October 5, 2011
The 30-acre Bologna Canyon Fire reported Tuesday burning on steep terrain nine miles west of Monument in the Central Oregon District is nearly contained. Winds complicated the firefighting effort. The fire is burning in grass, juniper and juniper slash. Resources fighting the fire at the peak of activity included one air tanker, a lead plane (guide to the tankers), two helicopters, four fire engines, a squad of firefighters and a bulldozer. The U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management assisted the Oregon Department of Forestry with aerial and ground firefighting resources. Cause of the fire is under investigation.
October 3, 2011
Lightning storms that moved through central and eastern Oregon from Nevada on Friday created numerous fires for several jurisdictions on Saturday.
The Hall Hill Two fire was the largest that the Oregon Department of Forestry responded to, estimated at 17 acres burning in brush, timber and juniper about three miles west of Prairie City in Grant County. This lightning-caused fire was reported Saturday night. Five ODF engines, two crews, water tender and bulldozer all responded to the fire. This fire was fully contained by Sunday afternoon. ODF crews were assisted on the by resources from the Prairie City Rural Fire District and the U.S. Forest Service.
ODF Central Oregon District/John Day Unit resources also responded to three small fires in the region Saturday: a lightning-caused fire near Ritter that was held to under an acre, a lightning-struck tree afire north of Mount Vernon and a one-acre fire northeast of Monument, the cause of which is currently under investigation.
The Catlow Fire was reported Saturday burning in Harney County about 29 miles northwest of Fields. The fire burned 5,300 acres of brush before being fully contained Sunday by the Bureau of Land Management.
The Murderers Creek Complex fire is located approximately 10 miles south of Dayville on the east side of the South Fork John Day River. This complex fire, made up of three incidents, is 1,090 acres in size on Monday and began Saturday due to lightning. Fire is burning in timber on a mix of ownerships, including some private lands and some BLM ownership, including the Phillip W. Schneider Wildlife Area and the Malheur National Forest. An interagency management team assumed command of the fire Sunday. Hunters and recreationists have been asked to leave the area as a precaution, and FS Roads 2170, 2150 and the road leading into the Phillip W. Schneider Wildlife Area (Murderers Creek Road) remain closed. No estimate on when the fire may be contained.
Other large fires within Oregon have moved into an intermittent reporting status; any new details would be reported through InciWeb at: www.inciweb.org/state/38
For information on wildfires in all jurisdictions within Oregon, go to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center website, www.nwccweb.us/
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry
October 2, 2011
Despite rainy, cooler weather is western Oregon, fire conditions are still volatile in central and eastern Oregon. Oregon Department of Forestry crews in eastern Oregon were kept busy by several new fires Saturday.
The Hall Hill Two fire was the largest, estimated at 17 acres, burning in brush, timber and juniper about three miles west of Prairie City. This lightning-caused fire was reported Saturday night. Five ODF engines, two crews, water tender and bulldozer all responded to the fire. This fire was fully contained by Sunday afternoon. ODF crews were assisted on the Hall Hill Two fire by resources from the Prairie City Rural Fire District and the U.S. Forest Service.
ODF Central Oregon District resources also responded to 3 small fires in the region: a lightning-caused fire near Ritter that was held to under an acre, a lightning-struck tree afire north of Mount Vernon and a one-acre fire northeast of Monument, the cause of which is currently under investigation.
Two new large-acreage fires were also reported burning Saturday on Bureau of Land Management lands; a fire burning 13 miles south of Dayville and a 1,000 acre fire 29 miles northwest of Fields in Harney County.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry
October 2, 2011
Source: Washington County Fire Defense Board
On Sunday, October 2nd, the Washington County Fire Defense Board will remove the countywide burn ban that has been in place since July.
Although weather conditions have brought about cooler temperatures and some moisture, all Washington County residents are asked to remain cautious when burning and comply with all applicable burning regulations.
