Indian Lake Fire P.M. Update 8/5/17

Fire crews had a productive day building fire control lines and improving existing lines.  The fire was mapped today at 222 acres and is currently 55% contained.  Growth today was minimal with the higher acreage coming from firefighters being able to map the perimeter.  Higher relative humidity and lighter winds helped with the firefighter’s success today.  Investigators are on scene and working to establish the exact cause.

Today’s resources included ten engines, three tenders, three dozers, two Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), one Type 2 helicopter, one Type 1 helicopter and one air attack.  Firefighters will remain on scene tonight to patrol and hold control lines.  Weather forecasted for tonight is minimum temperatures of 50-63 degrees with moderate relative humidity recovery.  Tomorrow, temperatures are expected to be around 84-92 degrees with north winds 2-7 mph.

An Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) firefighter was injured in a single vehicle accident on the afternoon of August 5, when the vehicle he was driving overturned on Interstate 84 west of Meacham, Oregon.  The firefighter was returning to the Pendleton Unit Office from the Indian Lake Fire in Umatilla County.  The firefighter was transported by Life Flight from the scene to a local hospital with serious injuries.  The cause of the accident is under investigation at this time. 

The extended forecast calls for a chance of thunderstorms later in the week.  With the potential for lightning caused fires, the public is reminded of the EXTREME fire danger and that minimizing human caused fires is important.  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.

There are no road closures or evacuation orders on the Indian Lake fire, but the public is reminded that there will be heavy firefighter and aircraft use in the area and that avoiding the area is encouraged. 

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

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