Sunday, August 21, 2016

8/21/16 Withers Fire Update

Fire Update - Sunday, August 21, 2016 - 8 a.m.

Withers Fire:  Firefighters will continue to reinforce the perimeter today in the face of ongoing Red Flag conditions.  In most areas, the fire is now 200-600 feet away from the perimeter and isolated pockets with in the interior are being extinguished by firefighters.
 
Crews are working toward full suppression on rough, rocky slopes.  Smoke may be visible from Oregon State Highway 31. The fire remains stable at 65 percent contained, with most of the completed containment line bordering the community of Paisley. Suppression efforts remain a top priority.
 
Today will be the fifth day of temperatures in the 90s, 5-10 degrees higher than normal, with the potential for gusty winds in the afternoon. A Red Flag Warning will be in effect from noon to 9 p.m. Fire danger remains extreme.
 
A local Type 3 incident management team continues working on the fire. Many resources called in to help with the containment effort are currently being released back to their home units for new fire starts or other fires needing additional support.
 
Oregon Highway 31 remains open with higher than normal traffic due to the suppression operation. Avoiding the area if possible will help both firefighter and public safety. Air operations continue to support suppression activities and a temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area.
 
Officials have determined the fire was started by an arsonist and are conducting a criminal investigation.  Anyone with information is asked to call 541-947-2504.
 
Unless significant activity occurs on the fire, the next update will be issued Monday.
 
Residents and area visitors are asked to be extra-cautious when using anything that could cause a flame or spark.  Also, respect current Public Use and Fire Restrictions on federal and state lands in Lake and Klamath counties.  It only takes one coal or ember to spark a wildfire!
 
South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) is a consortium of resources provided by BLM Lakeview District, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Sheldon-Hart Mountain and Klamath Basin refuges, and Crater Lake National Park, working cooperatively to suppress and/or manage wildfires on state, federal and private lands in Lake and Klamath Counties, encompassing approximately 10 million acres.
 
Road Closures: Forest Road No. 33, also known as the River Road, from the junction with Forest Road No. 3315 (also known as the High Road) to Jones Crossing, as well as Forest Road No. 3315 from the junction with Forest Road No. 33 to the intersection with Forest Road No. 3360 are closed. Travelers must detour through Government Harvey Pass to access areas west and south of the fire zones.
Evacuation Information: The Level 3 Evacuation remains in place for campgrounds along the Chewaucan River and any residences along the River Road – anyone in this area needs to leave immediately.

Quick Facts
Incident Summary

Approximate Acreages
 
Withers Fire: 3,424 acres
 
Fire
Containment:
Withers Fire: 65%
 
Incident Commander:
Leland Hunter, South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership Incident Management Team, Type 3
Resources
on the
Fire:
Crews: 7
Squad: 0
Engines: 21
Water Tenders: 3
Bulldozers: 2
Helicopters: 2
SEATS: 0
Air Attack: 0
Total
Personnel:
231
Structures Lost: 0
0 Residence
0 other structures
Jurisdiction:
Bureau of Land Management & Oregon Department of Forestry
Evacuations
Level 3 “Go!” – Chewaucan River campgrounds and River Road
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS
Twitter:  @scofmpfireinfo
Facebook: http://facebook.com/scofmpfireinfo

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