Air Quality is Moderate for today meaning some pollutants may be a moderate health concern for a very small number of people who are unusually sensitive to air pollution.

According to the Warm Springs Police Department, there are no longer any evacuation notices for the Sid Walter/Miller Flats area on the Lionshead Fire.

Thanks to the improved visibility, Lionshead Fire Aircraft was able to do some flying for the first time in several days.  Operations got to look at some portions of the fire that they had not seen for a bit. Air Attack was up early and several helicopters were able to accomplish some much-needed bucket work. Great news for fire fighters!

 

Lionshead Fire Update – Saturday, September 19, 2020

Widespread Rain Helps with Containment Efforts

Current Situation: A light rain fell on most parts of the fire yesterday and today, the first rain since the fire began on August 16, 2020. The rain should improve smoke conditions and will allow fire managers to fly the fire – providing a better view of current conditions and the opportunity for replacement of badly needed radio repeaters to improve communications. The rain itself is not enough to suppress the fire, but it can be a crucial element for the work.

 High humidity and rain will limit the spread of the fire today, but heavy fuels and duff will continue to burn and hold heat.

Firefighting Efforts by Division: (Refer to the map for division breakdown.)

Division A: Towards DP87, there was not a lot of activity or effort except for a small spot fire that will be prioritized today. Steep, rugged terrain and plenty of snags are present in the Badger Butte area. Direct dozer line was constructed up to Badger Butte back along the fire’s edge and was tied into road systems.

Division E: This division is in patrol status which involves mopping up and securing the fire’s edge. Rain helped this effort and moderated fire behavior.

Division G, I, K: This section of the fire is in patrol and monitor status. Backhaul missions, which involve returning firefighting equipment to camp for use elsewhere, are occurring along this section of the fire. These divisions may be merged into one in the coming days as the east side of the fire continues to hold.

Division N and R: There are no crews on active edge of the fire in this division due to terrain and lava rock safety concerns. Fire managers are monitoring this area with aircraft and drones with IR capability as aviation conditions improve. Air support will monitor any fire spread.

Division S: A historic fire scar (Whitewater Fire) is allowing this division to construct hand and dozer line that can connect to existing road systems.

Lionshead Fire Statistics: 

Start Date: 8/16/2020 
Cause: Lightning 
Incident Commander: Dan Dallas Rocky Mountain Team 1 
Approximate Size: 198,231 acres 
Containment: 10%
Total Personnel: 1015
Approximate Distance:  14 miles west of Warm Springs
 

For More Information:
Information Office: 971-277-5075, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Email: 2020.lionshead@firenet.gov
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LionsheadFire
           

Air quality is significantly improved following yesterday's rain and wind which scoured stagnant smoke out of the forecast area and reduced smoke output on area wildfires. Most monitors are reading in the "good" range this morning.  As forest fuels dry throughout the day, I expect an increase in smoke production as large interior logs and duff begin to consume. Some of this smoke will end up in communities near the Lionshead fire as westerly winds are forecast.   

Air quality and smoke summaries can be found below.

Lionshead Fire Update – Friday, September 18, 2020

Start Date: 8/16/2020 
Cause: Lightning 
Incident Commander: Dan Dallas Rocky Mountain Team 1 
Approximate Size: 192,719 acres 
Containment: 10%
Total Personnel: 1100
Approximate Distance:  14 miles west of Warm Springs

Resources on the Fire: 
28 crews
29 engines 
7 dozers
28 water tenders
11 helicopters 

Cooperating Agencies:
Marion County Sheriff
Linn County Sheriff
Jefferson County Sheriff
Deschutes County Sheriff
 

Fire activity is more subdued today due to lower temperatures and increased relative humidity. Rain is anticipated over most of the fire area. There is still active fire, but fire managers expect less fire activity for the immediate future. The lightning-caused fire started on August 16th approximately 14 miles west of the Warm Springs community on Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs land. It has spread primarily to the west, onto the Willamette National Forest and beyond. Historic windstorms in early September are a major cause of the spread. It is being managed with a full suppression strategy. Firefighter and public safety are the top priorities for all efforts. 

 
Weather and Fire Behavior: Fire activity should continue to moderate with the weather. Temperatures will be cooler today and rain is expected. Thunderstorms are possible. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning in Marion and Linn Counties. Debris flows are possible during this rain event. Expect cleaner air through the weekend. Fire behavior will likely increase as warmer and drier conditions return in a few days. 

Yesterday:  Crews identified options along the northern edge of the fire to connect fire line west from the B-200 Road to Olallie Lakes. Good progress was made preparing roads and dozer lines for burnout operations. Structure protection efforts continued in many areas on the western reaches. Progress is also being made on spot fires near Sisi Butte. The Sisi Butte Lookout was wrapped for structure protection. Much of the mop up work in the Olallie Lakes area was completed. Along the southern edge of the fire, crews continued to work with local fire districts in the communities along Highway 22 on mop up and patrol. Structure groups worked in Marion Forks and monitored the Stahlman area.
 
 
Today’s Activities: Firefighters will take advantage of the favorable weather conditions to work adjacent to the fire’s edge to secure the fire perimeter. Firefighters will continue to scout and establish fire line adjacent to the fire in preparation for burnout operations in the coming days. Crews will perform structure protection activities, such as clearing brush and vegetation from around homes in Detroit, Idanha, and New Idanha. To the east and southeast, crews continue mop up operations and removal of fire-weakened trees for public safety. As of this morning, the Rocky Mountain Team 1 assumed command of the Lionshead Fire. 

Closures: Roads and trails near the fires remain closed for public safety. This includes roads and trails on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Spring lands adjacent to the fire and a 40-mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail between Santiam Pass and Olallie Lake. 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

From the Warm Springs Police Department:

Good Morning Warm Springs!  We received good news for the residential areas or Sid Walter Flat/Miller Flat.  The evacuation level for the area has decreased to a level 1.  Remember the level 1 is a "Be Prepared" level.  There is still active fire behavior in the area as crews work on containment lines of the Lionshead Fire.Simansho and Schoolie have no evacuation warnings in place.There is heavy smoke in the area of Hwy 26 with low visibility, drive with your headlights on so people can see you.  This is for your safety as well as the other drivers on the road.  There is a chance for rain in the area, so if traveling the roadways continue to use caution.The Warm Springs Tribal Police Department would like to thank the Pacific Northwest Team 3 for the work they have done to help keep our community safe as they transition from out of our area.  We would like to welcome Rocky Mountain Team 1, we look forward to working with you.To our local Warm Springs Fire Management Team, Natural Resource Office, thank you for your commitment to our communities safety and care for the natural resources!Thank you to the National Guard for coming to our community to assist in our public safety efforts.Last, but definitely not least, a thank you to the fire fighters on all the fire lines, you all are amazing and we appreciate you!  Stay safe out there.

Air quality and smoke summaries can be found below.

Lionshead Fire Update – Thursday, September 17, 2020 – 9:00 a.m.

Start Date: 8/16/2020 
Cause: Lightning 
Incident Commander: Noel Livingston, Pacific Northwest Team 3
Approximate Size: 189,316 acres 
Containment: 10%
Total Personnel: 1015
Approximate Distance:  14 miles west of Warm Springs

Resources on the Fire: 
28 crews
30 engines 
8 dozers
28 water tenders
11 helicopters 

Cooperating Agencies:
Marion County Sheriff
Linn County Sheriff
Jefferson County Sheriff
Deschutes County Sheriff

Weather and Fire Behavior: Fire activity should continue to moderate with the weather. Temperatures will be cooler today and some rain is expected this afternoon and into Friday. Thunderstorms are possible and there is some concern about debris flow, which can occur when rain follows fire activity. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning in Marion and Linn Counties.

Yesterday:  Yesterday on the Warm Springs Reservation, firefighters coordinated with Tribal representatives to scout potential contingency fire line along the northern perimeter of the fire. On the northeastern edge of the fire, firefighters took advantage of the moderated weather to work more directly adjacent to the fire’s edge. Crews performed structure protection activities, such as clearing brush and vegetation from around homes, in Sid Walter Flats. To the east and southeast, the fire perimeter was largely in patrol status and crews engaged in mop up and removal of fire-weakened trees for public safety. Crews continued with stabilization efforts in the Highway 22 corridor.  There is still some active burning occurring around the Stahlman area.  On the north side of the fire, firefighters worked along the 46 Road and contained spot fires south of Sisi Butte. Crews secured Hawk Cabin.

Today’s Activities: Most of yesterday’s work will continue today. Along the northern edge of the fire, crews will keep scouting for options to connect fire line west from the B-200 Road to Olallie Lakes, where they plan to tie control line in with the fire perimeter.  Good progress has been made preparing roads and dozer lines for burnout operations but there is still a significant amount of work to do. Firefighters will continue structure protection around homes in Sid Walter Flats and keep watch to secure the spot fires there and near Sisi Butte in the northwest. Crews will work along the 46 Road toward Breitenbush to prepare it for eventual re-opening. Firefighters expect to complete much of the mop up work in the Olallie Lakes area today. Structure groups will remain working in Marion Forks and monitoring the Stahlman area.

This evening, Pacific Northwest Team 3 will transfer command of the Lionshead Fire to Rocky Mountain Team 1.

Evacuations: Evacuation levels remain in place for the Lionshead Fire and updates are provided by Oregon Emergency Management at https://www.oregon.gov/oem/emops/Pages/RAPTOR.aspx. To ensure public safety on the Reservation, the Warm Springs Police Department is maintaining the current Level 2 “Be Set” evacuation notice for the Sidwalter area and Level 1 “Be Ready” notice along Highway 26.

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

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 and smoke summaries can be found below.