Badlands Complex Fires in Baker County now 75% contained
By Joe Hathaway on Friday, August 2nd, 2024 in Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER COUNTY – The Badland Complex remains at 54,563 acres with 75% contained and 271 personnel assigned.
Today, temperatures on the fire will be even hotter, with humidity in the single digits. This will cause vegetation above 5,000 feet to dry further and be more susceptible to igniting.
In Division E (Powder Fire), north of the Thompson fire, an initial attack group is now in place to respond to any new fire starts from dry lightning over the weekend. The group includes skidgines, a dozer, and a type 3 engine. Skidgines carry up to 1300 gallons of water and the type 3 engine has a 300-400 gallon capacity. The engine also carries thousands of feet of hose to lay around a burning area. Bucket support from a type one helicopter in Baker City will also be available.
The Thompson Fire is now 31,556 acres and 51% contained. Yesterday, crews gained more containment on the northern perimeter near Durkee Creek. The Alaska crew, Gila hotshots, and skidgines continue to secure handline along a six-mile area on the east side of fire, between Manning Creek Road and Lookout Mountain Road. They are checking for any heat under the juniper. Expect to see smoke from interior pockets of unburned fuel, which may be visible from I-84.
The Coyote Fire is now 100% contained with the completion of containment line to the Snake River to the east along the southern perimeter. The fire will now move into patrol status, supported by two staffed engines. Expect to see dust devils on this fire which can be mistaken for smoke.
The Powder, Chalk, Sheep Mountain, Daly, and Crandall Fires are all 100% contained and are in patrol status.
Weather: Yesterday was the first in a series of hot, dry conditions. A fire weather watch is in place for Saturday. The warming trend continues throughout the day with temperatures in the 100s in the valleys and 90s in the lower elevations. Today will also bring very little wind and an occasional gust of up to 15 mph.
Smoke Information: Air quality is expected to be worse tomorrow as smoke from local and regional fires increase and as the wind patterns become favorable for impacts from the Park Fire in California. For current Oregon air quality conditions, please visit https://oraqi.deq.state.or.us/home/map.
Evacuations: Multiple areas have been reuced to a Level 2 (BE SET) or are no longer under any evacuations. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064434892363. Sign up for Baker County emergency alerts at https://public.alertsense.com/SignUp/publicUser.aspx…
Closures: Check for highway closures at https://www.tripcheck.com/DynamicRe…/Report/RoadConditions. All BLM Vale District Recreation Sites along the Snake River between Oxbow and Huntington and on Lookout Mountain are closed. This includes Spring Recreation Site, Swedes Landing, and Bassar Diggins Campground.
Fire Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in effect. Get details at https://www.blm.gov/…/docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-val-071024.pdf.
Temporary Flight Restrictions: A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect over the fire area to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations. View a map of the TFR and details at https://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_4_7614.html. Fire aviation response is halted or delayed if an unauthorized aircraft enters the TFR. Temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems or drones. If you fly, we can’t! Learn more about how to use drones safely and responsibly at Home – Know Before You Fly.
Fire Info Phone: 541-362-1507
Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Email: 2024.badlandcomplex@firenet.gov .
Facebook: Facebook Badland Complex Fires 2024
Media Line: 541-249-5894
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/…/orvad-badland-complex-2024
