September 9 Gw Fire Update
Incident: Gw Fire Wildland Fire
Released: 9/9/2007
GW Fire
September 9, 2007
Information Center 541-595-6117
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS:
A Forest Closure Order for specific roads and the fire area still remains. The public needs to refrain from entering the fire area as many dangers still exist such as fire vehicles, falling snags, and burning debris. Roads signed with "Road Closed" indicate no entry by any means to the public.
FIRE SITUATION:
Yesterday, firefighters continued to look for opportunities to burn-out interior islands of unburned fuels in stands of timber to remove understory vegetation. Burning out the vegetation now while burning conditions are favorable will result in desirable outcomes and less loss of remaining forest stands. This will also lessen the amount of perpetual smoke that will be visible until the season ending event. A single hotspot was located outside the fire perimeter yesterday afternoon. The spot is believed to be a holdover from last Monday's active burning. Heavy helicopters quickly extinguished spot with several water drops.
Today, firefighter will continue to focus on holding and securing constructed lines, mopping-up the fire perimeter to agency standards; and patrolling for hotspots. Firefighters, on perimeters of the fire that have met the mop-up standards, will pull hose and rehabilitate the fire lines.
The Evacuation Notice for the Black Butte Ranch area remains at a Level 1 evacuation notice.
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
75%
757
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
24
27
21
1
5
156
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 Forest Road 2067, 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 remains at five miles.
WEATHER:
A thermal low pressure will continue o strengthen along the Oregon coast today as high pressure remains over and north and east of the area. This will cause winds to increase and relative humidity to fall. The forecast calls for temperatures to range from 75 to 80 degrees below 4,000 ft, 64-74 degrees above 4,000 ft. in the Wilderness area; relative humidity will range from 10-15% below 4,000 ft and 17-27% above 4,000 in the Wilderness area; winds will be East 7-12 mph with gusts 12-17 mph in the morning, becoming East/Northeast 10-15 mph with gusts 22-27 mph in the afternoon.
