Warm Springs, OR — September 18, 2020
Fire activity is more subdued today due to lower temperatures and increased relative humidity. Rain is anticipated over most of the fire area. There is still active fire, but fire managers expect less fire activity for the immediate future. The lightning-caused fire started on August 16th approximately 14 miles west of the Warm Springs community.It has spread primarily to the west, onto the Willamette National Forest and beyond. Historic windstorms in early September are a major cause of the spread. It is being managed with a full suppression strategy. Firefighter and public safety are the top priorities for all efforts.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Fire activity should continue to moderate with the weather. Temperatures will be cooler today and rain is expected. Thunderstorms are possible. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning for Marion and Linn Counties. Debris flows are possible during this rain event. Expect cleaner air through the weekend. Fire behavior will likely increase as warmer and drier conditions return in a few days.
Yesterday: The northern edge of the fire on tribal lands in relatively quiet. Crews identified options along this northern edge to connect fire line west from the B-200 Road to Olallie Lakes. Good progress was made preparing roads and dozer lines for burnout operations. Structure protection efforts continued in many areas on the western reaches. Progress is also being made on spot fires near Sisi Butte. The Sisi Butte Lookout was wrapped for structure protection. Much of the mop up work in the Olallie Lakes area was completed. Along the southern edge of the fire, crews continued to work with local fire districts in the communities along Highway 22 on mop up and patrol. Structure groups worked in Marion Forks and monitored the Stahlman area.
Today’s Activities: Firefighters will take advantage of the favorable weather conditions to work adjacent to the fire’s edge to secure the fire perimeter. Firefighters will continue to scout and establish fire line adjacent to the fire in preparation for burnout operations in the coming days. Crews will perform structure protection activities, such as clearing brush and vegetation from around homes in Detroit, Idanha, and New Idanha. To the east and southeast, crews continue mop up operations and removal of fire-weakened trees for public safety. As of this morning, the Rocky Mountain Team 1 assumed command of the Lionshead Fire.
Evacuations: Evacuation Notices remain in place for the Lionshead Fire. Level 3 “Go!” evacuation notices were issued for the communities of Detroit, Idanha, and Breitenbush. The Warm Springs Police Department, with assistance from the National Guard, is maintaining the Level 1 “Get Ready” evacuation notice for the Sidwalter area, including Miller flat and the for the half mile east of Highway 26 between mile markers 91.5 and 99, and a half mile east and west of the Highway between markers 99 and 100.
Closures: Roads and trails near the fires remain closed for public safety. This includes roads and trails on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Spring lands adjacent to the fire and a 40-mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail between Santiam Pass and Olallie Lake. Forest closures are in place for Deschutes, Mt. Hood and Willamette National Forests.
FOR ADDITIONAL FIRE INFORMATION:
Fire Information: 971-277-5075
TripCheck: https://www.tripcheck.com/
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lionshead
Fire Email: 2020.lionshead@firenet.gov
Lionshead Fire
Rocky Mountain Management Team
Public Information Phone: 971-277-5075
Incident E-mail: 2020.lionshead@firenet.gov
Incident Website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049
Facebook: www.facebook.com/LionsheadFire
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