For Immediate Release: Saturday, September 5, 2020
Incident Commander: Alan Lawson, Northwest Team 10
E-mail – [email protected]
Fire Information: 971-277-5075
Warm Springs, Oregon – This update is for the P-515 and Lionshead Fires, burning on the Warm Springs Reservation. Both fires are being managed for full suppression.
Current Status: The perimeter of the P-515 Fire is completely lined. Hand crews will improve existing containment lines, locate and mitigate hazard trees and grid and patrol for spot fires within existing hand and dozer lines to meet agency standards.
The Lionshead Fire is now 11,777 acres and 31% contained. The fire remains within the control lines on the northern, eastern, and southern perimeters, where crews are mopping up and securing control lines. Active fire continues within the Whitewater River drainage, pushing westward. The southwest flank of the fire has crossed Parker Creek. A thermal inversion, resulting in poor visibility, limited the use of helicopters on the fire yesterday.
Today’s Operations: In the southwest section of the Lionshead Fire, noted for its steep and complex terrain, crews will scout for safety zones and opportunities for indirect and contingency line construction. Fire crews face continued challenges due to the difficult terrain, high temperatures and dry conditions. Masticators are being used to improve roads in the area to serve as primary or contingency lines. Elsewhere on the fire, crews are conducting mop up operations along all containment lines and spot fires.
Weather and Fire Behavior: A low pressure system, dipping south from Canada, will be accompanied by gusty winds and even drier air. This will put the incident area in near – Red Flag Warning weather conditions by Monday. Gusty winds and fingers of dry continuous fuel in Milk Creek, Parker Creek and Whitewater River drainages, on the fires western edge, could trigger spot fires and test control lines.
Closures: Trout Lake Road at pavement end; Road B-140 at Potter’s Pond; Road B210 and Road P-500. All trails south of Trout Lake, west of M-120 Metolius Bench, east of Mt. Jefferson, and north of J-195 will be closed to the public. Tenino Road (P-200) is closed to the public, with only fire personnel and residents permitted. See Willamette and Deschutes N.F. websites for trail and area closures.
COVID-19: Our highest priority is the safety of the public and all wildland fire personnel. To keep firefighters and communities healthy and safe during the P-515 and Lionshead Fires, all fire personnel are expected to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This includes limiting public access to the Incident Command Post (ICP) at the Warm Springs Fairgrounds. While COVID-19 circumstances are rapidly evolving, and federal agency guidance continues to adapt with the situation, NW Team 10 is prepared for wildland fire activity during this time.
Prevention Message: The public is urged to drive cautiously this Labor Day Weekend as fire crews continue to travel on the highways working on the Lionshead and P-515 fires.
