Brattain Fire continues to grow, now 30,000 acres

/
The Brittan Fire near Paisley, Oregon, has grown to 30,000 acres with no containment. (Image SCOFMP)

The Brittan Fire near Paisley, Oregon, has grown to 30,000 acres with no containment. (Image SCOFMP)

UPDATED with new evacuations as of 10:49 PM, 9/15/2020.

A virtual public meeting is scheduled for 7:00 PM, September 15, 2020, on the Fremont-Winema NF Facebook Page.

Perimeter Fire of the Brattain Fire as of September 14, 2020. Click for larger

PAISLEY, Ore. - Now at 30,000 acres the Brattain Fire continues to grow an a astonishing rate with zero containment. A Type-2 Fire Management Team is transitioning into command of the fire today allowing for more resources to be assigned to the fire.

Yesterday crews conducted firing operations to protect Paisley and surrounding areas. These controlled fires were successful in preparation for the Red Flag Warning for strong, gusty winds and low relative humidity from today.

Erratic winds did hamper control efforts along Oregon Highway 31, causing a temporary road closure and a few spot fires, all of which are under control. ORE31 remains closed between Valley Falls north to Paisley.

Paisley School is closed through Tuesday.

Fire crews will continue to monitor the fire operation areas today and will add additional burns if weather allows. Efforts to secure fire lines and check on residences on the southern portion of the fire will also be a primary focus as the fire grew in this area overnight.

A Red Flag Warning is in effect today until 9:00 PM and a Fire Weather Watch is in place for tomorrow due to strong gusty winds and low relative humidity.

 

EVACUATIONS

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has issued the following evacuation notices:

Level 3 “Go”

  • Highway 31 from Summer Lake Store south to include all of Paisley – from Red House Lane (north of Paisley), continuing south on Highway 31 to Valley Falls/the junction with U.S. Hwy 395.

  • All of Clover Flat Road from the intersection with Hwy 31 (Beachler’s Corner) south to Valley Falls.

  • West of Highway 31 to Forest Road 28.

Level 2 “Get Set”

  • From Summer Lake Store north along Highway 31 to the top of Picture Rock Pass.

Level 1 “Get Ready”

  • Abert Lake area southeast on 395, south on Highway 31 to Chandler State Park approximately 5 miles south of Valley Falls.

The Brattain Fire is active on both the north and south ends due to erratic winds.  If you don’t need to be in the area, please leave now. ORE31 is open, but be prepared for traffic congestion, delays and increased fire traffic.  Please use caution driving in the area.

The Red Cross has an evacuation area at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeview (1900 North 4th St.).  There will be fire information there as well. 

 

PLANNED ACTIONS

The East flank containment lines are holding and will be further secured, as well as finding opportunities to secure the South flank and do some indirect construction on the Northern flanks.

 

PROJECTED INCIDENT ACTIVITY

  • 12 hours: The fire has been wind driven in a westerly direction and has crossed the Chewaucan River, Forest Road 33, and is into the old burn scar from the August 2018 Watson Creek Fire (#360). Monitor the conditions and status for the remainder of tonight

  • 24 hours: Moderate to High Potential for continued growth.Due to weather patterns, moderate to high difficulty with terrain, availability of resources, and limited access to the incident location it consumed an additional 2,000 acres today.

  • 48 hours: With forecasted wind patterns and difficult terrain, concern remains that this fire could further impact the community of Paisley, Oregon

  • 72 hours: Not fully defined at this time

 

CURRENT WEATHER

Red Flag conditions are expected Sunday and Monday due to very low humidity and strong gusty Southwest winds. Unstable atmosphere and haines of 6 will lead to potential column development and plume dominate fire behavior.

 

SAFETY

For those in the evacuation area, it is anticipated there will be congestion on ORE31, fire traffic and temporary loss of power.  Please use caution leaving the area.

 

CLOSURES

The Fremont-Winema National Forest issued emergency fire closure order 06-02-03-20-02 for the area east and south of Forest Road 28 and Forest Road 3315, also known as the High Road.  Both roads remain open. 

Forest Road 33 is closed at the Forest Boundary south of Paisley to the junction with Forest Road 28. 

Forest Road 3510, which makes the southern edge of the closure area is closed, as is Forest Road 3510-018 from Clover Flat Road to the Forest Boundary. 

All recreation sites within the closure area are closed, including Marster Spring and Chewaucan Crossing Campgrounds, Jones Crossing Forest Camp, Moss Meadow Horse Camp, Moss Pass Trailhead and Campground, Hanan/Coffeepot Trailhead and the Fremont National Recreation Trail. 

Brattain Fire Details

Cause:
Human

Size:
30,000 acres

Containment:
0%

Location:
10 Miles south of Paisley, Oregon

Resources:
264 Personnel

Klamath Falls News coverage of the 2020 Wildfire Season is brought to you by Ace Towing.

We are currently looking for additional sponsors for coverage of the 2020 Fire Season. Would your business like to sponsor Klamath Falls News / Cascade Firewatch coverage of the 2020 Wildfire Season? Visit klamathfallsnews.org/current-opportunities or send us a note at sales@klamathfallsnews for more information.