June 27, 2013
Summer has been delayed but not denied. Though cool, damp weather calmed wildfire activity across Oregon in recent weeks, fire danger is forecast to rise with the temperature over the Fourth of July holiday. The Oregon Department of Forestry urges recreationists heading to the woods to be mindful of common fire causes: off-road driving and riding, campfires, smoking and, of course, fireworks.
Even if the forest is not bone dry by Independence Day, the 1,200-degree-plus temperatures generated by fireworks can ignite grass, tree needles and brush nearly instantly. Please leave the fireworks at home over the Fourth.
Four-wheel-drives, ATVs and motorcycle pose a threat as well. From only a few seconds of contact with dry grass, their exhaust systems can start a smoldering burn that may flare into a wildfire minutes or even hours later. Stay on established roads and trails, and park on gravel surfaces or developed roadside pull-outs to avoid this fire scenario.
As the weather warms and dries, fire safety restrictions in the forest may change. These include rules for campfires, off-road vehicle use and other activities. Check the rules before you go.
For more fire safety tips, visit: Keep Oregon Green, http://keeporegongreen.org/.
June 23, 2013
The 94-acre Worthington Road Fire reported Saturday in the Southwest Oregon District two miles east of Eagle Point is fully lined and in mop-up. The fire is burning in grass, oak and pine fuels. Cause is under investigation.
June 23, 2013
The 40-acre Worthington Road Fire was reported Saturday afternoon burning in the Southwest Oregon District. Cause is under investigation. No additional details are available at this time.
June 18, 2013
ODF’s South Fork Forest Camp plowed new ground hosting a two-week Fire School last month to prepare for this year’s fire season. Traditionally, South Fork has held a one-week fire school to train up to 200 inmates so they can become certified wild land fire fighters and assist with Northwest Oregon Area and statewide fire suppression efforts. The two week fire school concept came about as an attempt to improve the quality of training – reducing class by training half the inmates each week, letting the other half continue their regular project work on State Forest Lands.
Training included class time and learning stations for pumps, hoses, mop up, fire shelters and line construction. In addition to training 210 inmates from South Fork Forest Camp and the Mill Creek Facility in Salem, crew bosses, safety officers, food unit leaders, corrections kitchen coordinators and inmate kitchen crew also received training.
The ODF and Department of Corrections staff at South Fork Camp worked collaboratively to pull off a very successful fire school, highlighting the important cooperative relationship between the two agencies in wild land fire suppression readiness.
June 14, 2013
FIRES ON OREGON DEPT. OF FORESTRY-PROTECTED LANDS
No new fires 10 acres or larger were reported this week on ODF-protected lands.
ODF sent Gordon Foster Sr. to the Crowley Incident where he is serving as a Liaison Officer.
ODF also sent Rory Collins, DFPA, to the Iron Springs Fire in AZ to serve as Air Tactical Group Supervisor June 11th.
ODF sent a strike team of fire engines to New Mexico June 4 to assist on wildfires burning there; they are still assisting this week.
ODF and other western states routinely share firefighting resources as needed. This is an opportune time for the department to send the strike teams, as fire activity in Oregon is currently moderate. And the arrangement is reciprocal: If ODF needs outside help on fires in Oregon, its partner agencies will provide personnel and equipment when possible.
FIRES ON OTHER LANDS
BLM – The lightning-caused Crowley Creek Fire located 20 miles SE of Riverside, OR., is 12,935 acres and 60 percent contained. It is adjacent to the 6,613-acre lightning-caused Stockade Fire, also 60 percent contained. Both fires are being managed by a single IMT Type 3.
BLM – The lightning-caused South Fork fire located 23 miles SE of Vale, OR, is 250 acres and 100 percent contained.
FIRE STATISTICS
Fire statistics are for the current year and the average over the past 10 years for the 16 million acres of private and public forestland protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.
January 1, 2013, through today:*
Lightning-caused fires: 45 fires burned 18 acres
Human-caused fires: 189 fires burned 847 acres
Total: 234 fires burned 865 acres
10-year average (Jan. 1 through the present date in the year):
Lightning-caused fires: 17 fires burned 17 acres
Human-caused fires: 101 fires burned 282 acres
Total: 118 fires burned 299 acres
Fire statistics can be accessed any time from the ODF website.
*When personnel are heavily engaged in firefighting activities, the latest information may not always appear in the statistics.
