Saturday Morning Update: August 1, 2009
Incident: Cougar Creek Wildfire
Released: 8/1/2009
Cougar Creek
FIRE UPDATE
Fire Information: (541) 575-1017
6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The Cougar Creek Fire is currently being managed by the Blue Mountain Interagency Incident Management Team. The fire is located 10 miles south of John Day in the Malheur National Forest inside the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Area. The fire is burning in steep, rocky terrain with difficult access. Helicopter Infrared photography was conducted yesterday to better identify remaining or undetected hotspots within, as well as outside control lines.
Location: Lat: N 44˚ 18' 40" Long: W 118˚ 55' 3"
Approximate Acres: 1044 (Friday evening)
75% Containment
Cause: Under investigation, Saturday, July 25, 2009
Resources Assigned:
20-person fire crews: 6
Helicopters: 4
Water tenders: 3
Overhead: 100
Total Personnel: 310
Cooperators: US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Forestry, Grant County, John Day Fire Department
CLOSURE:
Forest Service Roads 5401, 6510, and 651 are closed at junctions with Route 65 into the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Trail closures are in effect in the southwest portion of the wilderness area.
Monitor fire lines by air, and hold the fire lines, identify and control spot fires. Rehabilitation operations have begun to restore the forest to pre-fire condition.
Sunny and HOT. High temperature 95˚. Minimum Relative Humidity 12%.
Expect increased fire traffic in John Day and surrounding areas. Drive with caution and lights on in areas of smoke and fire activity.
