8/24/2014 Bald Sisters Fire

Bald Sisters Fire Update August 24, 2014

Acres: 1,138                              Start date:  August 2, 2014
Cause:  Lightning                      Location: 12 Miles East of Prairie City, OR
Containment: 0%                       Fuels: Timber
Terrain: Steep, Rugged               Resources: 2 Crews, 5 Engines, 2 Dozers
Total personnel: 74 
           

Today a local fire management organization took over command of the Bald Sisters Fire from Oregon Team 2.  The fire information number has changed to 541-575-3000.

    Yesterday

Clearing the containment lines using chipping equipment was completed.  Helicopters dropped water on areas of smoke and heat in the southeast portion of the fire to deter fire spread. 

Weather and Fire Behavior

The forecast is for partly cloudy skies with temperatures in the 60s-70s in the valleys and relative humidities dropping into the 20% range.  High pressure will be building throughout the week with a warming and drying trend.  Winds are predicted to be light.    Resultant fire behavior includes smoldering, creeping with isolated flare ups.  As the weather warms up, single tree torching may occur.

Today's Operations

Crews will be cutting snags (dead hazard trees) along Forest Road 1344 to prepare the road for safer access.  Suppression repair efforts continue.  Firefighters will continue to monitor fire behavior and are prepared to respond should fire spread increase.  Helicopters are also available to drop water on hot spots. 

Closures

The reduced area closure for the Bald Sisters Fire took effect on Saturday, August 23, specifically:

·         Starting at the Malheur National Forest (MNF) boundary and Forest Road (FR) 2635 in Sec. 30, T 13S, R 35E to the intersection with Forest Service Road (FSR) 489 in Sec. 8, T 13S, R 35E.

·         East to intersection with FSR156 in Sec. 14, T 13S, R 35E, to intersection with FSR 2635, Sec. 14, T 13S, R 35E.

·         East on FSR 2635 to intersection with FSR 2652 in Sec. 9, T 13S, R 35 ½E.

·         South to the Grant/Baker County line in section 10, T14S R35 ½ E; 

·         Southwesterly along the Grant/Baker County line to FSR 13 in Sec. 17, T 14S, R 35 ½ E. 

·         North and northwesterly on FSR 13 to the MNF boundary in Sec. 31, T 13S, and R 35E.

·         North along MNF boundary to starting point at FSR 2635.

Road 2652 on the east side of the fire area is closed to traffic. FSR 13 and all other main routes around the area closure are open to travel. The lands within boundaries described above are closed. Use caution when driving FSR 13 since fire line clearing equipment and crews may still be working in the area. 

The official Area Closure Orders, along with maps, will be available at http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/malheur/alerts-notices  as well as on http://inciweb.nwcg.org  Please note: The phone contact number for the Bald Sisters Fire public information office has been changed to 541-575-3000.