Type 2 Interagency Management Team to
take command of HK Complex
Aug. 7, 2019 - 12 p.m.
PENDLETON, Ore. – Firefighters
have made progress on the majority of the wildfires caused by the recent
thunderstorms. Concentrated lightning activity occurred across portions of the
Forest last night. New smoke reports are anticipated throughout the next few
days as the weather conditions remain hot and dry.
Two new fires were discovered yesterday within
the boundary of the HK Complex, which consists of 13 lightning fires burning
on the Heppner Ranger District near the Alder Creek Skookum Trailhead,
approximately 15 miles north of Monument, Oregon. The total acreage of all fires within the HK
Complex is now estimated at 1,500 acres and the fires are burning in grass,
brush and timber. The largest of the fires within the complex is estimated at 125
acres. Yesterday fire behavior consisted of torching, spotting and active running.
Hot and dry conditions, as well as strong winds, contributed to rapid growth on
the fire yesterday.
A local Type 3 incident management team out of
John Day, Oregon, took command of the HK Complex yesterday at 6 p.m. However,
due to the increased fire activity, a Type 2 Incident Management Team has been
ordered and will in-brief today at the Heppner Ranger District office at 4 p.m.
The Type 2 Incident Management Team will take command of the fire tomorrow at 6
a.m.
A large area, road and trail closure has been
implemented on the HK Complex. A description of the area closure is available
at the end of this release.
Today firefighters will continue to complete
direct line construction, where terrain and fuels allow for crews to safely
engage, while utilizing aircraft to slow fire spread and cool hotspots within
the fire perimeter. Approximately 300
fire personnel, including some local resources from Oregon Department of
Forestry, are currently assigned to the fire.
The Rocky Flats Fire still remains at
49 acres and 100% lined. The fire is also located on the Heppner Ranger
District and is approximately 13 miles northeast of Spray, Oregon. Resources on
scene include one crew and two engines. Today’s suppression strategy is to
continue to improve containment lines.
Any recent fires not listed are in contained
or controlled status and will continue to be monitored.
Hot and dry conditions
are expected to persist throughout the week. Additional thunderstorms are
forecasted over the next few days.
Fire officials
want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at HIGH
and Public Use Restrictions involving chainsaw use are in effect.
Similar restrictions may be in
effect on State and private lands protected by the Washington Department of
Natural Resources (WA-DNR). More
information can be found on the WA-DNR website at: http://www.dnr.wa.gov/.
For more information
regarding Restrictions, please contact:
Umatilla National Forest:
Information Hotline: Toll-Free (877)
958-9663
Twitter: @UmatillaNF
The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue
Mountains Fire Information Blog. To receive updates on fires in the Blue
Mountains, follow our blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.
###
HK Complex Closure Description:
Starting at Forest Service Road (FSR) 21 and
its junction with FSR 2202 in T6S, R27E, Section 8, south to the Forest
Boundary in T7S, R27E, section 4, East along the forest boundary to FSR 2110 in
T7S, R28E, Section 3, north up FSR 2110 to junction with FSR 2107-070 in T5S,
R28E, Section 32, North to FSR 2107 in T5S, R28E, section 29, west along FSR
2107 to junction of FSR 2107/2107-086 in T5S, R28E, section 30, north on FSR
2107-086 to junction of FSR 5350 at T5S, R28E section 19, west to junction of
FSR 5380 T5S, R27E, section 26, continuing west to Forest Service Trail (FST)
3051 (Skookum Trail) in T5S, R27E section 27, north to the junction of FST 3052
(Copple Butte Trail) in T5S R27E section 22, west to junction of FST 3054
(Madison Butte Trail) in T5S, R27E, section 29, south to junction of FSR 21 in
T6S, R27E, section 9, west along FSR 21 to junction with FSR 2202 in T6S, R27E,
section 8.
Additionally, Forest Service Road 2107 is
closed as part of this closure order.
Area closure map - Aug. 7, 2019
View of HK Complex from Madison Butte - Aug. 6, 2019
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