Phillips Creek Fire Update, August 10, 2015

Phillips Creek Fire Update 

Monday, Aug. 10, 2015, 8:00 a.m. 

Evacuation Information:  (541) 963-1049

Fire Information: (541) 437-1159

Phillips Creek Fire Evacuation Lifted

In cooperation with the Phillips Creek fire officials, the Union County Board of Commissioners lifted all level 1 evacuation notices yesterday at 8 p.m.  Those County roads that were limited to local traffic only are now open.  Because of ongoing fire operations, Forest Service road closures remain in effect.  Residents are encouraged to monitor local media as weather and fire conditions may change.

Public Meeting Notice

The Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 2 will hold a community meeting this evening at 6:30 p.m. at the Elgin Community Center. 

Because of smoky conditions and firefighting operations delays can be expected on the highway corridor again today.  A pilot car will be used between MP 32 and 36.  For up to date information on highway conditions, go to www.tripcheck.com.

Yesterday’s Operations:  Firing operations on the north western flank were successful in removing unburned fuel between the fire perimeter and containment lines.  Fire weakened trees were felled along the Hwy 204 corridor and mop-up continued on most other flanks, building depth and further securing the fire lines.

Weather and Fire Behavior:  A Red Flag Warning continues to be in effect through Tuesday for the threat of thunderstorms with potential gusty outflow winds up to 40 mph.  Temperatures are expected to be in the low 80’s today and depending on wind speed and direction these conditions could provide the potential for very active fire behavior.

Today’s Operations:  A small portion of fire line on the west flank along Phillips Creek Road will be completed and secured today.  Mop-up will continue in all other portions of the Phillips Creek fire. Smoke will persist as interior fuels are consumed. 

Phillips Creek Fire information can be found on Inciweb at:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4443/ and on Facebook at  Phillips Creek Fire | Facebook.

Road Closures

Road closures for public and firefighter safety  include:

· Forest Road 3738 (Phillips Creek Road) from its junction with Forest Road 3100 (Summit Road) to State Highway 204.

· Forest Road 3148 from its junction with Forest Road 3100 (Summit Road) to its end.

· Forest Roads 3148-010 and 3148-900 from their junction with Forest Road 3148 to their end.

· Forest Road 3740 from its junction with Forest Road 3738 to the forest boundary.

· Forest Roads 3740-020, 3740-025, 3740-030, 3740-040, and 3740-05.

· Forest Road 3734 from its junction with State Highway 204 to its end.

· Forest Road 3200 from its junction with Forest Road 3100 (Summit Road) to the forest boundary.

· Forest Road 3217 from its junction with Forest Road 3200 to its end.

· Forest Road 3100-035.

State Highway 204 remains open at this time though travelers should consider alternate routes to avoid firefighter traffic and smoke.

The official Road Closure Orders can be found at: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4443/

Smoke continues to be an issue in the Grande Ronde Valley and surrounding communities. To monitor the air quality index, the public can access the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s website at www.deq.state.or.us/aqi.

The fire danger rating has increased to EXTREME and Public Use Restrictions involving campfires and chainsaw use are in effect. For more information about the Umatilla National Forest’s Public Use Restrictions, please contact any forest office, call our Forest Information hotline at 1-877-958-9663, or visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/ or on the Blue Mountain Fire Information BlogSpot at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.

Regulated closures are in effect on State and private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast and central Oregon. Please check with your local Oregon Department of Forestry office for public use restrictions on lands protected by ODF. Visit the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch webpage at: www.bmidc.org or contact a local Oregon Department of Forestry office for more complete information. Similar restrictions may be in effect on State and private lands protected by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WA-DNR). More information can be found on the WA-DNR website at: http://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/firedanger/BurnRisk.aspx