Single Publication

DRY FUELS IGNITE UNDER LIGHT BREEZES ON THE FOSSIL COMPLEX

SPRAY, Ore. – Westerly winds with gusts to 20 mph were enough to fan dry fuels into very active behavior today on the Service Fire. Torching trees and shifting winds sent firebrands skyward, creating numerous spot fires outside of the main fire body for crews to contend with. An active column was visible from the south as the fire rolled to the east, breeching retardant lines and impacting power lines that serve several communities in the area. The Service Fire is expected to double in size by morning to approximately 15,000 acres.

Intensive efforts by crews last night and today have kept the fire east of ORE 19. Local structural fire crews and two OSFM task forces continued to improve structure security and are working along Kinzua Lane on the north and Whitlock Road to the south. The top priority during night shift is the Service Fire. Crews will work to keep the fire east of ORE 19.

Please avoid the unauthorized use of drones. They are hazardous to aircraft and will ground critical aerial operations.

The Two Cabin and Holmes Fires are now in patrol status. Mop up is progressing deep into the interior on the Kinzua and Canyon Fires with excellent progress toward reaching patrol status. As the need for resources on these fires diminishes, they will be shifted to the Service Fire and any other critical areas on the Fossil Complex.

Overnight the winds will start to decrease, however the wind conditions will be critical over the next 24 hours. Beyond 24 hours, cooler fall like conditions with the possibility of wetting rains are expected.

Community Meeting: a community meeting is planned for Wednesday September 11th at the Fossil Elementary School Gymnasium at 6:30 PM. Please use the west entrance.

Evacuations: Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation orders remain in place on the Service fire.

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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: 4.8 M

All Resources

Hand Crews: 35

Engines: 31

Water Tender: 8

Dozers: 18

Skidders: 5

Skidgen: 3

Excavator: 2

Feller Buncher: 1

Total Resources: 969

Aerial Resources

Type 1: 1

Type 2: 2

Type 3: 3

Evacuations:

Level 1: 14 addresses

Level 2: 15 addresses

Level 3: 20 addresses

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ODF Incident Commander:

Matt Howard, Incident Management Team 2

U.S. Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest

Wheeler County Sheriff's Office