8/22/16 Cherry Road Fire Update

Vale District Fire Update

Vale, Ore. – The Cherry Road Fire, burning 19 miles west of Homedale, ID has now grown to an estimated 50,000 acres. Containment so far is estimated at 10 percent. The fire has spread along the eastern banks of the Owyhee Reservoir, mostly in annual grasses, which create fine, easily combustible fuels.

According to Vale District Bureau of Land Management (BLM) fire suppression personnel, they have been able to stop the advance of the fire except on the northern front.

Last night and early this morning, fire crews were able to hold the South front of the fire at Holcomb Cabin Road and the East front at Succor Creek Road. The western front of the fire is bordered by the Owyhee Reservoir, creating a natural barrier. The remaining front to the North is the primary concern for fire suppression personnel today.

“Our personnel are putting together a plan today to get line across the north advance of the fire and connect it to the river,” said Jon Dentinger, Vale BLM Duty Officer.

Consistent winds of around 10 miles per hour kept the fire moving last night faster than resources could catch it.

The main challenge, according to Vale BLM fire suppression personnel, has been the steep, inaccessible terrain around the Owyhee Reservoir. This terrain makes access by hand crews and vehicles extremely difficult.

For this reason, 15 Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) as well as three helicopters were dropping water and retardant on the fire yesterday. The 15 SEATs, dropped nearly 50,000 gallons of retardant in total.

There are currently 19 engines and one hand crew on site, along with water tenders and bulldozers. More than 20 more engines have been ordered as well as five additional hand crews.

A Type 2 Incident Command Team has been ordered and is expected to take command of the fire Monday evening.

Neighboring BLM Districts have been responding with resources along with the Jordan Valley Rangeland Fire Protection Association (RFPA) and the Malheur County Sherriff’s Office.

Winds are forecasted for today, with possible gusts up to 25 miles per hour.