Wizard Fire Update Thursday, October 2, 2008
Incident: Wizard Wildland Fire
Released: 10/2/2008
Camp Sherman, OR --- Yesterday, fire crews successfully completed burn out operations within firelines along the north and west flanks of the Wizard Fire to further secure those lines. The shape and size of the Wizard Fire should not change in the future if all conditions go according to the master strategic plan for containing and controlling this fire. Cooperative weather created optimal fire effects as the fire displayed classic underburn characteristics. The south and east flanks of the fire continue to be mopped-up and placed in patrol status until fire mop-up objectives are achieved.
Today, crews will focus on mopping-up the fire up to 300' from the firelines. Due to the visual concerns and the amount of snags, or dead trees, near Forest Service Road 14 (along the Metolius River) the mop-up standards will be 150' from Road 14. Fire hose and other excess suppression equipment are being removed along the secured sections of the fire's perimeter, and rehabilitation of the constructed firelines has begun. Given the success of the firefighting operation over the past several days, demobilization of resources is in progress. Full containment of the Wizard Fire is expected by Saturday, October 4.
The weather today will be cooler with the possibility of showers over the fire area by the afternoon. The prolonged warm, dry weather pattern experienced over the region appears to be ending as a series of wet Pacific storms are forecast for the coming days.
Road, trail, and area closures around the fire area remain in effect. The Lower Bridge, Pioneer Ford, and Allen Springs Campgrounds remain closed. Please check the Deschutes National Forest website at www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon for the most current information.
