Warm Springs wildfire may be contained by Friday
A threat of thunderstorms had crews on the 65,000-acre County Line 2 Fire on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation watching for new problems to emerge Monday, but it moved to 69 percent containment – and if all goes well, it’ll be fully contained by Friday, officials said.
Containment doesn’t mean a fire is out, only that fire managers believe the line around it is secure and should hold, barring extraordinary changes.
The Oregon Incident Management Team #1 (Shawn Sheldon, incident commander) continues to manage the County Line 2 Fire, the Monday morning update said.
“Heads up today for any lightning while on the line or in camp,” was the morning message from Sheldon to the crews.
During the day Sunday, along Roads 411 and 413 there was spotting across the lines where there are heavier fuels, but these were caught quickly with helicopter bucket drops.
Monday’s hotter and drier weather, with wind gusts to 15 mph, brought the potential of half-mile spotting, they said.
Crews continued prep work for planned burning about a half-mile from the western edge of fire. A masticator, used to grind and remove fuels, worked along Road 512 prepping for burning and strengthening containment lines.
A smoke inversion over the fire did not subside until late Sunday afternoon; delaying planned burnout work until about 5 p.m. Progress was made Sunday night toward containment on the western edge of fire. Spots were addressed inside and outside the line all through the night.
The fire was down one Type III helicopter again Monday as the pilot was “timed-out.”
Beginning on Wednesday, there will be engines and crews beginning to demob due to time limitations on this fire.
As of Sunday, nationwide there were 671 crews assigned to wildfires.
There is a greater potential for dry lightning across Oregon and Washington on Wednesday and Thursday, officials said, with only a 20 percent chance of precipitation.
Fire Information
Phone: 541-553-8190
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4533/
Fire at a Glance
Size: 65,200 acres
Containment: 69%
Assigned personnel: 566
Aircraft:
1 Type I (2,000 gallon)
1 Type II (530 gallon)
I Type II -on loan from Central OR
Location: Warm Springs, OR
Closures: None at this time.
Evacuation Notifications:
Level and Area
1
All areas of the Warm Springs Reservation with the exception of Tenino Road.
2
Tenino Road-Mile Post 1 through Mile Post 7
Road closed for local and fire fighter traffic only. (Signage in place)
3
None
