Last Update from Central Oregon IMT, June12, 2009 9 am

Prineville Hot Shots on Black Butte

Photo: Luke Rice

This will be the last fire update from the Central Oregon Incident Management Team for the Black Butte II Fire. Future updates will be released from Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center (COIDC). Transition to a local Type 3 Team with Incident Commander John Erwert will occur at 6 pm today.

FIRE UPDATE:
Crews have completed fireline construction and mopped-up all flanks to meet the 300 ft perimetermop-up standard. Yesterday, concentrations of heavy slash 500-600 ft into the interior continued to burn. The heavy lift helicopter was used to cool the pockets of heavy fuels. Crews will continue mopping these areas up today. Excess equipment and supplies will continue to be removed from the line by crews and helicopters.

The acreage remains at 578 with 80% containment. Full containment is expected by 6 pm Sunday at the end of the work shift. Full containment does not mean the fire is completely out. Smoke may continue to be visible from interior fuels burning until a season ending event occurs.

WEATHER: High temperatures are forecasted for today with a high of 78 degrees and a relative humidity down to 36%. Winds are expected to be variable 4-13 mph. Thunderstorms are predicted for this evening into Monday morning. Thunderstorms could become extreme with erratic winds, possible hail, and varied amounts of moisture.

CLOSURE RESTRICTIONS: A new Area and Road Closure will be in effect beginning tomorrow. The Indian Ford Campground will open this morning and several previously closed roads will open on Monday morning. Closed roads will remain posted.

Area Closure: The area closure remains in effect in the vicinity of Black Butte.

Road Closures: Forest Road 11, 14, 1430, 1120, 1126, 165 and 160 will be opened to the public on Monday morning. All other roads within the fire perimeter and area closure will be remain closed.

Trail Closures: Black Butte Trail and a portion of the Metolius-Windigo Trail that passes through the Closure Area remain closed.

For a full description and map of the newest closure, see the link to the Deschutes National Forest Website at www.inciweb.org/Black Butte II

QUICK FACTS:
Acres: 578
Containment: 80%
Location: Black Butte, 8 miles NW of Sisters
Cause: Lightning
Start Date/Time: July 6, 2009, 0118 hrs
Expected Date of Full Containment: July 12, 2009
Total personnel: 382
Crews: 13, Dozers: 0, Engines:8, Helicopters: 2-light 1-heavy lift, Water tenders: 13

80% Contained on July 11, 2009

209 Data at 9 pm July 11, 2009

Acres: 578

Containment: 80%

Expected Containment: July 12, 2009

On July 12, 2009, Central Oregon Incident Management Team will

transfer command of the Black Butte II Fire, July 12, at 6 pm.

After July 12, there will not be additional posts to this blog, The

Picassa web albums will also, not be managed further. Many new

images are available through Sunday, July 12. Be sure to view this

last post to the web albums !

Thank you for your interest.

Central Oregon IMT Public Information Center.

Fire Images Available Online Picasa

FIre Smoldering and Creeping, July 10, 2009

Photo: Alexis West

To view or download images of the Black Butte II Fire,

visit our Picasa album :

http://picasaweb.google.com/blackbutte2fire?feat=email.

Fire Update July 11, 2009 8:00 am

Saturday, July 11, 2009 9 am

FIRE UPDATE:
Crews have made good progress mopping-up hot spots along the fire perimeter. The northeastern, eastern, and southeastern flanks have been mopped-up 300 ft or more into the interior. The northwestern flank will meet the same 300 ft mop-up standard by end of work shift today and majority of the southern flank will meet the standards by Sunday.

The acreage remains at 578 with 50% containment. Full containment is expected by Sunday, 6 pm at the end of the work shift. Full containment does not mean the fire is completely out. Smoke may continue to be visible from interior fuels burning until a season ending event occurs.

Plans to transition from the Central Oregon Incident Management Team to a local Type 3 Team is expected to occur on Sunday at approximately 6 pm. Firefighters from the Type 3 Team will continue to patrol the fire and mop-up any hot spots.

WEATHER: Today’s forecast is for mostly sunny skies with scattered showers from thunderstorms. Temperatures are expected to be near 82 degrees with a relative humidity near 17%. Winds will be variable from the east/northeast 2 – 7 mph.

CLOSURE RESTRICTIONS CONTINUE: The need for the road and area closure is being assessed daily. At this time, the closures remain.

Area Closure: An area closure is in effect in the vicinity of Black Butte.

Road Closures: Forest Road 1120 and Forest Road 11 north of the junction with the Indian Ford Road to the intersection of Road 1126

Campground Closures: Indian Ford Campground is closed but is expected to open Sunday morning.

Trail Closures: Black Butte Trail and a portion of the Metolius-Windigo Trail that passes through the Closure Area.

For a full description and map, see the link to the Deschutes National Forest Website at www.inciweb.org/Black Butte II

Today, a significant number of visitors are expected to attend the Sister’s Quilt Show. The public is asked to be aware of firefighting resources and drive defensively.

QUICK FACTS:
Acres: 578
Containment: 50%
Location: Black Butte, 8 miles NW of Sisters
Cause: Lightning
Start Date/Time: July 6, 2009, 0118 hrs
Expected Date of Full Containment: July 12, 2009
Total personnel: 446
Crews: 16, Dozers: 0, Engines:10, Helicopters: 2-light 1-heavy lift, Water tenders: 8

Evening Update July 10, 2009

E51 on patrol Road 11

photo: Alexis West

Acreage: 578

Containment: 50%

Expected Date of Containment: 7/12/2009

Total Personnel: 446

Resources include: 16 crews, 3 helicopters, 10 engines, 0 dozers, 8 watertenders.

Change of command from Central Oregon IMT Type 2 Team to a Type 3 team

is planned for Sunday, July 12, at 6 pm.

Fire Update July 10, 2009 8:00 am

FIRE BEHAVIOR
Crews continued mop up to 300 feet within the fire perimeter, with removal of hazard trees when necessary for personnel safety. Burnouts were not conducted as planned in most areas of the fire.

The acreage is now totaling 578, an increase by 11 acres with containment at 25%.

Fire managers have announced an expected full containment date of July 12, with demobilization of resources starting today. Crews will continue to patrol for hotspots at night, with day shifts completing mop-up to standards.

WEATHER
Thursday’s thunderstorm activity moved to the east, bypassing the fire area. The gradual warming trend continues, with temperatures expected to be around 5 degrees warmer. There will be a slight decrease in humidity, about 5%. Possible unstable winds from thunderstorms are predicted at a lightening activity level (LAL) of 3. LAL 6 being the most dangerous for firefighting activity.

CLOSURE RESTRICTIONS CONTINUE:

Area Closure: An area closure is in effect in the vicinity of Black Butte.

Road Closures: Forest Road 1120 and Forest Road 11 north of the junction with the Indian Ford Road to the intersection of Road 1126

Campground Closures: Indian Ford Campground is closed.

Trail Closures: Black Butte Trail and a portion of the Metolius-Windigo Trail that passes through the Closure Area.

For a full description and map, see the link to the Deschutes National Forest Website at www.inciweb.org/Black Butte II

As the weekend draws near, the public is reminded to watch for fire traffic and remain diligent with the increased congestion associated with the Sister’s Quilt Show.

QUICK FACTS:
Acres: 578
Containment: 25%
Location: Black Butte, 8 miles NW of Sisters
Cause: Lightning
Start Date/Time: July 6, 2009, 0118 hrs
Expected Date of Full Containment: July 12, 2009
Total personnel: 538
Crews: 19, Dozers: 2, Engines:13, Helicopters: 2-lights 2-heavy lift, Water tenders: 16

Thursday, July 9, 209 Fire Update Facts

QUICK FACTS:
Acres: 578
Containment: 25%
Location: Black Butte, 8 miles NW of Sisters
Cause: Lightning
Start Date/Time: July 6, 2009, 0118 hrs
Expected Date of Full Containment: July 12, 2009
Total personnel: 538
Crews: 19, Dozers: 2, Engines:13, Helicopters: 2-lights 2-heavy lift, Water tenders: 16