Lionshead Fire update for Thursday, Oct. 1

REDMOND, Ore. – A considerable amount of smoke was visible around the northeast corner of the fire yesterday as warmer temperatures dried out fuels, leading to more active burning of the interior.

“There are green islands within the established fire perimeter, with abundant dry fuels,” fire behavior analyst Dean Warner said. “We can expect to see this type of activity west across to the Cascade Crest in the coming days.”

All burning took place at least a thousand feet in from the perimeter and there was no risk of the fire escaping containment.

Wednesday afternoon, Marion County Sheriff’s Office modified evacuation levels in several areas. Breitenbush Hot Springs remains at Level 3 – “Go!” Detroit, Idanha, Hwy. 22 east of Detroit Dam to milepost 56, and Opal Creek Wilderness/Jawbone Flats are at Level 2 – “Be Set.” Elkhorn, Gates east of Gates Hill Road, and Hwy. 22 from Gates Hill Road east to Detroit Dam are at Level 1 – “Ready.”

Crews continue to complete direct and indirect line around the southwest corner, as well as mopping up a number of hot spots. Hot spots are small pockets of coals or smoldering logs or stumps that are identified by smoke, placing a hand near it, or – in some cases through infrared mapping of an area.

In addition to bucket work to aid suppression work around the west/southwest boundary, aviation will coordinate a powerline reconnaissance flight with Pacific Gas and Electric as well as ongoing Civil Air Patrol flights.

All around the 328-mile fire boundary, chipping, removal of heavy equipment and suppression repair work are ongoing. On the interior, the structural group at Stahlman Cabins is also removing equipment and beginning repair.

Approximately 200 Canadian fire personnel will finish their assignment to the Lionshead Fire in the coming days. They worked with their American counterparts at every level, from hand crews cutting line to incident command staff. Pacific Northwest Team 13 would like to thank them for their invaluable assistance.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Temperatures today will be slightly higher, reaching the low to mid 80s below 5,000 feet in elevation. This weekend is expected to be slightly cooler, as a west wind moves in, bringing cool, moist air with it.

Safety: Oregon's largest hunting season begins Saturday, Oct. 3, with general season hunting in Western Oregon and controlled deer hunting in Eastern Oregon. This may result in increased traffic in some areas, as area closures have reduced available hunting options.

Closures and Evacuations: Residents of Linn County can find up to date information at www.LinnSheriff.org. All closures on federal lands remain in effect. This includes a 40-mile section of the Pacific Crest Trail between Santiam Pass and Olallie Lake. Closure orders and maps can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049/

For those traveling to and from the Detroit area please read the Marion County Sheriff and ODOT update to pilot car times and road block locations: 

“New pilot car added to OR 22E schedule starting October 1, 2020:

Starting on Thursday, October 1, the Oregon Department of Transportation is adding a new pilot car to  the schedule to allow residents to get back into the Santiam Canyon later in the day.  The new pilot car will run at 6 p.m. from Gates to Detroit/Idanha.  The new pilot car schedule is:

7:30 a.m. Detroit to Gates
9 a.m. Gates to Detroit
11 a.m. Detroit to Gates
1 p.m. Gates to Detroit
5 p.m. Detroit to Gates
6 p.m. Gates to Detroit

ODOT is also moving one of the road blocks from milepoint 50.5 to approximately 46.7 to allow for access into Mongold State Park for bathroom and other facilities starting at 7 p.m. on Thursday.  

We will also be using the state park to stage those folks wanting to get into the pilot car line. ODOT continues to use pilot cars in the Santiam Canyon to safety move residents through numerous work zones where hazard trees are being removed. “

 

Suppression repair on a wildfire is completed to reduce the impacts that crews and equipment made during firefighting operations. These efforts reduce potential soil erosion and repair damage to infrastructure. On the #LionsheadFire, this repair of suppression efforts are already underway in areas where containment has been achieved. 

Weather events, particularly rain, can cause surface soils to slide down hills, into gullies and streams. The potential for severe soil erosion is a consequence of wildfire because it burns and removes plant material, including root systems, and the litter layer, which naturally slows water movement. Different actions of suppression repair are underway on the fire.

Chipping debris and branches: Chipping the debris that was cut during line construction can spread out the piles of fuel created during line building operations. Once it is spread, it can minimize erosion by creating a layer of debris to help catch or slow water runoff (see photos below of Chipping near Detroit).

Water Bars: Crews create water bars along fire lines, which are a diagonal channel dug across the road that diverts surface water (that would otherwise flow down the whole length of the road) off the road and into a stable drain way. These are particularly useful on steep slopes that are more susceptible to soil erosion.Berms & Slash: Firelines, especially dozer lines, can create berms of soil and vegetation on the sides of where the dozer cleared. Crews are working to pull the berms back into place, spread them within the line, and then fill the lines with the slash (or cut brush and limbs). This helps prevent the fire lines from becoming new paths for water to flow and accumulate. The slash helps protect new grass and shrub growth that may follow with rains.

Crews continue to work hard to both suppress the rest of the Lionshead Fire and lessen its impact on the land long term.

 
 
 

Lionshead Fire update for Wednesday, Sept. 30

REDMOND, Ore. – Work on the fire is progressing rapidly, with large sections of containment line nearing completion and other areas shifting to patrol and monitor status.

“It was warmer today and there was more smoke in the air, but things are holding and looking really good,” John Spencer, operations chief trainee, said Tuesday evening. “On the southwest corner, we’re going to see a lot more black line soon. Water support is really helping with that.”

Crews will continue building direct and indirect line in the Cooper’s Ridge area for the next several days. The structural group in Idanha shifted to patrol and mopup status Tuesday, the south central section of the fire will shift to patrol status today, and work has begun to rehabilitate line and remove heavy equipment around Stahlman cabins.

Fallers will begin cutting hazard trees along the Hwy. 46 corridor today, and heavy equipment is being brought in to speed up the process. Direct and indirect handline around Cooper’s Ridge to the south and the finger to the north should be completed in the next few days. Chipping of brush and hazard trees will continue at various points around the fire boundary for the next week to 10 days.

Fire managers have received suppression repair and mopup standards from the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs and Forest Service and will use those to guide their work as the suppression effort draws to a close. These standards outline the type and extent of work to be done before the fire is returned to local control.

Depending on the terrain and fuels, completed containment lines can be a combination of dozer line, hand line, back burn or burnout, and measure 100 to 200 feet deep. Repair work consists of pushing surface material that was removed by hand or with heavy equipment back into place or position it to prevent erosion. Later, Burned Area Emergency Response will continue this work using a variety of means tailored to the many different areas and conditions within the burn zone.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Temperatures will be in the high 70s to low 80s below 5,000 feet elevation with light upslope winds through Friday. Some smoke may visible in the interior of the fire as lighter fuels dry out and are consumed.

Closures and Evacuations: Evacuation levels around Detroit, Idanha, and the Elkhorn community along North Fork Road are at Level 2 – “Be Set.” Due to the remaining hazards in the cities of Detroit and Idanha, plus lack of basic services, non-residents should avoid travel in the area. Breitenbush Hot Springs remains at a Level 3 – “Go!” Marion County Sheriff’s Office continues to coordinate an enhanced presence around these communities. Residents of Linn County can find up to date information at www.LinnSheriff.org.

The Warm Springs Reservation is closed to non-tribal members. The general public should avoid crossing reservation boundaries to view fire damage or for any other purpose.   

Lionshead Fire update for Tuesday, Sept. 29

REDMOND, Ore. – Although the containment percentage has not changed for several days, crews are working hard at mop-up, cold trailing and connecting segments of contained line around the southwest, west and northwest perimeter.

“We got a lot of good work done today and we’re seeing great progress,” John Spencer, operations chief trainee, reported Monday. “We should be moving a lot of area to patrol status in the next two or three days.”

Mop-up is extinguishing or removing burning material along or near a control line, felling snags, or moving logs so they won't roll downhill. Cold trailing is when firefighters feel the edge of a burning area with the hand and dig out or trench around burning spots.

Today, a roads group will begin removing hazard trees along the 46 corridor between Detroit and Breitenbush. Fire managers are still developing a hazard removal strategy for Hwy. 22 to ensure safe public access. On the southwest corner, crews are reinforcing line and linking segments of containment line in the Cooper’s Ridge area.

Aviation was able to provide full support Monday, including water drops, Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) and Resource Advisor (READ) reconnaissance, as well as coordinating with other aviation needs, including Civil Air Patrol flights for FEMA assessments.

Coordinating continues with fire managers on the Riverside Fire to establish contingency lines to the north and along the power line corridor. Crews are chipping around the “finger” on the west/northwest side of the fire as well as along the eastern and southeastern flanks.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Temperatures will rise into the high 70s and low 80s at elevations below 5,000 feet today, which will begin drying out fuels that received less moisture during the recent rains. A shift in wind direction should push any active fire upslope and toward the interior.

Safety: Oregon is experiencing an increase in cases of COVID-19. Emergency responders and residents can protect themselves and others by socially distancing, wearing masks, washing hands and using hand sanitizer.

Closures and Evacuations: Evacuation levels around Detroit, Idanha, and the Elkhorn community along North Fork Road are at Level 2 – “Be Set.” Due to the remaining hazards in the cities of Detroit and Idanha, plus lack of basic services, non-residents should avoid travel to this area. Marion County Sheriff’s Office continues to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to maintain an enhanced presence in the Detroit and Idanha areas as residents return to the area. Residents of Linn County can find up to date information at www.LinnSheriff.org.

The Warm Springs Reservation is closed to non-tribal members. The general public should avoid crossing reservation boundaries to view fire damage or for any other purpose.

Lionshead Fire update for Monday, Sept. 28

REDMOND, Ore. – Fire crews are completing more containment line each day and looking for ways to attack the fire more directly where conditions allow. Pacific Northwest Team 13 under Incident Commander Brian Gales has assumed management of the fire.

Structural protection crews have shifted to patrol and chipping operations in Detroit and Idanha, as well as gathering the miles of hose used during the suppression effort.

Today, wind speeds of 20-25 miles per hour are expected, with gusts of 30 to 35. This will increase fire activity, primarily consuming fuels in the interior, particularly in open areas. Crews are strategically positioned to address flareups and spot fires.

Fire managers are developing hazard tree removal plans for Hwy. 22 to ensure safe public access, and for the 46 corridor to provide crews safe entry for mopup. On the southwest corner of the fire, crews have removed hazard trees in the Stahlman Cabin area.  The eastern boundary of the fire is now in patrol status, with crews focusing on line rehabilitation and chipping. Aviation was able to provide water support with a sky crane Sunday and will continue doing so today.

Fire managers are coordinating with their counterparts on the Riverside Fire to establish contingency lines to the north and along the power line corridor. Firefighters expect to complete more line along the southern boundary in the coming days and begin mop up work in those areas.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Temperatures will rise into the low 80s Tuesday, with lighter winds changing from the east/southeast to a more southeastern alignment.

Closures and Evacuations: Evacuation levels around Detroit, Idanha, and the Elkhorn community along North Fork Road are at Level 2 – “Be Set.” Due to the remaining hazards in the cities of Detroit and Idanha, plus lack of basic services, non-residents should avoid travel to this area. Marion County Sheriff’s Office continues to coordinate with other law enforcement agencies to maintain an enhanced presence in the Detroit and Idanha areas as residents return to the area.

Community members who reside in Linn County may find up to date information at www.LinnSheriff.org. There are no longer any evacuation notices for the Sidwalter/Miller Flats area in Jefferson County.

Roads and trails near the fire remain closed for public safety. The 12 Road and the 46 Road will remain closed to the public for the near future. This includes roads and trails on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Spring lands adjacent to the fire and the Pacific Crest Trail in the Deschutes National Forest. The Willamette National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and State lands around the fire remain closed to the public. More information about closures can be found on the Lionshead Fire page at InciWeb.gov

The #LionsheadFire burned all the way to the shore of Detroit Lake and into Detroit Flats. Out of the ashes and charred soil, green grass is already emerging through the black. The land is healing and starting the road to recovery, just as the resilient communities of the Santiam Canyon will too.

#mthoodnf #deschutesnf #willamettenf #detroitstrong

Lionshead Fire Update – Sunday, September 27, 2020 - 10 a.m.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/LionsheadFire

Lionshead YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHSR6_yJRQkHyGjvvqX99gw

Residents of Detroit and Idanha returned home yesterday for the first time since they were evacuated from the #LionsheadFire and #BeachieCreekFire. Residents were escorted into the area to view the aftermath and assess damage. We realize returning home after a wildfire can be difficult, especially the emotional toll it takes. The extent of property damage was unknown to many homeowners. Residents, local government, and first responders worked in solidarity to support one another as they were able to survey the damage throughout the community and begin the process of rebuilding.
 

We want to thank everyone for their cooperation with this effort. We wish to especially send our heartfelt condolences for those who have been personally affected by these fires. Thank you all for the strength and courage you have shown. We are stronger together.
#detroitstrong #dechutesnf #mthoodnf #willamettenf