9/2/2015 Grizzly Bear Complex Fire News Update

Southwest corner of Grizzly Complex cooled down

by helicopter water drops yesterday in Wenaha drainage

      Elgin, Ore. – Fire managers are keeping an eye on the southwest corner of the 74,496-acre Grizzly Bear Complex Fire as dry, large ground fuels keep the fire burning to the west through the Wenaha drainage. A dozer- created fire line along FR 6415 from the 62 Road to the edge of the wilderness north of Elk Flat has been prepared to stop movement of the fire to the south and air attack and helicopters flew over the area yesterday, reporting fire movement and cooling the fire down with water drops.   

A 10-person fire-use module has moved into a spike camp at the southwest corner of the Bear Ridge Fire burning a mile north of the main body of the Complex.  The module is monitoring the fire that has an established fire line along its western perimeter. Infrared flights over the 935-acre fire continue to show heat along its southeast leg.  Fire lines are preventing movement south of the Misery Trail.  The fire is zero percent contained.

Crews continue to protect cabins in the Slick Ear and Little Turkey area. Eight miles of fire line along the 64 Road from the north along the western boundary of the Wilderness are prepared with four more miles left to go.

The fire burning along the eastern edge of the Complex north of Grouse Flats continues to move to the northeast toward a prepared dozer line at the Wilderness boundary. Hand line is being built up Driveway Ridge to connect with FR 40.  Small burnouts and water drops along the fire front there are slowing the fire down before it reaches these fire lines.

Along the southern perimeter of the Complex, fire lines are being mopped up with the support of 305 members of the Oregon National Guard.  Firefighters that have been working on the Complex for early two weeks are being encouraged by fire officials to get an extra hour or two of rest at night, if possible, to help reduce fatigue.

Heavy equipment and firefighters will continue today to improve and brush out the 64 Road from the south along the western perimeter of the Wilderness to meet that being constructed from the north.  Branch officials estimate another 6 to 7 days to complete that fire line.