News Release 09/26/08 9:00am PT
Incident: Lonesome Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 9/26/2008
News Release - 09/26/08 9:00 a.m. PT
PNW National Incident Management Team 3 assumed management of the Lonesome Complex at 6 a.m., Thursday, September 25, 2008.
Yesterday's Activities: On the western perimeter, firefighters continued to make significant progress mopping up fireline areas. Contingency lines have been brushed out along the eastern edge of the fire and chippers were used to continue with the line preparation efforts. Around the northern edge of the fire crews continued scouting for the best locations to build fireline and worked to build line in the rough terrain.
Fire behavior included single trees torching and fire creeping along the ground. The fire continued to spread in heavy fuels.
The Lonesome Complex is operating two helibases in support of firefighting efforts. Aerial resources were shared yesterday with other fires, including a new start on the Willamette National Forest, near Oakridge.
Pacific Northwest Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the fire at 6:00 am on Thursday.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures were warmer and relative humidity was lower across the region yesterday. That trend is expected to continue through today. With higher temperatures and lower humidity, more torching trees and spotting is expected this afternoon, particularly wherever wind and slopes align.
Today's Planned Actions: Firefighters will continue working to hold the fire's north and eastern spread as they build and strengthen containment lines. Crews are building fireline on the north end of the fire and may do some burnout in that area to strengthen the containment area. They will continue to mop-up 200 feet in from the west edge of the fireline and will begin fireline rehabilitation work where they can.
Closures: A map of the three area closures for the Lonesome Complex is available online at: InciWeb.org - Select: MAPS
This Fire Update was produced by the Lonesome Information Center staffed by PNW Team 3 Incident Management Team.
