8/5/2014 5:00 pm 5 Mile and Somers Fires Update

Fire Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 5, 2014 PM

5 Mile and Somers Fires– Joseph, Oregon

Information Contact Number: 541-670-0812

A Community Meeting is scheduled for tomorrow evening at the Imnaha Christian Fellowship Church at 5 pm. The public is invited to hear an update on the fires and ask questions.

A Level 1 Evacuation Notice was issued by the Wallowa County Sheriff's Office for the town of Imnaha and for residents along the Imnaha River Road 5 miles south of Imnaha near Freeze Out Creek to 10 miles north of Imnaha near Fence Creek this morning.  This is an advisory warning that current or projected threats associated with the approaching fire are severe and this is the time for preparations and precautionary movement of persons with special needs and livestock.

Location:  Two fires near Imnaha, Oregon.

Current situation: Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 3, Incident Commander Doug Johnson, assumed command of the 5 Mile and Somers Fires this morning.  The incident command post is located at the Chief Joseph Rodeo Grounds in Joseph, Oregon.  Additional firefighting resources are arriving to assist with suppression efforts.  Resources will be prioritized to protect high value assets and the community of Imnaha.

5 Mile Fire – The operational priority is to secure the town of Imnaha and keep the fire from the Oregon Department of Forestry protected private lands of ranches and homes along the Imnaha River Road. The flanks along the north towards Imnaha and west along the river are holding.  The south flank had the majority of burning activity today.  Firefighters are preparing a fireline on a ridge overlooking Jody Creek. Retardant planes are applied retardant in preparation of a burnout operation along this line. The burnout will occur within the next few days as hand crews and hot shots arrive to assist in suppression efforts.  A night shift of firefighters will be on the fire tonight patrolling for spots.

Start Date-August 3 

Cause-Under investigation 

Acres- 4,500

Percent Contained-20%

Total Personnel-209

            Crews-2           Engines-21      Water Tenders- 5        Dozers-2          Helicopters-2

Somers Fire – Ten rappellers are staffing this fire and spiking-out (camping) at Pittsburg Landing administrative site on the Snake River.  Several rappellers are removing fire receptive fuels from around the infrastructure while others engaged with the fire. The north perimeter has burned into a rock slope and is holding.  The main concentration of work was along the southwest flank where the fire was moving down hill toward the river.  Helicopter water drops were used to assist with suppression of hotspots.

Start Date-August 3 

Cause-Lightning 

Acres- 600  

Percent Contained-0%

Total Personnel-10

Closures:

The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has closed Hat Point Road FR4240. Wallowa County has closed the Upper Imnaha Road, private landowners will be allowed access.

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): Two TFRs are in place over the two fires. Please check the NOTAM for current information.

Weather:

Temperatures are expected to increase tomorrow to the mid to upper 90s.  The relative humidity is expected to be 16%.

For more information on the 5 Mile and Somers Fires visit:

Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4048/  and http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4053/

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