9/5/2017 Nash Fire Update

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 Nash Fire.

An easterly wind yesterday brought some relief to the dense smoke that has covered Central Oregon.  Fires across the western states have contributed to the smoke impacts here in Oregon. With storms forecasted to move through the area, Wednesday through Friday, expect smoke to stay lighter with cooler temperatures and some thunderstorms with precipitation to develop.

Central Oregon is experiencing extreme dry conditions, residents and visitors need to be extremely cautious when outdoors. Campfires are banned on both private and public lands, violators will be cited.

Fire Information: The fire is a result of a lightning storm in early August which generated numerous fires throughout the Cascades Range in Oregon and Washington.  The Nash Fire is burning in the Three Sisters Wilderness Area along the crest of the Cascades on the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests. 

Air Quality: Air quality forecasted for the Sisters areas are in the Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy range. People sensitive to poor air quality should take the necessary precaution to avoid exposure while those needing to work outdoors should limit heavy outdoor exertion. Information is available at: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com and https://airnow.gov

Incident Management: Currently the Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, Doug Johnson, Incident Commander is managing and supporting the fire fighters of the Nash and Milli Fires. The incident command post (ICP) is located at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds in Sisters, Oregon. Wednesday morning NIIMT8 will transfer command of the Nash Fire to the Southwest Team 1. Milli Fire command will go back to the Deschutes National Forest.

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”.

Update Fire: Fire managers have made plans to respond in the event the fire moves out of the Three Sisters Wilderness. The primary concern is if the fire was to move to the southeast out of the Wilderness through vegetative timber stringers, the fire could impact the Elk Lake area. Firefighters and equipment continue fuels reduction for fire protection around the Elk Lake resort, 40 plus recreation residences and historic Elk Lake Guard Station at Elk Lake yesterday.  Fire crews are removing low limbs, clearing brush, removing dense fuels and forest litter away from structures, as well as putting in pumps, hose and sprinklers.  The structure protection group continued prep work both north and south of Elk Lake along the Cascade Lakes Highway. Clearing brush and reducing fuels to prepare for burn out operations if needed to hold the fire on the west side of the road.

The Nash and nearby Separation Fires burned very actively yesterday being pushed by strong east winds.  The active burning continued overnight causing a bright glow to be seen on the horizon. Firefighters monitored the movement through-out the night. The eastern edge of the fire has burned to the shoulder of The Wife (peak) and is close to burning to the Wickiup Plains. Air resources were used by fire management yesterday to monitor the fires growth and fire activity.

Evacuations: The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, in cooperation with fire managers, has placed a Level 2 (Set) evacuation notice for the areas surrounding the Elk Lake and Hosmer Lake including Elk Lake Resort, Elk Lake Guard Station, Elk Lake Campground(CG), Point CG, Mallard CG, Sunset View Day Use area, Beach Day Use Area, and Quinn Meadow’s Horse Camp  and a Level 1 (Ready) evacuation notice for the areas surrounding Lava Lake and Little Lava Lake including Lava Lake Resort, Lava Lake CG, and Little Lava Lake CG.  Current maps including the evacuation areas can be found at https://arcg.is/D9OPi

Trail closures are in place: Closed trails include: Wickiup Plains, South Sister/Devil’s Lake, Green Lakes, Sisters Mirror Lake, Elk Lake, and PCT from Irish and Taylor Lake north to Olallie Lake.  PCT Trail Angels will be at Cultus Lake to help hikers. Information can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices