Shaniko Butte Fire 42,000 acres – but 50 pct. contained
Current as of Saturday, July 19, 2014 10:13:33 PM Incident Type Wildfire Cause Lightning Date of Origin Sunday July 13th, 2014 approx. 08:45 PM Location 15 miles north of Warm Springs Incident Commander Ross Williams Ic, Carl West Deputy Ic, Shawn Sheldon Ic-t Total Personnel 622 Size 42,000 Acres Percent of Perimeter Contained 50% Percent of Perimeter To Be Contained 100% Estimated Containment Date Saturday July 26th, 2014 approx. 12:00 AM Fuels Involved
Grass and grass understory, moderate brush component that will transition into an understory grass and litter model.
Significant Events
Good progress continues to be made in securing containment lines on the western, eastern,and northern lines as well as prepping for future burnout operations on the south line. The Deschutes River is still closed to recreationists as crews perform several miles of burnout along the road and river; however, the River will re-open on Sunday at 0600 (6:00 a.m.) Winds have calmed and humidity has risen, moderating fire behavior.
Planned Actions
For night operations 7-19-2014 use available resources (4 Type 6 Engine and one IHC) to provide structure protection. For day operations 7-20-2014, the structure protection group will continue to provide structure protection both in the Deschutes River corridor and in and around the fire area. Suppression forces will continue establishing and securing containment lines on the west, north, and south perimeters while using the Deschutes River as a containment line on the east side. Continue to use assigned helicopters for bucket work on the perimeter of the fire, especially the river corridor and along the northeast corner. Plans include finishing the burnout operation along the river with helicopter support.
Projected Incident Activity
There is some risk that fire will cross the Deschutes River and spread east. Firing on the south line from east to west will occur on Sunday. Burnout operations within planned contanment lines will significantly increase the incident size on the east and south perimeters.
Remarks
Several fires continue to be active on the Warm Springs Agency lands, generating concern and actions by the WSA staff. The closure on the Deschutes River will be lifted Sunday morning July 20 at 6:00 AM. The fire is continuing to burn toward the river south of the Dant area assisted by burnout operations.
Weather Concerns
Humidity may limit capability to burn out and secure the fire perimeter. Tomorrow’s weather forecast: Temp 84-87;winds 15mph from NW; relative humidity 28%
The above is the late Saturday night update from the Shaniko Butte Fire’s InciWeb site http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3960/ which also has maps, etc.
