Ochoco WFU Aug 19, 2008 News Release
Incident: Ochoco Wildland Fire Used for Resource Benefit
Released: 8/19/2008
OCHOCO WILDLAND FIRE USE COMPLEX
August 19, 2008 at noon
For further information call Ochoco WFU Fire Information at 541-416-6503
To receive fire updates by email contact us at ochocowfu@gmail.com
The Northwest Fire Use Team will continue to manage Wildland Fire Use (WFU) fires in the Black Canyon and Mill Creek Wildernesses. The Central Oregon Interagency Management Team took command of the Bridge Creek fire at 1800 hours on Sunday and they are now providing the public information service for that fire (1-866-534-9655). A community meeting is scheduled for 6 pm this evening at the community hall in Mitchell.
Black Canyon Wilderness
Fire activity on the Black Canyon (and Bridge Creek) fires was lower on Monday in comparison to the crown fire observed over the weekend because of increased cloud cover, humidity and light rainfall in some areas. Larger accumulations of fuel continued to burn but there was little spread to adjacent fuels. The total fire area remained at about 2,000 acres.
Showers and cooler temperature should aid fire-fighters today through Thursday. Although spotting is still expected with increased west winds, the probability of ignition and spread is reduced. Westerly winds may push the fire back on itself or into old burns which may slow the progress of the fire.
Crews and engines are working to prepare to defend Forest Road 5840 along the south boundary of the wilderness as a contingency management action, if needed to check the spread of the fire. Crews are also working along the western edge of the fire construct handline, and contain and mop-up spot fires that formed ahead of the main fire during intense fire activity this past weekend. This will help manage the spread of the fire to the west and attain overall fire management objectives. Specially trained Fire Use Modules and 20-person crews are also working with a private land owner located southwest of the fire to protect his property.
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 with escorts.
Mill Creek Wilderness
The one-acre Whistler Fire is not active at this time. A Fire Use Module found little heat remaining in the fire yesterday.
Visitors are urged to check with Ochoco WFU Fire Information for the latest conditions before planning a trip to the general vicinity of the Black Canyon Fire.
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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