This will be the last update from the Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8 (NWIIMT8). NWIIMT8 would like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to the community, cooperators, agency staff, and firefighters for the unwavering support during our management of the Milli Fire.
Special Announcements: A public meeting will be held today, September 5th, at 5:00 pm at Sisters High School auditorium. A panel of fire managers and local agency leaders will be present to answer questions.
Campfires are prohibited on all public and private lands. Violators will be cited.
General Information:
Predicted east/northeast winds reduced heavy smoke over the fire yesterday afternoon. The increased visibility allowed firefighters on the ground to utilize air support on hot spots near the private lands tree plantation and in the lava flows. Fire managers were able to see the entire incident from the air. The winds were a good test of containment lines which all held.
Air Quality: Air quality reported from Air Now http://www.airnow.gov/ is in the “Unhealthy For Sensitive Groups” (UHSG) (orange) range in Sisters. The “UHSG” range is defined as the air quality is unhealthy for people with heart or lung disease, older adults, and children should reduce prolonged activity or heavy exertion. Information is also available at: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com
Incident Management: Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, with Doug Johnson, Incident Commander, is managing and supporting the firefighters of the Milli Fire. The incident command post (ICP) is located at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds, east of Sisters, Oregon. Management of the fire will be transferred back to the Deschutes National Forest at 6 am tomorrow morning.
Fire Update: The east, southeast, and south flanks of the fire are in patrol status with firefighters mopping up any detected heat to further secure containment lines. Unneeded equipment is being back hauled to the incident command post and to assist on the Nash Fire.
The southwest flank of the fire was pushed by the winds yesterday west to North Matthieu Lake. Helicopter water drops will be utilized to extinguish heat and check any movement in the lava fields. On the west flank, the Lava Camp campground area is in patrol status as the mop up work has been completed. Strong north winds created several small spots within the Lava fields. . Helicopter water drops will be utilized to extinguish any heat.
Clean-up along Hwy 242 continues. Additional work will be required to remove remaining hazards and repair road surfaces. It will be closed until Oregon Department of Transportation has assessed the condition of the road and can ensure it is safe for travel.
Weather: Today’s forecast is partially cloudy with a chance of thunderstorms after 4 pm. Gusty, east ridge-top winds will continue through this morning and then decrease. The forecast above 5,000 ft elevation calls for temperatures 84 – 88 degrees, relative humidity 15 – 19%, and ridgetop winds east 10 – 20 mph with gusts to 30 mph then becoming northeast 5-10 mph with gusts to 15 mph.
A Red Flag Warning (which means critical fire weather conditions exist in the area) remains in effect over Central Oregon for hot, dry, and unstable conditions the remainder of today. The combination of the Red Flag Warning and the consecutive lack of overnight relative humidity recovery could cause any ignition source on dry fuels to start a wildfire. Forest visitors are reminded to stay vigilant and “know before you go”.
Resources: Total personnel assigned to the Milli Fire: 318 personnel, comprised of 1-type 2 initial attack crew, 3-type 2 crews, 3-camp crews, 6-engines, 4-skidgens, 1-heavy helicopter, 1- light helicopter, 2-dozers, 9-water tenders and 149 overhead. Available resources remain limited and are being prioritized within the region and nationally. Resources continue to be shared amongst nearby fires. Additional critical resources have been reordered.
Evacuation Levels: For additional information on evacuation levels, please contact the Deschutes County Sheriff’s office at 541-693-6911. Current evacuation levels:
Level 1 – Crossroads subdivision, Edgington Road, Remuda Road, Peterson Burn Road, Wildwing and Three Creeks Road residences. Tollgate subdivision, all areas between OR 242 and US 20, west of Cold Springs Cutoff (Forest Road 1018) which includes Black Butte Ranch.
Highway Closures: OR Hwy 242 is closed east of the Cascade Crest to the junction of Forest Road 15. For more information visit www.tripcheck.com
Forest Closures- For further information go to: https://www.fs.usda.gov/
The Sisters Chamber of Commerce would like to invite and remind the public that businesses are open and ready to host visitors over the holiday weekend. One less spark is one less potential fire.
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