9/1/2020 White River Fire Update

 

QUICK FACTS – FIRE SUMMARY
Start Date:  8/17/2020	Approx. Size: 15,411 acres	Resources on the Fire:	Cooperating Agencies:
Cause: Lightning	Containment: 10%	32 Crews	Wasco Co. Sheriff
Incident Commander:	Total Personnel: 1,188	63 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   8 Helicopters	NTSB/FAA

 

White River Fire Update – Tuesday, September 1st, 2020 – 9:00 a.m.

 

Weather and Fire Behavior:  Increased weather instability combined with warm and dry conditions will impact fuels across the fire throughout the day and into the evening, particularly along fire perimeters and unburned islands in the fire interior. Temperatures will reach into the high 80’s-low 90’s. Terrain driven fire activity will continue to push growth, with flanking and short-range spotting expected along the southern perimeter.  

Last 24 hours:  Firefighting efforts took advantage of the break in weather to make progress in securing lines and suppressing fire. Hotshot crews were able to construct a line in the canyon all the way down to the river edge. Established dozer lines continued to hold, keeping fire from reaching the highway.  Crews continue to perform mop up and patrolled along fire lines as fire perimeters were reinforced along the western edge.  Crews were using natural features to assist with suppression efforts and performed mop up around structures. Over 250 new resources were added to aid in fire suppression efforts. Overnight resources continue to patrol and work on hot spots. 

Today’s Activities: Crews and heavy equipment will continue constructing control lines and improving existing containment lines. Along the western edge firefighters will continue to perform mop up and patrol operations from the road to the river.  If weather, humidity and fuel moisture levels are in alignment with safety procedures and protocols burnouts will happen along the south western edge of the fire. As Oregon State Fire Marshal crews transition home a structure group of incident resources has been formed to continue with structure mop up and protection.  Along the eastern perimeter, crews and aircraft continue to hold the spread of the fire and are working towards increased containment. Crews will continue efforts to prepare for possible burnout operations in heavy timbered areas. 

Oregon State Fire Marshal: Thanks to improved weather and the hard work of crews, the danger to structures has diminished significantly allowing the OSFM task forces to return to their home departments. Their unified approach with all teams and local resources allowed for a sharing of additional levels of intelligence and experience. 

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