(Sisters, OR) – Night shift worked to reinforce dozer lines and build some depth in areas across the Akawa Butte, Brewer and Pilot Fires. Focus was given to improving dozer lines with handline work.
Oregon State Fire Marshal Red Incident Management Team entered into unified command with ODF IMT2 at 0600 this morning. Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Complex Incident Management Team 3 will take command of the Brewer and Box Springs Fires at 1800 and will be inbriefed at noon today. OSFM structural task forces will be deployed on both the Brewer and Akawa Butte Fires today.
A virtual community meeting will be held at 7 PM on Monday, July 20th. Details will be published on the Akawa Butte Fire Facebook page and in updates – www.facebook.com/akawabuttefire
Akawa Butte Fire
Night shift crews used hand-held IR to identify hot spots along the northeast part of the fire. Work continued in strengthening the dozer lines along the north and south ends of the fire. The fire is creeping into narrow draws in rocky canyon country on the eastern side of the fire making access with equipment difficult. Resources worked to establish a direct line in accessible areas on the southern edge. Today, crews will continue enforcing and strengthening containment lines with dozers and hand crews on the north and south perimeter of the fire.
Brewer Fire
Overnight crews worked to continue building dozer line on the northeast side of the fire. Line has been established and is holding around the north end of the fire. Today, firefighters will continue to work on the north and southeast parts of the fire, building handline and widening dozer lines. They are using tanker drops to support the work along the flanks.
Pilot Fire
There was no additional growth to the Pilot Fire yesterday. Resources patrolled and held the established containment line around the fire perimeter. Crews will build additional depth to the lines today, working to grow containment.
Weather and Fire Behavior
Cooler evening temperatures last night brought mildly elevated humidity. Today’s temperatures will be in the 90s with critically low humidity. Winds are forecasted to increase between 3 and 7 PM. Hot, dry and windy conditions will be prime for extreme fire behavior and crews are prepared for increased activity.
Evacuations
County sheriff’s offices issue evacuation orders. The most current evacuation information is available at:
Crook County: https://www.facebook.com/CrookCountySheriff
Deschutes County: https://www.facebook.com/DeschutesCountySheriff/
Jefferson County: https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyORSheriff/
Closures
BLM has issued closures for lands in and near the fires. See below for current information:
BLM Closures and Restrictions: https://www.blm.gov/programs/fire/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions
Air Quality Information
Air quality updates: https://fire.airnow.gov/