Royce Butte Fire Update
Incident: Royce Butte Wildland Fire
Released: 9/19/2008
Royce Butte Fire Update
Friday, September 19, 2008 8:00 am
Fire Information 866. 597.3806
Hours 7 am - 9 pm
Email: roycebuttefire@gmail.com
FIRE ACTIVITY SUMMARY: Firefighters focused on extinguishing isolated hotspots on the north, south, and west sides of the fire yesterday. Continued lower temperatures and higher humidity levels resulted in moderate fire activity within the fire perimeter. Mop up is an ongoing objective. Firefighters have initial attack responsibilities over areas adjacent to the fire, but no new starts occurred. Current acreage remains at 381, with 60% containment.
At 2 pm yesterday the evacuation level was reduced from Level 3 to Level 2. Residents were allowed to return to their homes with notice to be on alert and ready to leave at a moments notice. Highway 58 was reopened with a reduced speed limit of 35 mph from Willamette Pass Ski Area to Crescent Lake Junction. The Oregon State Fire Marshall Incident Management Red Team and three Structural Strike Teams were released yesterday afternoon.
Smoke from the Lonesome Fire Complex drifted over Crescent Lake, Gilchrist, and Crescent areas by late afternoon. Smoke from the Royce Butte Fire has been minimal with inversions lifting by mid morning.
EXPECTED DATE OF CONTAINMENT: Sunday, September 20, 2008.
WEATHER: A marine trough offshore is causing cooler temperatures with potential for thunderstorms and precipitation late today. Winds are expected to be gusty later in the afternoon up to 20 mph
CLOSURE: Forest Roads 4668, 4682, 4668 - 500, 4668 from intersection of 4660 south to 4660 and Highway 46 (Cascade Lakes Highway) Forest Road 6000-018 from its junction with Forest Road 6000-050 to its junction with Forest Road 5800-068, Forest Road 6000-050 to junction with 5800-068 and Forest Road 6000-050 from its junction with SR 60 to Forest Road 6000-068. (Pursuant to Order DES-2008-006:September 18, 2008))
QUICK FACTS:
Acres: 381
Containment: 60%
Location: 12 miles west of Crescent
Cause: Human
Start Date/Time: September 16, 2008 / 3 pm
Expected Containment Date: September 21, 2008
Resources: Crews: 9 Type 2, Engines: 13, Helicopters: 1-light, Dozers 3, Water tenders: 13, Total personnel: 336
