Clarks Creek Fire Update 8/6/17

Firefighters took advantage of favorable conditions last night to establish control lines on the Clarks Creek Fire, 7 miles southeast of Elgin.  The fire is approximately 80% lined this morning and 10% contained.  Firefighters will work today to complete the fire control lines, begin mopping up close to the line and map the fire to get an accurate size.  The fire is estimated to be 150 acres this morning. There are no closures for this fire, but the public is encouraged to avoid the area to allow for safe firefighting operations to occur.

Last night, firefighters from Elgin Fire Department, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, and ODF responded to the incident.  Today, there are 10 engines, one tender, three dozers and one hand crew working on the fire.  As part of ODFs coordinated response system, an engine from the Fence Creek Initial Attack Extended Network (IAEN) program and a hand crew from the Oregon Youth Authority-Riverbend Facility are on scene assisting today. 

The forecast for the area today calls for temperatures in the 90s and minimum relative humidity of 15-20 percent.  Winds are expected to be light in the area today. The extended forecast for the region is calling for a chance of thunderstorms later in the week.   

Fuel conditions are very dry and fire danger in the region is at an EXTREME level.  Public Use Restrictions including restrictions for campfires, chainsaw use, off-road travel and debris burning are in effect.  Northeast Oregon District ODF has responded to 15 human caused fires so far this year.  These fire have burned 175.43 acres.

Information on Public-Use Restrictions on the Oregon Department of Forestry, Umatilla National Forest and Wallowa Whitman National Forest can be found at http://bmidc.org/index.shtml under Current Information: Fire Restrictions.

http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/ is your spot for current fire information in the Blue Mountains. 

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