Wilson Prairie Fire Morning Update - July 28, 2018

Smoke from a large fire to the west has drifted into the local area.  Those with sensitivity concerns should take appropriate precautions.  For more information on air quality please visit: http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ/AQ/Pages/index.aspx  

http://www.airnow.gov/

The Morrow County Off-Highway Vehicle Park and Campground is currently open, however some trails may be impacted by the fire activity.  Please observe all trail and area closures.

Current Fire Information: Significant progress has been made in the containment of the Wilson Prairie Fire.  Fire fighters have laid hose along the majority of the fire perimeter and are well into mopping up hot spots.  Mopping up includes searching for pockets of heat, digging out the heat source, and cooling with water.  An area of the fire in the Porter Creek area, along the east flank of the fire, has yet to be lined.  Fire managers have decided to secure the entire perimeter by constructing hand line in this area.  The entire firefighter operation briefing may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a-8NMOapOA

Acreage: 437; the footprint of the fire changed slightly with the burnout operations.

Containment: 40%

Fire Information Center:  NEW-Public Line 844-695-6542. Available 8:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Information Websites: Inciweb – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6028

 ODF Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ODFCentralOregon/.

Resources:  Total personnel assigned – 460:  4-type 2 IA hand crews, 11-type 2 hand crews, 2-camp crews, 2- medium helicopters, 1- light helicopter, 9-engines, 4-dozers, 11-water tenders, 2–faller modules, 4-skidgens, and 103 overhead. Additional resources have been ordered and continue to arrive.

Air Operations:  A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area restricting aerial public access.  Please check the NOTAMs prior to flying. The public is reminded all air operations are grounded any time a drone is sighted within the TFR, delaying fire suppression efforts. Flying within the TFR is prohibited and against the law.

Weather:  Today will be sunny with max temperatures of 94 degrees with relative humidity to 18%.  Winds will be light mostly southeast at 3 - 7 mph decreasing to 3-7 mph by late morning.

Closures: The Umatilla National Forest implemented a Forest Closure including a large area, trail and road closure within the vicinity of Bull Prairie Lake and the Wilson Prairie area.  A map and detailed description of the area closure is available on the Umatilla National Forest website at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5286768 and on Inciweb.  This Closure will be evaluated daily for need as a safety precaution to firefighters and the public.  Forest Service personnel will be located near the campground to assist recreational visitors with alternative locations to camp.

The weather forecast for the region is a continued hot and dry trend with poor humidity recovery.  Any spark landing in light fuels (grass) has a 100% potential to start a fire so please follow restrictions to limit potential human wildfire ignitions.

• Regulated Closure is in effect for ODF’s Central Oregon District.  Specific restrictions, intended to reduce human caused fires, can be found at www.ODFcentraloregon.com.  
• Phase B of the Public Use Restrictions (PURS) for the Umatilla National Forest are in effect.   For more information regarding these and other restrictions on the Umatilla National Forest visitwww.bmidc.org

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