8/23/2020 Steet Mountain & Laurel Fire Update

 

Steet Mountain Complex/Laurel Fire morning update for 8/23/2020

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ODFCentralOregon
Twitter: @ODF_COD
Email contact — SteetMtnComplex.LaurelFire@gmail.com
Public Information Line: (541) 604-8483
Steet Mountain Fire — https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7039/
Laurel Fire — https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7037/

Fire Summary:
Yesterday, excellent progress was made across all fires. Lighter winds, cooler temperatures, and lower relative humidity allowed firefighters to stop the spread of fire and hold fire lines. Today, fire crews will continue to strengthen control lines, extinguish hot spots, and mop up.

More accurate mapping has updated the Steet Mountain Fire to 701 acres, and the Laurel Fire held at 1,280 acres. The Laurel Fire is burning on lands managed by Prineville BLM, the Wheeler County Rangeland Fire Protection Association, and ODF protected private lands six miles south of Spray in Wheeler County.

Air resources will continue to support ground crews with water today. Narrow roads with dusty conditions has made access to water difficult for firefighters on the ground.

Warmer temperatures, and increased afternoon winds are expected today. These conditions will challenge fire crews as they continue to make progress in holding and strengthening fire lines. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms on Monday and Tuesday which could bring gusty winds and lightning on Monday and Tuesday afternoon.

Continued support provided by the local communities has helped our suppression efforts. Firefighter and public safety are our highest priority during this incident, including COVID mitigation. The incident command post and fire camp are closed to the public to ensure safety of the public and the Firefighters.

Size
Steet Mtn Fire: 701 Acres
Laurel Fire: 1,280 Acres

Containment
Steet Mtn Fire: 55% *combined
Laurel Fire: 15%

Start Date
August 18th, 2020, 10:00pm

Location
Steet Complex: Near Monument
Laurel Fire: 6 miles S of Spray

Cause: Lightning

Personnel: 358

Est. Cost: $890,000

Resources:
11 hand crew
19 Engines
7 Dozers
5 Water Tenders
2 Skidders

Aircraft:
1 – Type 1 Helicopter
1 – Type 2 Helicopter
2 – Type 3 Helicopter

Evacuations:
None

Structures Threatened:
4—hunting cabins on Laurel fire

Structures Damaged: 0

Structures Destroyed: 0

Closures: None