08/25/08 Sisters
 
As of Monday 10am:
 
Containment: 85% Acres: 1,973 Cost: $4,100,000
 
The control lines passed additional testing on the Summit Springs Complex Sunday due to continuing warm, dry weather, followed by increasing winds late in the afternoon. This testing substantially increased fire manager’s confidence that Team 3 firefighters will attain their 300-foot objective around all three fires, and be able to successfully turn the Complex over to the transition team Monday.
 
With the fire beginning to wind down, crews are starting to demobilize from the fire. "I appreciate the professionalism and hard work of the Team, as well as their cooperation with local agencies and collaborators. I also am thankful for everyone being so safety-conscious and the excellent safety record on the incident" stated Incident Commander Nancy Hirsch.
 
A local Type 3 Team will begin shadowing Incident Command Team 3 beginning at 5:30 am, and assume full command at 1 pm on Monday, August 25, 2008. The Type 3 Team will have approximately 170 firefighters. They will focus their efforts on continuing to patrol fire lines, completing mop-up and aiding in resource restoration activities.
 
The closure for Lower Bridge Campground, the river trails and the Road 14 bridge at the Metolius River will be lifted today (Monday). However, the 1490 road and all roads above the Green Ridge Fire will remain closed. The Incident Management Team thanks the public for cooperating with these road closures.
As of Friday 11am:
 
Estimated Date of Containment:  Monday September 01st, 2008 aprox 12:00 AM
Acres:  1,926
 
Active fire behavior anticipated with significant winds. Mop-up initiated on Green Ridge Fire and progressing on Stevens Canyon Fire. Strengthen dozer lines and establish hose lay on east side of Summit Springs.
 
Continue mop-up on Green Ridge Fire to 100 feet and 150 feet on Stevens Canyon. Improve lines on Summit Springs and continue establishing hose lay.
 
Growth potential on Green Ridge Fire is high due to terrain, current wind conditions, and the predicted increases in temperature and lower humidity. Growth potential on Summit Springs Fire (1783 acres) is high due to current wind conditions. Stevens Canyon Fire (173 acres) is lined and currently in mop-up. Demob to be determined.

As of 4pm Thursday:
 
Cause:  Lightning
Acres:  1,926
Containment:  25%
Cost:  $1,200,000

Growth potential in Green Ridge Fire is high due to terrain and the potential for more seasonal weather conditions returning. Growth potential on the Summit Ridge Fire is high due to current wind conditions. Demob to be determined.

Wind gusts of up to 50 mph complicated efforts of firefighters working on the Summit Springs Complex on Wednesday afternoon. The wind-driven fire pushed beyond the eastern and northeastern lines around the Summit Springs Fire, in spite of the cool temperatures and high relative humidity. Scattered rain fell throughout the area, but no precipitation reached the fires. Multiple air tankers responded with numerous retardant drops in an effort to slow the advance of the fire.
 
 
Containment lines on the other two fires in the complex, the Green Ridge Fire and the Stevens Canyon Fire, withstood the increased wind. By days end, crews working in very steep terrain were able to complete a line around the Green Ridge Fire. The fire is located in the north Metolius basin, where several hiking trails and the Lower Bridge Campground remain closed in order to ensure public safety and aid suppression efforts.
 
The firefighters continued aggressively strengthening lines on the Stevens Canyon Fire. A wider perimeter line has been established and firefighters felt fortunate that this fire didn’t also push the containment lines.
 
A repeat of Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s windy conditions is forecast for today. With the Green Ridge and Stevens Canyon fires holding in place, increased firefighting resources will be directed to the eastern flank of the Summit Springs Fire. Weather permitting, air tankers will be out early in the day dropping retardant in support of the ground forces to prevent a potential repeat of yesterday’s fire advance.
 
 
Firefighters also will continue to watch for potential hot spots and flare-ups, as well as pursuing small hold-over fires that are just now being revealed by the increased winds.
 
As of 10am Wednesday:
 
Firefighters made progress on the Summit Springs Complex on Tuesday, despite an afternoon increase in winds that caused problems on the largest of the fires, the Summit Springs Fire. Air tankers and helicopters provided critically important support, dropping retardant and water throughout the afternoon. Firefighters on the ground worked to strengthen fire lines on three sides and re-establish the east-side line as winds subsided.
 
 
Limited growth was observed yesterday on the Stevens Canyon Fire, despite the wind conditions. Firefighters were able to complete fire lines on 100% of the fire perimeter. Crews will be working today to strengthen and improve those lines.
 
 
The Green Ridge Fire, the northern most fire in the complex, is burning in very steep terrain and received multiple water drops throughout the day. On Wednesday, hand crews will continue building line around the fire, supported by water drops.
 
In addition to constructing line, fire crews on the ground were kept occupied controlling four new lightning holdover starts that surfaced during the period of increased winds. These ranged in size from one to eleven acres and were located in the vicinity of existing fires.
 
Continuing moderate temperatures and a high relative humidity are forecast for Wednesday. Winds are expected to increase slightly over conditions experienced yesterday, with moderate gusts. Throughout the complex, team members are continuing to watch for potential hot spots and flare-ups.
 
The Incident Management Team requests the public’s cooperation by observing the closure order in the Metoloius Basin area. Several trails and the Lower Bridge Campground remain closed in order to ensure public safety and aid suppression efforts.
 
As of 10am Tuesday:
 
Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of a complex of five wildfires burning on state-protected private land and federal forestlands on Monday afternoon. The fires, known as the Summit Springs Complex, range in size from a few trees to over 1200 acres. The fires are located over a large area between 10 and 20 miles north of Sisters Oregon.
 
First reported on Sunday evening after a series of lightning storms moved through the Central Oregon area, the fires are burning through a variety of timber types and grasslands. Resource management agencies are continuing to respond to numerous other small fires that could later be added to the complex.
 
The Summit Springs Fire is 100% lined and the Stevens Canyon Fire is 50% lined. The Green Ridge Fire is burning in steep, inaccessible terrain and will require extensive helicopter support today. The Black Butte Fire is less than an acre and not expected to grow any larger.
 
Favorable weather conditions forecast for Tuesday are expected to help firefighters establish and strengthen containment lines. Temperatures are expected to remain moderate with a high relative humidity throughout the day. Winds will remain moderate in the morning, expecting to pick up in the afternoon, presenting firefighters with challenges as fuels begin drying.
 
The Incident Management Team has established an Incident Command Post in Sisters. Current priorities include ensuring firefighter and public safety, acquiring adequate resources to manage the complex, and assessing strategy options for suppression efforts.   For the latest information on this fire you can also check: http://www.inciweb.org/