Pole Creek Fire Update 09-29-12
Incident: Pole Creek Wildfire
Released: 9/29/2012
Pole Creek Fire Update
September 29, 2012
A local Type 3 Incident Management Team, John Erwert Incident Commander, assumed command of the Pole Creek Fire at 7:00 A.M. on Saturday morning. The incident command post will remain at the rodeo grounds east of Sisters.
Firefighters worked on the north end of the fire yesterday, mopping up hot spots and reinforcing existing lines. Crews are rehabilitating the lines on the east side from Three Creek Lake north along Forest Road 16.
Senator Jeff Merkley toured the fire area and the Incident Command Post on Friday.
Plans for Saturday are to continue working on the spots around the Trout Creek Butte and strengthening lines and mopping up.
The area around the fire remains closed to public access for public and firefighter safety. Included in the closure area are the Forest Road 16 (Three Creek Lake), Forest Road 15 (Pole Creek Road), and a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). A reroute is in place for that portion of the PCT that is closed. See Inciweb.org/incidents/3244 for further details.
Smoke is expected to settle into low-lying areas around the fire until a season-ending weather event occurs. Citizens should take proper precautions when inversions occur and smoke becomes dense. There is a link to the Department of Environmental Quality website on Inciweb.
Weather over the next few days is forecast to be above normal afternoon temperatures and lower relative humidity values. A weak cold front is expected to push over the fire area on Friday night through Saturday, but little more than a few clouds are anticipated. Westerly winds are predicted to be 4-8 mph with gusts to 16 mph on Saturday afternoon.
Residents are reminded that the fire is not out and they should continue to monitor information sources for fire updates.
Estimated Acreage
26,285 acres
Containment
85%
Cause
Under Investigation
Resources
Total 570
Type 1 Crews - 0
Dozers - 2
Water Tenders - 8
Helicopters - 2
Type 2 Crews 16
Engines 20
Camp Crews 3
Overhead 92
Plans
Hold, mop-up, and continue suppression rehabilitation
Fire Weather Forecast
Wind 5-10, Temperature 77˚ Wind direction NNW, Relative humidity 21%
