HK Complex Daily Fire Update - Aug. 12, 2019

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Size: 2,696 acres
Containment: 59% overall, with 9 fires in the Complex at 100%
Location: 15 miles north of Monument, Oregon (Heppner Ranger District)
Cause: Lightning
Total Assigned Personnel: 573
Assigned Resources: Multiple engines and crews
Aircraft: Multiple fixed-wing and helicopter resources

Closures: Umatilla National Forest Roads & Recreation Sites www.fs.usda.gov/Umatilla

FIRE INFORMATION:
(541) 904-4744 ext. 501

InciWeb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6507/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF
Twitter: @UmatillaNF

Rainfall and cooler temperatures over the weekend allowed firefighters to make significant progress on all of the fires in this complex. Crews continue to secure firelines and mop up the north end of the Little Bear/Sulphur Springs Fire. Mop up and equipment removal continue on the rest of the fire. A large island of unburned fuel within the interior of this fire is expected to burn out over the next several days producing a significant amount of smoke.

All other fires are in the final stages of mop up, equipment removal, and fireline rehabilitation to protect natural resources.

Late yesterday afternoon a new fire was detected on the eastern slope of Turner Mountain as a result of lightning over the previous few days. Firefighters working on this complex quickly responded and suppressed it. The fire will be monitored for several days to ensure that it is out.

Water tenders made significant progress yesterday refilling stock ponds that were used as fire engine fill and helicopter dip sites during initial attack. It is anticipated that refilling these critical firefighting water sources will be completed today.

Afternoon temperatures are expected to be 7 to 10 degrees warmer today with relative humidity dropping into the lower 20s. This warmer, drier trend for the next couple of days will help firefighters locate heat sources during mop up.

Fire danger rating moderated slightly over the weekend and local officials are likely to lift Public Use Restrictions sometime this afternoon. Any change will be posted on www.fs.usda.gov/Umatilla.

A portion of the 21 Road remains closed to allow for fire traffic. If traveling in the area, alternate routes are required. In addition, a closure order issued by the Forest Service is still in effect due to fire activity in the area. The closure is formally referenced as Order Number T-2019-0614-UMA-02. All restrictions and closure orders can be seen in full at www.fs.usda.gov/Umatilla.

Be alert to heavy trucks on the road in and around this area.