8/26/2015 Grizzly Bear Complex Update

Grizzly Bear Complex Fire becomes active
with warm temperatures, ultra-dry fuels, clearer air

     Elgin, Ore. – Light winds from the northeast pushed some of the smoke away from the 67,930-acre Grizzly Bear Complex Fire today, providing solar radiation on the fire, increasing consumption and reduction of fuels throughout the interior, and activating fire behavior along portions of the fire perimeter.  Two areas of primary concern tonight include fire activity along the south and northeast perimeters.

Firefighters are concentrating efforts to catch an aggressive push by the fire to the south on a flat north of the Elbow Creek. The fire has spotted about a quarter-mile south of the 62 Road and firefighters are currently adjusting tactics to prevent further spread of the fire. This area of the Complex is considered a critical juncture.

Fire activity also increased this afternoon at the Bear Ridge Fire, a 500-acre fire burning east of Oregon Butte and 2 miles north of the main Complex. Three helicopters have been active there, and keeping up with the increased fire behavior all day today.

The weather continues to be dry and warm with weak wind out of the northeast. The winds have cleared out smoke, allowing pre-heating of fuels throughout the Complex. On Saturday temperatures are expected to cool down and humidity to rise with an incoming cold front. 

The cold front, initially predicted to bring lightning into the area, will weaken in eastern Oregon and Washington. No lightning is expected tonight or through the weekend. Only a few tenths of inches of rain is expected to fall here but more is predicted for central Washington, bringing wetting rains on the many fires burning there.

A public meeting will be held in Dayton, Wash., at 7 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday) night, August 27, 2015, at the Seneca Activity Center.  A briefing about the Grizzly Bear Complex Fire will be presented by Brian Gales, incident commander, operations personnel, administrators from the Umatilla National Forest, and emergency managers from Columbia County.

Quick Facts:

Fire Complex Size: 67,930 acres.

Fire Start Date: August 13, 2015

Location: 20 miles SE of Dayton, WA, burning on Umatilla National Forest and private lands protected by the Oregon Dept. of Forestry and Washington Dept. of Natural Resources.

Hazards: Dry fuels with the potential for rapid fire growth with crowning, spotting and wind-driven runs, poor visibility, poor roads, abundant wildlife along roads, unauthorized drone flights.

Values at Risk: Public safety, Communities of Troy, Grouse Flats, Eden Bench; Slick Ear, Turkey Tail and Ski Bluewood recreation sites; Long Meadows Guard Station; Historic Hoodoo lookout;
Communications facilities.

Cause: Lightning

Containment: 10%

Personnel: 740

Resources: 9 Crews, 52 Engines, 6 Helicopters

Structures Lost: 33

Evacuation Levels:

Level 1: READY Be prepared

Level 2: SET Be ready to evacuate.

Level 3: GO Leave immediately