NEWS RELEASE
Contact: Jamie Knight, 541-786-2039
Baker City, Ore—Firefighters are making good progress on the Griffin Gulch Fire. The fire is currently reported at 30 acres, located approximately two miles southwest of Baker City. Aggressive initial attack stopped the fire spread. Resources remained on scene Wednesday evening to continue securing the fire line and extinguishing hot spots. The fire is burning on lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry and the Greater Bowen Valley Fire District. ODF is managing the fire in coordination with Greater Bowen Valley Fire.
Currently The Griffin Gulch area has been lowered to a Level 2 (SET) evacuation order. The area surrounding Griffin Gulch remains at a Level 2. A Level 1 (READY) evacuation notice is still in place for Elk Creek, Washington Gulch, Old Auburn and the foothills south of Baker City. Evacuation orders will be reevaluated Thursday morning.
Resources on the fire include: one bulldozer, four fire engines, one water tender and five hand crews. Resources from Keating, Bowen Valley, and Baker Rural Fire Departments, as well as those from Oregon Department of Forestry and the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest responded Wednesday afternoon. Ten fire engines, four bulldozers, three hand crews, two helicopters, four Single Engine Air Tankers, two heavy air tankers, and an air attack plane were part of the effort.
Thunderstorm activity has been reported in the area and resources are patrolling the strike areas looking for any new starts.