7/22/2014 9:00 am Bingham Complex Fire Update

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Please find the update below and attached as a pdf.  Contact us if you would like more information, or to be removed from this list.

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Bingham Complex Fire Information

(503) 854-4210

Firefighters on Bingham Complex accomplish 30% containment

Crews initiate contingency line construction

Detroit, OR – Mopping up is nearing completion on a control line surrounding the Bingham Ridge Fire, stable at 275 acres.   A short period of rainfall this morning will further aid cooling the duff and smoldering material along this line.  Although duff and punky logs will continue to be consumed within the fire perimeter, tree torching and crown fires are not expected today.  

As they become available, crews are being shifted to working on a contingency fire line.  The contingency fire line improves and connects existing roads approximately ½ mile away from the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness area.  Brush and debris will be removed and chipped to form a fire break.  The contingency lines are being put in place for the long term management of the Lizard fire, as it continues to burn in the Wilderness.

The Lizard Fire is the second major fire in the Bingham Complex.  It remains 175 acres.  A modified suppression strategy is being implemented to confine the fire to its current vicinity, away from Hunts Cove, and contained inside the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area.  A long term management plan, based on forecasted weather and fire behavior, has identified tactics needed to manage this fire and reduce risk of unacceptable fire spread. A series of management action points (trigger points) have been identified to implement active suppression if necessary.  Modified suppression tactics are being used to reduce firefighter exposure.

One of two spike camps near the Bingham Ridge Fire will be closed today.  Crews working on the contingency line will no longer need to hike long distances to the fire perimeter, so it will be more efficient to have them sleep at the main Incident Command Post and fire camp at the Hoodoo ski area. 

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.

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 – Tuesday, July 22 – 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