Crane Fire grows to 2,270 acres, 5% containment
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The Crane Fire has grown to 2,270 acres south of Lakeview, Oregon. (Image: USFS / Inciweb)
LAKEVIEW, Ore. - Northwest Incident Management Team 12 took over operations of the Crane Fire Tuesday evening and would like to give special thanks to the fantastic work of the local resources and their efforts to contain the fire. Northwest IMT 12 has arrived e to serve the community and will be working hard to protect resource values in the area. The safety of citizens and firefighters is their number one priority.
Northwest IMT 12 is one of 7 Pacific Northwest Incident Management Teams that is responsible for the management of all-risk incidents that occur in the Northwest but will also respond nationally if needed.
Yesterday’s operations:
Firefighters began burnout operations (setting fire inside a control line to consume fuel between the edge of the fire and the control line) and scouted for additional fire control opportunities.
Today’s operations:
Continue fire control line construction and make preparations for full fire suppression actions to protect private and state lands, timber, grazing, recreation, Lakeview watershed, and natural resources at risk. If needed, as part of the teams IA (initial fire attack) responsibilities the team will be coordinating with the rural fire protection districts and ranchers on the west and east sides of the fire and doing structural assessments.
Smoke is continuing to impact Lakeview and New Pine Creek and will be visible throughout the area.
There is a Red Flag Warning in effect from 2 to 8 p.m. today for strong, gusty winds and low relative humidity.
Projected Incident Activity
Backing and flanking with low fire behavior along the perimeter in areas of heavy surface fuels that are unlined. There may also be a slight chance of isolated torching.
24 hours: With Red Flag Warning for winds and low RH expect active fire behavior along unlined perimeter short upslope runs with the spotting downwind.
48 hours: Low to moderate fire behavior with the potential for isolated torching.
72 hours: Low to moderate fire behavior with the potential for isolated torching.
Weather Concerns
Warm and mainly dry through the day today. Southwest flow was pumping upper level moisture into the region. Thunderstorms became active to the east of the Crane fire by early afternoon, most of the convection was expected to remain north and east of the burn area, however, there was a chance of a thunderstorms through sunset. Temperature 82, min relative humidity 27%, winds were southwest 13 mph with gusts to 30 mph.
Tomorrow the upper level trough off the Pacific coast is expected to weaken and bend down over the next few days. This will allow the upper level flow to become southwest to west. This would take away the influx of Pacific moisture, stabilize the atmosphere ending the chances for thunderstorms, but would increase southwesterly surface winds around the fire area and bring much drier air into the region. Low relative humidity with winds gusting 30 to 35 mph will result in a Red Flag Warning.
Closures
The Fremont-Winema National Forest issued an emergency fire closure order, formally referenced as Number 06-02-02-20-01, for the Crane Fire area. The closure is generally between Hwy 140 and the Oregon/California Stateline; and from the Forest Boundary on the west to Forest Roads 3610, 3910, 3910-019 to the Forest Boundary and Road 3915 to the Stateline. Twin Springs, Willow Creek, and Deep Creek Campgrounds, Crane Mountain and Rogger Meadow Trailheads, and the Crane Mountain Trail are closed as a result. A map is available on Inciweb. The closure will remain in effect as conditions require.
Safety Message
Hwy 140 is open. Please be aware of increased fire traffic in the fire area, as well as surrounding communities. Slow down and use caution around fire equipment.
The team is working in concert with Lake Health District to protect the community from the threat of Covid 19.
Crane Fire Details
Cause:
Under Investigation
Size:
2,270
Containment:
5%
Location:
Southeast of Lakeview Oregon
Resources:
289 Personnel
8 Hand Crews
13 Engines
3 Dozers
2 Tenders
4 Helicopters
1 Aircraft
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