregon.
Special Announcements:
The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has lifted a Closure Order on the Idaho side river frontage of the Snake River ¼ mile inland from the Forest Boundary to the north and the mouth of the Salmon River to the south.
Current Situation:
The Eastern Great Basin Team 4 arrived in Joseph and received a briefing from the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 3. The Eastern Great Basin Team is shadowing Oregon Team 3 in preparation of assuming command Friday morning.
Somers Fire –There was very little movement of the Somers Fire perimeter yesterday. The fire received scattered, light precipitation overnight. The unsettled weather pattern continues into Friday with higher humidities, lower temperatures, and low winds that will aid fire suppression efforts. Downdraft winds are expected from passing afternoon storm cells. Proposed indirect containment lines have been defined including Saddle Creek on the south, Summit Ridge on the west, and the Tryon Ridge to the north where it meets the Snake River. Crews on the north-end are tied into the Snake River and will continue to build line and cold trail uphill as well as downhill from the Tryon Ranch. Helicopters, when able to fly, are concentrating water drops on the northwest flank today to cool areas of intense heat along the fire line and isolated pockets in the interior. Structures and cultural sites are being prepped using various actions including removing receptive fuels, lining, burning out, installing hose lays, sprinklers, pumps, and wrapping buildings in fire resistant foil. Firefighters are working along Summit Ridge prepping the two-track trail towards Grassy Knoll as a containment line. A spike camp is established at Thomason Meadows as a helicopter crew shuttle location into Dorrance Cow Camp. The helibase is now located near Thomason Meadows. A spike camp and a 15,000 gallon heliwell large portable tank are located at Memaloose guard station. Helicopters will continue dipping water from the Snake River, so boaters should remain aware of this and other fire related activities and use caution while in the area. Hazards in the area include caches of propane tanks stored by hunters, poisonous snakes, poisonous plants, rolling rocks, and treacherous terrain.
Start Date-August 3
Cause-Lightning
Acres- 27,000
Percent Contained-25%
Total Personnel-294
Crews-7 Engines-7 Helos – 6 Water Tender-2 Jet Boat-1
5 Mile Fire –Mop-up is completed on the west, north, and east flanks and are now on patrol status. Resources are available to respond as initial attack on new fire starts in the local area. The public is urged to exercise caution due to equipment and firefighter traffic..
Start Date-August 3
Cause-Under investigation
Acres- 4,524
Percent Contained-90%
Total Personnel-29
Crews-1 Engines-2 Water Tenders-2 Dozers-1
Weather:
Local unit and incident firefighters are prepared to respond to any new fire starts. Occasional showers with gusty outflow winds are forecasted for Thursday and Thursday night. A seasonal weather pattern of warm and dry conditions will return this weekend and continue through next week.
Closures:
The Hat Point Road FR4240 on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest remains closed to the public. The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has placed a Closure Order closing the Oregon river frontage of the Snake River ¼ mile inland. The river will be closed on the Oregon side from Copper Creek to Rush Creek. For a full listing of the closures, please see the following links:
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): One TFR remains in place over the Somers Fire. Please check the NOTAM for current information. This TFR is 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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