Wilson Prairie Fire Update - July 30, 2018

A Community Meeting is planned for this evening, July 30^th at 5:00 pm at the Heppner Ranger Station at 117 South Main Street.  Fire managers will provide a fire update with maps and an opportunity for questions and answers at the end of the presentations. If you are unable to attend, this meeting will be live streamed through Periscope.  Please download the app, create an account and “follow” NWIMT8.  Once the broadcast begins you will receive a notification. 

Smoke from fires in the region 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/

One update will be generated and posted in the morning from the Wilson Prairie Fire.

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

Current Fire Information: Suppression efforts were able to hold the fire within its current footprint despite being tested by increased wind activity. Mop up has progressed, advancing into the interior 200 feet on large areas of the fire.  Small interior islands of unburned fuels continue to be isolated with focused mop up around the perimeter.  Suppression repair activities continue, which includes water barring (an angled trench, to direct water off the fireline to prevent erosion), removal of hose, and removal of trash from the fire line.  Repairs to OHV trails impacted by fireline construction have begun.  The entire firefighter operation briefing may be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9LuSxGz6pDE

Acreage: 437

Containment: 60%

Fire Information Center:  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 – 422:  3-type 2 IA hand crews, 10-type 2 hand crews, 2-camp crews, 1- light helicopter, 9-engines, 2-dozers, 10-water tenders, 1- ambulance, 2–faller modules, 3-skidgens, and 103 overhead. Right sizing of the fire suppression resources continues with demobilization of resources in response to operational needs.

Air Operations:  A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area restricting aircraft 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:  Smoke has entered the area but should stay in the upper elevations.  Today will be sunny with max temperatures of 98 degrees with relative humidity to 9%.  Winds will be mostly upslope at 6 - 8 mph switching to the northwest 5-10 mph with gusts to 15 mph. After 6:00 pm, wind will increase to 8-12 mph with gusts to 18 mph.   

Closures: The Umatilla National Forest implemented an area closure; including trails and roads 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 visit www.bmidc.org

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