Vinegar Fire

Start date: 8/12/13 20:31	Cause: Lightning	Estimated Size: 1,220 acres	% Contained: 20%	# of Firefighters: 489
Injuries to date None	Estimated Containment: 8/30/13	Closures/Evacuations: Level I evacuation notification for Greenhorn and Alamo.	# of 20-person hand crews: 12	# of helicopters: 2

Road 10 and Olive Lake recreation area are open.

The Vinegar Fire is located approximately 6.5 miles southwest of Granite, Oregon.  It is burning in the Greenhorn Unit of the North Fork John Day Wilderness Area.  There are 489 people assigned to work on the fire.

Many of the containment lines (both direct and indirect) have been constructed and improved.  Helicopters will continue to cool down hot spots near the fire perimeter when they are discovered.  The fire has not increased in size significantly in the past few days and fire managers are “right-sizing” the workforce and equipment needed to fully suppress this fire.  Crews and equipment no longer needed to meet mission objectives will be released and possibly reassigned to other fires.  Possible new fire starts from recent lightning strikes are of concern and will be monitored for the next few days.  Helicopters assigned to this fire will scout for new smokes and drop water on them when discovered.  Fire crews will follow up on these reports to fully suppress any new fire starts.

The weather is predicted to be warmer and dryer for the near future with light winds.

Effective immediately, the entire Forest Service Road 10 is open along with the Olive Lake recreational area.  Road and area closures remain in effect.  The Greenhorn Unit of the North Fork John Day Wilderness remains closed.  The communities of Greenhorn and Alamo remain under a Level 1 evacuation notice.

This will be the last daily update and update to the Blogspot for the Vinegar Fire unless conditions change.  The Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team #2 will be leaving tomorrow and will turn back the management for the fire to the Umatilla National Forest starting at 06:00.  The Fire Information telephone number will change tomorrow to 541-278-3722.  Today, for more information please contact the Fire Information Line at (541) 755-9003.

For detailed information on the fire including maps and photos please visit:

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3645/     or     http://vinegarfire.blogspot.com/

Vinegar Fire Update

Start date: 8/12/13 20:31	Cause: Lightning	Estimated Size: 1,161 acres	% Contained: 10%	# of Firefighters: 537
Injuries to date None	Estimated Containment: 8/30/13	Closures/Evacuations: Level I evacuation notification for Greenhorn and Alamo.	# of 20-person hand crews: 12	# of helicopters: 3

The Vinegar Fire is located approximately 6.5 miles southwest of Granite, Oregon.  It is burning in the Greenhorn Unit of the North Fork John Day Wilderness Area.  There are 537 people assigned to work on the fire.

Historic Fremont Powerhouse

Significant progress has been made in the past few days in securing and improving containment lines.  Crews and equipment no longer needed to meet mission objectives will be released and possibly reassigned to other fires.  Much of the heavy equipment, such as road graders and chippers that have finished their work will be will demobilized today.  Crews are taking advantage of the recent rains and are continuing to construct fire lines near the fire front where it is safe.  Fire managers will continue to monitor for possible new fire starts and provide for initial attack support.

Wood and steel pipeline used to generate the
much-needed electrical power from 1908 through 1967.

Today, there is a Red Flag Warning for thunderstorms with abundant lightning in effect through 11:00 p.m.  This could cause erratic winds in isolated areas of the fire.  Starting tomorrow and for the next few days, a warming and drying trend is predicted.  Breezy to locally windy southwest winds are expected Monday, with lighter winds Tuesday and Wednesday.

Road and areas closures remain in effect.  The communities of Greenhorn and Alamo remain under a Level 1 evacuation notice.

For more information please contact the Fire Information Line at (541) 755-9003.

For detailed information on the fire including maps and photos please visit:

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3645/     or     http://vinegarfire.blogspot.com/

Vinegar Fire Daily Update

Vinegar Fire

Start date: 8/12/13 20:31	Cause: Lightning	Estimated Size: 1,161 acres	% Contained: 5%	# of Firefighters: 535
Injuries to date None	Estimated Containment: 8/30/13	Closures/Evacuations: Level I evacuation notification for Greenhorn and Alamo.	# of 20-person hand crews: 12	# of helicopters: 4

The Vinegar Fire is located approximately 6.5 miles southwest of Granite, Oregon. It is burning in the Greenhorn Unit of the North Fork John Day Wilderness Area. There are 535 people assigned to work on the fire. Today,  fire crews will continue to take advantage of the recent rain event and construct fire lines near the fire front where it is safe.  They will also monitor for possible new fire starts from the lighting storm on Thursday.

Backing fire August 21, 2013

The vegetation near the fire area is drying out and the fire behavior is predicted to increase to levels before the recent rains.  Fire managers are utilizing helicopters  to cool down hot spots along the fire perimeter and to support recently discovered lightning-caused fires and initial attack forces.  The weather is predicted to be hotter and dryer in the next few days.

Today, crews continue to construct hand line along the south, east and north portion of the fire.  Existing roads and contingency fire lines are being brushed and improved should the need develop.   Burnout may occur in the northeast portion of the fire to further secure containment lines.

Road and areas closures remain in effect.  The communities of Greenhorn and Alamo remain under a Level 1 evacuation notice.

For more information please contact the Fire Information Line at (541) 755-9003.

For detailed information on the fire including maps and photos please visit:

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3645/     or     http://vinegarfire.blogspot.com/

Vinegar Fire Daily Update

Start date: 8/12/13 20:31	Cause: Lightning	Estimated Size: 1,161 acres	% Contained: N/A	# of Firefighters: 534
Injuries to date None	Estimated Containment: 8/30/13	Closures/Evacuations: Level I evacuation notification for Greenhorn and Alamo.	# of 20-person hand crews: 12	# of helicopters: 4

The Vinegar Fire is located approximately 6.5 miles southwest of Granite, Oregon. It is burning in the Greenhorn Unit of the North Fork John Day Wilderness Area. There are 534 people assigned to work on the fire. Today, Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 2 takes command under the leadership of Incident Commander Brett Fillis.

Yesterday afternoon, there was precipitation over the fire, which mitigated the fire activity and spread.  Today, there may be lingering showers in the area with a possibility of an isolated thunderstorm.  Winds are expected to be generally lighter than yesterday and come from the west.

Crews continue to construct hand line in the southeast portion of the fire.  As conditions permit, burnout will occur in the northeast portion of the fire.  However, due to yesterday’s precipitation, fire activity will be reduced until late afternoon, when pockets of active fire behavior may occur. Fire personnel and equipment are assisting with newly discovered lightning-caused fires from yesterday’s storm.

Greenhorn and Alamo residents remain under a Level 1 evacuation notice.

For more information please contact the Fire Information Line at (541) 755-9003.

For detailed information on the fire including maps and photos please visit:

http://www.inciweb.org/incident/3645/