8/25/16 Cherry Road Fire Update

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 Type 4 organization.  The transfer is scheduled to occur Friday morning.  All information needs will be provided through Larry Moore, Public Affairs Officer, Vale District BLM.

Fire Size: 35,100 acres, the fire perimeter has not changed in the last 24 hrs
.

Percent Contained: 85%

Structures Threatened: 1

Closures: None 

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

Estimated Containment Date:  August 29, 2016

Resources:  Total personnel assigned 242; 1-type 1 hand crew, 1-type 2 hand crew, 2-camp crews, 2-helicopters, 17-engines, 2-dozers, 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 tonight 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:  Forecast calls for lighter winds North 6-10 mph with gusts to 18 mph, minimum humidity in the mid-teens, with temperatures near 80 degrees.  A building upper ridge will signal a warming and drying trend starting Friday.

Today’s Operations: Firefighters are transitioning into rehabilitation and repair of fire suppression effects. A rehabilitation and repair group consisting of dozers, road graders, excavator, and water tenders are planned to repair the control lines around the fire to meet Vale District’s rehabilitation standards. Patrol of control lines will occur both by air and on the ground. To reduce the spread of noxious weeds, all vehicles leaving the incident area are required to be cleaned through the weed washing station.