Fire Update
Incident: Silvies River Wildland Fire
Released: 8/10/2008
Silvies River Fire Update
Sunday, August 10, 2008 9:00 am
Fire Information (541) 573 4555 Hours: 7:00 am - 9:00 pm
silvies.river.fire@gmail.com www.inciweb.org
Yesterday at 8 am Central Oregon Type 2 Incident Management Team in-briefed with Burns District BLM management. The team is led by Incident Commander, Mark Rapp. Rapp's team assumed command of the fire Saturday, August 9 at 8 pm.
FIRE ACTIVITY SUMMARY: The diurnal winds in the river drainage pushed growth northward toward the convergence of Emigrant Creek and Silvies River. In the south, the fire spread down canyon towards the gauging station. On the east and west perimeters, fire growth was minimal. Crews are clearing along existing roads to construct fireline along the west side. Single and group tree torching was observed and resulted in spotting 50 to 200 feet in various portions of the fire Today's winds were favorable for a burnout on the southwest edge of the fire.
Steep terrain, limited access roads, and heavy fuels are providing a challenge to fire operations. Additional resources are expected to arrive in the next few days, including crews, engines, dozers, and helicopters. In all sections of the fire indirect and direct line is a primary objective with aerial support. As always, firefighter and public safety is the foremost objective in all suppression efforts.
Other wildfires in Harney County continue to stay quiet. The Bootleg Spring Fire in the Stinkingwater Mountains is still estimated around 150 acres. Smokejumpers have been assigned to a 145 acre fire in the Steens Mountain Wilderness
WEATHER: Warmer, drier weather is expected to continue in the next few days. Winds will be 4 - 9 mph in a west/northwest direction. Relative humidities will range from 26 - 36% in areas of the fire with temperatures from 71 - 78 degrees.
FIRE CAMP LOCATION: Harney County Fairgrounds. HELIBASE: Burns Airport.
CURRENT RESTRICTIONS: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place five miles around the fire perimeter. The Lone Pine and Skull Creek Roads in the Silvies River Fire vicinity are restricted to use by livestock and property owners only. Fire danger remains at a HIGH level and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level is a level 3 (partial shutdown). A regulated fire restriction across the entire Burns Interagency Fire Zone prohibits off road travel, open fires (except at designated campgrounds). Use of chainsaws is restricted, except at loading sites.
COOPERATING AGENCIES: Burns District Bureau of Land Management
QUICK FACTS:
Acres: 3000
Containment: 10%
Location: 8 miles NW of Burns-Hines
Cause: Lightning
Start Date/Time: August 7, 2008 5:30pm
Total personnel: 161, Crews: 5, Dozers: 2, Engines: 14, Helicopters: 1 heavy, Water tenders: 2
To report a wildfire: 573-1000.
