07/28/2017 Upper Mine Update

Upper Mine Wildfire Update

Fact Sheet July 28, 2017 – AM

Fire Information Center: (541) 670-0812 (cellphone) Available 7:30 am to 9:00 pm. G-mail: UpperMineWildfire@gmail.com

Information Websites: Inciweb – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5425/ and Facebook Upper Mine Wildfire; 

Incident Management: Northwest Incident Management Team 8 (NWIMT8), Doug Johnson Incident Commander (IC), is managing this wildfire.  The incident command post is located in Denio, Nevada at the Denio Elementary School.  A spike camp is located in Fields, Oregon

Fire Size: 4,135 acres

Percent Contained: 75%

Threatened:  Structures-18 total (3 residences); Natural Resources – within the Pueblo foothills Research Natural Area, Wilderness Study Area, and the Fields Andrews Sage-grouse priority habitat areas; and Infra Structure – overhead powerlines.

Closures: None 

Cause: Fires started July 24, 2017.  The cause was lightning.

Resources:  Total personnel assigned - 40; 1-type 1 crew, 1-helicopter, 5-engines, 1-dozer, and 1-water tender.

Air Operations:  The temporary flight restriction (TFR) remains in place.  Please check the NOTAMs prior to flying. Flying within the TFR is prohibited and against the law. The public is reminded all air operations are grounded any time a drone is sighted within the TFR, delaying fire suppression efforts.

Weather:  High pressure will take control of the region today resulting in increased chances of dry thunderstorms Saturday and Sunday.  The forecast for today is maximum temperatures in the mid-80s to low -90S and a relative humidity of 17-22%.  Winds will be from the southwest 8-12 mph with gusts to 15mph.

Today’s Operations: Firefighters will hike to the southwest perimeter into the Oliver Creek drainage to work on an identified hotspot.  Helicopter water drops will be utilized to assist firefighters to cool the area. All perimeters will be patrolled.  Equipment will be backhauled.

Firefighters remain diligent and at the ready to respond to any new wildfire starts.

An Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) of III, partial shutdown, is in effect on lands administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Burns District and the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. Public use restrictions are also in effect.  For more information on the IFPL, fire danger or public use restrictions, call the Burns Interagency Communication Center at (541) 573-4545. To report a wildfire, call (541) 573-1000

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