8/13/2015 Phillips Fire AM Update

Following transition to the local type 3 interagency Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander (IC) Joel McCraw and Deputy IC Renee Kuehner yesterday, crews continued to make steady progress in mop up operations on all flanks of the fire.

Yesterday’s Operations:  Firefighters mopped up hotspots along the edge of the fireline, further securing the fire perimeter.  As containment objectives were successfully achieved, resources were released to help suppress and support other area fires.

Weather and Fire Behavior:  Low humidity and temperatures well above normal have led to the elevated potential for fire spread.  Scattered thunderstorms through today and tomorrow may produce gusty winds. Interior islands of unburned material will continue to burn with isolated flare ups and occasional torching.

Today’s Operations: Mop up will continue along the perimeter of all portions of the fire with firefighters working further inside the lines. As they increase progress toward the interior, firelines become more secure and the potential for spotting is diminished.

There will be hot spots and occasional flare ups in middle of the fire area with visible smoke until there is significant rain or snowfall later this year.

Pilot car operations will continue on Hwy. 204 for a couple more days as firefighters do additional mop up along the highway corridor. Delays are averaging 20 minutes and drivers should use caution and drive slowly as conditions may be smoky and there will be areas of congestion.  For up to date information on highway conditions, check  www.tripcheck.com.

Phillips Creek Fire information can be found on Inciweb at:   http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4443/ and on Facebook at Phillips Creek Fire | Facebook.

Smoke continues to be an issue in the Grande Ronde Valley and surrounding communities. To monitor the air quality index, the public can access the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s website at www.deq.state.or.us/aqi.

The fire danger rating has increased to EXTREME and Public Use Restrictions involving campfires and chainsaw use are in effect. For more information about the Umatilla National Forest’s Public Use Restrictions, please contact any forest office, call our Forest Information hotline at 1-877-958-9663, or visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/ or on the Blue Mountain Fire Information BlogSpot at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.

A new area closure for the portion of the Phillips Creek Fire on Umatilla National Forest land became effective yesterday. This area closure replaces the previous road closure. It is prohibited to enter the area described below:

Beginning at the point where Highway 204 enters onto National Forest, west along the Forest Boundary to Forest Service Road (FSR) 3740, north-northwest along FSR 3740 to the junction with FSR 3738, north along FSR 3738 to East Phillips Creek (Section 28), following east Phillips Creek east to Pedro Creek, following Pedro Creek east-northeast to FSR 3734, south along FSR 3 734 to junction with Highway 204, south along Highway 204 to beginning point at Forest Boundary.

The official Area Closure Order can be found at: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4443/

This closure has been implemented to protect the public and firefighters working within the closed area.

Regulated closures are in effect on State and private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast and central Oregon. Please check with your local Oregon Department of Forestry office for public use restrictions on lands protected by ODF. Visit the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch webpage at: www.bmidc.org or contact a local Oregon Department of Forestry office for more complete information. Similar restrictions may be in effect on State and private lands protected by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WA-DNR). More information can be found on the WA-DNR website at: http://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/firedanger/BurnRisk.aspx.

Quick Facts Incident Summary
Approximate Size:	2,601 -- Total acres 1,998 ac. – USFS 603 ac. – ODF Protected
Fire Containment:	85%
Incident Commander:	Joel McCraw Renee Kuehner (T)
Resources on the Fire:	Hand Crews: 6 Helicopters: 1 Engines: 8 Dozers: 1 Water Tenders: 7
Total Personnel:	206
Jurisdiction:	USDA-Forest Service Umatilla National Forest Walla Walla R.D. Oregon Department of Forestry
Social Media:	Facebook Phillips Creek Fire | Facebook Twitter PhillipsCreek Fire (@PhillipsCK2015) | Twitter Inciweb http://inciweb.nwcg. gov/incident/4443//