Hwy. 26 reopens as firefighting effort continues

ODOT again closed Hwy. 26 at Warm Springs Reservation for several hours Thursday evening for the aerial battle against one of several stubborn wildfires that have chewed up 90,000 acres in the past several days. It was the third such closure in as many days.

The closure began around 5 p.m. and ended about four hours later. Cars used use a local detour on tribal roads, while trucks were detoured to Interstate 84 via Hwys. 216 and 197.

Meanwhile, the more than week-old Hancock Complex of lightning-sparked fires near Clarno in north-central Oregon were declared fully contained Thursday night, having burned 57,597 acres.

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Here’s the 2 p.m. Thursday update on the High Cascades Complex:

Firefighters continued to make good progress on multiple fires within the High Cascades Complex yesterday. Today’s weather forecast is for decreased winds and higher humidity across the complex and firefighting activities will focus on constructing containment lines and securing established firelines.

Nearly 1,700 firefighters are on the scene, and the fires have burned an estimated 90,436 acres. Containment was estimated at 25 percent, with full containment expected by Monday, Labor Day — if the coming days’ warmer temperatures don’t cause new problems.

Highway 26 is now open, and the closure of the recreation activities on the Deschutes River is no longer in effect. Fires within the complex are now being managed by the ORCA and Blue Mountain Incident Management Teams (IMT), with structural protection being provided by six strike teams managed by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Red Team. Aggressive firefighting efforts under challenging situations have minimized impacts to residents and resources.

There is a Level 3 mandatory evacuation in effect for three residences in the Dry Hollow area south of the West Hills Fire, with a Level 1 pre-evacuation notice in effect for the Sidwalter, County Line Road, and Seekseequa neighborhoods. No homes have been lost and three outbuildings have been burned as a result of fires within the complex.

As of today, Segment 1 of the Lower Deschutes River is re-opened to all public use including camping, day use, launching and rafting. Segment 1 extends from the Warm Springs launch site at River Mile (RM) 97.5 north to Harpham Flat (RM 56).

The Blue Mountain IMT is now managing the Powerline, Trout Lake, Badger Butte and Lemiti Meadow Fires, while ORCA is managing the Razorback, and West Hills Fires.

The Razorback Fire is estimated at 51,015 acres with yesterday’s efforts focused on securing the fireline east of the Deschutes River and establishing containment lines in extremely rugged terrain west of the river.

The West Hills Fire is located southwest of the community of Warm Springs and is estimated to be 15,412 acres. Yesterday firefighters utilized 20 loads of fire retardant to slow the progress of the southern flank of this fire and have established a containment line around the most active area of this fire.

The Seekseequa Fire, located north of the Metolius arm of Lake Billy Chinook is estimated to be 7,163 acres and is in patrol status.

The Powerline Fire is located approximately 12 miles northwest of the community of Warm Springs and is estimated to be 15,728 acres. The fire again tested but did not compromise containment lines yesterday afternoon as winds increased fire behavior. The fire is estimated to be 25% contained.

The Trout Lake Fire is estimated to be 627 acres and is expected have containment lines established around the entire perimeter by the end of today.

The Badger Butte Fire, estimated to be 466 acres is 30% contained.

The 25 acre Lemiti Fire is lined and firefighters have begun mopping this fire up.

OSFM task forces continue to mop up 300-500 feet from structures threatened by the fires and are also supporting the wildland firefighters by patrolling and supplying water and are available if additional residences are threatened.

River access information will continue to be posted on the boater pass website (www.boaterpass.com) and on the High Cascades Complex Fire information website (www.inciweb.org/2546 ) and will inform river users of any additional changes.

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Here’s the Thursday evening update on other fires from Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center:

Firefighters continue make progress on several wildfires burning in Central Oregon and continue to watch for any lightning holdover fires from last week’s storms. Cooler daytime temperatures have helped firefighters successfully hold and improve fire containment lines. Normal to above normal temperatures are still expected to return to Central Oregon over Labor Day weekend and continue through the middle of September.

Firefighters continued to work on a lightning-caused wildfire burning within the Mt. Washington Wilderness 15 miles northwest of Sisters and seven miles west of Black Butte Ranch. The Shadow Lake Fire experienced minimal fire activity today, with some fire backing to the west and south. Fire behavior included a mix of creeping and smoldering with spots of single tree torching. The fire is now 504 acres and has no estimate of containment. A National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Team is in command of the Shadow Lake Fire burning in the Mt. Washington Wilderness. Firefighters worked to improve containment line along the edge of the wilderness and will continue working along the east side of the fire, on Santiam Wagon Road and around the Willamette National Forest’s Big Lake Resort area.

A fire closure remains in effect for the area that very generally extends from Deschutes FS Roads 1028 and 1030 west to the edge of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). The order closes a portion of the Dry Creek Trail; however, the PCT remains open. A map of the closure and the specific roads involved are located at www.inciweb.org on the Shadow Lake Fire page.

Firefighters continue to work on the Hancock Fire Complex burning in the Clarno area in the north-central part of the state. The acreage for the Complex was mapped yesterday at 57,597 acres and is 90 percent contained. The fire will be turned back over to the Prineville District tomorrow morning, and full containment of the Complex is now expected tomorrow at 1800. The phone line for information for this incident will return to (541) 416-6811 tomorrow morning as the fire camp in Fossil is demobilized.

Firefighters made good progress on fires burning east of Twickenham and north of Mitchell and the two Incidents (#615 and #614) are contained.

The High Cascades Complex is being managed cooperatively by the Oregon and California (ORCA) Interagency Incident Management Team (IMT), Blue Mountains IMT, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Red Team, and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.

The Razorback Fire is estimated at 51,015 acres today, and remains under command of the ORCA IMT. Based on an assessment of current fire behavior and activity from the Razorback Fire along the river, fire officials have decided to re-open Segment 1 of the Lower Deschutes River.

As of 12:01, September 1, 2011 Segment 1 of the Lower Deschutes River will re-open to all public use including camping, day use, launching and rafting. Segment 1 extends from the Warm Springs launch site at River Mile (RM) 97.5 north to Harpham Flat (RM 56).

Rafters should use caution while recreating in this area. The Razorback Fire is not contained and there are still areas with active fire behavior on both sides of the river canyon. The safety of vehicles left unattended cannot be guaranteed. Boaters should use extreme caution when pulling off for breaks or overnight camping. Areas that recently burned may still have hot spots, dangerous stump holes or rolling rocks. Dispersed campsites that have burned will also have ash-buildup and may be unusable or undesirable.

River access information will continue to be posted on the boater pass website (www.boaterpass.com) and on the High Cascades Complex Fire information website (www.inciweb.org) and will inform river users of any additional changes.

Highways 197 and 97 remain open, while Highway 26 has intermittent closures; travelers should continue check www.tripcheck.com for the latest road information