For Immediate Release: Sunday, September 6, 2020
Incident Commander: Alan Lawson, Northwest Team 10
E-mail – 2020.p515@firenet.gov
Fire Information: 971-277-5075
Warm Springs, Oregon – This update is for the P-515 and Lionshead Fires, burning on the Warm Springs Reservation. Both fires are being managed for full suppression.
Current Status: The perimeter of the P-515 Fire is completely lined. Hand crews continue to improve containment lines and mop up is ongoing in close coordination with resource advisors. Back haul of excess equipment is being facilitated and resources are being incorporated with the Lionshead Fire.
The Lionshead Fire burned actively yesterday and is now 15,945 acres and 31% contained. The fire spotted approximately 2 miles to the north into the Shitike Drainage. The fire also made a push to the southwest, then hooked back to the east, crossing Bald Peter. Air resources worked the edges of the fire giving firefighters time to continue to assess potential containment options along the fire’s perimeter.
Today’s Operations: Ground crews will continue to assess potential opportunities for indirect containment options along the P-400 Road to the north and the J-140 Road to the south. Low relative humidity, high temperatures, and dry conditions will lead to continued extremely active fire behavior throughout the day. A strong low-level inversion will limit air support through most of the day. Crews will continue to mop up along all secure containment lines and spot fires.
Weather and Fire Behavior: With abundant dry fuels and both daytime and nighttime humidity values that continue to be very low, extremely active fire behavior is expected again today. Winds on Sunday will be light and variable followed by a cold front on Monday moving from north to south with wind gusts expected to be 35-40 mph from the east-northeast. A fire weather watch is in effect for gusty winds and low humidity Monday and Tuesday.
Closures: For public and firefighter safety, roads and trails on the southwest portion of the Warm Springs Reservation near the fires are closed to the public. Deschutes National Forest and Willamette National Forest are closing much of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness. Forty miles of the Pacific Crest Trail are closed between Santiam Pass and Olallie Lake. Mt. Hood National Forest has closed the Olallie Lake and Breitenbush Lake area. Allingham Campground and campgrounds to the north are now closed. See Willamette, Deschutes, and Mt. Hood N.F. websites for trail and area closures.
A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the P-515 and Lionshead Fires. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.
Evacuations: Orders are being issued for evacuations as conditions change. Please monitor the sheriff’s department and National Forest websites and Facebook pages for updates.
www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes/ www.fs.usda.gov/willamette/ www.fs.usda.gov/mthood/ www.facebook.com/DeschutesCountySheriff/ www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyORSheriff/ www.facebook.com/LinnSheriff/
www.facebook.com/MCSOInTheKnow/
COVID-19: NW Team 10 is following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to keep fire personnel and the public safe. There is no public access to the Incident Command Post (ICP) at the Jefferson Co. Fairgrounds.
Prevention Message: National Preparedness Month is recognized each September to promote family and community disaster planning now and throughout the year! Learn more here: https://www.ready.gov/september
