Pole Creek Fire Update - September 14, 2012 - 8 AM
Incident: Pole Creek Wildfire
Released: 9/14/2012
POLE CREEK FIRE UPDATE
OREGON INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 4
DESCHUTES NATIONAL FOREST
Fire officials are anticipating another active day on the 5,677 acre Pole Creek Fire. The passing thermal trough extended the burning period overnight pushing containment lines and resulting in modest growth on the southwest to northwest edges of the fire. Citizens and visitors to the Central Oregon area can expect visible columns of smoke again today as firefighters work to improve and extend their containment lines. Slightly warmer temperatures, low humidity, and forecasted westerly winds will again test containment lines.
Key members from Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (ORIIMT4) will conduct two informational briefings at the Preparedness Fair in Sisters on Saturday, September 15, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Sisters Elemantary School. Fire Information Officers will also staff a booth from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Fair.
Smoke is likely to remain in the Sisters and surrounding areas as it settles at night into valleys and drainages. Smoke density will depend on wind speeds and direction. County Health Officials advise that people with respiratory problems or other health issues, stay indoors with their windows and doors closed during periods of heavy smoke. Please visit http://www.deq.state.or.us/aq/burning/wildfires/index.htm, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality wildfire information page for more information regarding active fires and air quality, along with tools to help people assess smoke levels in their area.
For firefighter and public safety, a large area closure remains in place. Closures include Forest Roads 15 and 16 (Three Creeks Rd); some spur roads, trailheads and Three Creeks Campground area. Closed roads are signed, barricaded, and/or staffed to advise the public of the closure. Closure maps and area descriptions are available at Deschutes National Forest offices as well as http://inciweb.org
If there is a need for evacuation, citizens in affected areas will receive a call from 911 Dispatch with a recorded message with specific evacuation information. To receive these messages on cell phones, citizens are encouraged to visit www.deschutes.org and register their numbers with the Citizen Alert program. At this time, no towns, subdivisions or structures are under immediate threat of evacuation.
ESTIMATED ACREAGE: 5,677 Acres (as determined from an overnight infrared flight)
CONTAINMENT: 10 %
CAUSE: Unknown - Under Investigation
RESOURCES: TOTAL = 716
Type 1 Crews - 4; Dozers - 4
Type 2 Crews - 14; Engines - 27
Helicopters - 7; Water Tenders - 12
Overhead - 206; Camp Crews - 2
PLANS: Hold containment lines, continue to patrol and respond to spot fires. A dozer line is being constructed northward near Forest Road 1018-700. Hot Shot crews are working to anchor to this dozer line constructing handline westward in the vicinity of the Millican Trail, to potentially contain fire spread to the north. A containment line is also being constructed from the southeast corner of the fire perimeter, tying to Wychus Creek, to potentially contain fire spread to the south.
FORECASTED FIRE WEATHER: Temperatures in the mid 70s. Relative humidity 18-26%. Westerly winds at 8-12 mph, gusts 20-25.
COOPERATORS: Deschutes County Sheriff, Deschutes County SAR, City of Sisters, Sisters/Camp Sherman Fire District, Black Butte Ranch RFPD, Cloverdale FD, Oregon Department of Forestry, American Red Cross, Oregon Department of Transportation
