The approximately 50-acre Owens Fire burning about 10 miles south of the community of Hood River was 10 percent contained by 1:30 p.m. today. Oregon Dept. of Forestry (ODF) fire managers expect to achieve full containment by 6 p.m. June 19. Burning on Hood River County forestland, the blaze spread rapidly this morning through dry logging slash, pushed by wind. Once the slash was consumed and the fire moved into reprod timber, the behavior moderated, enabling firefighters to make gains. By late afternoon today firefighters had nearly completed fire line around the perimeter of the blaze.
The Hood River County Forester said the slash that burned – from a timber harvest three weeks ago – was just starting to turn red. The area that burned contained felled timber, mostly Douglas-fir with some Ponderosa pine.
Firefighters will likely need to monitor the site for flare-ups throughout the rest of the fire season.
Firefighting resources currently on scene include: several hand crews, fire engines, bulldozers and water tenders.
Cause of the Owens Fire is under investigation. Since it occurred on an active timber harvest operation, Oregon Dept. of Forestry investigators are focusing on logging activity as the likely cause.
The U.S. Forest Service is assisting ODF in the suppression effort and has provided equipment and personnel.