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