Ochoco WFU News Release for Aug 18, 2008
Incident: Ochoco Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit
Released: 8/18/2008
Northwest Fire Use Management Team
Matt Reidy, Incident Commander
OCHOCO WILDLAND FIRE USE COMPLEX
August 18, 2008 at 12:00 p.m.
For further information call Ochoco WFU Fire Information at 541-416-6503
To receive fire updates by email contact us at ochocowfu@gmail.com
Bridge Creek Wilderness
The Bridge Creek Fire remained active throughout Sunday night. Estimated size as of Monday morning is 5,000 acres. The Central Oregon Incident Management Team (Type II), Incident Commander Mark Rapp, assumed command of the fire at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. Information about the Bridge Creek Fire will be provided by the Central Oregon Team out of the ICP at Walton Lake Snopark (a Fire Information number and email address will be provided later today). Air and ground resources are being focused on the north and east sides of the fire. Fire crews have also established an anchor point on the SW corner of the fire at Gable Creek and are constructing line north up the west side of the fire.
An Area Closure is in place in the vicinity of the Bridge Creek Fire. It is defined by the 22 Road, the 2210 Road and the northern Forest boundary. Those roads and Walton Lake campground remain open. A temporary flight restriction is in place for a six-mile radius around the fire (lat. 44° 29' 00", long. 120° 14' 00").
Black Canyon Wilderness
On Sunday, the Black Canyon Fire merged with the Wolf Fire and made a run west. The combined fires will be called the Black Canyon Fire (approx 2,000 acres). Fire behavior will likely be similar on Monday with relative humidity remaining low. Westerly winds may change the direction of fire movement potentially pushing the fire toward old burns which may slow progress of the fire. Fire crews are watching out for shifting winds associated with passing thunderstorms.
An Area Closure is in effect for the entire Black Canyon Wilderness. The following forest roads adjacent to the wilderness are also being closed: Forest Roads 58-131, 5830, 5840, 5850, 5810, 38, 1250, 4290, 3850, 3810 and 5820. Wolf Mountain and Boeing Field trailheads remain closed. Permittees and local landowners within the closure area will be allowed access.
Mill Creek Wilderness
The one-acre Whistler Fire is not active at this time. A Fire Use Module is staffing the fire today.
A red flag fire weather warning has been issued for lightning and thunderstorms for Monday. Temperatures will be cooler but humidity will remain low with continued dry burning conditions.
Wilderness visitors are urged to check with Ochoco WFU Fire Information for the latest conditions before planning a trip to any of the three wildernesses or areas immediately surrounding them.
Daily situation, photos and maps are available online at Inciweb.org, look for Ochoco WFU
Information: is also available from the Ochoco NF at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/ (see right column).
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