South Fork Complex Fire Update 8/15/2014 ^NH

Yesterday

Crews made good progress in securing the perimeter on the northwest side of the fire. Rain and elevated humidity contributed to moderate fire behavior. Hotshot Crews continued to strengthen and mop up the line on Oliver Ridge to the South Fork of the John Day river. The northeast side of the fire was too wet to burnout but firefighters were able to strengthen direct lines. The east side had a Hotshot Crew constructing handline northerly toward the Thorn Creek burn scar.

The West and south sides of the fire are in patrol status and firefighters worked on rehabilitating the fire lines to lessen the impact of firefighting on the landscape.

Weather and Fire Behavior

The low pressure system will continue to move through the region on Friday. This will bring possible scattered showers and thunderstorms through the evening. The chance of wetting rain over the fire is 0%. The thunderstorm activity will be mainly over northeast Oregon on Friday and then move out of the area by Friday night. A southwesterly flow will bring a warming and drying trend over the weekend.

Today’s Operations

Hotshots will continue to build hand line in a northerly direction with the goal of tying the line into the Thorn Creek burn scar. Crews will work from the north and south ends along the east side toward the middle in the Duncan Creek area.

Crews will continue strengthening the line in the Magic Lantern Creek area to make sure the fire is contained in that area.

Rehabilitation is beginning along the west side of the fire.

Incident Management Team Transition

Pacific Northwest Team 3 will transition with the Oregon Incident Management Team 2 on Saturday. Incoming team members will be shadowing their counterparts today to provide a smooth transition. PNW Team 3 thanks the community, and cooperators for their patience and cooperation.

Closures and Evacuations

A level 1 evacuation remains in effect for the area south of Highway 26, west of Road 21 (Fields Creek) and east of Road 42 (South Fork of the John Day River). A level 1 evacuation is also in place for the area south of Deer Creek and east of the South Fork of the John Day River.

A closure is in place on the Malheur National Forest and the Ochoco National Forest surrounding the fires. All roads and trails are closed within the closure area.