Final Update - 7/6/2013 5:30 pm MDT

The Owyhee Fire remains at 46,559 acres and 95% containment. The High Desert Type 3 team will assume command of the Owyhee Fire tomorrow morning (July 7th) at 0600 and PNW Team 2 will head home.

This will be the final update for this site. For additional information, you can contact the Vale District of the Bureau of Land Management at 541-473-3144.

^MARH

Fire Update - 7/6/13 Mid Day

The acreage of the Owyhee Fire has increased to 46,559 acres due to more accurate mapping. 

Additionally, the Owyhee State Park is now open. Electricity is available, but there is no potable water at this time.

 ^NCH

Fire Update - 7/6/2013 9:00 am MDT

Fire	Acres	% Contained	Total Personnel
Owyhee	46,501	95	247

News & Highlights for the Owyhee Fire:

• This is the final update provided for the Owyhee Fire. Please contact the Vale District of the Bureau of Land Management for additional information at 541-473-3144.
• The High Desert Type 3 Team (Dave Toney) is shadowing with Pacific Northwest Team 2 (Chris Schulte) today.  The High Desert Team will assume management of the Owyhee Fire on Sunday, July 7 at 6:00 a.m.
• Please continue to use extra caution when driving on the Owyhee Lake Road due to the increased recreation and fire suppression-related traffic
• The Owyhee Lake Road and public boat ramp is open. Owyhee State Park remains closed except for primitive camping. No electricity is available. For information call Lake Owyhee State Park, 541-339-2331
• Public Use Restrictions for the Vale District Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Vale and Baker Project Lands for the Bureau of Reclamation are in effect. Please contact the Vale District BLM for further information
• Continued coordination as needed with Rangeland Fire Protection Association
• Heavy demobilization of resources today

Owhyee Fire Operations Summary:

Last evening was the last night operations shift. Firefighters continue with mop up, patrol and fire suppression rehabilitation efforts and are prepared to respond to any new starts. The threat of thunderstorm activity and associated winds in the fire area remains low.

FIRE FACTS:  

Owyhee Fire: Started:  July 1, 2013 Cause: lightning Location: Vale, OR in Malheur County

Resources:   A total of 247 personnel assigned to the fire, including 6 hotshot crews, 3 helicopters, 14 engines, and 6 dozers, and 3 water tenders.

SAFETY CONCERNS:  Rattlesnakes, ticks, mosquitos, bee stings.

RESOURCE CONCERNS: The Wild Horse and Honeycomb Wilderness Study Areas, the Owyhee Views Area of Critical Environmental Concern, sage grouse and wild horse habitat.

WEATHER FORECAST: A few high clouds but no storms expected. Max temps 89-92 degrees with minimum Rh 10-13%. Winds NW 5-8 mph with gusts 12-15 mph.  Tonight, mostly clear and cooler with minimum temps 57-60 degrees and maximum Rh 45-55%. Outlook Sunday through Wednesday: Temperatures will remain above normal with increased SW wind flow over the ridges.  Extended forecast: Warming conditions with increasing SW flow for a chance of thunderstorms.

TODAY’S EXPECTED FIRE BEHAVIOR: Any spot fires or new starts will have potentially rapid rates of spread, reacting quickly to wind speeds and direction.

COOPERATING AGENCIES & PARTNERS: Vale District Bureau of Land Management, Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Owyhee State Park.

^MARH

Quick Update - 7/5/2013 9:00 pm MDT

• Acres: 46,501
• Containment: 95%
• Resources: 1 Hotshot Crew, 3 Helicopters, 15 Engines, 6 dozers, 3 watertenders, and 247 total personnel.

PNW Team 2 will transfer command of the fire to the High Desert Type 3 team at 0600 on July 7.

Although there were some reconaissance flights today, aircraft did not need to drop any water or retardant on the fire area as crews have the fire well-secured.

^MARH

Owyhee Fire - Helicopter on burnout operations

^MARH

Owyhee Fire Retardant Drop Video

^MARH

Fire Update - 7/5/2013 8:00 am MDT

Fire	Acres	% Contained	Total Personnel
Owyhee	46,249	85	321

News & Highlights for the Owyhee Fire:

Ø  A camp crew member was treated for heat exhaustion yesterday. Heat related illness continues to be a primary safety concern due to the high temperatures

Ø  Please continue to use extra caution when driving on the Owyhee Lake Road due to the increased recreation and fire suppression-related traffic

Ø  The Owyhee Lake Road and public boat ramp is open. Owyhee State Park remains closed except for primitive camping. No electricity is available

Ø  Public Use Restrictions for the Vale District Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and Vale and Baker Project Lands for the Bureau of Reclamation are in effect. Please contact the Vale District BLM for further information

Ø  Continued coordination as needed with Rangeland Fire Protection Association

Ø  Resources are beginning to demobilize as suppression objectives are met

Owhyee Fire Operations Summary:

Last evening, the fire was quiet on all divisions. Firefighters continue to make very good progress with suppression efforts. All fire containment lines have been constructed and crews are either mopping up or starting to implement fire suppression rehabilitation. Firefighters will also respond to any new starts in the area, although threat of thunderstorms is currently low.  An air attack resource will provide reconnaissance of the fire area.

FIRE FACTS:  

Owyhee Fire: Started:  July 1, 2014  Cause: lightning Location: Vale, OR in Malheur County

Resources:   A total of 321 personnel assigned to the fire, including 6 hotshot crews, 7 helicopters, 24 engines, and 8 dozers, two heavy helicopters, three water tenders, three single engine air tankers as needed and one air attack.

SAFETY CONCERNS:  Rugged terrain makes driving dangerous and access difficult, continued hot and dry weather and heat related illnesses, power lines in fire area, cumulative fatigue, increased holiday traffic.

RESOURCE CONCERNS: The Wild Horse and Honeycomb Wilderness Study Areas, the Owyhee Views Area of Environmental Concern, sage grouse and wild horse habitat.

WEATHER FORECAST: Thunderstorm activity is starting to diminish with cooler and drier air over the fire area. Today’s weather is mostly sunny and a little cooler, but still above normal.  Max temps 86-92 degrees and minimum relative humidity is 10-15%. Tonight, mostly clear and cooler with minimum temps 58-63 degrees and max RH 40-45%. 

TODAY’S EXPECTED FIRE BEHAVIOR: Continued above normal temperatures, low humidity and at times breezy conditions can lead to rapid fire spread. Any spot fires or new starts will rapidly spread, reacting quickly to wind speeds and direction.

COOPERATING AGENCIES & PARTNERS: Vale District Bureau of Land Management, Malheur County Sheriff’s Office, Lake Owyhee State Park.

^MARH