Rattle Fire Update: Friday, September 5, 2008
Incident: Rattle Wildland Fire
Released: 9/5/2008
Due to the alignment of a northeasterly wind event with recent hotter and drier weather for the last few days, the Rattle Fire made a dramatic run today. Down canyon winds pushed the smoldering fire into flames and long-range spotting which burned across Pine Bench. The winds driving the fire carried embers to the southeast across SR 138. Early Friday evening fire managers and Oregon Department of Transportation closed SR 138 due to flame proximity to the highway and snag and fire debris moving downslope.
Hotshots battled to control spot fires south of 138 until late in the night. Crews also worked direct to stop advance of the fire across SR 138 and provided structure protection of the PacifiCorp Transfer station. The three heavy helicopters flew sorties for five hours with turnarounds of less than a minute to try and halt the southeast advance until dusk. The fire continues to be active through the night at the time of this writing. (10 pm)
Due to the complexity of threatened powerline structures and rural communities in proximity to the fires growth. ORCA, a Type II Incident Management team will arrive on Saturday, 6 September at 1 pm and assume command of the Rattle Fire on Sunday, at 1 pm.
PacificCorp shut down their lines in the early evening, causing the community of Dry Creek to loose electricity. Forest and fire information officers will visit local communities on Saturday to answer questions about the fire spread.
Motorists are advised to check Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) for conditions on SR 138. On Saturday, if possible, one lane traffic will be allowed with use of a pilot car. Motorists should be prepared for long delays, due to fire suppression vehicles and traffic. To reach ODOT call: 511 (toll free within Oregon);1-800-977-ODOT (6368) (toll free within Oregon); 1-503-588-2941 (outside Oregon). Select route by number and enter 138.
CURRENTLY CLOSED: SR 138 from milepost 44 (Apple Creek) - milepost 59 (Toketee Falls). Boulder Flat Campground, Eagle Rock Campground.
For more information, please call the new Fire Information line at ICP at Diamond Lake Ranger District: 541. 498. 2219. The Fire Information email is: RattleFire20082@gmail.com.
