8/17/2014 5 Mile and Somers Fire Update (8 a.m.)

The Somers Fire, located 15 miles east of Imnaha, is now 50 percent contained.  The fire has been mapped more accurately at 35,917 acres and 373 personnel are assigned.

The 5 Mile Fire, located one mile south of Imnaha, has been mapped at 4,524 acres and is 95 percent contained.  Today's efforts will focus on monitoring and patrolling.

Recreationists in the area are reminded of the road closure at Hat Point Road and that no camping is allowed on the Oregon side of the Snake River.  In addition, visitors should be cautious of heavy fire traffic in the area.

"We will focus on southern and northern portions of the fire, which currently show the most heat on infrared mapping where the slightly higher temperatures and lower humidity have caused an increase in smoke," said Incident Commander John Kidd.

On the Somers Fire, today's efforts will include continuing to build direct handline on the southern portion of the fire, build and improve handline on the western portion of the fire, build handline on the northern portion of the fire and remove excess equipment on the eastern portion of the fire.

Somers fire resources currently assigned include:  two Type 1 crews, four Type 2 crews, five engines, one dozer, nine water tenders, one jet boat, one Type 1 helicopters, two Type 2 helicopters, two Type 3 helicopters and two air attack platforms.  To help support crews, the fire has borrowed two Type 2 helicopters from the Payette National Forest in Idaho.

To reduce travel time and increase time suppressing the fire, most firefighters are spiked out closer to the Somers Fire.

*Note: this is the last daily update for 5 Mile Fire due to limited fire activity and demobilization of resources. 

For more information, please visit http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4053/