Sunday, August 16, 2015

8/16/15 Soda Fire Update - on border of Oregon/Idaho near Jordan Valley

Soda Fire Morning Update 8/16/15

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team- Todd Pechota, Incident Commander
Great Basin Team 5 – Mike Whalen, Incident Commander
Information Center: 877-608-4028
Website: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4475/
Email: sodafireinfo@gmail.com

August 16, 20159a.m.

Current Situation: Firefighters accomplished great work yesterday due to weather conditions being in their favor with cooler temperatures and decreased winds. Last night’s infrared flight shows areas of heat remaining in the Reynolds Creek area. Today the focus will be to reinforce and secure containment lines and look for areas of potential problems in preparation of a cold front arriving on Monday.

The west/northwest side of the fire was very quiet yesterday and crews will begin the rehabilitation of containment lines today.

Governor Otter issued Owyhee County a disaster declaration Saturday afternoon to provide assistance to the communities that have been affected by the Soda Fire.

Air quality is expected to be in the “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” category according to the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality. Cooler temperatures and light to moderate winds are expected which will increase smoke impacts especially in the early morning.

Weather: A low pressure trough will remain over the Pacific Northwest today and conditions are expected to be similar to yesterday. Breezy conditions are likely Monday into Tuesday as a dry cold front moves across Southwest Idaho.

Area Fire Closures: The Owyhee Co. Sheriff’s office issued road closures for all roads leading into Silver City, ID. All access points are closed to tourists and recreation vehicles, but roads remain open to residents. This closure primarily affects the Silver City, Trout Creek and Cow Creek roads. Upper Reynolds Creek Road is closed, as is the Jump Creek Recreational site and all trailheads from Silver City to Jump Creek. Trail closures are in effect on the Owyhee Front Range.

Public Safety: Idaho Power crews will be working along the highway in addition to fire traffic on Hwy 95. We ask all drivers to slow down and use extreme caution in this area. Roads maybe temporarily closed due to fire activity. The Owyhee County Facebook page is posting this information when it occurs. We ask tourists and recreationalists to find alternative recreation areas until the fire area is reopened.

Media Advisory: At 4 p.m. today, a media briefing on the Soda Fire will be held in front of the National Guard Amory at 432 W. Nevada Ave. in Homedale, ID to provide an update on the fire situation. Contact Fire Information for additional information.

Fire Statistics:
Location: 8 miles northeast of Jordan Valley, ID Start Date: August 10, 2015
Size: 283,686 acres Percent Contained: 25%
Total Personnel: 860 Cause: Undetermined

Resources Include: 11 helicopters, 34 engines, 23 crews, 12 water tenders, and 9 dozers.

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