8/24/2016 Cherry Road Evening Update

Cherry Road Fire Update

Fact Sheet August 24, 2016 – PM

Announcements: Several recreation sites near Lake Owyhee have been opened to public access today.  It is important for the recreating public to recognize suppression efforts are on-going including a heavy volume of fire traffic on single lane roads and extra caution will be needed while driving within the fire area.

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 (NWIMT8), Doug Johnson Incident Commander, is managing the fire.  The incident command post is located in Homedale, Idaho at the Owyhee County Fairgrounds.  NWIMT8 is preparing to transition management of the Cherry Road Fire back to the Vale District, BLM.  The transition is scheduled occur Friday morning.

Fire Size: 35,100 acres

Percent Contained: 85%

Structures Threatened: 1

Closures: None.  Cherry Creek Resort, Succor Creek Campground and the Lake Owyhee State Park including McCormack and Indian Creek Campgrounds opened at noon today.

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

Resources:  Total personnel assigned 252; 1-type 1 hand crew, 2-type 2 hand crews, 2-camp crews, 2-helicopters, 21-engines, 2-dozers, 1-road grader and 4-water tenders.  Resources excess to operational needs are being released to assist with other incidents or return home.

Air Operations:  A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area restricting aerial public access.  The TFR is scheduled to be lifted tomorrow evening after the operational shift has ended.  The public is 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:  A dry northwest flow will maintain the below normal temperatures near 80 degrees with humidity in the mid-teens.  Winds will be generally lighter from the north/northeast with gusts to 18 mph.

Today’s Operations: An aerial patrol flown today detected very little smoke or heat in areas of the fire shown to be active yesterday. With today’s warmer temperatures and wind on the fire area, only a few interior smokes were reported.  None of these smokes are a concern to control lines. Firefighters patrolled, rehabilitated and repaired suppression efforts by pulling dozer berms, and water barring control lines. A rehabilitation and repair group consisting of dozers, road graders, excavator, and water tenders are planned to work on the control lines around the fire to meet operational objectives.