Rail Fire Update- Aug. 5,2016

Friday, August 5, 2016 @ 9AM

The Rail Fire started Sunday afternoon, July 31, approximately ten miles southwest 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:   Firefighters again made considerable progress building containment lines and conducting burnout operations on Thursday.  Crews and heavy equipment operators worked night and day shifts take advantage of favorable conditions.  Today we’ll continue tightening up containment lines and extending south to the Amelia Cr. trailhead. Weather is expected to become increasingly unstable throughout the day, with thunderstorms and dry lightning predicted for late afternoon.  Increased fire activity is likely, with resulting visible columns of smoke. Plans are in place for addressing these changing conditions and for potential Initial Attack actions, should lightning spark additional fires.

The Baker County Sheriff’s Department reduced the Level 2 evacuation notice to a Level 1.

PUBLIC INFORMATION FORUM FRIDAY AT 5:00 p.m.

The Incident Management Team will host a Public Information Forum Conference Call in order to reach folks across a broad geographic area.  The Team will share information during the Call and then address questions via e-mail afterwards.  To submit questions before or after the Call, log on to RAILWILDFIRE@gmail.com. The Conference Line number is: 1-888-844-9904; Access Code: 2651088#. Staff will also be out in the local community and Prairie City to provide information and answer questions.

SIZE: 7,114 acres; CONTAINMENT: 5%

VEGETATION TYPE AND TERRAIN:  Grass and timber in moderate and steep terrain

WEATHER:  High temperatures in the mid-80s, 14-18% humidity, with southeast winds of 2-6 mph.  Weather is predicted to become increasingly unstable as the day progresses, with erratic winds gusting up to 35 mph. There is a chance of afternoon/evening thunderstorms accompanied by dry lightning.

PERSONNEL & RESOURCES: 621 people, 20 crews, 6 dozers, 17 engines, 10 water tenders and 6 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.

Mary Bean, Incident Information Officer

Incident Information Office Phone: (541) 446-3592