The 2,000-acre Cactus Mountain fire was reported Wednesday burning in grassland 17 miles northeast of Imnaha in Wallowa County. Though primarily on federal lands, 170 acres of land within the fire are under ODF protection. Five ODF engines and three crews have been assigned to the fire along with resource support from helicopters, one tender and one bulldozer.
A portion of the fire is within the Hells Canyon Wilderness Area. Federal initial attack resources included engines, crews, helicopters and Grangeville (ID) smoke jumpers. Several structures are in the fire vicinity and potentially threatened.
Cause of the fire is under investigation. Fire is not contained. An inter-agency incident management team is anticipated to take command of the fire on Thursday afternoon.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry