Lionshead Fire grows to nearly 19,000 acres as crews prepare for strong winds
Meanwhile, Beachie Creek Fire north of Detroit tops 500 acres
WARM SPRINGS, Ore. (KTVZ) -- The 3-week-old Lionshead Fire has grown to nearly 19,000 acres over the Labor Day weekend, prompting closure of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness and other forest areas, and crews were busy Monday preparing for strong winds that could test fire lines.
Here's Monday morning's update on the two large Warm Springs wildfires:
| Quick Facts Incident Summaries P-515 / Lionshead | |
| Approximate Size in acres: | 4,609 ac./18,615 ac. |
| Fire Containment: | 95% / 31% |
| Incident Commander: | Alan Lawson |
| Resources on the Fires: | Crews: 16 Helicopters: 4 Engines: 21 Water Tenders: 21 Dozers: 7 Masticator: 3 Skidgen: 5 |
| Total Personnel: | 588 |
| Jurisdiction: | Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs |
| Oregon Smoke Blog http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/ | |
| Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KWSOnews | |
| Inciweb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7050/ https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049/ |
For Immediate Release: Monday, September 7, 2020
Incident Commander: Alan Lawson, Northwest Team 10
E-mail – 2020.p515@firenet.gov
Fire Information: 971-277-5075
Warm Springs, Oregon - This update is for the Lionshead and P-515 Fires. Both fires are currently burning on the Warm Springs Reservation and are being managed for full suppression. The Lionshead Fire has triggered closures on other public land jurisdictions and has the potential to burn onto National Forest Lands.
Northwest Team 10 would like to sincerely thank the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and The Bureau of Indian Affairs for their support and professional partnership while managing the two fires. Due to increased fire complexity, a Type 1 team, PNW Team 3 under the leadership of Noel Livingston, will assume responsibility for the fire on September 8th.
Current Status: On Sunday, a smoke inversion kept large fire growth to a minimum on the Lionshead Fire. The fire is now 18,615 acres and 31% contained. Firefighters took advantage of the relatively quiet fire behavior to locate and cool spot fires and scout for possible places to stop the fire's spread. Vegetation was removed along the J-100 and P-400 roads to prepare them for use as control lines on the north and south sides of the fire. Potential control lines were also identified west of the J-100 Road to try and stop the fire's spread to the southwest.
Mop-up operations and removal of excess equipment continued on the P-515 Fire. Surplus resources are being reassigned to the Lionshead Fire.
Today’s Operations: Fire resources will continue to work along the J-100 and P-400 roads on potential containment lines. Interagency Hotshot crews will diligently work to establish lines between fingers of the Lionshead Fire and burn out fuels to reduce the chance of further spread to the southeast.
Weather and Fire Behavior: There is a Red Flag Warning in effect today for strong winds and low humidity. A cold front is expected to pass over the fire area this afternoon, bringing winds gusting up to 30 mph from the east to northeast through Tuesday. The winds have the potential to push the fire through unburned areas to the west of the fire and north of Bald Peter. Temperatures will be cooler and relative humidity slightly higher than yesterday.
Closures: For public and firefighter safety, roads and trails on the southwest portion of the Warm Springs Reservation near the fires are closed to the public. Forty miles of the Pacific Crest Trail are closed between Santiam Pass and Olallie Lake. Much of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness and some nearby lands and recreation sites are closed. See Willamette, Deschutes, and Mt. Hood N.F. websites for trail and area closures. Deschutes NF Alerts Willamette NF Alerts Mt. Hood NF Alerts
A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the P-515 and Lionshead Fires. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.
Evacuations: Orders are being issued for evacuations as conditions change. Please monitor the local area sheriff’s department websites and Facebook pages for updates. (Deschutes, Jefferson, Wasco, Linn, and Marion counties)
COVID-19: NW Team 10 is following recommendations from the CDC to keep fire personnel and the public safe. There is no public access to the Incident Command Post at the Jefferson Co. Fairgrounds.
Prevention Message: Head's up when in the woods or near trees! Strong winds can blow down trees and branches.
Beachie Creek Fire update:
Brian Gales, Incident Commander Lonnie Click, Deputy IC
Start date: Aug, 16, 2020
Location:
Opal Creek wilderness, 6 mi North of Detroit, OR Cause: Unknown
Fire size: 513 Acres
Helicopters Assigned: 4
Total personnel: 237
Gates, Ore. – Firefighters continue to work on removing brush and smaller diameter trees along roadways. This mitigation work is an important part of the containment plan to establish access to the fire and will act as a fuels break in the event the fire reaches those lines.
Fire activity is expected to increase today and Tuesday as a strong east wind is expected to enter the area and continue well into Tuesday bringing gusts in excess of 35 mph. Helicopters will continue to provide water drops to assist in fire suppression, as weather allows. Along with an increase in single and group tree torching, short runs may occur when the slope and wind align. Spot fires are likely to occur up to one half mile from the fire perimeter once east winds enter the area.
WEATHER: A Red Flag Warning for strong winds will be in effect from 11:00 a.m. Monday through 8:00 p.m. Wednesday. Wind gusts are likely to reach between 30-40 mph with 50-60 mph gusts likely on exposed ridges. The wind may ease Tuesday night and Wednesday. Fire conditions are expected to improve later in the week.
SAFETY: The Marion County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to be aware of aerial firefighting aircraft, CL-415 scoopers on Detroit Lake. The area of the lake south of Piety Island will be closed during daylight operational hours until further notice, starting at 10 am. In addition, the following campgrounds will be impacted and will not be accessible by boat during those hours; Cove Creek Campground, Sportsman Campground and South Shore Campground.
RESTRICTIONS:
Campfires are restricted to developed campsites in Forest Service provided fire rings. Never leave a campfire unattended. Drown it with water, stir it thoroughly, and feel it with your hand to ensure that it is out cold. Fires are only allowed in designated campgrounds. (Order 06-18-00-20-16).
CLOSURES: Willamette National Forest roads, trails, and lands around the fire area are closed. View the official order (Order 06-18-04-20-13) or go to InciWeb (link below) for a list and map of the closed roads, trails, and recreation sites.
| Public information: Facebook: facebook.com/willamettenf Twitter: @WillametteNF E-mail: 2020.beachiecreek@firenet.gov Phone: 541-583-0526, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Inciweb https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7001/ Oregon Smoke Blog http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/p/air-quality-now.html |
