8/13/15 Informational: Soda Creek Fire Update

The Soda Creek Fire has burned into Oregon.  It is being managed and tracked through the Great Basin Coordination Center.  The Northwest Coordination Center is sharing their updates to keep Oregonians informed.

Start Date	Cause	Size in acres	Percent Containment	Helicopters	Engines	Crews	Water Tender	Dozers	Total Personnel
Aug. 10	Undetermined	218,043	11%	5	16	4	4	8	213

  

Currently, Highway 95 is closed due to increased fire activity and safety issues.

Summary: The Soda Fire started August 10.  Bureau of Land Management firefighters responded with a full contingent of engines and aircraft to suppress the fire.  On July 11, the wind-driven fire had grown to 78,000 acres. One unoccupied structure was destroyed during this period. On August 12, the fire grew 125,000 acres in all directions, primarily to the northwest.  It is threatening residences and commercial buildings along the Owyhee Front, south of Homedale.  The Owyhee County Sherriff’s Office lifted an evacuation order for the Homedale area at the west end of Cemetery Road and Thompson Rd, Graveyard Point and Market Road. There are no evacuations currently in place.

Upper Reynolds Creek Road is closed, as is the Jump Creek Recreational site. In Oregon, Succor Creek Road is closed off of Highway 201. Recreationalists have been encouraged not to recreate on the Owyhee Front due to fire activity and safety concerns. This includes all trailheads from Silver City to Jump Creek. 

Great Basin Incident Management Team 5 took command of the fire the morning of August 13.  An additional Incident Management Team from the Rocky Mountain area will arrive Saturday to assist with the management of the fire. 

Current Situation: The fire burned actively throughout the night. Fire resources conducted a burnout operation to help eliminate unburned fuel along HWY 95. Active fire is burning across the highway on the east side of the HWY, above the Idaho Department of Transportation (DOT) scales.  The HWY is closed for public and firefighter safety.  It will be opened as soon as Idaho DOT determines it is safe to open. Drivers should find alternative routes.

Ground resources are working to secure areas of open flame along the northern and southern points of the fire perimeter where it is safe to place firefighters.  Helicopters and air tankers will continue to provide aerial support throughout the day.  Firefighters will be working to keep the fire north of Jordan Valley proper, west of the Snake River and east of the Owyhee River.  Additional firefighters are arriving today to provide support.

Weather: Hot, windy weather will again challenge firefighters today.  Significant fire activity is expected again today.  A Red Flag warning for gusty winds and low relative humidity’s are expected for Friday. Fire behavior will continue to be very active to extreme today.

Area Fire Closures:  An area closure has not been issued yet.  Road closures are in effect on the Owyhee Front Range. For more fire information, visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4475/

Fire suppression operations are a large component of sage-grouse habitat preservation.  We support the interagency fire community’s efforts to minimize the impact of the Soda Fire, and other wildfires, threatening sage-grouse habitat. Firefighters appreciate the outpouring of community support and the volunteer services that have been offered; however, volunteers must hold a Red Card and be qualified to provide support before we can put them to work. 

 Fire Information: 208-789-6181