July
15, 2014 7:30 a.m.
15, 2014 7:30 a.m.
NEWS RELEASE
WHITE RIVER FIRE
OREGON DEPT OF FORESTRY
INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 1
WHITE RIVER FIRE
OREGON DEPT OF FORESTRY
INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 1
Contact: Brian Ballou, public information officer, (541) 621-4156
MOP-UP OPERATIONS WIDEN
ON WHITE RIVER FIRE
ON WHITE RIVER FIRE
Significant progress was made overnight by crews mopping up the
652-acre White River Fire, located 12 miles west of Tygh Valley, increasing the
number of acres inside the fire line that are fully extinguished.
652-acre White River Fire, located 12 miles west of Tygh Valley, increasing the
number of acres inside the fire line that are fully extinguished.
The increase in acreage is due to more accurate information and
not to further spread of the fire. The fire is 65 percent contained.
not to further spread of the fire. The fire is 65 percent contained.
Day shift crews will work to hold the recently completed fire
lines on the east and west sides of the White River Canyon and run hoselays
deeper into the canyon. Mop-up also continues on the high ground on the north
and south sides of canyon.
lines on the east and west sides of the White River Canyon and run hoselays
deeper into the canyon. Mop-up also continues on the high ground on the north
and south sides of canyon.
Nearly 460 personnel are assigned to the White River Fire, and
crews have the following equipment available to assist them in fire
suppression:
crews have the following equipment available to assist them in fire
suppression:
·
Three Type
II (medium) helicopters
Three Type
II (medium) helicopters
·
Two Type
III (light) helicopters
Two Type
III (light) helicopters
·
Eight
engines
Eight
engines
·
Three
bulldozers
Three
bulldozers
· Four water tenders
The cost of suppression so far is estimated at $1.1 million.
Crews heading for the fire lines have been reminded to keep
hydrated as a defense against working in 100-degree temperatures on blackened
ground. Yesterday, a firefighter was treated for a heat-related injury. Firefighters
were also cautioned to watch for and avoid rattlesnakes and poison oak. Other
hazards to firefighters include falling trees and snags, rolling rocks, and
poor footing on the steep slopes inside the river canyon.
hydrated as a defense against working in 100-degree temperatures on blackened
ground. Yesterday, a firefighter was treated for a heat-related injury. Firefighters
were also cautioned to watch for and avoid rattlesnakes and poison oak. Other
hazards to firefighters include falling trees and snags, rolling rocks, and
poor footing on the steep slopes inside the river canyon.
The White River Fire is on land protected by the Oregon Dept. of
Forestry’s Central Oregon District. Much of the land is wilderness inside the
White River Wild and Scenic Area, under the administration of the Bureau of
Land Management. The Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife administers other lands
inside the fire area for wildlife conservation purposes.
Forestry’s Central Oregon District. Much of the land is wilderness inside the
White River Wild and Scenic Area, under the administration of the Bureau of
Land Management. The Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife administers other lands
inside the fire area for wildlife conservation purposes.
Fire suppression operations are run by the Oregon Dept. of
Forestry Incident Management Team 1 led by Incident Commander John Buckman.
Crews and support personnel from across the state have been running the fire
suppression operation out of an incident command post at Wasco County
Fairgrounds in Tygh Valley.
Forestry Incident Management Team 1 led by Incident Commander John Buckman.
Crews and support personnel from across the state have been running the fire
suppression operation out of an incident command post at Wasco County
Fairgrounds in Tygh Valley.
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