Teams work to restore the Brattain Fire to pre-fire conditions [UPDATED]

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On the Brattain Fire mobile weed wash stations are used to help reduce the threat of spreading noxious weeds into exposed areas of bare mineral soil. (Image, USFS)

On the Brattain Fire mobile weed wash stations are used to help reduce the threat of spreading noxious weeds into exposed areas of bare mineral soil. (Image, USFS)

UPDATED, 7:20 PM, 9/27/2020 to include new information published by fire officials.

PAISLEY, Ore. - Most divisions on the Brattain Fire have been combined, and most tactical resources have been released to their home units or states or reassigned to other more critical incidents. The remaining divisions are focused heavily on patrolling and scouting additional repair work since mop-up operations are mostly complete.

Fire activity is minimal and is expected to remain so.

The suppression repair group is working with the host unit to identify and prioritize the needed work, resources, and equipment required to best accomplish repair and rehabilitation. A long-duration dry and very warm pattern returns today and is expected to last through the week.

Final transition of the Brattain Fire takes place on Monday, September 28, with the Fremont-Winema National Forest Paisley Ranger District resuming command at 0700 Tuesday.

Grader work continued on School House Road and 3510, and divisions focused heavily on patrolling and scouting additional repair work.

Through the weekend, the fire continued smoldering, and crews will continue to mop-up and patrol lines in all divisions. Another front will arrive over the fire area, bringing cooler temperatures and higher humidity which will allow fire activity to remain minimal. A long-duration dry and very warm pattern returns Sunday into late next week.

FIRE SUPPRESSION REPAIR / REHAB

A “Welcome to Your National Forest” sign at Marster Spring did not survive the Brattain Fire. (Photo credit-Sean Ferrell, Agency Administrator)

Wildfires cause complex problems from water quality, loss of vegetation and soil stability, and loss of habitat and cultural resources. Identifying post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property and critical natural and cultural resources is a top priority for public land managers. Restoring pre-fire conditions is not always possible, but the primary goal of suppression repair is to minimize long-term impacts caused by personnel and equipment over the course of fire suppression activities.

On roads and dozer lines within the Brattain Fire area, crews and special resource teams are constructing water bars to ensure proper drainage, grading roads and firelines to minimize impacts to vehicles, and pulling in berms and woody debris developed in the construction of fire lines.

In areas where dozer lines were driven on by vehicles, resource advisors are determining whether areas need to be tilled to reduce soil compaction.

Blocking and/or camouflaging interior lines from intersections discourages future motorized use, thus increasing public safety. Ditches and road drainage features are affected by fire suppression activities, so Brattain Fire crews are actively cleaning out debris and other drainage blockages as they work their way down firelines.

Often, signs, gates, and barriers are damaged by fire or burnout activities, creating public safety concerns. In the Brattain Fire area, these are being inventoried and will require repair/replacement.

Minimizing the possibility of transmittal of invasive/noxious species is also a top priority for public land managers during fire suppression rehabilitation. Mobile wash stations were deployed into the Brattain Fire perimeter to clean equipment and vehicles upon exit. Pressure washing of tire treads, tracks, and undercarriages reduce the threat of spreading noxious weeds into exposed areas of bare mineral soil.

At camp, [pictured above,] a field wash station was established to ensure all passenger vehicles were weed-washed upon demobilization.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

Know before you go! Hunting season has started in the area, and hunters are urged to recreate safely.

Before heading out, check with your local Forest Service or BLM office to confirm closure orders, fire use restrictions, and other safety or legal considerations. Ensure your vehicles and trailers are properly maintained. Sparks thrown from improperly maintained vehicles or trailers can cause devastating fires without the knowledge of the driver.

EVACUATIONS

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has lifted all evacuations as of 10:00 AM Saturday, September 26, 2020.

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.

RELATED

Brattain Fire Public Information Map as of September 27, 2020. Click for larger.

Brattain Fire Details

Cause:
Human

Size:
50,951 acres

Containment:
95%

Location:
Lake County Oregon near Paisley

Resources:
235 Personnel

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