7/18/2014 Bingham Fire Complex Update

Bingham Complex burning in the Mt Jefferson Wilderness

Fire crews focus on containment of the Bingham Ridge Fire

Detroit, OR – The Bingham Ridge Fire, currently 300 acres, will be the main focus of management effort in the Bingham Complex today. It did not change in size yesterday. Ten 20-person hand crews will be engaged in a full suppression containment effort to build a direct fire line around the fire perimeter. Line construction is expected to take 3-4 days and reduce the threat to values such as the Marion Forks development, the Marion Forks Hatchery, and Salem's drinking water source. Crews are working out of a remote spike camp close to the fire. This will increase productivity and reduce exposure associated with travel distances.


The Lizard Fire, the second largest in the Bingham Complex, will remain staffed by a 10-person fire use module. This fire grew approximately 25% yesterday. Increased fire behavior was a result of weather conditions and dry aerial fuels. Planning and risk assessments are underway to determine a long-term strategy to further manage the Lizard Fire when the Bingham Ridge work is completed.
Several very small fires in the Complex are being suppressed by rappelers who are delivered and supported by helicopters. Water dropping by helicopters continues to be a critical tool to hold fires and reduce their spread.

The majority of the Bingham Complex fires are located in the Mt Jefferson Wilderness Area. Fire fighters are using techniques that will minimize impact on wilderness values. Fire containment lines are constructed just to the width and depth necessary to stop fire spread. They are tied into natural barriers that such as rocky outcrops when possible. Power equipment (chainsaws and pumps) are in use, but pumps are placed away from water sources and extra efforts are made to prevent damage to riparian areas from heavy use, too much volume of water removed, or accidental fuel spills. Tree cutting is minimized to the amount necessary to safely enable work and stop the fire spread. No retardant is being applied; only water is being dropped when needed to dampen fire behavior.
The winds and weather are expected to be similar to yesterday with temperatures in the 70's and winds from the NNW increasing through the day. These conditions allow active fire behavior and spread, so crews must be particularly alert to changing conditions and potential spread through lichens and dead needles in the tree crowns.


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 is closed and the following trails are closed 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), portions of the Swallow Lake Trail (3488), and Newport Drive (3438). The Pacific Crest Trail (2000) is closed from just east of South Cinder Peak to just south of Milk Creek. Closure notices have been posted at trailheads and other entry points. Signs include directions for a Pacific Crest Trail detour.

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 – Friday, July 17– 0900 HOURS Fire Size: Approximately 538 acres total for the five fires in Bingham Complex.

Percent Contained: 10%.

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: One Type I helicopter, two Type II helicopters and two Type III helicopters.

Crews: Two Type I crews, eight Type II crews and one 10-person crew

Engines: 0 Dozers: 2 Water Tenders: 2

Total Personnel: Approximately 300