Winds will continue be the biggest variable in operational strategy for firefighters today. A low pressure system will be passing through the fire area. Winds associated with this system are expected to remain steady with strong gusts through Wednesday. Temperatures will be ten degrees lower, in the 80’s and no thunderstorms are expected.
The north end of the fire remains secure; these resources are being shifted to the southern portion of the fire. This area will be patrolled by air. Firefighters will work to improve and hold the Powerline Road, near the Imnaha River, on the southern portion of the fire. The goal is to hold the fire north of the Powerline Road. Crews will continue to hold the line along FS 46 Road, and along the western portion of the fire. Firefighters are working to construct a line from the Powerline Road to Imnaha Road.
Weather permitting, eight helicopters assigned to the fire, will drop water to help slow growth and cool hot spots. Three air tankers are also available in LaGrande. Additional crews and engines have been ordered for structure protection and line construction.
The Wallowa County Sheriff’s Department (WCSD) issued a closure on Lower Imnaha Road/Dug Bar Road (Forest Service Road 4260) today. The closure begins at the junction of Fence Creek (six miles north of Imnaha) north to the Dug Bar Landing on the Snake River. The WCSD will be staffing the closure.
A Forest Area Closure remains in place on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. A map and description of the Forest Closure can be found at http://www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman or www.inciweb.org/incident/3202 A partial closure of Forest Service Road 46 remains in place. An alternate route is available to detour around the fire area. Road guards are staffing road blocks limiting public access into the fire area for both firefighter and public safety. The need for the closures will be assessed daily and removed as soon as possible.
