Friday, August 21, 2015

Grizzly Bear Complex Update 11:00 am 8/21/15

Firefighters working to manage rapidly growing Grizzly Bear Complex on three fronts

    Elgin, OR., -- The Grizzly Bear Complex has been burning in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness of the Umatilla National Forest for several days.  It grew significantly yesterday and last night, within the Wilderness and running to the south and east.  Critical weather conditions continue today and additional fire growth is expected.  The fire is currently estimated at 48,000 acres.

Evacuation notices include:
Level 3:  Troy, Eden Bench, Grouse Flat, Bartlett
Level 3:   From Troy to Hwy 129 at Boggan’s Oasis (16 miles northeast of Troy)
Level 2:   From Boggan’s Oasis to Anatone
Level 2:   From Clearwater Guard Station to Lick Creek Road; from Lick Creek Rd. to Asotin city limits; around Asotin to the Snake  River; from the Snake River south to the state line; from the state line west to Highway 129
Level 2:   Flora, Lost Prairie, Redmond Grade northeast to Highway 3

Sheriffs are making personal contact with affected residents.  Most of Troy and surrounding Level 3 evacuations are cleared of people.  Only a few remained behind to aid in suppression efforts and to feed and care for firefighters. 

Three primary residences and twelve outbuildings have burned. Additional assessments continue.  A structure protection task force from the Oregon State Fire Marshall’s office is arriving today to assist. 

The fire continues to spread east and additional evacuations are being proposed and will be announced as they occur.

The fire is currently being managed by Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #4 with Brian Gales Incident Commander.  The day’s effort continues to focus on point protection of primary residences with current resources on scene. Fire personnel will continue to identify opportunities to safely contain the fire and establish communication between fire managers and local officials to ensure that evacuations are implemented as needed.

Grizzly Bear Complex InciWeb site: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4511/
Twitter: @UmatillaNF

Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/

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