Single Publication

SHIFTING WINDS FAN THE SERVICE FIRE IN THE FOSSIL COMPLEX

SPRAY, Ore. – Gusty outflow winds from passing thunderstorms continued to push the Service Fire northward into the evening. The Service Fire is burning parallel to the highway, on the east side. Spot fires started across ORE 19, which is now closed near Bear Hollow Park. Crews continue to secure line around the spot fires, which are now fully lined. With the northerly expansion of the fire, the Wheeler County Sheriff's Office declared Level 3 Evacuations "GO NOW" in the area of Bear Hollow Park for several homes in the area. Level 1 and 2 evacuation levels have also been established around the fire’s perimeter. The Two Cabin, Kinzua, Holmes and Canyon fires were tested by critical fire weather yesterday and held within their containment lines.

With strong anchor points that held well through the night on the south end of the Service Fire, resources will push to expand and secure lines around the fire today. Additional ground resources will be joining the effort today. Aviation assets are available and are expected to be able to join the effort fully, as air quality and visibility improve. Resources on the Holmes, Canyon, Kinzua and Two Cabin Fires will continue to secure the respective perimeters throughout today. As the need for resources on these fires diminishes, they will be shifted to other critical areas on the complex.

A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for thunderstorms over the complex. While most showers and thunderstorms will occur east-northeast of the complex. Storms will be capable of winds of 30-40 mph. Breezy winds are expected across ridgetops.

Evacuations:

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

Fire Restrictions and Forest Closures

ODF: www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx

Umatilla NF: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/...

BLM: http://www.blm.gov/.../oregon-washington/fire-restrictions

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Fossil Complex

Total Size: 4,421 acres

Two Cabin-251acres

Canyon-190 acres

Kinzua-96 acres

Holmes-15 acres

Service-3,869acres

Containment: 3%

Cause: Lightning

Current Cost: 1.6M

All Resources

Hand Crews: 25

Engines: 6

Water Tender: 1

Dozers: 3

Skidders: 2

Skidgen: 1

Total Resources: 273

Aviation

Type 1: 1

Type 2: 2

Type 3: 3

Evacuations:

Levels 3, 2 & 1 in place

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

ODF Incident Commander:

Matt Howard

Incident Management Team 2