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Lionshead Fire At 35% Containment, Water Support Helping

Brian Gales, Incident Commander                                                                      Lonnie Click, Deputy IC   
 
Lionshead Fire update for Wednesday, Sept. 30 
 
REDMOND, Ore. – Work on the fire is progressing rapidly, with large sections of containment line nearing completion and other areas shifting to patrol and monitor status. 
 
“It was warmer today and there was more smoke in the air, but things are holding and looking really good,” John Spencer, operations chief trainee, said Tuesday evening. “On the southwest corner, we’re going to see a lot more black line soon. Water support is really helping with that.” 
 
The fire is at 204,335 acres and is 35% contained. Crews will continue building direct and indirect line in the Cooper’s Ridge area for the next several days. The structural group in Idanha shifted to patrol and mopup status Tuesday, the south central section of the fire will shift to patrol status today, and work has begun to rehabilitate line and remove heavy equipment around Stahlman cabins.  
 
Fallers will begin cutting hazard trees along the Hwy. 46 corridor today, and heavy equipment is being brought in to speed up the process. Direct and indirect handline around Cooper’s Ridge to the south and the finger to the north should be completed in the next few days. Chipping of brush and hazard trees will continue at various points around the fire boundary for the next week to 10 days.  
 
Fire managers have received suppression repair and mopup standards from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and Forest Service and will use those to guide their work as the suppression effort draws to a close. These standards outline the type and extent of work to be done before the fire is returned to local control. 
 
Depending on the terrain and fuels, completed containment lines can be a combination of dozer line, hand line, back burn or burnout, and measure 100 to 200 feet deep. Repair work consists of pushing surface material that was removed by hand or with heavy equipment back into place or position it to prevent erosion. Later, Burned Area Emergency Response will continue this work using a variety of means tailored to the many different areas and conditions within the burn zone. 
 
Weather & Fuel Conditions: Temperatures will be in the high 70s to low 80s below 5,000 feet elevation with light upslope winds through Friday. Some smoke may visible in the interior of the fire as lighter fuels dry out and are consumed. 
 
Closures and Evacuations: Evacuation levels around Detroit, Idanha, and the Elkhorn community along North Fork Road are at Level 2 – “Be Set.” Due to the remaining hazards in the cities of Detroit and Idanha, plus lack of basic services, non-residents should avoid travel in the area. Breitenbush Hot Springs remains at a Level 3 – “Go!” Marion County Sheriff’s Office continues to coordinate an enhanced presence around these communities. Residents of Linn County can find up to date information at www.LinnSheriff.org.  
 
The Warm Springs Reservation is closed to non-tribal members. The general public should avoid crossing reservation boundaries to view fire damage or for any other purpose.  
 

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