September 6 Gw Fire Update
Incident: Gw Fire Wildland Fire
Released: 9/6/2007
GW Fire
September 6, 2007
FIRE SITUATION:
Using minimal impact suppression tactics (MIST), crews have successfully worked the fire perimeter in the Mt. Washington Wilderness area. Dozer line has been completed around all other fire perimeters. Much work still remains.
Suppression efforts today will focus on holding all constructed line and mopping-up. A 300 ft mopped-up band will be completed on the North and South flanks and a 500 ft band along the Eastern flank nearest the Black Butte Ranch. A hot area still remains along the West flank of the fire where helicopter bucket drops will concentrate to cool. Along most of this edge of the fire, crews continue to cold trail and monitor the situation. Rehabilitation of interior dozer line will also begin today. Rehab will include water barring and pulling woody debris back onto lines to reduce possible erosion.
The infrared flight last night showed very little heat on the perimeter of the fire with a few spots located in the interior of the fire with little risk of moving beyond the fire lines.
The Black Butte Ranch area remains under a Level 2 Evacuation notice. Allowing residents back into Black Butte Ranch has reduced the need for the American Red Cross Evacuation Shelter in Sisters. The Shelter was closed yesterday but resources will remain in the area ready for use again if needed.
FIRE LOCATION:
The GW Fire is located in the vicinity of Dry Creek on the lower East slope of Mt. Washington on the Western edge of the Mt. Washington Wilderness. The Eastern edge remains approximately 1/2 mile West of Black Butte Ranch.
TOTAL ACRES
FIRE CAUSECONTAINMENT
TOTAL PERSONNEL
7,500
Lightning
60%
841
FIRE CAMP/HELIBASE LOCATION: The incident command post is located at the Allingham Guard Station near Camp Sherman. An increase in traffic remains around Camp Sherman, Black Butte Ranch, and Highway 20 near the Camp Sherman and Black Butte Ranch access road junctions.
ASSIGNED RESOURCES:
Hand Crews
Engines
Water Tenders
Dozers
Helicopters
Overhead
Camp
Crews
25
43
22
4
8
185
3
As the fire containment increases, surplus resources will be released.
CLOSURES:
The Deschutes National Forest Special Area Closure is still in effect. It includes the area within the following boundaries:
·· Beginning at Forest Rd 1012 at its junction with State Route 20, South along Forest Road 1012 to its intersection with State Route 242
·· West along 242, excluding the Cold Springs Campground, to its intersection with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT)
·· North along the PCT to its intersection with Forest Road 500
·· East along and including Forest Road 500 to its intersection with State Route 20, and
·· North along and including Forest Road 2067 to its intersection with State Route 20,
·· East along State Route 20 to the beginning.
The temporary flight restriction (TFR) over the fire area has been reduced from seven to five miles.
WEATHER:
Little change is expected in the weather today as compared to yesterday. High pressure over the Eastern Pacific Ocean will continue to build into the area from the Northwest through tonight. The forecast calls for patchy frost early; mostly clear with temperatures in the mid-70s and 60- 70s in the wilderness; minimum humidity at 25-40%; winds North/Northwest 5-10 mph in the morning then becoming North 5-10 with gusts to 15 mph in the afternoon.
