Cooler temps and higher humidities help Brattain Fire

Cooler temperatures and higher humidities allowed fire crews on the Brattain Fire near Paisley, Oregon to afford more aggressive fire fighting techniques.. (Image, Kurt Stetzer, USFS)

Cooler temperatures and higher humidities allowed fire crews on the Brattain Fire near Paisley, Oregon to afford more aggressive fire fighting techniques.. (Image, Kurt Stetzer, USFS)

PAISLEY, Ore. - After five consecutive days of Red Flag conditions on the 47,243 acre Brattain Fire, a frontal passage brought erratic winds, but cooler temperatures and increased humidity. No precipitation was received but crews were able to stop the forward progression of the fire in the northwest and southeast corners last night.

This was accomplished with the support of eight helicopters.

Fire crews finished mopping up along the northeast quadrant of the fire; all resources were moved to other priority areas.

Additional crews and heavy equipment continued to widen & strengthen lines, lay hose in the south, and suppress a few hot spot fires near Clover Flat Road.

A local timber company constructed a contingency line tying into the Ben Young burn scar. Fire crews will continue to look for hot spots and continue mop-up operations. 

Containment is now at 44%.

A virtual community meeting will be live tonight, Saturday, September 19th at 7 pm on the Fremont-Winema National Forest Facebook page or on KPAI 103.1 FM. 

A fire team performs fuel reduction on the Brattain Fire (Photo, USFS)

PLANNED ACTIONS

Fire crews will patrol along the east side of the fire. Access roads will be open to allow for resource advisors to assess rehabilitation strategies. Heavy equipment will continue to improve contingency lines and look for hot spots along the south flank of the fire. A location where the fire has been seen creeping and smoldering yesterday;

Winds from the northwest will test these lines today.

Expect to see several aircraft working the fire. Crews will be seizing opportunities to increase fireline construction and containment with the favorable weather over the coming days.

 

EVACUATIONS

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

Level 3 (Go)
Highway 31 from Summer Lake Store south to Red House Lane (north of Paisley). Clover Flat Road from Valley Falls east to Moon Ranch.

Level 2 (Set)
All of Paisley – from Red House Lane, continuing south on Highway 31 to Valley Falls/the junction with U.S. Hwy 395. Clover Flat Road from the intersection with Hwy 31 (Beachler’s Corner) south to Murphy Ranch. From Summer Lake Store north along Highway 31 to the top of Picture Rock Pass.

Level 2 (Ready)
Valley Falls approximately 5 miles south on Hwy 395 to Chandler State Park.

The Red Cross has an evacuation area at the Lake County Fairgrounds in Lakeview (1900 North 4th St.)

 

FOREST CLOSURES

From Forest Road 29 southeast to Forest Road 3510 and the 28 Road east, all National Forest System lands and facilities are closed per Forest Closure Order 06-02-03-20-03. Forest Road 3315 is closed; 28 Road is open.

 

SAFETY

Oregon Highway 31 is open but anticipate congestion due to heavy fire traffic. Avoid the area if possible. Temporary Flight Restrictions are in effect. Avoid drone use and report drones to law enforcement.


Brattain Fire Public Information Map as of September 19, 2020. Click for larger.

Brattain Fire Details

Cause:
Human

Size:
47,243 acres

Containment:
44%

Location:
Lake County Oregon near Paisley

Resources:
437 Personnel


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