9/9/2014 790 Fire Update

790 Fire Update

9/9/2014 9:00 a.m. PT

Fire Information: (206) 947-9729

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4095

Yesterday’s Operations – Firefighters aggressively built fire line and layed hoses on the west side of the fire.  Helicopters were used to cool the edge of the main fire perimeter and assisted in containing several small spot fires that threatened to compromise established fire lines and the safety of the crews on the ground.  Fire lines have held on the eastern half of the fire and crews have begun removing hose and pumps from those areas.  Fire fighters also continued to clear brush and extend the contingency line outside the wilderness west of the fire.   

Weather and Fire Behavior – A shift in the weather pattern has brought a northwesterly flow in from the Pacific Ocean increasing the relative humidity and decreasing temperatures over the fire area.  The fire is expected to exhibit slow surface spread, with interior burning and potential for spotting beyond the established perimeter.

Today’s Operations – Crews spiked out in the wilderness will attempt to complete fire line construction and begin mopping up the southwest flank of the fire. On the northwest flank of the fire crews will work to extend the fire line from Big Ben Creek to the northeast, taking advantage of favorable weather conditions.  Crews will continue to extend and improve the contingency line to the west of the fire.  The eastern half of the fire will again be in patrol status with excess equipment and supplies being removed by pack strings and helicopters. 

Closures – The area closure for the 790 Fire has been revised to reflect the hazards to the fire fighters and public on the west side of the fire.  Details of the closure area can be found atwww.fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou or http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4095.  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.  Pacific Crest Trail information is available at http://www.pcta.org/ .

The 790 Fire is located 10 miles southeast of Prospect, Oregon and 10 miles northwest of Rocky Point, Oregon.  It 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.