Town Gulch Fire Daily Update Saturday, August 10, 2024

Fire Information: 541-208-7092, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.          Town Gulch Fire Facebook: tinyurl.com/ycypw2bt

Email: 2024.TownGulch@firenet.gov                           Linktree: linktr.ee/TownGulchFire

Size: 20,335 acres (1,084 acre increase)                         Cause: Lightning

Containment: 35 percent                                              Start Date: August 5, 2024

Total Personnel: 222                                                    Structures Damaged or Destroyed: 2

CURRENT SITUATION: The Southern Area Blue Complex IMT joined the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Blue Incident Management Team in unified command of the fire at 6:00pm on Friday. This transition will not affect operations on the ground and will provide additional resources to better serve the wildland and structure firefighters engaged in fire suppression and structure protection. For example, fire camp will expand to provide showers, hand washing stations and a caterer.

The most active areas of the fire are on the north and northeastern sides. Several spot fires ignited across containment lines yesterday. Firefighters and helicopters contained those fires before significant growth could occur. Today, crews will strengthen containment lines and aggressively mop up any hot spots near the line. Some unburned pockets of fuel ignited deeper in the southern end of the fire yesterday, but were quickly addressed. Aircraft and engines were able to get water on the fire and held it within current containment lines. The west side of the fire along Sparta Road is secure and crews will continue to monitor and patrol the western and southern containment lines to ensure no flare ups threaten the line. On the fire’s northwest side, crews completed a hose lay near Hashknife Road. Today, firefighters will patrol and monitor that section of containment line.

Structure protection groups will continue to monitor homes and assess defensible space against wildfire. As the threat to homes decreases, OSFM resources will be assessing resource needs.

WEATHER: Temperatures will continue to be hot and dry this weekend. There is a 10 – 20% chance of thunderstorms in the area that will produce no precipitation, with lightning and gusty winds of 30 – 40 mph. If the lightning and winds materialize, fire behavior will intensify, particularly on the northern and northeast sides. Resources are ready to respond if this occurs. Additionally, unburned fuels within the fire perimeter could ignite, producing a lot of smoke which could impact local air quality.

CLOSURES: Wallowa-Whitman National Forest lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites around the Town Gulch Fire are temporarily closed and fire restrictions are in effect. Forest closure orders and maps can be found on the Forest’s “Forest Orders” web page: tinyurl.com/36t4f2t2.

EVACUATIONS: Baker County Sheriff’s Office has issued Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuations for areas near the fire. Follow the sheriff’s office Facebook page (tinyurl.com/3auvka4j) for the latest evacuation news. Residents should sign up to receive emergency notifications through Baker County ALERT (tinyurl.com/884czdrf).

EVACUATION SHELTER: American Red Cross of Idaho and East Oregon has opened an evacuation shelter at the Lions Club of Halfway (225 Lions Street, Halfway, Ore.). Companion animals are accepted. For more evacuation-shelter information, call 800-853-2570. Large animals can be accommodated at Haines Rodeo grounds.