Warm Springs, OR — August 23, 2020
For Immediate Release
Incident Commander: Eric Knerr, Northwest Team 7 Fire Information: 971-277-5075
This update is for the P-515 Fire and Lionshead Fire burning on the Warm Springs Reservation. Both fires continue to be managed for full suppression. The Quartz Butte Fire is in mop-up with no new fire activity to report. Four of the 8 helicopters assigned to the fires are Air National Guard Blackhawk helicopters.
Current Situation: The P515 fire is 4,338 acres and now 15% contained. Because of current favorable conditions crews are building fire line directly at the burning perimeter where feasible to better secure the line. Burnout operations are being utilized in the northern and southern flanks to secure indirect lines and remove unburned pockets of fuel between the fire and the fire line. The swing shift worked to continue securing the northern flank.
The Lionshead Fire has spotted over to the south side of the Whitewater River and is currently being held to 1 acre by aircraft. Yesterday, crews on the Lionshead Fire were able to hold lines south of P-440 road. Firefighters are clearing the J-100 and J-200 roads to prepare for future firing operations.
P-515 Fire: Today, crews along the northern perimeter will continue to secure and reinforce the fire line. Firefighters will conduct burnout operations as needed to secure the lines on the western flank.
Lionshead Fire: Firefighters will prep and hold the P-440 Road while looking for containment opportunities to secure the line on the south and west flanks. Crews will continue to improve the J-100 and J-200 roads to keep the fire north of J-200 and west of J-100. Aircraft will be monitoring the spot fire south of the Whitewater River and support firefighters on the ground, as weather permits.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Expect morning inversion in lowlands and valleys until late morning. For the next several days it will be warm and dry, likely hazy with areas of smoke. Fire behavior could include high rates of spread on steep wind facing slopes along with sustained backing and active sideways spread.
Road Closures:
- Trout Lake Road at pavement end;
- Road B140 at Potter’s Pond;
- Road B210 and Road P-500.
Evacuations: A level 1 Evacuation (Get Ready) is in effect for residents on Trout Lake Road east of US-26.
COVID-19: Northwest Team 7 Incident Management Team has implemented precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in both fire camp and the surrounding community. These measures include daily temperature screenings, mandatory use of face coverings, social distancing, and implementing more virtual work. Public and firefighter safety are a top priority.
We appreciate the hard work from all of the firefighters. Thank you for your time and attention in this matter,
Javin Dimmick
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs
Branch of Natural Resources
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