Preseason Planning Helps Wildfire Response
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Winnemucca, Nev. — On July 22, lightning ignited the Osgood wildfire on Bureau of Land Management lands approximately 2 miles west of Getchell Mine. Despite prompt reporting by personnel from the Turquoise Ridge mine to Central Nevada Interagency Dispatch Center (CNIDC), the Osgood Fire had spread quickly due to high winds from passing thunderstorms.
At one point approximately 30 of the mines out-buildings, structures and improvements were threatened. CNIDC dispatched seven engines, one water tender, three dozers, one hotshot crew and a battalion chief and were supported by four single engine air tankers (SEATs) dropping retardant, four "scooper-type" water dropping aircraft, one helicopter and one aerial supervision aircraft called an "Air-Attack." Crews battled the wildfire through the night aided by firefighting equipment and personnel from the Golconda and Valmy Volunteer Fire Departments as well as a large capacity water tender from Nevada Goldmines.
"This was a perfect example of how preseason coordination between a stakeholder (NV Gold Mines) and the Bureau of Land Management, pays dividends in having established, easy to implement protocols and contacts in place to facilitate rapid engagement and water use to fight this fire" said Donovan Walker, Interagency Fire Management Officer for the Winnemucca District BLM. "The new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the BLM’s Winnemucca and Battle Mountain Districts and Nevada Gold Mines LLC went into effect in early June of this year and was implemented very effectively for this fire."
The incident was managed under unified command between the Bureau’s firefighters and Golconda chief officers. By 10 p.m. on [insert date] the fire had grown to over 1000 acres and crews were making very good progress on suppression efforts with some rain to aid the effort.
“Rapid coordination between BLM and NV Goldmines (Turquoise Ridge and Getchell properties) allowed for immediate use of pre-identified water sources on those properties where engines and the helicopter could get water,” added Walker. “Mine personnel were readily on hand to provide escorts and rapid and safe access through the mine properties to access the fire.”
The Osgood fire was contained and controlled July 24, at 9:01 a.m.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.