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Above: Lightning Tracker Legend
Magenta: 0-1 hour; Red: 1-3 hours; Gold: 3-6 hours;
Blue: 6-10 hours; Purple: 10-16 hours; Black: 16-24 hours.
Captured on Aug. 17, 3:15 p.m.
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Lightning over the past few days has significantly impacted most of eastern Oregon. It started on Wednesday in the Klamath-Lake District and has progressed through Central Oregon and into Northeast Oregon, starting fires across all the counties east of the crest of the Cascades. Lightning continued through this morning in Northeast Oregon. Most of the storms have had very good to significant moisture. Strikes outside the core, however, have been problematic. Additionally, holdover fires will be a significant issue for days to come.
Currently, there are no fires over 10 acres. This has a high probability of changing over the next few days. ODF sent up multiple detection flights this morning across the state to find any lightning-caused fires.
Miles and Columbus fires (formerly the South Umpqua Complex/Sugar Pine Fires)
These fires are being managed under unified command by the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 2 (Incident Commander Doug Turman) and components of Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 (Incident Commander Link Smith).
With the Snow Shoe Fire declared fully contained yesterday, suppression resources will narrow their focus to the remaining two fires, Miles and Columbus. The final acreage for the Snow Shoe Fire stands at 3,816 acres. Fire suppression repair work and salvage logging operations will continue on Snow Shoe.
Miles Fire – 32,715 acres, 30% contained
Firefighters continue to increase containment on both of the remaining fires. The northwest flank of the Miles Fire was the most active yesterday in the Elkhorn Peak area with increased burning taking place well within control lines. With that portion of the fire burning in steep, rugged terrain, fire operations personnel continue to let the fire slowly work its way toward established control lines. They will continue to look for opportunities, under the right conditions, to conduct burnout operations when necessary.
Fire behavior in the northeast corner of the Miles Fire is moderate as crews continue to work the fire towards and along Forest Service Road 6640. The rest of the fire from the middle of the eastern edge to the south and up to the middle of the western flank is in full mop-up.
Columbus Fire – 9,762 acres, 28% contained
Control lines along the west and north edges of the Columbus Fire are holding well. Firefighters continue to improve established control lines along the east boundary of the fire by falling hazardous trees (snags), removing additional brush and chipping the material in preparation for future burnout operations.
Location: Approximately 5 miles northeast of Trail
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: Combined total of 46,482
Personnel: 1,897
More information:
Other fires
Klondike Fire – Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
The Klondike Fire has now become the largest active wildfire in Oregon at over 62,000 acres. It is being managed jointly with the Taylor Creek Fire. Planned burnout operations will take place along established containment lines that parallel US Highway 199 east of the fire. The burnouts, if needed, will move AWAY from the Illinois Valley, creating a wide buffer/containment zone. As the burnouts occur, they may be visible to residents of Kerby, Cave Junction and O’Brien.
Location: 9 miles northwest of Selma
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: 62,731 acres
Personnel: 799
Containment: 15%
More information:
Taylor Creek Fire – Josephine County
Location: 10 miles west of Grants Pass
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: 52,222 acres
Personnel: 757
Containment: 52%
More information: