8/27/2014 Somers Fire Update

InciWeb:http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4053/.

Date Started: 8/3/14

Estimated Acreage: 35,933 acres

Location: 15 miles east of Imnaha in Hells Canyon

Management Strategy: Suppression Cause: Lightning

Containment: 80%

Terrain: Grass, timber heavy dead and down fuels from past burn.

Fire Activity: Moderate

Resources Assigned: Approximately 80 personnel total. The fire is being managed by the Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 team, led by Incident Commander Rick Wagner.

Closures: Hat Point Road (FSR #4240) is OPEN to the Hat Point Overlook and Warnock Corral Trailhead. From the Warnock Corral Trailhead, the Western Rim National Recreation Trail north (#1774), also known as the Lord Flat Road (FSR #4240-315), will remain closed to motorized vehicles due to firefighter traffic and safety concerns, open to horse and foot travel.

Additionally, an area closure to the east of FSR 4240-315 (Lord Flat Road or Trail #1774) has been implemented (see enclosed map). Trails along the perimeter of the area closure will remain open, while inside the area closure the trails will be closed (eastern portion of Trail #1770a between junction of Trail #1771 and #1770; and the western portion of Trail #1750 from the junction of #1771 and FSR 4240-315. The Temporary Flight Restriction is still in place; however Fire Managers anticipate potentially lifting it by the end of this week.

Description of Area Closure: Starting in the southwest corner, from the junction of Trail #1759 and Trail #1771, to the east along Somers Ridge and Trail #1767. This intersects with Trail #1770, traveling north along Somers Creek (Trail #1770) to Somers Ranch, north on to Trail #1769 to Trail #1750. The closure then goes west on Trail #1750 to Trail #1771. Once crossing Deep Creek, travel along the northern top portion of Sections 16 and 17, following Section lines 16 and 17 west to FSR 4240-315. The closure goes south to junction of FSR 4240-315 and Trail #1770a, then travels east where it intersects with Trail #1771, where it runs south to the origin of the closure (see attached map).

Resources/Structures Threatened: None.

Current Status: The fire is hemmed in, and Fire Managers do not anticipate seeing any new growth. Crews will continue work on the fire until tomorrow, with the intent of releasing resources tomorrow afternoon.Suppression goals are to transfer the fire back to the district bythe end of this week.