8/19/2017 Willamette Wildfires Update

August 19, 2017 - 9:00 a.m. Fire Information: 541-719-8371 or email: WillametteWildfires2017@gmail.com   Pacific Northwest Team 2, Type I Incident Management Team, is responding to multiple fires within the Willamette National Forest: French Fire is currently burning approximately one mile northwest of Detroit in very steep and rugged terrain. Sprinklers have been installed around 60% of the fire to the south and are delivering 6000 gallons of water per hour to the fire. Yesterday, firefighters worked to build indirect line by hand and with heavy equipment to clear and clean debris from existing roadways. Today, firefighters will continue to work on contingency lines on roadways and maintain the sprinkler system. Whitewater Fire/Little Devil Fires is actively burning near Whitewater Trailhead in Mt. Jefferson Wilderness east of Detroit. Yesterday, firefighters conducted both hand and aerial firing operations to reinforce the southwest control lines of the fire. Helicopters aided with water drops on the Little Devil Fire. Today, crews will construct more control lines and continue carefully planned tactical hand and aerial firing operations on the Whitewater Fire. The spread of the Little Devil Fire, located within planned control lines for the Whitewater Fire, will continue to be reduced by bucket drops to allow indirect line to be built. Rebel Fire is burning in heavy timber and rugged terrain along the South Fork of the McKenzie River. Yesterday, the fire was active showing growth on the southern portion. Fire resources will continue to prepare indirect lines along Road 19 and plan for firing operations when conditions are favorable. Two lightning-caused wilderness fires located to the northeast of the Rebel Fire have been included in the incident management team’s area of management. Avenue Fire grew minimally yesterday. This fire is located two miles south of McKenzie River Ranger District office in difficult-to-access terrain. Crews continue to assess options to contain this fire using segments of the current road system, paired with constructed line. Weather and Fire Behavior Moving into the weekend, the weather is anticipated to be similar to yesterday’s with a high of 74 degrees and minimum relative humidity of 36%. Ridge top winds will be primarily out of the northwest with afternoon gusts of 20 mph. Current and expected weather will result in drying of fuels, with the potential of increased fire spread and smoke from the fires. Fire Closures Area closures are in place with numerous trails, campgrounds, and roads closed. Many campgrounds and trails in the eclipse path of totality are closed due to fires. This includes access to Mount Jefferson and Jefferson Park. For current conditions and closure information please visit: http://go.usa.gov/xRnz7

Willamette Wildfires Fire Information Map Air Quality Report

Quick Facts Approximate Acreage: French: 2 acre Whitewater: 7,595 acres Rebel: 2,124 acres Avenue: 14 acres Little Devil: 103 acres Start Date (Cause): French: August 10 (lightning) Whitewater: Smoke reported July 23 (lightning) Rebel: August 4 (unknown) Avenue: August 11 (lightning) Incident Commander: Chris Schulte, PNW Team 2 Type 1 Incident Management Team Resources on the Fire: French: 2 crews, 1 water tender Whitewater: 14 crews, 8 helicopters, 11 engines, 10 water tenders, 7 dozers Rebel and Avenue: 6 crews, 11 engines, 2 water tenders, 3 dozers Total Personnel: French: 36 Whitewater: 646 Rebel and Avenue: 294 Jurisdiction: Willamette National Forest and Oregon Department of Forestry Online Links Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/unit/3860/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillametteWildfires2017/ Periscope: https://www.pscp.tv/willamettewildfires Closures: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/5420/ Oregon Smoke Blog: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com