7/19/2014 10:00 am Bridge 99 Update

Attached and below is the Bridge 99  Update

Sisters OR - The Bridge 99 Complex consists of two fires (Bridge 99 Fire and Bear Butte 2 Fire) started by lightning on Sunday July 13.  The complex grew in size from yesterday by 1,180 acres and is now 7,549 acres.  The 4,231-acre Bridge 99 Fire increased by 544 acres from yesterday and is burning 18 miles northwest of the town of Sisters, east of the Metolius River and on the west-facing slopes of Green Ridge.  The growth of this fire yesterday was towards the north. Yesterday, crews were successful in securing the southern part of the fire line along Forest Road 14, east of the Metolius River.  Burnout operations reduced the light vegetation or fuels along the road.  Fire crews installed a system of fire hoses charged with water to better prevent escape fire.  The Bear Butte 2 Fire is estimated to be 3,318 acres, an increase of 636 acres from yesterday and grew towards the north.  It is located 4.5 miles southeast of Mt. Jefferson.  Approximately 2,729 acres have burned on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs land, with the remaining fire area located in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness area.  The Bear Butte 2 Fire is 7 miles northwest of the Bridge 99 Fire.  Yesterday’s fire growth was far less than expected.  Crews and dozers continued fireline construction on the east flank of the Bear Butte 2 Fire and improved existing road systems for better access and stronger containment lines.  Fire suppression responsibilities for the Warm Springs Lands on the Bear Butte 2 Fire have been transferred to an incident management team working on the Logging Unit Fire based near Warm Springs.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department has issued the following evacuation orders:

All private lands along the Metolius River from Allen Springs Campground to Lake Billy Chinook (including the Metolius Arm) are in a Level III Evacuation Order.  The Three Rivers Subdivision is in a Level II Evacuation Order.  The subdivisions of Rim Park, Forest Park, and Air Park along with the Cove Palisades State Park are in a Level I Evacuation Order.  These evacuation orders have not changed from yesterday.

The following Forest Service roads, trails, campgrounds and lands are closed (There is no change in closure orders from yesterday): Forest Road 12, from its intersection with Forest Roads 1270/1298 to Bridge 99, Forest Road 14, from Bridge 99 to its intersection with Forest Road 1400700 (Allen Springs Campground), Forest Road 1140, from its intersection with Forest Roads 1150/1180 to the intersection with Forest Road 1152, Forest Road 1154, from its intersection with Forest Road 1150 to the intersection with Forest Road 1140, and Forest Road 1420400.  The Lower Bridge, Pioneer Ford, Allen Springs, Canyon Creek, Monty, Perry South, and Candle Creek Campgrounds are closed. The Jefferson Lake Trail (#4001), Sugarpine Ridge Trail (#4002), Shirley Lake Trail (#4003.1), and the Cabot Lake Trail (#4003) are closed within the Mt Jefferson Wilderness.  A 5-mile segment of the Pacific Crest Trail (#2000) is closed.  The south closure is located north of the Shirley Lake Trail (#4003) junction and the north closure is located near Cathedral Rocks.  An area closure has been designated on a map that is available on the Inciweb website listed below.

Temperatures are expected to be in the mid 80s and the relative humidity (the amount of moisture in the air) is predicted to be around 20%.  Weather conditions are similar and more favorable for fire suppression from yesterday, but the fire behavior, or fire intensity will continue to challenge firefighting efforts.  The complex is burning in very steep and rugged country with heavy timber and brush at an elevation of 3,000 to 4,000’.  There have been no injuries or accidents reported to date, as the safety of the firefighters is being emphasized.  Prevention of heat-related injuries and safely traveling to and from fire assignments has been a priority

A public meeting will be conducted tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the Lake Chinook Village Store (8241, SW Jordan Road, Culver, OR).  Fire officials will briefly present a status of the complex and answer questions.  This meeting has been designed for the residents and homeowners of the Three Rivers Subdivision and Lake Billy Chinook area, but is open to anyone interested in learning more on the Bridge 99 Complex.