Monday, September 5, 2011 – 8 a.m.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT
Tom Lavagnino – ORCA Incident Information Officer (541) 553-8283
Incident Command Post is located at the Warm Springs Fire Management Office
Ada Takacs– Blue Mountain Incident Information Officer (877) 324-7993
Incident Command Post is located at Simnasho
High Cascades Complex
The High Cascades Complex is comprised of seven major fires totaling approximately 106,355 acres. There are currently 2,412 personnel assigned to the complex and resources are being shifted to the areas of most concern as mop-up objectives are met on some fires. Firefighters were able to contain several spot fires on Sunday and continued to make good progress in creating and maintaining fire line.
Incident Commander Brett Fillis and the ORCA Type II Incident Management Team will be transitioning the Razorback, West Hills, and Seekseequa fires back to the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs on Tuesday, September 6 at 6:00 a.m.
The Razorback, West Hills and Seekseequa fires showed little or no growth yesterday with firefighters continuing to mop-up the perimeters to reach containment. Some smoke may continue to be visible from the interior of these fires as unburned fuels are consumed.
For the next seven to ten days, a number of thermal troughs will pass over the Oregon and Washington Cascades, causing a prolonged period of hot, dry, and unstable weather. Hot temperatures and low relative humidities, some of them ranging into single digits, will create dangerous burning conditions.
Under the influence of the thermal trough, existing fires can suddenly come to life in areas that had been quiet. Spot fires and new ignitions will have the potential to spread rapidly.
The Badger Butte Fire saw increased activity yesterday and traveled over the Butte to Badger Creek and down into the drainage. Firefighters continued to hold the line and respond to spot fires. Contingency lines are also being created in the event the upcoming thermal troughs create increased fire activity.
Warm Springs Agency natural resource staff and resource advisors who are working closely with the incident management teams have identified huckleberries and timber as important resources to protect. Every attempt is being made to utilize existing roads as fire breaks and to minimize operational impacts to these important resources.
There are currently no road closures and the Deschutes River recreation sites remain open. Travelers are encouraged to monitor road conditions on the Oregon Department of Transportation website www.tripcheck.com. Drivers should use caution while driving in fire activity areas, expect smoky conditions, and drive with their headlights on. In addition, short-term road closures may be necessary, so travelers should plan accordingly by allowing extra time for their journey.
Status of the seven larger fires within the High Cascades Complex:
|
Fire Name
|
Acres Burned
|
% Contained
|
|
Razorback
|
64,677
|
80
|
|
West Hills
|
15,373
|
80
|
|
Seekseequa
|
3,797
|
40
|
|
Powerline
|
20,910
|
53
|
|
Trout Lake
|
844
|
21
|
|
Badger Butte
|
720
|
26
|
|
Lemiti
|
34
|
80
|
