LAKEVIEW, Ore. – Fire crews worked overnight to strengthen lines on the west and south sides of the Patton Meadow Fire. The expected wind shift out of the northeast did occur overnight with established containment lines holding.
Today, crews will continue the work on the west and south sides of the fire to build containment. Small burnout operations are expected on the south end of the fire to eliminate fuels between containment lines and the fire’s interior. The north end of the fire is in steep and rocky terrain, making direct attack difficult. Contingency lines are being built further north in preparation for fire growth, while crews are working to identify areas where a more direct line can be constructed.
The Willow Valley Fire, 16 miles south of Bonanza is still holding with no growth. Crews will continue constructing and strengthening containment lines today.
OSFM structural Task Forces will be preparing for the change in weather today. The wind is shifting to be out of the West with gusts of 10-20 mph, which could push the fire towards the East. With this change in weather, the structural Task Forces will begin patrolling areas that have been assessed and prepped for defensible space. The crews have completed a significant amount of work in the Level 3 evacuation zones and the work continues with the addition of more structural crews. Since there is a potential for fire behavior change on the ground, our primary focus is to save all homes.
The overnight infrared flight showed more accurate acreage for the fires. The updated acres for the fires are; Patton Meadow with 5,406 acres with 15% containment, and Willow Valley is 824 acres with 35% containment.
Lake County Sheriff’s Office evacuation details can be found by visiting https://www.facebook.com/Lake-County-Oregon-104435824529906.
Fox Complex Information: 7 am – 9 pm (541) 316-5904
Email: foxcomplex.info@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SCOFMPFIREINFO
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7798/
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