June 10, 2013
An Oregon Department of Forestry strike team of fire engines dispatched to New Mexico last week is seeing lots of action fighting wildfires in the Bernalillo area outside of Albuquerque. On arrival the strike team, consisting of 10 ODF and three Coos Forest Protective Association personnel with five fire engines, was immediately assigned to initial-attack operations.
A rash of fires across the state has spread local resources thin. Prior to the Oregon team’s arrival, New Mexico was making do with only one fire engine per million acres.
While in New Mexico, the crews will be paid by the jurisdictional agency on the fires. ODF considers the out-of-state deployment a valuable opportunity for its firefighters to maintain and develop their skills required for national certification.
June 7, 2013
The crews of the ODF fire engine strike team assigned to New Mexico June 4 to assist on wildfires burning there have arrived. The team, consisting of 10 ODF and three Coos Forest Protective Association personnel, flew down, while their five fire engines are being trucked to a staging area near Albuquerque. One engine has arrived and the rest are expected this morning.
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.
While in New Mexico, the crews will be paid by the jurisdictional agency on the fires. ODF considers the out-of-state deployment a valuable opportunity for its firefighters to maintain and develop their skills required for national certification.
June 6, 2013
The Oregon Department of Forestry sent a strike team of fire engines to New Mexico June 4 to assist on wildfires burning there. Five ODF fire engines were trucked to a staging area near Albuquerque. The crews are scheduled to fly down to pick up their engines on June 7 and will be deployed immediately to fight fire.
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.
While in New Mexico, the crews will be paid by the jurisdictional agency on the fires. ODF considers the out-of-state deployment a valuable opportunity for its firefighters to maintain and develop their skills required for national certification.
June 3, 2013
The 115-acre Beacon Hill Fire damaged one home and burned an outbuilding above Grants Pass in the Southwest Oregon District last weekend.
Sparks from a car driving on Interstate 5 may have started the fire in the brush along the base of Beacon Hill.
The dry conditions caused the flames to race up the hill and consume heavy brush at the top.
On Saturday the fire was in mop-up status.
Cause of the Beacon Hill Fire continues to be under investigation.
(Information from the Mail Tribune.)
