8/31/2020 White River Fire Update

  White River Fire Update – Monday, August 31^th, 2020 – 9:00 a.m.

QUICK FACTS – FIRE SUMMARY
Start Date:  8/17/2020	Approx. Size: 15,418 acres	Resources on the Fire:	Cooperating Agencies:
Cause: Lightning	Containment: 10%	17 Crews	Wasco Co. Sheriff
Incident Commander:	Total Personnel: 937	55 Engines	Wasco Co. Emergency Management
Noel Livingston – Pacific Northwest Team 3  Ian Yocum – OSFM Red Team	Approx. Distance:   8 miles from Maupin   7  miles from Tygh Valley	8 Dozers  17 Water Tenders   9 Helicopters	NTSB/FAA

Weather and Fire Behavior:  A weak cold front will pass over the fire area with increased cloud cover bringing higher relative humidity today. Temperatures will remain in the mid-70s. Terrain driven fire activity will continue to push growth, with flanking and short-range spotting expected along the southern perimeter.  

Last 24 hours:  Yesterday was a successful day for firefighters. Along the eastern perimeter, crews and aircraft were able to hold the spread of the fire and are working towards increased containment. Fire managers were able to fly over the fire within White River canyon and identify areas where they have the best opportunity for crews to safely engage and limit the spread out of the canyon allowing crews to establish containment lines in the canyon. To the south heavy equipment and crews worked to connect and secure containment lines.  

Today’s Activities:  A limited burn out operation is planned for today on the southwestern edge of the fire. Burn outs are used to improve and secure control lines by consuming the available fuel between the active fire edge and the control lines with low intensity fire. This operation will be supported by crews, engines, heavy equipment and aircraft. Firefighters, in coordination with the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s team will continue to provide structure protection to the south and east sides of the fire, assessing damage and mitigating threats to property and structures. Crews and heavy equipment will be constructing control lines and improving existing containment lines.    

Oregon State Fire Marshal: Yesterday, the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s resources worked to extinguish hot spots and ensure that fire was kept clear of vulnerable homes. Crews also patrolled along fire lines and supported burnout operations as fire perimeters were reinforced. Thanks to improved weather and the hard work of crews, the danger to structures has diminished significantly. This will allow four of the OSFM task forces to return to their home departments. Two will leave in the morning and two in the afternoon. 

Evacuations:  The Wasco County Sheriff has issued evacuation notices. For the most up-to-date information on the evacuation notices please visit the Wasco County Sheriff Facebook page (www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff) and an interactive map can be found at https://arcg.is/1janHC  

Wasco County residents are encouraged to register for Wasco County Citizen Alert at: https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085612392#/login All emergency information including evacuations will be distributed through the citizen alert system. 

FOR ADDITIONAL FIRE INFORMATION:  

Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7013       

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhiteRiverFire  

Email:  2020.whiteriver@firenet.gov    

Fire Information: 541-604-8582