Black Butte II Fire Update-Tuesday

July 7, 2009

07/07/09 Black Butte

UPDATE: 4:50PM

The lightning-caused "Black Butte II" Fire is now estimated to be 400 acres in size and is 10% contained. The fire is located on the east side of Black Butte approximately 7 miles northwest of Sisters. The fire is located in a topographical "bowl" which creates a variety of wind direction and velocity, hampering suppression efforts.

"We greatly appreciate Black Butte Ranch allowing us to utilize their ponds for helicopter water operations. This has contributed significantly in putting water on the fire in a cost effective manner," said District Ranger Bill Anthony.

Firefighters have successfully lined over ½ of the fire. Hand crews are working on completing hose lay on the south flank of the fire and have completed hose lay around the 42-acre spot fire. The dozer line on the south flank of the fire has been repositioned closer to the fire's edge and is tied in with handline that runs from the 700 road to the top of Black Butte. The dozer line is currently holding well and burnout operations are planned for this evening, weather permitting.

The heavy air tankers were grounded around noon today due to limited visibility from smoke. It is expected the tankers will be grounded for the remainder of today's shift. The heavy helicopters were able to continue with their water bucket drop work throughout the afternoon.

The Central Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team-Type 2 (Mark Rapp) spent the day transitioning with the outgoing Type 3 Incident Management Team (Travis Moyer) and will assume command of the fire at 6:00 p.m. this evening. The Incident Command Post for Rapp's team is at Allingham Guard Station located two miles north of Camp Sherman.

Assigned resources on scene include four air tankers, thirteen twenty-person hand crews (four hotshot crews, eight contract crews and one 20-person agency hand crew), five helicopters, four dozers, ten engines, six water tenders and miscellaneous overhead for an approximate total of 250 personnel.

The cooling trend is predicted to continue through Thursday with high pressure expected to build through the weekend. Tonight is partly cloudy with a slight chance of thunderstorms and showers this evening. Minimum temperatures 36-41 degrees with maximum humidity 85-92%. Northwest valley winds 10 to 15 mph with gusts to around 30 mph becoming southwest 2 to 5 mph after midnight. Northwest ridge winds 12 to 19 mph becoming southwest 3 to 7 mph after midnight.

Quick Facts:

Firefighters have successfully lined ½ of the fire perimeter
Improved dozer line is holding on the south flank of the fire; burnout operations are planned this evening and over the next couple of days
The Central Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team (Mark Rapp) is assuming command of the fire at 6:00 p.m. this evening.
Expect increased traffic on Highway 20 and increased tourist traffic in Sisters due to the quilt show
No residences or structures are threatened at this time
The Black Butte Trail and the Metolious Windego Trail are closed
Black Butte Ranch is located approximately 1.5 miles to the south
Black Butte Lookout has been evacuated but is not currently threatened.
Indian Ford Campground has been evacuated for public safety reasons

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Forest Roads 11, 1120 and 1430 are closed for fire suppression efforts. Signs are posted on Forest Roads 64 and 1170 (Lake Billy Chinook side) stating that the roads are closed ahead. Area closure for the fire and area surrounding is pending.
A temporary flight restriction is in place
As of 12 midnite on July 7, 2009 (or 12:01 a.m on July 8, 2009) all lands administered by Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville Bureau of Land Management will move to an Industrial Fire Precaution (IFPL) Level II, partial hootowl. This means that any power saws (except at loading sites), cable yarding, blasting and welding or cutting of metal may occur only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. local time. A separate news release was sent out providing detailed information regarding IFPL Level II. See the www.fs.fed.us/centraloregon/fire website for additional information.

Residents are reminded to be extremely cautious with fire and to check current fire restrictions before heading outdoors for recreation activities. State protected lands and Bureau of Management Lands along river corridors are currently under public fire restrictions; federal lands will be moving to IFPL Level II (see above) on midnight, July 7. For more information, go to www.fs.fed.us/r6/central oregon/fire or http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/FIELD/PVL/aboutus.shtml

UPDATE: 10:00AM

The lightning-caused "Black Butte II" Fire continues to burn in heavy mixed conifer and ponderosa pine. The estimate for fire size remains at 350 acres with 10% containment. The fire is located on the east side of Black Butte approximately 7 miles northwest of Sisters and remained active throughout the night. Planned burnout operations were completed last night. Additional burnout operations are planned for today's shift, weather permitting.

Firefighters are continuing to reinforce the line around a 42-acre spot fire between Forest Road 11 and Forest Road 100 utilizing retardant and hand crews. Firefighters will also continue their work in containing multiple spots located between Forest Road 100 and Forest Road 700. Existing dozer line on the flank of the fire will be improved will potential burnout operations. Predicted southwest winds up to 12 mph this afternoon may hamper firefighting efforts.

The Central Oregon Interagency Incident Command Team-Type 2 (Rapp) is being mobilized to assume command of the Black Butte II Fire. The team is scheduled to receive a briefing at noon today and will transition with the Type 3 Incident Management Team (Travis Moyer) that is currently in place. The Incident Command Post for Rapp's team will be at Allingham Guard Station located two miles north of Camp Sherman.

Assigned resources on scene include four air tankers, seven twenty-person hand crews (four hotshot crews, two contract crews and a 20-person hand crew), five helicopters, one dozer, five engines, three water tenders and miscellaneous overhead for a total of 199 personnel.

Weather forecast today calls for mostly sunny then becoming partly cloudy with isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Max temps 61-63 degrees, minimum humidities 45-50%. Southwest winds 3-8 mph becoming west 6 to 12 mph after 9:00 a.m. Cooler weather is expected through the middle of the week. Temperatures and humidities will change little over the next several days and winds will be occasionally breezy. Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms are also expected with the best chance for thunderstorms on Thursday.

Quick Facts:

The Central Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team (Mark Rapp) is being mobilized to assume command of the fire. Inbriefing at noon today.
Firefighters were successful in containing a number of spot fires
No residences or structures are threatened at this time
The Black Butte Trail and the Metolious Windego Trail are closed
Black Butte Ranch is located approximately 1.5 miles to the south
Black Butte Lookout has been evacuated but is not currently threatened.
Indian Ford Campground has been evacuated for public safety reasons
Forest Roads 11, 1120 and 1430 are closed for fire suppression efforts. Signs are posted on Forest Roads 64 and 1170 (Lake Billy Chinook side) stating that the roads are closed ahead. Additional closures expected.
A temporary flight restriction is in place

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As of 12 midnite on July 7, 2009 (or 12:01 a.m on July 8, 2009) all lands administered by Deschutes National Forest, Ochoco National Forest, Crooked River National Grassland and Prineville Bureau of Land Management will move to an Industrial Fire Precaution (IFPL) Level II, partial hootowl. This means that any power saws (except at loading sites), cable yarding, blasting and welding or cutting of metal may occur only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. local time. A separate news release was sent out providing detailed information regarding IFPL Level II. See the www.fs.fed.us/centraloregon/fire website for additional information.