All
As I am sure you are all aware, the Dollar Lake Fire is a lightning caused wildfire burning in the Mt. Hood National Forest. The western boundary of the fire is within approximately 3 miles of the eastern boundary of the Bull Run Watershed Management Unit.
The US Forest Service (USFS) has primary responsibility for fighting the fire. The Water Bureau has staff assigned full time to the fire command center located near Hood River and is participating in briefings and providing information regarding PWB operations in the watershed. We are working closely with the Forest Service and other agencies to monitor activities and provide assistance as needed. I have been authorized by Commissioner Leonard to offer the Forest Service any city resource available in fighting the fire and protecting the Bull Run.
Although the fire is in close proximity, the Management Unit is not affected at this time. The strong east winds that were predicted early this morning did not occur although they are expected to pick up later this afternoon. Additional helicopters have been allocated to fight the fire. While additional fires are cropping up in the state, protecting the Bull Run is a high priority and we expect that the Forest Service will allocate whatever resources are necessary to protect the watershed.
The Forest Service has developed fire control objectives which include: Minimize exposure of firefighters to only actions necessary to provide for public and aviation safety; Keep fire outside the Bull Run Watershed Management Unit; Full suppression management on the north and east sides of the fire to minimize impacts to Hood River County Lands, Cloud Cap, Tilly Jane Historic District, and other private lands; Utilize full suppression to minimize fire impacts to Longview Timber LCC industrial timberland, located in Upper West Fork Hood River, and the Bonneville Power Administration power transmission lines on the west side of the fire; Protect riparian areas and utilize minimum impact suppression tactics within the Mt. Hood Wilderness; Provide for initial attack of all new fires occurring within the TFR (Temporary Flight Restrictions) on federal lands; The Forest Service is viewing this as an extended threat event over a period of several days. We will continue to monitor and provide updates as information becomes available.
As I explained Incident Commander Jeff Pendleton this morning, it is hard for us to stand by when the Bull Run is threatened, but we understand the need for firefighter, employee and public safety. Jeff was clear that knowing where everyone involved in the response is at all times and under positive communication is of paramount importance. Having PWB employees engaged in separate fire patrols and not tied into the plan would make it difficult to provide safety to those individuals. Jeff told me that they have spotter aircraft in the air full time as well as people on the ground doing spot fire patrols. I let him know that the city has air resources that could be made available to augment whatever resources he has. I also understand from Jeff that while the probability of retardant use is low, it will only occur after consultation with the Water Bureau in accordance with the Bull Run Fire Plan.
The significance of these water parameter changes would depend on the delivery rate of ash to the watershed; however, it is unlikely that the amount of ash deposited initially through airborne transmission would be at a level to pose any public health risks.
Water quality changes may be more likely when the first rain events occur this fall if significant ash deposition occurs. If ash proves to be a factor during initial rain events this fall, Portland has a secondary high quality source of drinking water, the Columbia South Shore Well Field that can be used.
There are no actions that customers need to take at this time.
David Shaff, Administrator
Specific Public Information updates on the status of the Dollar Lake Fire can be found at the following sites:
Northwest Interagency Fire Coordination Center: http://nwccweb.us/information/fire_details.aspx?id=OR-MHF-000382
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2563/
Portland Water Bureau