Rail Fire Morning Update- Aug. 14, 2016

Sunday, August 14, 2016 @ 9AM

                     

The Rail Fire started Sunday afternoon, July 31, approximately five miles west of Unity, Oregon.  Northwest Incident Management Team Twelve (NWIMT#12) assumed command of the fire at 6:00 a.m. Monday, August 1.  

NEWS FROM THE FIRELINE:    Yesterday’s burnout operations succeeded in helping firefighters increase containment on the fire.  The ignited areas, as well as large unburned islands well interior of the control lines, burned actively well into the night, producing visible flames and smoke columns.  Smoke from the fire will be visible in Unity, Prairie City, and Sumpter today. Smoke conditions in the Unity area will fluctuate between hazardous and very unhealthy in the morning hours.  Smoke will lift around 1:00 p.m. and air conditions should level off to moderate. For more information about smoke conditions and what to do please visit www.oregonsmoke.blogspot.com.  Unstable weather conditions are predicted for the fire area throughout the day.  This will increase fire behavior.  Firefighters anticipate active burning on all areas of the fire.  The acreage is anticipated to grow as the main fire spreads toward the areas previously burned out along the containment lines. Firefighters will monitor fire lines and fire behavior throughout the day taking appropriate actions to further increase containment of this fire.

PUBLIC INFORMATION: Public Information Officers will be in the communities of Unity, Prairie City, Sumpter, and Baker City today to provide fire updates, maps and answer questions.

CONTAINMENT: 12%                              SIZE:  15,394 acres

LOCATION:  Approximately 5 miles west of Unity, Oregon

  

VEGETATION TYPE AND TERRAIN:  Grass, sage brush, and timber in moderate and steep terrain.

WEATHER:  A weak low front will cross the area and cause instability.  Expect hot and dry conditions again today. 

PERSONNEL & RESOURCES: 695 people, 22 crews, 9 dozers, 21 engines, 19 water tenders and 8 helicopters are assigned to the fire.

AGENCIES & COOPERATORS INVOLVED:   Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, Baker County Sheriff’s Department and Emergency Services and local residents.  The daily cooperator meeting has been suspended.

Mary Bean, Incident Information Officer

Incident Information Office Phone: (541) 446-3592