8/6/2014 AM 5 Mile & Somers Fire Update

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 6, 2014 AM

5 Mile and Somers Fires– Joseph, Oregon

NEW Information Contact Number: 541-432-0119



A Community Meeting is scheduled for this 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 Freezeout Creek to 10 miles north of Imnaha near Fence Creek yesterday.  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: Additional firefighting resources are arriving to assist with suppression efforts.  Resources continue to be prioritized to protect high value assets and the community of Imnaha.

5 Mile Fire – The operational priority remains to secure the town of Imnaha and keep the fire from the Oregon Department of Forestry protected private lands, ranches and homes along the Imnaha River Road. The flanks along the north towards Imnaha and west along the river are holding.  Firefighters continue to work to secure those lines with structure protection in place. The south flank is "hung-up" in stringers of timber but has the potential to progress south and east with the warmer weather, lower humidity, and winds forecasted for today.  As timber fallers are made available, snags along Hat Point Road will be felled for safety. Firefighters are preparing a fireline on a ridge overlooking Jody Creek. Planes applied retardant along Hat Point Road and the ridge yesterday. Hand line construction will begin from an anchor point on the Imnaha River uphill and tie into an existing dozer line in preparation of a burnout along this ridge. The burnout will potentially occur today with arrival of hand crews and hot shots. 

Start Date-August 3 

Cause-Under investigation 

Acres- 4,500

Percent Contained-20%

Total Personnel-246

Crews-3           Engines-21      Water Tenders- 9        Dozers-2          Helicopters-3



Somers Fire – The Somers Fire grew significantly yesterday and continued to grow last night with the poor humidity recovery.  The north perimeter continues to hold in the rocks.  The eastern flank is backing down hill toward the Snake River.  Ten rappellers continue to staff this fire.  Other resources will be reassigned from the 5 Mile Fire as they become available. The priority for today will be continued point protection of Pittsburg Landing administrative site. Work will continue by removing receptive fuels around infrastructure and setting up sprinklers.  Helicopters will continue to assist with water drops as needed.

Start Date-August 3 

Cause-Lightning 

Acres- 2,000  

Percent Contained-0%

Total Personnel-10 Rappellars



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 today to the mid to upper 90s.  The relative humidity is expected to be 15%.



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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