Resources prepare for any new weather-related fire starts in Badlands Complex in Baker County
By Joe Hathaway on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024 in Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER COUNTY – Current Situation:
– The Badland Complex remains at 54,563 acres with 79% contained and 264 personnel assigned.
– Temperatures will be cooler today, with scattered thunderstorms in the area and potential for strong outflow winds and lightning this evening. Extreme heat conditions from the past few days have parched fuels, making vegetation above 5,000 feet more susceptible to igniting. As a result, resources are prepared for initial attack and aircraft will be ready to launch on any new fires.
– Coyote and Powder fires remain staffed, and resources are available for initial attack support to respond to any potential new fire starts from lightning throughout the weekend. Water bucket support from a type one helicopter in Baker City will also be available as needed.
– The Thompson Fire is now 31,557 acres and 62% contained with 23 miles remaining of uncontained line. Yesterday, crews gained more containment on the heel of the fire on the southern end. The Alaska crew, Gila hotshots, and skidgines continue to secure handlines. Crews have been methodically working while prioritizing crew safety during extreme heat. Expect to see smoke from interior pockets of unburned fuel, as well as significant drift smoke from other fires in the area.
– The Coyote, Powder, Chalk, Sheep Mountain, Daly, and Crandall Fires are all 100% contained and are in patrol status.
Weather: Temperatures are expected to be cooler then recent days and a fire weather watch remains in place. The warming trend continues throughout the day with temperatures in the 90s in the valleys and upper 80s in the higher elevations. Scattered thunderstorms are possible with heavy cloud cover and brief periods of heavy, monsoon rains. Gusts up to 20mph in the afternoon are possible. Tonight, scattered thunderstorms are expected, which are likely to bring lightning and strong outflow winds gusting up to 50 mph, with a possibility of rain.
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: Evacuations have remained unchanged since 7/30/2024. 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) has been updated. 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
