7/16/2014 Bingham Complex Fire Update

Bingham Complex Fire News Update  July 16, 2014  0900 hrs

Bingham Complex burning in the Mt Jefferson Wilderness

Approximately 350 acres affected at Bingham and Lizard Ridges

Detroit, OR – The Bingham Complex Fire, burning in high-elevation portions of the Willamette National Forest, includes several fires ignited by extensive lightning strikes on Sunday, July 13.  The two largest are Bingham Ridge at 233 acres and Lizard Ridge at 109 acres.  Numerous small fires are each less than one acre.  These fires are approximately 20 miles southeast of Detroit, Oregon, near Marion Forks in the Mt Jefferson Wilderness. There is some smoke visible from surrounding communities.  There is no estimated containment at this time.  

 The Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #4, under incident commander Larry Nickey, took control of the fire at 6 a.m. today.

These fires are not threatening homes or structures, and an action plan is being developed and put in place should values such as drinking water resources, a fish hatchery, and local communities become threatened.  The main effort is to keep the fires contained within the wilderness area.  Approximately 43 acres of the Bingham Ridge fire is currently outside wilderness and is being suppressed with helicopters dropping water and hand crews building fire lines, taking advantage of natural barriers and rocky outcrops. 

Presently, the fire behavior is quite variable, creeping on the ground, with occasional tree torching and movement through the tree lichens when winds and heat dry them sufficiently.  In general, the fires are spreading slowly to the east along the tops of the Bingham and Lizard Ridges.  The terrain is steep and rocky.  Fire suppression activities are focused on keeping the Bingham Ridge Fire from moving south away from the wilderness area and preventing the Lizard Ridge fire from moving further east toward the Pacific Crest Trail. 

Reconnaissance and planning continue in order to assess fire behavior patterns and identify where firefighters can safely access and directly suppress the fires.  There have been new fires detected daily in this area and fire crews are continuing to investigate and respond to them. 

There is an Area Closure in effect for portions of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness.  Only firefighters, Forest Service or other agency personnel, and law enforcement are allowed access to the closed areas. Closure notices have been posted at trailheads and other entry points.  The following trails are closed to public access until further notice: Pamelia (3439), Hunts Creek (3440), Hunts Cove (3430), old Hunts Cove (3451), Grizzly Peak (3428), Bingham (3421), (portions of) Lake of the Woods (3493), Minto Mountain (3448) and Newport Drive (3438). The Pacific Crest Trail (2000) and portions of the Swallow Lake Trail (3488) remain open.

You can check the current status of the Bingham Complex, including trail and area closures on Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3949/ .

Fire Facts – Wednesday, July 16– 0900 HOURS
Fire Size: approximately 350 acres total.      

Percent Contained: Not determined at this time.

Evacuations: No homes or structures threatened.

Closures Summary: A detailed list of closures is available at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3949/ .

Fuels:  Patchy high elevation subalpine fir and lodgepole pine forest with dead and fallen trees and accumulations of ground fuels.

Air Resources:  Three Type I helicopters, two Type II helicopters and one Type III helicopter.  One more helicopter is expected to arrive today.

Crews:  Two Type I crews and three Type II crews

Engines: 0                  Dozers: 1                    Water Tenders: 2

Total Personnel:  Approx. 148