The 790 Fire is located 10 miles southeast of Prospect,
Oregon and is burning in the Sky Lakes Wilderness. The fire is being fought
with the objective of immediate full suppression, using tactics suitable to
management objectives in the wilderness including utilizing natural barriers
and containment lines.
Yesterday’s Operations – Nearly 440 firefighters are “spiked
out”—living in very elementary temporary camps—around the perimeter of the fire
close to the fireline. Helicopters supported firefighters in the wilderness by
dropping water on hotspots and supplying eight spike camps. Pack strings of
mules were used to deliver supplies and to move campsites as the work shifts.
The fire continued to burn with isolated areas of intense heat. Helicopters
were very effective in keeping these areas from developing into larger, faster
moving fires, allowing firefighters to continue with direct attack on the
perimeter.
Firefighters continued extending a hose network across the northern
and southern flanks and building fireline directly against the fire’s edge.
Firefighters strengthened lines on the east flank and “mopped up”—applying
water to the burned area next to the fireline to extinguish all heat. Several
mobile pump/tank combination modules were flown into the Wilderness and were
resupplied by helicopter, allowing firefighters to avoid using water from
sensitive lakes that are already drought stressed. Clearing of material
continued on indirect contingency lines in roaded areas outside the wilderness.
Weather and Fire Behavior –Firefighters expect drier air
today with winds from the northwest to north on ridges. Very dry fuels could
contribute to active fire spread with group tree torching and short-range
spotting. A continued trend toward drier air and slightly higher temperatures
will increase the potential for active fire behavior over the next several
days.
Today’s Operations – Firefighters will continue direct
suppression and mop-up in the wilderness using natural fuel breaks such as rock
outcrops and building fireline where possible. Indirect tactics will be used
outside of the wilderness including continued clearing and preparing existing
roads to be used as containment lines, should they be needed.
Closures - The Pacific Crest Trail remains closed from the
south boundary of Crater Lake National Park south to Highway 140. In addition,
other trails near the fire area are closed within the Sky Lakes Wilderness. An
area closure remains in effect around the fire. These closures are for both
firefighter and public safety. Hunters and recreationalists need to be aware of
the very dry conditions and take precautions.
Pacific Crest Trail information is available at http://www.pcta.org/ .
Pacific Crest Trail information is available at http://www.pcta.org/ .
There is especially heavy fire traffic on the Westside Road
between Short Creek and Malone Springs Roads. The public is advised to drive
cautiously when traveling near fire operations during this busy holiday
weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.