Single Publication

BREEZES FAN FLAMES OF THE SERVICE FIRE AGAIN ON THE FOSSIL COMPLEX

SPRAY, Ore. – Firefighters working the day shift were able to hold the fire on the east side of ORE19 through another day of challenging firefighting weather. Gusts of up to 20 MPH pushed the actively burning head of the fire to the southeast and across Winlock Road toward the Lone Rock Fire scar. On other parts of the fire, building off of the advances of a productive night shift, crews were able to improve the security around structures and firelines along many parts of the northern and eastern flanks. Throughout the shift, crews used direct and indirect attack to add line and security to the fire where opportunity was available. Aerial resources worked in tandem with crews on the ground and dropped retardant to improve the stopping power of dozer line. 

Evacuation levels were increased by the Wheeler County Sheriff's Office today. Please check their Facebook page for the latest information. https://www.facebook.com/WheelerCountySheriffsOffice/

Securing the fire on the east side of ORE19 overnight is a priority. Firefighters will also seek opportunities to stop the fire’s advance to the southeast when conditions are expected to become more favorable, around midnight.  The weather forecast for tomorrow promises cooler temperatures and a good chance of wetting rains by mid-morning and throughout the day. 

Mop up will push deeper into the interior on the Kinzua and Canyon Fires, which are progressing toward patrol status. The Two Cabin and Holmes Fires are now in patrol status.  

Community Meetings: 

Fossil: September 11th at the Fossil Elementary School Gymnasium, 6:30 PM. Please use the west entrance. The meeting will be recorded and posted to: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire

Spray: Due to the closure of ORE19, a public meeting in Spray is planned for Thursday 12th at The Rock, 601 Willow St. at 6:30 PM.

Flying unauthorized drones is hazardous to aircraft and will ground critical aerial operations.

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Fossil Complex

Total Size:  15,552 acres          

Two Cabin-251acres

Canyon-190 acres

Kinzua-96 acres

Holmes-15 acres

Service- 15,000 estimated

Containment:  3% 

Cause:  Lightning

Current Cost: $7.4 M

All Resources 

Hand Crews: 36

Engines: 35

Water Tender: 12

Dozers:  25

Skidders: 7

Skidgen: 3

Excavator: 2

Feller Buncher: 4

Total Resources: 1070

Aerial Resources

Type 1: 3

Type 2: 5

Type 3: 3

Evacuations: 

Level 1: 21 addresses

Level 2: 85 addresses

Level 3: 156 addresses

https://www.facebook.com/WheelerCountySheriffsOffice/

ODF Incident Commander:

Matt Howard, Incident Management Team 2