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EMBER SHOWERS START SPOT FIRES ACROSS ORE 19 OVERNIGHT ON THE FOSSIL COMPLEX

SPRAY, Ore. – High temperatures and dry fuel conditions led to aggressive fire behavior yesterday which challenged firefighters. Ground fuels burning and trees torching inside the fireline created ember showers which shifting winds carried across ORE 19. A spot fire started in the vicinity of Pioneer Park and crews worked through the night lining, plumbing and holding it at 21 acres. Local structural fire crews assisted fire resources through the afternoon and evening to secure structures near the fire.

Today’s priorities are to continue building and strengthening line, extinguishing spot fires, securing structures and minimizing the spread of the Service fire. Aerial resources and ground crews will continue coordinated efforts as conditions permit. 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 continues on the Kinzua and Canyon Fires as crews work to strengthen the fire lines. 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.

Cooler temperatures are expected today with highs in the 80’s and humidity of 18-22%. A low-level inversion is expected to lift in the early afternoon which will increase the potential for extreme fire behavior. Firefighters are expecting ridgetop winds of 6-10 mph with gusts to 12 mph along west facing slopes. Looking ahead, Mary Wister, Incident Meteorologist says, “Wednesday’s weather will be a game changer, with Fall-like conditions.” Cooler temperatures and wetting rains are in the forecast.

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

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

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Fossil Complex

Total Size: 7,526 acres

Two Cabin-251acres

Canyon-190 acres

Kinzua-96 acres

Holmes-15 acres

Service- 6,974

Containment: 3%

Cause: Lightning

Current Cost: 2.6M

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

Level 1: 14 addresses

Level 2: 15 addresses

Level 3: 20 addresses

ODF Incident Commander:

Matt Howard

Incident Management Team 2