8/4/2014 AM Wildfire Update

NEWS RELEASE
Pacific Northwest Region - Malheur National Forest
431 Patterson Bridge Rd., John Day, OR   97845,  www.fs.usda.gov/malheur
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Ken Sandusky   541-575-3144                                                 Aug. 4, 2014

Shilo Burton      541-575-3008

Wildfire Update August 4
Bald Sisters Fire Grows, Other Fires Contained On Malheur

JOHN DAY, OREGON – Prairie City residents and anyone in that area yesterday could easily see the Bald Sisters Fire on the west slope of Baldy Mountain. It was putting up a substantial smoke column visible from a wide area.

This fire was last estimated at approximately 200 acres. Steep terrain and heavy fuels are challenging control efforts. The complexity of this incident dictates the Forest order a national-level team to assume management. More information about the incident management team will be available later today.

Other activity on the Forest remains rather calm at this time. The small fire near Galena was called controlled Aug. 2. Crews checked it last night and found no heat or smoke. The one-acre fire near Balance Lake is contained and controlled as well. This is also true for the quarter-acre fire near Arch Rock and four fires around Ragged Rocks on the Blue Mountain Ranger District.

Two fires east of Austin Junction were controlled last night as well at one-tenth acre each.

Crews have also been able to contain a good number of other fires on the Prairie City Ranger District. Of the five fires located in the southeast corner of the district, all but one were called contained by last night.

Only one new fire has been identified on the Emigrant Creek Ranger District since last report. It poses little threat at this time.

Other fires on the Forest all remain small and are not showing substantial growth potential at this time. Rain this morning and higher relative humidity will help in suppression efforts today.

For information on the South Fork Complex near Dayville, please see http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4042/.