8/15/2016 Rail Fire Update

Incident Commander: Richy Harrod

Monday, August 15, 2016 @ 9AM

                     

The Rail Fire started Sunday afternoon, July 31, approximately five miles west of Unity, Oregon.  Northwest Incident Management Team Twelve (NWIMT#12) assumed command of the fire at 6:00 a.m. Monday, August 1. NWIMT#12 will transition with Northwest Incident Management Team Six (NWIMT#6) tomorrow. The transfer of command will be effective at 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday August 16.    

NEWS FROM THE FIRELINE:  Fire growth for today is expected in steep canyons.  Some trees may torch as the main fire progresses uphill toward burnout lines.  If conditions are right, fire crews will continue with burnout operations.  Smoke will be visible in Unity, Prairie City, and Sumpter today. Smoke conditions in the Unity area will be very unhealthy to hazardous in the morning hours.  Smoke will lift around 1:00 p.m. and air conditions will moderate. For information about smoke conditions and what to do please visit www.oregonsmoke.blogspot.com.  Firefighters are patrolling day and night to make sure fire has not jumped the lines.  Heavy fuels continue to burn near the line. Firefighters move methodically from one smoke to the next extinguishing any open flames near the line. 

PUBLIC INFORMATION: Public Information Officers will be in the communities of Unity, Prairie City, and Sumpter today to provide fire updates, maps and answer questions.

CONTAINMENT: 12%                              SIZE:  16,349 acres

LOCATION:  Approximately 5 miles west of Unity, Oregon

  

VEGETATION TYPE AND TERRAIN:  Grass, sage brush, and timber in moderate and steep terrain.

WEATHER:  Temperatures are expected be in the mid 80’s to lower 90’s.  The Relative Humidity will drop down to 15 to 20 percent.  Winds will be shift form the northwest to southeast at 6 to 11 miles per hour.  Night time humidity recovers will be poor.  Fire behavior is expected to decrease     

PERSONNEL & RESOURCES: 695 people, 22 crews, 9 dozers, 21 engines, 19 water tenders and 8 helicopters are assigned to the fire.

AGENCIES & COOPERATORS INVOLVED:   Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, Baker County Sheriff’s Department and Emergency Services and local residents. 

Mary Bean, Incident Information Officer

Incident Information Office Phone: (541) 446-3592