8/16/2021 Black Butte Fire Update

Email:  2021.blackbutte@firenet.gov 

Phone: 541-625-0687 (8am - 6pm) 
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7770 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2021-Black-Butte-Fire-11294140765937 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MalheurNF  
Acres: 19,390
Number of Personnel: 533
Percent Containment: 30%
Cause: Lightning
Date/Time Detected: August 3, 2021, 10:00 a.m.
Origin/Location: South of Unity, OR
 
John Day, OR – Yesterday, fire activity remained low on the east side. Today crews will continue to mop up and secure the control lines. Due to rugged and inaccessible terrain a UAS (Drone) with infrared (IR) capability will be used to locate remaining hot spots in the area that might otherwise be overlooked, starting on the southeast perimeter. 
 
The fire continues to be active on the north and northwestern edge. Yesterday, crews were able to complete lines around the perimeter including the approximately 200 acre spot fire that had occurred. Lines will be actively monitored today as crews continue to lay hose and watch for spotting and slop over. Air support will be available as weather and ground conditions permit. Six helicopters were able to support suppression efforts yesterday. 
 
Night shift will begin this evening and crews are expected to continue burnout operations to limit forward progress of the fire. Air operations may assist in a burnout today, in the northwest section, if conditions allow it. 
 
Winds from the northwest will begin to pick up today with speeds ranging from 8 to 15 mph and gusts of up to 23 mph on the ridgetop and exposed areas. Wind patterns will be heavily influenced by the steep terrains and may change directions. Gusts may also increase spotting distances from ¼ mile to ½ mile. Temperatures will remain in the upper 80’s today and smoke will begin to clear. 
 
Closures:Recreation Sites within the closure boundary:
North Fork Malheur River Trailheads both north and south, North Fork Malheur Campground, Crane Crossing Trailheads both east and west, Short Creek Guard Station, Elk Creek Campground, Sunshine Flat Trailhead and Trail, Horseshoe Trailhead and Trail, Sheep Creek Trail and Trailhead, Little Crane Campground.
Currently the Trout Farm and Crescent Campgrounds are still open to the public.
For updated Forest closure information, please visit the Forest webpage at www.fs.usda.gov/malheur or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MalheurNationalForest.##