7/21/2014 9:00 am Bingham Complex Update

Bingham Complex Fire Information

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Bingham Complex burning in the Mt Jefferson Wilderness

Initial line completed around Bingham perimeter

Detroit, OR – The Bingham Ridge Fire now has an initial holding line around its perimeter and crews will be improving and mopping up along that line today.  The fire remains at 275 acres and, even with cooler weather predicted, crews must be attentive to potential spread and falling snags. Fire behavior includes single tree torching and dry duff consumption on the forest floor. The area that burned in the 2006 Puzzle Fire and other natural barriers are being used as anchor points for this line. 

The Lizard Fire remains at 175 acres and was remapped as two separate fires.  Rappellers and a 10-person crew working in the area continue to identify access points, safety zones, monitor fire behavior, limit the fire spread to the north, and report back to management officials.  The Lizard Fire continues to be managed under a confine/contain strategy as the fire sits entirely in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness area.  A contingency line outside the wilderness has been identified, with management action points (trigger points) for additional action if suppression becomes necessary.  Managing wilderness fires in this manner allows for other ecological benefits.

The next phase of operations is to bring in additional equipment to remove fuel (brush and small trees) along specific roads.  This will improve those roads to become a fuel break and functional contingency line to the south and west of these fires.

The Bingham Complex helibase continues to be a hub for local aviation support.  Bucket water drops have been a critical tool to assist suppression efforts and slow fire spread at Bingham Complex, the Bridge 99 and Logging Unit fires.

Fire is part of a natural cycle in high elevation forests, reducing vegetation, stimulating new growth, and improving habitat for wildlife.  Fire opens the forest floor to sunshine and provides ash fertilizer which encourages plants to grow. Elk and other animals rely on certain shrubs and grasses that are stimulated to grow quickly after a fire. 

There are Area Closures in effect for portions of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness in both the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests.  Only firefighters, Forest Service or other agency personnel, and law enforcement are allowed access to the closed areas.   On the Willamette, Forest Road 2253 (Minto Rd.) is closed and the following trails are closed until further notice: Pamelia (3439), Hunts Creek (3451), Hunts Cove (3430), Grizzly Peak (3428), Bingham (3421), portions of Lake of the Woods (3493), Minto Mountain (3448), portions of the Swallow Lake Trail (3488), and Newport Drive (3438). The Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) (2000) is closed between the Swallow Lake Trail (3493) junction and Milk Creek (mile 2035.3). There are more PCT closures further to the north.  Closure notices have been posted at trailheads and other entry points.  Signs include directions for a PCT detour.  A link to additional detail is posted at Inciweb.

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

Fire Facts – Monday, July 21 – 0900 HOURS
Fire Size:  Approximately 452 acres total for the five fires in Bingham Complex.    

Percent Contained:  30%.

Evacuations: No homes or structures threatened.

Closures Summary: A detailed list of closures on the Willamette National Forest 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:  Two Type I helicopters, two Type II helicopters and two Type III helicopters.

Crews:  Eight Type II crews and one 10-person fire use crew

Engines: 1                  Dozers: 1                    Water Tenders: 4

Total Personnel:  Approximately 370