NIAGARA FIRE UPDATE, WEDNESDAY, JULY 8, 2015
July 8, 2015
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News Release from Oregon Dept. of Forestry – Posted on FlashAlert: July 8th, 2015 8:54 AM
July 8, 2015 8:00 a.m.
Niagara Fire Update
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
This will be the last release unless there are significant changes
Oregon Department of Forestry
North Cascades District, Santiam Unit
Blake Ellis, Incident Commander
Fire Information: Note change to (503) 859-2151, Santiam Unit Office http://wildfireoregondeptofforestry.blogspot.com/
Fire at a glance:
Size: 79 acres, 55% contained
Location: Adjacent to Big Cliff Dam on Highway 22
Personnel: 180
Aircraft: One helicopter
Weather: warm and dry today
The goal now is to keep the Niagara Fire within its established containment line and work towards control. Containment is currently 55%. There has been no increase in the fire size in the last 24 hours but due to more accurate mapping with GPS its size is now 79 acres.
Mop up, the final extinguishment of the fire, is now in full swing. Infrared (heat seeing) cameras were used Tuesday night to check the perimeter and few areas with remaining heat were found within 35 feet of the fireline. Fire hose has been laid on about 85% of the fireline that will supply firefighters with water to speed their work. Higher relative humidities will also help put out the smaller embers as they are dug up and exposed to the slightly cooler, moist air. Ensuring that this fire will not re-ignite was explained this way by Blake Ellis, Incident Commander “I don’t want anything popping up after the crews are sent home”.
With improved containment, crews will be released to rest or to other fire assignments. The number of personnel assigned to the Niagara Fire is expected to be about 160 tomorrow, July 9, 2015.
There are no road or recreational closures associated with the fire at this time.
The Niagara Fire was first reported July 4, 2015 and is located adjacent to the Big Cliff Dam along Highway 22. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire restrictions are in effect on the Willamette National Forest and state and private forests, http://www.oregon.gov/odf/pages/fire/precautionlevelmap.aspx.
Cooperators include: Willamette National Forest, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon Department of Transportation, Bonneville Power Administration, Detroit-Idahna Fire District, Gates Fire Department, Lyons Fire Department, and Oregon Department of Corrections
