Single Publication

Night shift holds the fire east of ORE19 on the Fossil Complex 

SPRAY, Ore. – Strong westerly winds coupled with low humidity and available fuels allowed the Service Fire to expand its footprint to the east, doubling in size.  Last night’s efforts to hold the Service Fire east of ORE 19 was successful as ground crews re-engaged the fire along its flanks. Several dozers were able to push line along the southeastern flank of the fire.  Resources south of Kinzua Lane continued line construction to the northeast. Work to protect and improve the security around structures was carried out through the night as the fire pushed past several residences in the Whitlock Road area.

With a critical wind day ahead, the Wheeler County Sheriff's Office is evaluating evacuation levels. Please check their Facebook page for the latest updates. https://www.facebook.com/WheelerCountySheriffsOffice/

Today’s priorities are to hold the fire east of ORE19 and continue to build direct and indirect line along the north and side of the Service Fire.  Critical infrastructure lies to the northeast of the fire as well as important landowner values across the entire footprint of the fire. A total of eleven aerial resources will be coordinating efforts with crews on the ground throughout the day. Also, two additional Oregon State Fire Marshal structural task forces arrived, bringing the total to four, and will be focused on protecting homes and structures, supporting firefighting efforts, and monitoring fire conditions across the incident. Task forces will also continue to prepare areas near structures as a precaution and patrol near homes within the fire area.  

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.

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

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.  

Considering the dryness of fuels and topography around the fire, today is a critical wind day. Gusts on ridgetops are expected to reach 17-22 MPH with gusts in some drainages.

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: 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: 359 addresses

Level 2: 92 addresses

Level 3: 26 addresses

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

ODF Incident Commander:

Matt Howard, Incident Management Team 2