8/23/2016 Cherry Road Fire Update

Cherry Road Fire Update

Fact Sheet August 23, 2016 – PM

Fire Information Center: (541) 670-0812

Information Websites: Inciweb –http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4974 and Facebook Cherry Road Fire

Incident Management: Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Doug Johnson Incident Commander (IC), assumed management of the fire at 6:00 am this morning.  IC Johnson would like to thank the Bureau of Land Management Type 3 Team, local protection associations, and volunteers for the successful suppression efforts on the Cherry Road Fire.

Fire Size: 31,667 acres; fire growth was minimal today.

Percent Contained: 70%

Structures Threatened: 1

Closures: Cherry Creek Resort; and McCormick and Indian Creek Campgrounds have been closed.

Cause: Fire started August 21, 2016.  The cause is under investigation.

Resources:  Total personnel assigned 285; 2 -type 1 crews, 2 -type 2 crews, 1 camp crews, 2 helicopters,29 engines, 3 dozers and 4 water tenders.

Air Operations: A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place restricting aerial public access. The two helicopters supported the burnout operations along the Fisherman’s Road.  The public should be reminded all air operations are grounded any time a drone is sighted within the TFR, delaying fire suppression efforts. Flying within the TFR is against the law.

Weather:  Tonight’s forecast calls for mostly clear with temperatures 50 to 55 degrees with relative humidity of 40%.  Today’s gusty north winds will decrease to 4 to 7 pm by midnight.

Today’s Operations: Firefighters made excellent progress to meet the full suppression objectives of the Cherry Road Fire today.  Burn out operations occurred and were successfully, using the control lines of Fisherman’s Road from the switchbacks down to the boat ramp.  The fire continued to back towards the reservoir in two locations in steep terrain.  The fire has burned in a Greater Sage Grouse Habitat and a wild horse management area; Wild Horse Basin Wilderness Study Area, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, and several grazing allotments.

Tonight’s Planned Operations: The fire will be staffed tonight with crews patrolling and cooling hot spots.  This will be the last night shift.  Local resources will be released tomorrow to return and be available for initial attack at other locations.