South Obenchain Fire Update

 

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Doug Johnson

Oregon State Fire Marshal Incident Management Blue Team, Incident Commander, Scott Magers

September 12, 2020 – 9:00 AM

The life and safety of the public and all wildland fire responders is always the number one priority for all fire agencies.  To keep firefighters and communities healthy and safe, all firefighters are asked to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the spread of illness.  This also includes limited entry into the incident command post and base camp.  Please see the websites below or contact the Jackson County Emergency Management Office at (541) 776-7338 for further fire information. General Updates: An infra-red (thermal heat imaging) detection flight was conducted over the fire area for the first time last night.  The acres of the South Obenchain have been updated to 29,432 to reflect the results.  The overnight humidity recovery along with very little winds allowed firefighters to continue to make progress to construct and improve containment lines.  Crews were able to tie lines together on the south and western portions of the fire. This area is in patrol and mop up status however winds are expected to increase this afternoon which could test fire lines.  If the inversion of cloud cover lifts prior to the approaching cold front, aircraft might be able to assist crews on the ground. The northwest perimeter was tied together with a hand and dozer line.  Focus will be on the east and southeastern area of the fire, where the fire is moving into steep topography which dozers cannot access.  Two task forces of structural engines, with the Oregon State Fire Marshal, are working along the Butte Falls Highway and also the Shady Cove area triaging and providing point protection. Three additional crews and other resources arrived to join the suppression efforts. Tonight, a night shift of firefighters will continue to construct, hold and improve all fire lines, and provide point protection to infrastructure. Acreage: 29,432 Containment: 20% Cause: Under investigation Fire Information:  (541) 776-7338 E-mail:  SouthObenchainFire@gmail.com Information Websites: Facebook: South Obenchain Fire Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7185 Air Quality: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com     Evacuations: See the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office website for a full description of the evacuation levels. Link is below. https://jacksoncountyor.org/sheriff Jackson County Emergency Management Website link is below. https://jacksoncountyor.org/emergency?fbclid=IwAR1vpAONtEj9BM1DAlB2jqXeDRAjVKRp1nfF54k0XyXU7QzUe2AfEIGzDig Shelter Location: Please go to the Jackson County Expo Center, 1 Penninger Rd. in Central Point, where there is food, medical care, bathroom and showers.  Weather:  Temperatures will be slightly higher than yesterday, 80-83. Wind light and variable,  minimum humidity 20-23%. Some gusty winds are expected with passage of a dry cold front on Sunday. Resources-486:  1-type 1 hand crew, 1-type 2 initial attack crew, 13-type 2 crews, 3- light helicopters, 5-medium helicopters, 4- heavy helicopters, 22-engines, 19-dozers, and 28-water tenders. Temporary Flight Restrictions: For the safety of the firefighters and aircraft fighting the South Obenchain Fire, a temporary flight restriction has been placed over the fire area.  Please consult the Notice to Airman for specifics.  An unmanned aircraft (UAS) was reported over the fire area.  If you fly, we can’t.  The entire air operation must be shut down until the air space is reported clear.     ###

 An Area Closure has been issued near the South Obenchain Fire.from the Medford District Office of The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) This Area Closure is for the safety of the public and firefighters in proximity of the current fire. Fire danger is at the extreme with dry fuels, low relative humidity, high temperatures and variable winds over the region.
Reference the official document and map on the BLM webpage. https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions 

South Obenchain Fire Update

 

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Doug Johnson

Oregon State Fire Marshal Incident Management Blue Team, Incident Commander, Scott Magers

September 11, 2020 - 8:00 PM

The life and safety of the public and all wildland fire responders is always the number one priority for all fire agencies.  To keep firefighters and communities healthy and safe, all firefighters are asked to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the spread of illness.  This also includes limited entry into the incident command post and base camp.  Please see the websites below or contact the Jackson County Emergency Management Office at (541) 776-7338 for further fire information.

General Updates: Cooler weather and calmer winds moderated fire behavior on the South Obenchain Fire allowing firefighters to make good progress on containment.  The heavy smoke created visibility issues and aircraft were not able to fly. The west perimeter is holding. Firefighters are in the process of mop-up and patrolling for hotspots on this perimeter. The northwest perimeter has indirect line where the fire is backing down to the constructed line. The northern tip of the fire is located in the Indian Creek area.  The terrain in this area is very steep and difficult to maneuver in.  A scratch line has been constructed to tie in the entire north end of the fire.  Much improvement to the line is needed to be considered secured.  A scratch line has also been completed on the east perimeter. Again, the next several days will be focused on improving to secure these lines.  Dozers are working to construct line along the south and southeast perimeters.  Two task forces of structural engines, with the Oregon State Fire Marshal, are working along the Butte Falls Highway and also the Shady Cove area triaging and providing point protection. Three additional crews and other resources arrived to join the suppression efforts. Containment percentage only increases when fire managers are confident the constructed fireline will hold.

Tonight, a night shift of firefighters will continue to hold and improve all fire lines, and provide point protection to infrastructure.

Acreage: 25,000

Containment: 20%

Cause: Under investigation

Fire Information:  (541) 776-7338

E-mail:  SouthObenchainFire@gmail.com

Information Websites:

Facebook: South Obenchain Fire

Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7185

Air Quality: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

 

 

~~~~~~more~~~~~~

 

 

Evacuations: See the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office website for a full description of the evacuation levels. Link is below.

https://jacksoncountyor.org/sheriff

Jackson County Emergency Management Website link is below.

https://jacksoncountyor.org/emergency?fbclid=IwAR1vpAONtEj9BM1DAlB2jqXeDRAjVKRp1nfF54k0XyXU7QzUe2AfEIGzDig

Shelter Location: Please go to the Jackson County Expo Center, 1 Penninger Rd. in Central Point, where there is food, medical care, bathroom and showers. 

Weather:  Tonight the weather will be mostly cloudy with smoke.  Temperatures will cool to approximately 53 degrees.  The relative humidity will increase to approximately 63%.  Winds will be light from the north at 1-3 mph.

Resources-486:  1-type 1 hand crew, 1-type 2 initial attack crew, 13-type 2 crews, 3- light helicopters, 5-medium helicopters, 4- heavy helicopters, 22-engines, 19-dozers, and 28-water tenders.

Temporary Flight Restrictions: For the safety of the firefighters and aircraft fighting the South Obenchain Fire, a temporary flight restriction has been placed over the fire area.  Please consult the Notice to Airman for specifics.  An unmanned aircraft (UAS) was reported over the fire area.  If you fly, we can’t.  The entire air operation must be shut down until the air space is reported clear.

 

  ###

 

 

South Obenchain Fire Update

 

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Doug Johnson

Oregon State Fire Marshal Incident Management Blue Team, Incident Commander, Scott Magers

September 11, 2020 - 8:00 AM

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander Doug Johnson, and Oregon State Fire Marshal Incident Management Blue Team, Incident Commander Scott Magers, are in unified command, in management of the South Obenchain Fire. The incident command post is located at the Scenic Middle School in Central Point and a base camp is located at the Jackson County Expo Park. The life and safety of the public and all wildland fire responders is always the number one priority for all fire agencies.  To keep firefighters and communities healthy and safe, all firefighters are asked to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the spread of illness.  This also includes limited entry into the incident command post and base camp.  Please see the websites below or contact the South Obenchain Fire information center at Jackson County Emergency Management Office at (541) 776-7338 for further fire information. General Updates: The South Obenchain Fire was very active yesterday making a major push towards Butte Falls.  The fire burned to Star Lake Reservoir and just above the Salt Creek Road. Residence from the Butte Falls area are under a Level 3 evacuation. The smoke created visibility issues and aircraft were only able to fly intermittently. The southwest perimeter is holding. Crews chased a few spots over the created fireline.  The northern tip of the fire is in the Indian Creek area.  An Interagency Hotshot Crew is assigned to this area and is working to tie this section of line together.  A large spot fire is burning at the junction of Derby Creek Road and Crowfoot Road. Structure protection is in place.  Today, firefighters will continue to hold all fire lines, scout for anchors to begin new line construction, and provide point protection to infrastructure. An unmanned aircraft (UAS) was reported over the fire area.  If you fly, we can’t.  The entire air operation must be shut down until the air space is reported clear. Acreage: 23,150 Containment: 0% Cause: Under investigation Fire Information:  (541) 776-7338 E-mail:  SouthObenchainFire@gmail.com Information Websites: Facebook: South Obenchain Fire Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7185 Air Quality: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com   Weather:  A Red Flag Warning remains in effect until 8 PM this evening for unstable atmospheric conditions. High pressure will still be in control over the area.  Winds will trend lower and remain westerly around 3 to 5 mph.  Temperatures will be moderated due to a thick layer of smoke covering                                                                ~~~~~ more~~~~~   western Oregon to around 81 degrees with a relative humidity of 13%. Resources-331:  1-type 1 hand crew, 1-type 2 initial attack crew, 10-type 2 crews, 3- light helicopter, 3-medium helicopter, 3- heavy helicopter, 31-engines, 11-dozers, and 18-water tenders Evacuations: See the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office website for a full description of the evacuation levels. Link is below. https://jacksoncountyor.org/sheriff Jackson County Emergency Management Website link is below. https://jacksoncountyor.org/emergency?fbclid=IwAR1vpAONtEj9BM1DAlB2jqXeDRAjVKRp1nfF54k0XyXU7QzUe2AfEIGzDig Shelter Location: Please go to the Jackson County Expo Center, 1 Penninger Rd. in Central Point, where there is food, medical care, bathroom and showers. Temporary Flight Restrictions: For the safety of the firefighters and aircraft fighting the South Obenchain Fire, a temporary flight restriction has been placed over the fire area.  Please consult the Notice to Airman for specifics   ###

  

 

                                                           

South Obenchain Fire Update

 

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Doug Johnson

Oregon State Fire Marshal Incident Management Blue Team, Incident Commander, Scott Magers

September 10, 2020 - 7:00 PM

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander Doug Johnson, joined Oregon State Fire Marshal Incident Management Blue Team, Scott Magers Incident Commander, in unified command, in management of the South Obenchain Fire this morning. The incident command post is located at the Scenic Middle School in Central Point and a base camp is located at the Jackson County Expo Park. The life and safety of the public and all wildland fire responders is always the number one priority for all fire agencies.  To keep firefighters and communities healthy and safe, all firefighters are asked to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the spread of illness.  This also includes limited entry into the incident command post and base camp.  Please see the websites below or contact the South Obenchain Fire information center at Jackson County Emergency Management Office at (541) 776-7338 for further fire information.

 

General Updates: The South Obenchain Fire was very active again today with running and spotting .3 miles ahead of the fire.   On the south perimeter in the Worthington Road area, good dozer line is established and holding.  On the west and northwest perimeters, the fire is backing down off of Highway 62.  Retardant was used to cool the fire and allowing dozerline to be constructed. Spot fires are established in Indian Creek.  The focus will be to contain these spots and to protect Shady Cove. The fire made a fire made a major push to the southeast towards Butte Falls and an evacuation Level 3 was issued for Butte Falls by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

An unmanned aircraft (UAS) was reported over the fire area.  If you fly, we can’t.  The entire air operation must be shut down until the air space is reported clear.

Acreage: 23,150

Containment: 0%

Cause: Under investigated

Fire Information:  (541) 776-7338

E-mail:  SouthObenchainFire@gmail.com

Information Websites:

Facebook: Alameda and Obenchain Fire Information

Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7185

Air Quality: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

 

Weather:  Red Flag warning and very dry conditions are expected.  Daytime temperatures will be around 96 degrees.  Humidity recovery will be poor and gusty winds will be prevalent.  High pressure continues the seasonably warm trend. Expect partly cloudy skies mixed with widespread smoke and haze causing reduced visibility at times. Winds will be WSW at 5-10 mph. Expect more smoke and haze tonight and low of 57 degrees.

Resources-331:  11 hand crews, 9 helicopter, 31-engines, 11-dozers, and 15-water tenders

Evacuations: See the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office Department website for a full description of the evacuation levels. Link is below.

https://jacksoncountyor.org/sheriff

Jackson County Emergency Website link is below.

https://jacksoncountyor.org/emergency?fbclid=IwAR1vpAONtEj9BM1DAlB2jqXeDRAjVKRp1nfF54k0XyXU7QzUe2AfEIGzDig

 

Shelter Location: Please go to the Jackson County Expo Center, 1 Peninger Rd. in Central Point, where there is food, medical care, bathroom and showers.

  ###

Jefferson and Mason Counties, Washington, September 8, 2020 - Due to extreme fire danger and concern for public safety, Olympic National Forest is implementing a fire closure of the Lena Lake trail system (Trails # 810, 811, and 821) due to its proximity to the Mt. Lena Fire.  The closure prohibits public access to trails that lead to both Upper and Lower Lena lakes, as well as the southern portion of The Brothers Wilderness. All visitor use past the Lena Lake trailhead at the junction of Forest Road 25 is prohibited. The trail and area closure will be in place until the fire no longer poses a threat to the area. 

The Mt. Lena Fire, located in the southeast portion of the national forest in the Hamma Hamma area, is burning in extremely steep, inaccessible terrain burning within 0.5 miles of the Lena Lake trail system. The Mt. Lena Fire has become significantly more active as a result of hot, dry, unstable weather conditions that are expected through much of this week.   

The Mt. Lena Fire was started by lightening on August 16. The use of rappelers and helicopter water drops during initial attack and subsequent rainfall were unsuccessful in containing the fire. Fire personnel are continuing to evaluate the fire’s behavior to inform ongoing management decisions. No suppression actions are being taken at this time. Smoke from the Mt. Lena fire may be visible at times.  

On Tuesday, September 8th, offshore flows contributed to heavy smoke on the Olympic Peninsula from fires in Eastern Washington, Oregon and Canada.  Detailed information about air quality and wildfire smoke impacts on health as well as smoke modeling tools and guidelines for considering whether to modify activity can be found online at www.wasmoke.blogspot.com.

Sending on behalf of Olympic National Forest:

 

Forest Service Olympic National Forest 

1835 Black Lk Blvd SW Olympia, WA 98512 

(360) 956-2401 

https://www.fs.usda.gov/olympic/ 

News Release 

Fire Information 360-565-2986

 

Upper and Lower Lena Lake and The Brothers Trails Closed Due to Mt. Lena Fire Activity

 

Jefferson and Mason Counties, Washington, September 8, 2020 - Due to extreme fire danger and concern for public safety, Olympic National Forest is implementing a fire closure of the Lena Lake trail system (Trails # 810, 811, and 821) due to its proximity to the Mt. Lena Fire.  The closure prohibits public access to trails that lead to both Upper and Lower Lena lakes, as well as the southern portion of The Brothers Wilderness. All visitor use past the Lena Lake trailhead at the junction of Forest Road 25 is prohibited. The trail and area closure will be in place until the fire no longer poses a threat to the area. 

The Mt. Lena Fire, located in the southeast portion of the national forest in the Hamma Hamma area, is burning in extremely steep, inaccessible terrain burning within 0.5 miles of the Lena Lake trail system. The Mt. Lena Fire has become significantly more active as a result of hot, dry, unstable weather conditions that are expected through much of this week.   

The Mt. Lena Fire was started by lightening on August 16. The use of rappelers and helicopter water drops during initial attack and subsequent rainfall were unsuccessful in containing the fire. Fire personnel are continuing to evaluate the fire’s behavior to inform ongoing management decisions. No suppression actions are being taken at this time. Smoke from the Mt. Lena fire may be visible at times.  

On Tuesday, September 8th, offshore flows contributed to heavy smoke on the Olympic Peninsula from fires in Eastern Washington, Oregon and Canada.  Detailed information about air quality and wildfire smoke impacts on health as well as smoke modeling tools and guidelines for considering whether to modify activity can be found online at www.wasmoke.blogspot.com.

September 6, 2020  

Olympic National Park Fire Information 

360-565-2986  

Mt. Lena Fire Shows Activity After Two Weeks of No Smoke                                        

Reconnaissance flights conducted by Olympic Interagency Fire Management on September 4th and 5th revealed continued fire activity on the Mt. Lena Fire. The half-acre fire is located in extremely steep, inaccessible terrain approximately 0.5 miles east of Lena Lake in the southeast portion of the Olympic National Forest. The Mt. Lena Fire started on August 16 after a series of lightning strikes during high fire conditions caused numerous fires on the Olympic Peninsula. The use of rappelers and helicopter water drops during initial attack were unsuccessful in containing the fire. The Mt. Lena Fire is the only fire from that lightning event that is still showing signs of active burning. 

 

Critical fire weather is expected for Western Washington from Monday through Wednesday. During that time there will be hot, dry, unstable conditions that pose high fire danger to the region. There is potential for fire behavior to increase significantly this coming week and smoke from the Mt. Lena fire may be visible at times. In addition, offshore flows may also bring smoke into the area from fires in other parts of the region and Canada.  

Wildland firefighters are currently monitoring the fire and its potential impacts to public safety. The firefighters, along with additional reconnaissance flights, will continue to evaluate the fire's behavior to inform subsequent management actions. No trail closures in the Lena Lakes area are in place at this time, but visitors to the area should be aware that conditions could change quickly. 

  

East Beach Road Fire Update – Road Closure Remains in Place for Public Safety  

  

The East Beach Road Fire at Lake Crescent that started July 29th burned 84 acres and is 98% contained. There has been no visible smoke in the last few weeks from this fire. Public safety remains a concern, debris continues to come down off the steep slope onto the road. Due to the hazardous situation, East Beach Road is closed to all visitor traffic, including bicycles and pedestrians, at the Highway 101 intersection. Log Cabin Resort is still operating and can be accessed via Highway 112 to Joyce-Piedmont Rd. All day use recreation sites along East Beach Road in Olympic National Park are closed. Local residents can access property up to 2 miles west of Highway 101 or from Log Cabin Resort up to the hard closure.  

(Lincoln County, Washington) – El Equipo NW 10 transferirá la administración del incendio de Whitney a las agencias locales a las 8:00 am el jueves 17 de septiembre. A medida que las cuadrillas se acerquen a la contención total del incendio, los combustibles continuarán ardiendo dentro del interior, aunque es poco probable que se extiendan más allá del perímetro. El público puede notar algo de humo en las próximas semanas. Los bomberos continuarán trabajando para extinguir todos los puntos calientes cerca de las estructuras y dentro del área del incendio dentro de al menos 100 pies de los bordes exteriores del incendio. A partir del jueves, habrá seis camiones, una topadora, tres cisternas de agua portables y supervisión asociada para continuar con la extinción de puntos calientes y la patrulla.

La calidad del aire seguirá siendo peligrosa durante los próximos días a medida que la columna de humo de los incendios en la costa oeste continúe moviéndose por el área. Las temperaturas más frías, el viento ligero y una humedad relativa más alta significan que es menos probable que se propaguen los brotes. Se prevé una probabilidad del 40 por ciento de lluvia para el viernes.

Evacuación y cierres:  El nivel de evacuación dentro del perímetro del incendio se redujo del Nivel 2 (Listos) al Nivel 1 (En sus marcas). Se eliminan todas las áreas del Nivel 1 fuera del perímetro del incendio. Para obtener información continua sobre cierres y niveles de evacuación, consulte con la página de Facebook de la Oficina del Sheriff del Condado de Lincoln https://www.facebook.com/WadeMagersLincolnCountySheriff.

Una restricción de vuelo temporal permanece en su lugar sobre el fuego. Los incendios forestales son una zona prohibida para los drones.

El Equipo 10 ha completado el trabajo en los incendios de Babb-Malden y Manning y estos incendios ahora están siendo manejados por las unidades locales. Además, esta será la última actualización escrita del Whitney Fire.

COVID-19: Nuestra máxima prioridad sigue siendo la seguridad del público y de todo el personal de bomberos forestales. Las medidas prácticas de mitigación en el incendio de Whitney para apoyar el distanciamiento social incluyen la transición de tantas funciones administrativas del campo base como sea posible al estado virtual o de teletrabajo y el diseño de campamentos más pequeños y poblados con menos bomberos. Se sigue siguiendo la orientación proporcionada por las agencias locales y los Centros de Control y Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC) sobre el uso de máscaras faciales en el campamento y en otros lugares, cuando no se puede lograr el distanciamiento social, utilizando instalaciones temporales para los alojamientos de la tripulación y la preparación para el ataque inicial.

El Equipo 10 agradece el apoyo y la cooperación de las comunidades, agencias, distritos de bomberos y otras organizaciones asociadas de los alrededores. Gracias por hacer que nuestros bomberos se sientan bienvenidos. El sentido de cohesión y las actitudes positivas dentro de la comunidad contribuyeron a la finalización exitosa de este incidente.

(Lincoln County, Washington) – Northwest Incident Management Team 10 will be transferring management of the Whitney Fire back to the local agencies at 8:00 am Thursday, September 17. As crews near full containment of the fire, fuels will continue to burn within the interior, although they are unlikely to spread beyond the perimeter. The public may notice some smoke over the coming weeks. Firefighters will continue to work to mop up all hot spots near structures and inside the fire area within at least 100 feet of the outer edges of the fire. Starting on Thursday, there will be six engines, one dozer, three water tenders and associated supervision to continue with mop up and patrol

Air quality will remain hazardous through the next few days as the smoke plume from fires on the West Coast continues to move through the area. Cooler temperatures, light wind, and a higher relative humidity means flare ups are less likely to spread. A 40 percent chance of rain is predicted for Friday.

Evacuation and Closures: The evacuation level inside the fire perimeter was reduced from Level 2 (Get Set) to Level 1 (Ready). All Level 1 areas outside the perimeter of the fire are removed. For continued information about closures and evacuation levels, please check with the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/WadeMagersLincolnCountySheriff.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place over the fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.

Team 10 has completed work on the Babb-Malden and Manning fires and these fires are now being managed by the local units.  In addition, this will be the final written update for the Whitney Fire.

COVID-19: Our highest priority has been the safety of the public and all wildland fire personnel. Practical mitigation measures on the Whitney Fire to support social distancing included transitioning as many basecamp administrative functions as possible to virtual or telework status and designing smaller spike camps populated with fewer firefighters. Other measures included guidance provided by the host agencies and CDC on the use of facemasks in camp and elsewhere, when social distancing could be achieved, utilizing temporary facilities for crew quarters and staging for initial attack.

Northwest Incident Management Team 10 appreciates the support and cooperation from the surrounding communities, agencies, fire districts, and other partnering organizations. Thank you for making our firefighters feel welcome. The sense of cohesiveness and positive attitudes within the community contributed to the successful completion of this incident.