Virtual Community Meeting to be hosted on Lionshead Facebook Page today at 7:30 p.m. – We would like to encourage the public to email questions to [email protected]. You do not need to have a Facebook account to view the live meeting at www.facebook.com/lionsheadfire
Weather and Fire Behavior: Heavy smoke from The Lionshead, Beachie Creek and Riverside Fires filled Central and Eastern Oregon on Friday as westerly winds moved over the crest of the cascades. The heavy smoke kept temperatures in the low 70’s and relative humidity much higher than predicted in the mid-twenties. Forecasted upper level winds should break the smoke layer free Monday followed later in the week by cooler temperatures and a possibility of light precipitation. Fire growth was minimal yesterday, some areas experienced minimal torching and short-range spotting.
Current Situation: Reduced fire behavior has given firefighters valuable time to make progress on assessing the western side of The Lionshead Fire and anchoring in the fire on the eastern portion. Crews continued through the day yesterday and last night finishing key sections of the strategic firing operations. Firefighters and heavy equipment made substantial progress in preparing containment lines around the Ollalie Butte area yesterday. Several structure task forces continue to secure structures and infrastructure in and around Idanha and Detroit. Firefighters are also finding additional access into the Breitenbush area. Structure crews will begin working on damage assessments of properties where the fire activity and burned area hazards allow them to safely do so. The roadways into the burned areas continue to be very hazardous. Firefighters on the eastern side of the crest of the cascades on the Warm Springs Reservation were busy through the night mopping up and completing firing operations.
Today’s Activities: On both sides of the cascades, scouting and preparation of identified control lines will continue. Heavy smoke and blocked road access into many of the areas continue to be challenges. On the northern side of the fire, opening roads and improving access into the Breitenbush area will continue. To the north firefighters will wrap several structures in the fires path where the fire continues to be active. Containment lines around Ollallie lake and areas of the Warm Springs Reservation will continue to be prepared today in preparation for a strategic firing operation that will improve the fire line. Completing the northern section of containment line and tying it in with the eastern flank will create a catcher’s mitt, that is meant to stop the main body of the fire as it burns into the hardened containment lines. Scouting and contingency plans are also being put in to place northwest of Camp Sherman in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness and old fire scars throughout the landscape.
Evacuations: Please monitor the local area sheriff’s department websites and Facebook for updates. The Oregon Office of Emergency Management has created an interactive database to help provide the most up to date information on evacuation statewide. https://www.oregon.gov/oem/emops/Pages/RAPTOR.aspx
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. Forest closures are in place for Deschutes, Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests. Deschutes NF Alerts Willamette NF Alerts Mt. Hood NF Alerts
FOR ADDITIONAL FIRE INFORMATION:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LionsheadFire
Email: [email protected]
Fire Information: 971-277-5075
