Steep
terrain continues to challenge firefighters on the 100-acre lightning sparked
Gibbon Fire. The fire is burning in brush and timber stringers in the
area of Meacham Creek/Stumbough Ridge, about 20 miles east of Pendleton. The
fire originated on Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
(CTUIR) fee lands that are protected by Oregon Department of Forestry.
ODF is leading the management of this fire in conjunction with the Umatilla
National Forest with a Type 3 management organization. Cooperators also
include the Union Pacific Railroad and CTUIR.
terrain continues to challenge firefighters on the 100-acre lightning sparked
Gibbon Fire. The fire is burning in brush and timber stringers in the
area of Meacham Creek/Stumbough Ridge, about 20 miles east of Pendleton. The
fire originated on Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
(CTUIR) fee lands that are protected by Oregon Department of Forestry.
ODF is leading the management of this fire in conjunction with the Umatilla
National Forest with a Type 3 management organization. Cooperators also
include the Union Pacific Railroad and CTUIR.
Yesterday
crews worked to build direct fire lines where it was safe to do so, and to
construct indirect fire line to support burning operations. Because of
the difficult terrain, fire managers feel that burning will bring the fire to
areas where it is safer for firefighters to directly engage on the fire.
Two helicopters helped crews on the ground yesterday by slowing fire spread and
cooling hotspots, as well as supporting burning operations along the east and
north sides.
crews worked to build direct fire lines where it was safe to do so, and to
construct indirect fire line to support burning operations. Because of
the difficult terrain, fire managers feel that burning will bring the fire to
areas where it is safer for firefighters to directly engage on the fire.
Two helicopters helped crews on the ground yesterday by slowing fire spread and
cooling hotspots, as well as supporting burning operations along the east and
north sides.
Today’s
objectives are to continue burning out on the north side of the fire, if
weather conditions allow. Also, continuing to secure the line along the
railroad tracks and mopping up that portion of the fire is a priority for fire
managers. The La Grande Interagency Hot Shot Crew, a Type 1 helicopter, a
Type 2 helicopter, six engines and a Type 2 hand crew will be working the fire
today. Approximately 51 personnel are assigned to the fire.
objectives are to continue burning out on the north side of the fire, if
weather conditions allow. Also, continuing to secure the line along the
railroad tracks and mopping up that portion of the fire is a priority for fire
managers. The La Grande Interagency Hot Shot Crew, a Type 1 helicopter, a
Type 2 helicopter, six engines and a Type 2 hand crew will be working the fire
today. Approximately 51 personnel are assigned to the fire.
While
temperatures the past two days has been more moderate and the fire received
light rainfall, the return to warmer and dry conditions is expected mid-week,
with the potential for more thunderstorms this weekend.
temperatures the past two days has been more moderate and the fire received
light rainfall, the return to warmer and dry conditions is expected mid-week,
with the potential for more thunderstorms this weekend.
Fire
managers would like to remind people that fire restrictions are in place on
ODF-protected lands.
managers would like to remind people that fire restrictions are in place on
ODF-protected lands.
FIRE
STATISTICS:
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.
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, 2016, through Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016:
1, 2016, through Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2016:
Lightning-caused
fires: 59 fires burned 2,218 acres
Human-caused fires: 418 fires burned 468 acres
Total: 477 fires burned 2,686 acres
fires: 59 fires burned 2,218 acres
Human-caused fires: 418 fires burned 468 acres
Total: 477 fires burned 2,686 acres
10-year average (for this period of the year):
Lightning-caused fires: 200 fires burned 19,825 acres
Human-caused fires: 398 fires burned 4,177 acres
Total: 598 fires burned 24,002 acres