09/08/2014 790 Fire Update

790 Fire Update

9/8/2014 9:00 a.m. PT

Fire Information: (206) 947-9729

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

Yesterday's Operations – Firefighters re-engaged in line construction as a new containment strategy was implemented after the fire breached lines on the west side Saturday.  Crews began working from the west to establish anchor points and scout opportunities to directly attack the fire.  Multiple spot fires were contained ahead of the main fire front allowing crews to safely re-engage the primary edge of the fire.  Helicopters, "scooper" planes and air tankers worked throughout the day making water and retardant drops to keep the fire spread in check. Dozer lines outside the Sky Lakes Wilderness were initiated as alternate fireline.  Lines on the eastern half of the fire have held through the weather events of the previous several days and little smoke is being reported from this side of the fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior – An inversion will persist over the fire through the morning hours.  This afternoon the wind will pick up from the northwest creating the potential for active fire behavior into the evening hours.  

Today's Operations – Fire fighters will extend and reinforce fireline from the west while additional crews will be flown into the wilderness to continue the line previously constructed from the east.  Helicopters and scooper planes will be utilized to make water drops. Fire fighters will also continue to work on alternate and contingency lines outside the wilderness.  The east side of the fire is now in patrol status. 

There is a public meeting scheduled tonight at 7 p.m. at the Prospect Community Center, 305 Red Blanket Road, Prospect, OR.  Fire officials and local agency personnel will be on hand to provide an update on the 790 Fire.

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 at www.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.

Quick Facts Incident Summary
Approximate Size:	2963 acres
Fire Containment:	30%
Incident Commander:	Brett Fillis
Resources on the Fire:	Crews: 20 Engines: 7 Dozers: 2 Helicopters: 10 Water Tenders: 4
Total Personnel:	692

--

Media Desk
Northwest Interagency Coordination Center

(503) 808-2764
www.nwccweb.us