Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs P-515 & Lionshead Fire Update – Wednesday, September 16, 2020 – 9:00 a.m.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Well over one million acres are currently experiencing fire in the Pacific Northwest, mostly in large timber through the Cascades. The scale of this situation means that full perimeter containment or control will take time and help from seasonal weather. Lower temperatures, lighter winds, and higher humidity has aided firefighting efforts. Today conditions will be very similar to yesterday, with light variable winds, temperatures in the upper 60s and mid-70s, and 30 – 35% relative humidity. Fire activity should be moderated today across most of the fire and some rain is still expected Thursday.

Yesterday: Yesterday, additional fire line along the east/southeastern portion of the fire was declared contained. When fire line is called “contained,” it means control line has been established which can reasonably be expected to stop the fire’s spread. Strategic firing operations off the B-200 Road and dozer line on the Warm Springs Reservation last night were very successful, helping to secure the northeastern flank of the fire. This area was patrolled overnight and no spot fires were detected across the containment line. Lionshead and Riverside Fire managers continued to coordinate their strategies for connecting road systems east from the Mt. Hood and from the west from the Reservation.

Today’s Activities: Aviation assets will likely be grounded by smoke again today, but firefighting efforts are on a positive trajectory. Some mop-up work remains in the Stahlman neighborhood, south of Detroit Lakes, and in Detroit. To the northeast, crews will continue to extend the containment line established over the last few days on the Reservation, bringing it westward towards the Mt. Hood National Forest. Over the last several days, the lack of air support had given fire crews fewer options to establish containment lines closer in to the fire. Today, fortunately, firefighters expect to be able to use the B-260 Road for containment, south of the B-180 - which was originally planned for burnout operations. This means fewer acres impacted by burnout operations. As weather and expected precipitation continue to mitigate fire behavior, firefighters will have more opportunities to safely “go direct,” digging fire line along the fire’s edge instead of building “indirect line” away from the fire’s perimeter. Fire managers will continue to coordinate closely with the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs and with personnel on neighboring incidents on firefighting efforts.  

Later this week, Pacific Northwest Team 3 will be transferring command of the Lionshead Fire to Rocky Mountain Team 1.

Evacuations: As of this morning, a Level 2 Evacuation “Get Set” Notice is still in place for Sidwalter, including Miller Flat. The Level 1 “Be Ready” Notice has been adjusted and is now in place for 0.5 miles east of Hwy 26, between mile markers 91.5 and 99, and 0.5 miles east and west of the highway between markers 99 and 100. These levels will be adjusted and updates can be found on the Warm Springs Police Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/WarmSpringsPoliceDepartment/. 

Closures: Roads and trails on the southwest portion of the Warm Springs Reservation near the fires remain closed to the public for safety. Forest closures are still in place for Deschutes, Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests:  

Deschutes NF Alerts     Willamette NF Alerts     Mt. Hood NF Alerts    

FOR ADDITIONAL FIRE INFORMATION: Fire Information: 971-277-5075

TripCheck: https://www.tripcheck.com/               Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LionsheadFire    Email:  2020.lionshead@firenet.gov

From the Warm Springs Police Department:

There is no change to the evacuation levels from yesterday 9/14/20

Sid Walter/County Line Area remain at a Level 2 Evacuation Advisement, Simnasho remains at a Level 1 Evacuation.
 

The Warm Springs Police Department would like to extend a thank you to the Warm Springs Fire Management Prevention Team for passing out evacuation information pamphlets yesterday to the residents in the Sid Walter Area. The following information is a re-iteration of the pamphlets.

Evacuation Level Information:

Color coded as green, Level 1 Evacuation: Be Prepared.

Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in the area, monitor emergency services website and local media outlets for information.
This is a time for preparation and precautionary movement of person with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock.

If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.
This is a good time to meet with your family and develop a plan for the "just in case" moments for any kind of emergency situation. Know where your important documents and essential medications are located.
 

Color coded as yellow, Level 2 Evacuation: Be Set.

You must prepare to leave at a moments notice.
This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to shelter or with family/friends outside the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moments notice.
You should know your plan, have your important documents and items ready to go.

Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.

At this level you may consider patrolling your property to ensure the safety of the property.
 

Color coded at red, Level 3 Evacuation: GO! Leave Immediately.

Danger to your areas is current or imminent, and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to further assist you.
Do not delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. This will be the last notice you receive.

Air quality and smoke summaries can be found below.

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs P-515 & Lionshead Fire Update – Tuesday, September 15, 2020 – 9:00 a.m.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Today winds will be light and dense smoke will not dissipate to the degree expected. Temperatures will be in the 70s with slightly higher humidity than yesterday. Active fire behavior is anticipated today, especially at higher elevations. There will also be a change in wind direction, from southwest winds yesterday to light east winds early today and north and northwest winds later in the afternoon. Some precipitation is possible Thursday.

Current Situation: Aviation assets were still unable to fly yesterday and flights will likely not be possible today because of poor visibility. The northeast portion of the fire on the Warm Springs Reservation continues to experience the most active fire growth, yesterday reaching the North Fork of Cedar Creek and Badger Creek. Firefighting operations have been challenged not only by lack of air support, but also by unusually active fire behavior overnight. On the Reservation yesterday, the fire made a push to the east and crews conducted aggressive firing operations to keep the fire west of containment lines. These efforts were successful. Crews worked yesterday and through the night, building containment line and conducting burnout operations primarily along the B-200 Road. Lionshead Fire Managers met yesterday with personnel from the Riverside Fire to coordinate their containment strategies. They also evaluated options for connecting roads on the Mt. Hood National Forest to those on the Reservation. On the western edge of the fire, crews continued structure protection and damage assessments in impacted communities along the Highway 22 Corridor. Active fire behavior continues north of Mt. Jefferson and near Sisi Butte and Hawk Mountain to the northwest of the fire. 

Today’s Activities:  On the Warm Springs Reservation today fire crews plan to conduct strategic firing operations off the B-200 Road, continuing from the powerlines all the way north to the B-180 Road. From here, they plan to extend those control line west toward Pinhead Butte. The goal will be to protect communities and the Forward Operating Base by utilizing dozer line, road systems and strategic firing operations to hold fire west of B-200 and fire managers will coordinate closely with the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs on firefighting efforts. Further west, fire crews will also continue yesterday’s work doing structure protection and mop-up in the Olallie Lakes area. To the south, crews will scout for containment options west of the lava beds in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, taking advantage of features such as trails and old fire scars. Active fire behavior continues north of Mt. Jefferson and near Sisi Butte and Hawk Mountain to the northwest of the fire. 

Evacuations: On the Warms Springs Reservation a Level 2 Evacuation “Get Set” Notice has been issued for Sidwalter, including Miller Flat, and a Level 1 “Be Ready” Notice is currently in place for Simnasho, including Schoolie Flat. Updates on evacuations on the Reservation can be found on the Warm Springs Police Facebook page. Fire managers and CWTR Public Safety will evaluate evacuation levels today.

Closures: For public and firefighter safety, roads and trails on the southwest portion of the Warm Springs Reservation near the fires remain closed to the public. Forest closures are in place for Deschutes, Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests.   Deschutes NF Alerts     Willamette NF Alerts     Mt. Hood NF Alerts    

FOR ADDITIONAL FIRE INFORMATION: Fire Information: 971-277-5075

TripCheck: https://www.tripcheck.com/               Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LionsheadFire    Email:  2020.lionshead@firenet.gov

Air Quality Report and Smoke Summary can be found below.

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs P-515 & Lionshead Fire Update – Monday, September 14, 2020 – 9:00 a.m.

Weather and Fire Behavior: Today, the dense smoke cover will begin to disperse, continuing through the week as the area experiences a transition in weather. Slightly stronger southwest winds are expected along ridges and in valleys, which may align with terrain to contribute to fire movement. Temperatures will remain in the 70s, but with higher relative humidity levels of 25 to 35 percent. Very active surface fire is anticipated along the northern perimeter of the fire with torching and spotting likely. Some precipitation is expected later in the week. 

Current Situation: On Monday morning the Evacuation Level for Sidwalter Flats has been raised to a Level 2 - “be SET to go at a moment’s notice.” Also, Simnasho residents are in a Level 1 - “be aware there is a fire in the area and be READY.” The priority on the Lionshead Fire today is protecting life and properties on the Warm Springs Reservation. Saturday night, crews conducted firing operations to the north of the fire, but later that evening a separate fire spread northward from the Olallie Butte area and crossed the planned containment line. Yesterday, the fire continued north and northeast. Crews have begun strategic firing operations off the B-200 road further to the east. As the fire continues to move to the north, crews will be focusing on staying ahead of the fire, watching the Cedar and Badger Creek drainages closely as it continues to push to the north and northeast. Active fire behavior north of Breitenbush also challenged firefighters yesterday. Along the eastern edge of the fire, crews made good progress mopping up fire line and continued to secure and scout containment lines to the south of the fire on the Willamette National Forest. Heavy smoke has grounded air operations for the last few days, significantly hindering firefighting efforts. On the western flank fire crews dealt with a spot fire near New Idanha, but saw decreased fire activity in Idanha and Detroit as structure protection continued.
 

Today’s Activities:  The highest priority for firefighters today will be to provide structure protection and check the progression to the northeast of the fire to protect the Warm Springs community. If weather allows, helicopters may be used to support firefighting efforts on the ground this afternoon. The Warm Springs Hotshots are starting their day at Sisi Butte and are looking for opportunities to take control line to the north.  As conditions allow, fire crews will continue strategic firing operations begun yesterday and the previous night along the B-200 road. On the North west flank, crews will continue securing a spot fire between the 46 Road and the powerline corridor north of Breitenbush and preparing containment options using roads in the area.
 

Evacuations: A Level 2 Evacuation Notice has been issued for Sidwalter Flats area and a level 1 evacuation notice for the Simnasho community on the Warms Springs Reservation. Updates on evacuations can be found on Warm Springs Police Facebook and KWSO. The most current information on statewide evacuation information can be found at the Oregon Office of Emergency Management’s interactive database: https://www.oregon.gov/oem/emops/Pages/RAPTOR.aspx
 

Closures: For public and firefighter safety, roads and trails on the southwest portion of the Warm Springs Reservation near the fires remain closed to the public. Forest closures are in place for Deschutes, Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests.   Deschutes NF Alerts     Willamette NF Alerts     Mt. Hood NF Alerts    

FOR ADDITIONAL FIRE INFORMATION: Fire Information: 971-277-5075

TripCheck: https://www.tripcheck.com/               Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LionsheadFire    Email:  2020.lionshead@firenet.gov

The Lionshead Fire has heavily impacted several communities in the Santiam drainage and Breitenbush area. 

Ongoing damage assessments in the Detroit area have identified 264 residences and 14 commercial properties destroyed.  

Marion County Sheriff’s Office has set up a phone line (503-798-6823) to provide updates on the status of properties in the Detroit and Idanha areas (www.facebook.com/MCSOInTheKnow/). 

Our hearts and prayers go out to those who have been impacted.

Air quality and smoke reports attached below.

Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs P-515 & Lionshead Fire Update – Sunday, September 13, 2020 – 9:00 a.m.

Last night’s virtual community meeting can be found at: www.facebook.com/lionsheadfire

Weather and Fire Behavior: Heavy smoke will continue to cover the area, although winds aloft should begin to push smoke cover and begin to improve air quality throughout the week. Temperatures today will be cooler in the 70’s and humidity levels will range from 18-28 percent. Winds will be light and variable. Fire aligning with terrain causing upslope, updrainage fire activity with group torching and spotting will become more active than we have seen the last couple of days. Growth was moderate yesterday with group torching and some long-range spotting. Extreme drought and dry fuels continue give to lead to extreme fire behavior.
 

Current Situation: The northeastern flank of the Lionshead fire on the reservation and near Olallie Butte was very active last night which has burned a total of 138,718 acres. The P-515 fire was being utilized as an anchor point to the northeast, with planned fire lines running directly to the west, however the fire passed the containment line of the B210 road. It is reported to be burning as far north as Cedar Meadows north of Olallie Butte. Crews working the eastern side of the Lionshead Fire continued to make progress widening containment lines with strategic firing operations yesterday. The fires footprint did not grow to the east as they enhanced and mopped up existing areas of containment, still lingering with heat. They performed firing operations to widen and secure fire breaks of the south eastern flanks around the J-100 road series to tie the fires edge into old lava beds to the south west of Mt Jefferson; however, there was continued growth of fire around the south west base of Mt. Jefferson.
 

Interactive map of wildfires and forecasted smoke dispersement (click the “smoke forecast” box in the right top corner to add smoke layer):  https://storymaps.esri.com/stories/usa-wildfires/
 

Today’s Activities: On the northern flank, fire personnel will be assessing the terrain and potential natural barriers, transmission line clearings and road systems that can be used for containment lines. The eastern flank of the fire will continue to be patrolled and the mop-up depth will increase as needed to ensure the fire stays within the existing perimeter. Handline and dozer line will continue where needed, laying hose lays and mopping up areas along control lines that have heat. Crews will watch for any spot fires that may come from the change in winds or fire growth to the south of Mt Jefferson. Air resources are available to help the firefighters on the ground but will be dependent on visibility due to smoke.
 

Evacuations: A level 1 evacuation order has been issued for the Sid Walter Flats area. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management has created an interactive database to help provide the most up to date information on evacuation statewide. https://www.oregon.gov/oem/emops/Pages/RAPTOR.aspx
 

Closures: Trout Lake Road at pavement end; Road B140 at Potter’s Pond; Road B210 and Road P-500. All trails south of Trout Lake, west of M-120 Metolius Bench, east of Mt. Jefferson, and north of J-195 will be closed to the public. Tenino Road (P-200) is closed to the public, with only fire personnel and residents are allowed. For public and firefighter safety, roads and trails on the southwest portion of the Warm Springs Reservation near the fires are closed to the public. Forest closures are in place for Deschutes, Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests.  A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the P-515, Lionshead & Beachie Creek Fire. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.  Deschutes NF Alerts     Willamette NF Alerts     Mt. Hood NF Alerts  

FOR ADDITIONAL FIRE INFORMATION: Fire Information: 971-277-5075

TripCheck: https://www.tripcheck.com/              

 Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LionsheadFire   

Email:  2020.lionshead@firenet.gov