7/22/2014 AM Waterman Complex Update

Fire Update

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 22, 2014 AM

Waterman Complex – Mitchell, Oregon

Information Center – 541-787-4321

Incident Commander Doug Johnson

Start Date	Cause	Total Acres	Percent Containment	Crews	Engines	Water Tenders	Helos	Dozers	Total Personnel
7/12/2014	Lightning	12,520	75%	24	39	28	7	9	901

* OCHOCO AND WATERMAN COMPLEXES PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING

7 pm, JULY 22^nd at BOWMAN MUSEUM, 246 N. MAIN STREET PRINEVILLE*

Today, Highway (Hwy) 26 will reopen to one lane of traffic guided by an Oregon Department of Transportation pilot car through the fire zone.  Expect 45 minute delays.  Vehicle headlight use is required when traveling through the fire area. Stopping within the fire zone will not be allowed and all traffic must remain on Hwy 26. The highway could close at any time due to safety concerns.  All Forest Roads (FR) will continue to be closed off of Hwy 26. 

Evacuation Notices

The Crook County Sheriff’s Office has reduced the Marks Creek area to a Level 1 Evacuation Notice
effective 8:00 am.  West Branch remains at the Level 2 Evacuation preparedness.  Residents need to remain
ready to evacuate should fire conditions warrant.  The Red Cross Shelter remains open at the Crook County
High School in Prineville.

Current Situation

The Complex consists of four fires (Bailey Butte, Toney Butte, Junction Springs and Incident #376.)  The
Bailey Butte fire is being actively managed.  The others are 100% contained and will continue to be monitored
by air.  Water dropping helicopters are being shared with the adjacent Ochoco Complex to assist in fire
suppression efforts.

Bailey Butte Fire – 10,276 acres, 70% contained.  Firefighters have completed burnout operations
along FR 2630 last night allowing the opening of Highway 26.  Mop-up continues with the current goal
of creating a 200-300 foot “cold and black” rim around the fire edge.   

Toney Butte Fire – 2,229 acres, 100% contained.  The fire will be monitored by the air.  Smoke may be
visible from interior burning.

Junction Springs Fire – 15 acres, 100% contained. This fire remains in patrol status and monitored by air.

Incident #376 - .25 acres, 100% contained. 

Weather:

A Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning is forecasted for today through Wednesday.  The operations section has staffed an initial attack organization to assist with new ignitions within the vicinity of the Waterman Complex.  Firefighters were advised of the strong winds associated with thunderstorms and to take necessary precautions.

Ochoco National Forest Closure Area:

A Forest Closure Order 06-07-01-14-001-01 is in effect on Ochoco National Forest System lands.  The closure prohibits the public from entering the Closure Area except under special exemption.  The closure is due to firefighting activities and the safety of the public within the Closure Area.  The public is encouraged to check with the Forest before they travel.  To view the entire Forest Closure Order please see the following link:

http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/centraloregon/alerts-notices/?aid=24081

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR):  A TFR remains in place over the Bailey Butte fire. Please check the NOTAM for current information.

For more information on the Waterman Complex visit:

Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3961/  Facebook Waterman ComplexFind us on Twitter @watermancmplx                 
Oregon Trip Check at http://www.tripcheck.com