8/28/2015 Grizzly Bear Complex Fire Update

Grizzly Bear Complex Fire Update

Elgin, Ore. – This week’s light winds over the 72,421-acre Grizzly Bear Complex fire footprint are about to change. Increasing winds will start to impact the fire later today with even stronger winds expected tomorrow as a cold front passes. Firefighters are preparing for this weather change as they continue to protect structures, build containment line, and respond to spot fires.

Winds will increase this afternoon to 10-13 mph with higher gusts. Firefighters will also watch out for virga formation. Virga is rain that evaporates before it hits the ground and often results in strong, outflowing, multi-directional winds. Virga-induced winds can cause the fire to abruptly change direction and can be a threat to firefighter safety.

Overnight and tomorrow as a cold front passes, humidity will rise, but wind gusts up to 35 mph are forecast. Containment line breaches and spot fires may also occur. All fireline personnel have been made aware of this possible weather event. To the north, the fire continued advancing overnight to Forest Road 300 between Deer Springs and Beaver Springs. A reconnaissance flight was scheduled this morning to see if the road held the fire, prior to allowing ground forces to enter the area. Structure protection in Slick Ear and Little Turkey will be completed today. Firefighters will complete prepping structures at Ski Bluewood including protecting cell and ski lift towers. Crews continue to work the northern flank of the Bear Ridge Fire. The Green Ridge Fire, which started August 25, located north of the main fire, is now controlled and in patrol status.

 Suppression work on the southeast flank is continuing to be patrolled; all spot fires have been controlled and fuels are blackened in and around the Troy community. The Forest Road 4039 containment line needs another 1.5 to 2 miles of preparation to support a possible burnout operation to prevent the fire from moving southeast again. The northeast perimeter of the fire remains a challenge due to inaccessibility of the landscape and the pending wind events.

On the southern side of the fire, Forest Road 62 containment line improvements will continue as needed. Removal of roadside vegetation along roadway fire breaks reduces risks during black lining operations by creating a no-fuel black-zone that cannot carry the flame front. Mop-up will continue on the fire breech that occurred south of Road 62 earlier this week. Identifying and preparing potential containment lines on the western side of the wilderness area are also a priority.

No changes in the current Evacuation Levels are planned until after frontal winds test fire lines Friday night and Saturday. Fire officials may consider reducing the levels on Sunday if containment lines successfully hold the fire.

About 160 people attended a public meeting in Dayton, Wash., last night. The audience was highly appreciative of the firefighters’ hard work and dedication to safely suppressing the Grizzly Bear Complex.