News Release 09/28/08 9am PT
Incident: Lonesome Complex Wildland Fire
Released: 9/28/2008
News Release - 09/28/08 9:00 a.m. PT
Yesterday's Activities: The morning inversion helped firefighters as they continued to make significant progress building fireline and mopping up along firelines yesterday. Contingency lines were installed and chippers were used to remove brush and small trees from several roads along the eastern side of the fire. Chipping the brush and debris from clearing the roads makes them more effective as firelines.
Weather and Fire Behavior: All of the fuels, from fine grasses to heavier timber, are extremely dry. That, combined with the general warming and drying trend in the fire area will lead to an increase in visible fire activity; particularly in the afternoon as the inversion lifts. Columns of smoke from the fire may also be visible. Smoke in the valleys may persist as nighttime downslope winds transport smoke into low lying areas.
Today's Planned Actions: Firefighters will continue holding the fire's northern and southwestern flanks as they build and strengthen containment lines. Chipping will continue along roads and firelines on the eastern flank. With the help of Palm IR (hand held infra-red devices) firefighters continue to make good progress with mop-up work on the west edge of the fire. These devices help identify hot spots so firefighters can focus their efforts. Crews will pull hoses from areas where mop-up is complete. Fire line rehabilitation in collaboration with the High Cascades Ranger District will continue.
Firefighters who have been working on construction of contingency lines along the eastern portion of the fire have been staying at Annie Spike Camp. As they finish up construction of the contingency lines, those resources will be shifted around to high priority portions of the fire and Annie Spike Camp will be closed today. Closing the Annie Spike Camp will not compromise our ability to respond to emerging issues on the east flank of the fire.
Helicopters and airplanes will continue to assist firefighters by dropping water and retardant. Helicopters will deliver supplies to the three spike camps and continue reconnaissance missions throughout the day. The Lonesome Complex has been operating two helibases in support of firefighting efforts. Helicopters supporting the Lonesome Complex will begin operating out of one location after today.
Closures: A map of the three area closures for the Lonesome Complex is available online at: http://www.inciweb.org/ - Lonesome Complex - MAPS
In addition to the information about Lonesome Complex available at http://www.inciweb.org/, a supplemental page has been developed. Information on the supplemental page includes maps, photo galleries, and news releases in printable formats like this one. The link to the supplemental can be found at http://www.inciweb.org/.
This Fire Update was produced by the Lonesome Information Center staffed by PNW Team 3 Incident Management Team.
LONESOME COMPLEX INFO CENTER : 1-866-601-0637 : 7 am to 7 pm PT
Quick Facts Lonesome Complex Summary
Location: 12 miles East of Prospect, OR
Approximate Size: 19,539 acres
Fire Containment: 40%
Start Date: August 16, 2008
Cause: Lightning
Incident Commander: Jeff Pendleton, PNW Team 3
Resources on the Fire: 25 crews, 9 helicopters, 14 engines, 1 dozers, 20 water tenders
Total Personnel: 851
Estimated Containment Date: October 15, 2008
Cooperating Agencies: USFS NPS
Landowners: USFS NPS
