Shadow Lake Fire Update, 09/18/2011 #ORfire

Date: September 18, 2011 McKenzie River Ranger District (541) 822-3381

Shadow Lake Fire Idles as Rehabilitation Continues

Sisters, Oregon – On Sunday, the Shadow Lake Fire is expected to continue to smolder and produce minimal smoke. Cool weather is predicted with a chance of drizzle. Fire behavior potential may increase this week as it gets warmer and fuels dry after this cooler, damp period ends.

Sunday’s objectives in the operational plan call for continuation of hazard tree removal, chipping of fire debris and spot fire patrol along the north, west and east perimeter of the fire. Additionally, firefighters are continuing rehabilitation work on areas altered as a result of suppression activities. The objective of rehabilitation is to return altered areas to pre-fire conditions as much as possible. From day one, the number one objective in suppressing this fire has been, and remains, firefighter and public safety.

The transfer of command of the Shadow Lake Fire from the National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Team to a Type 3 Incident Management Team took place at 6:00 a.m. today. The Shadow Lake Fire remains at approximately 10,000 acres with 40% containment. Assigned personnel have been reduced to 263. If there is significant fire activity or changes in closures, it will be posted on Inciweb at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2550,

Fire information phone numbers have changed. On Sunday, September 18, contact McKenzie River Ranger District (541) 822-3381. On Monday, September 20 and thereafter, both McKenzie River Ranger District and Sisters Ranger District (541) 549-7700 may be contacted for Shadow Lake Fire information.

Shadow Lake Fire: Final Update, 09/17/2011 #ORfire

This is our last update for the Shadow Lake Fire. Management of the fire has been handed over to a Type 3 team who will have it until it’s ready for patrol only. Thank you for participating.

Shadow Lake Fire Closure Area Map, 09/17/2011 #ORfire

Shadow Lake Fire Update; Map, 9/17/2011 #ORfire

Shadow Lake Fire Update for 9/17/2011 #ORfire

Full Information Release is available in PDF form here.

US Forest Service
Deschutes and Williamette National Forests

Date: September 17, 2011                                               Contact:  Shadow Lake Fire Information (541)822-8459

Shadow Lake Fire Update

Safety is Priority Number One In Burned Areas 

Sisters, Oregon -  Fire officials remind forest users that when burned portions of the Shadow Lake Fire closure area reopen to the public next spring, there will still be hazards in these areas. Visitors are asked to be aware of the possible danger and use good safety practices.  The fire has produced aerial and ground level risks in the form of burned out stumps, (“stump holes”), uneven ground, and dead trees (snags) which could fall.  The safety message is this: “look up, look down and look all around” to identify danger and stay safe.  Practice safety with every visit into burned areas.

Fire Behavior Specialist Todd Rankin said Thursday afternoon that “there is nothing significant in the seven to ten day outlook that will increase fire behavior substantially.”  Next week, however, as temperatures and wind increase and humidity decreases, smoldering logs will burn more vigorously and unburned pockets of fuel in the interior of the fire may ignite.  Expect slightly more smoke in either the Sisters area or the Willamette Valley, depending on wind direction.  Residents should expect to see smoke in the fire area until significant amounts of rain or snow fall.

Fire line construction has been completed and suppression objectives have been largely achieved with rehabilitation work well under way.  Much more work remains, but a smaller team can now manage the fire and finish the job.   As a result, plans are in place to transition command of the fire from the National Incident Management Organization (NIMO) Team, to a Type 3 Incident Management Team.  The Type 3 Team operates with the same functions as the NIMO team but on a less complex level and with fewer assigned personnel.   Transfer of command takes place at 6 o’clock Sunday morning.   Incident personnel have been reduced from a maximum of over 700 to 350.

The Shadow Lake Fire remains at approximately 10,000 acres with 40% containment.  After today, information will no longer be posted on the web, although if there is a significant fire activity or changes in closures, it will be posted on Inciweb at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2550.

Shadow Lake Fire Update; Map, 9/16/2011 #ORfire

Shadow Lake Fire Update for 9/16/2011 #ORfire

Full Information Release is available in PDF form here.

US Forest Service

Deschutes and Williamette National Forests

Date: September 16, 2011, 9:00am                              Contact:  (541) 822-8459

Firefighters Take Advantage of Cool, Damp Weather;

Warmer, Drier Conditions Return Next Week

Firefighters are taking advantage of a brief cool and damp period to finish mop-up activities on much of the fire perimeter and continue rehabilitation work on fire line, roads and trails.   Fire spread has been checked by hard work and weather.  The fire has not grown in size over the last four days and remains at ten thousand acres with forty percent contained.

Minimal smoke will continue to affect the Sisters area as smoldering logs and pockets of remaining heavy fuels continue to be consumed as they are exposed to winds blowing from the west and northwest.  Although cool, moist air has slowed the fire dramatically it is not a pattern that will end fire season.   Fire activity and smoke are expected to increase next week as temperatures rise and humidity returns to season normal.  Fire Behavior Specialist Todd Rankin expects occasional smoke from the Shadow Lake Fire to “continue until the snow flies.”

Some equipment and personnel have been demobilized from the fire as suppression objectives are completed and the firefighting force is “right-sized.”   Forty percent of fire personnel have been released as of today.  Additionally, firefighters and equipment are being relocated along much of the north and northeast fire line to concentrate on mop up, rehabilitation and patrol.  Contingency fire lines and hose lays will be completed on the west end of the fire on Friday and will be ready should they be needed.

Hazardous trees in danger of falling, are being removed as a safety measure along much of the fire line and near the Big Lake Youth Camp and Big Lake Camp Grounds.   Firefighters have finished rehabilitation of affected portions of the Patjens Lakes Trail east of Big Lake.

More information is available at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2550, http://orfireinfo.net, or www.facebook.com/oregonfireinfo.