August 24, 2018
MADRAS, Ore. – According to Central Oregon Fire Management Service (COFMS), an official investigation of the 1,500 acre Milepost 6 Fire from August 17 has determined the fire was ignited by a carelessly thrown cigarette along Hwy 26, six miles south of Madras. This human started fire was in addition to over 50 other fires reported in Central Oregon after a thunderstorm on the evening of August 16. According to Northwest Interagency Coordination Center (NWCC), humans have caused three out of five fires so far this season. We need all of our resources to respond to the fires we can’t prevent and everyone to help prevent the ones we can.
ODF asks our communities and all visitors to our area: please be fire cautious. Smoke only inside a vehicle or insure there is no flammable vegetation close to where you are smoking and never throw cigarettes out of a car window. At all times, extinguish cigarettes and dispose of them in appropriate ashtrays or receptacles. Enjoy campfires only in designated campgrounds, check your trailer chains to make sure they are not dragging, if you are target shooting or hunting ensure you have an adequate backstop void of vegetation and please do not park your vehicle on dry grass!
While we may never know who littered this cigarette to hold them accountable for this fire, we know that we can prevent wildfires by being cautious and diligent about extinguishing our ignitions during fire season. As Smokey Bear says: Only YOU can prevent wildfires.
August 23, 2018
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| The Ramsey Canyon Fire is burning in steep terrain near Sams Valley in Jackson County. |
The Ramsey Canyon Fire near Sams Valley in Jackson County started just after noon on Wednesday and grew to 800 acres, drawing an ODF Type 1 Incident Management Team to fight the fire.
“Our initial attack was strong, but the high winds and fuel conditions overtook our initial attack efforts,” ODF Fire Protection Chief Doug Grafe said, highlighting the resources committed immediately to the fire. This includes three Type 2 medium helicopters and 2 Type 1 heavy helicopters, structure and wildland engines, local landowner resources, contract crews, and U.S. Forest Service crews.
ODF IMT 2 assumes command today alongside the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office. This is IMT 2’s fourth deployment this year. A Facebook page has been established to provide the latest information.
Overnight, firefighters were able to complete a combination of dozer and hand lines around roughly 30 percent of the Ramsey Canyon Fire’s perimeter. Spot fires continued to be an issue overnight due to the dense landscape and steep terrain.
Approximately 211 structures are reported threatened, but none damaged so far. Containment is at 15 percent.
Structural task forces stayed out all night protecting homes and making assessments for any potential changes in evacuation levels. The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office will remain the source for accurate and timely notification releases.
Today’s weather forecast includes a chance of gusty winds similar to yesterday evening. Ridgetops and canyons can reach up to 20-25 mph if conditions come to fruition. If fire activity allows, officials hope to get a more accurate size of the fire mapped via ground GPS tools.
A remote helibase is set up and will be utilized. Please know that aircraft can only fly when visibility is safe enough to do so.
August 21, 2018
This fire in Lake County grew from 25,778 acres to 32,104 acres in the past 24 hours, and is burning in timber and brush. Part of the fire is on ODF-protected land. More firefighting resources are arriving today. Persistent north winds may drive the fire to the south, and beetle kill and dead down fuels continue to challenge fire crews. A community meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. tomorrow (August 22) at the Paisley Community Center.
Location: 13 miles west of Paisley
Ignition Date: August 15, 2018
Cause: Under investigation
Acres burned: 32,104
Personnel: 556
Containment: 5%
More information:
Stubblefield, Seale, Lonerock and Jennie’s Peak Fires – Gilliam and Wheeler counties
NW Team 7 joined the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office in Unified Command as of Tuesday morning. Jennie’s Peak, the largest of these fires, saw successful firing operations that will continue today, weather permitting. It has not crossed the John Day River. A Red Cross Evacuation Information Center has been established at Condon High School.
Location: West, southwest and southeast of Condon
Ignition Date: August 17, 2018
Cause: Under investigation
Acres burned: 77,500
Personnel: 443
Containment: 27%
More information:
Miles and Columbus fires
(formerly the South Umpqua Complex/Sugar Pine Fires)
This fire is under unified command of Pacific Northwest Team 2 (Incident Commander Chris Schulte) and ODF Team 3 (Incident Commander Link Smith).
Miles Fire – 35,455 acres, 39% contained
Columbus Fire – 10,518 acres, 35% contained
Firefighters continued mop up and removal of hose lays on the southern half of the Miles Fire and the northern edge of the Columbus Fire. Crews tasked with initial attack responsibilities responded to a new small fire west of the Snow Shoe Fire, which is now contained. Evacuation levels were lowered to Level 1 (Be Ready) in the Trail and Prospect areas.
Location: Approximately 5 miles northeast of Trail
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: Combined total of 49,943
Personnel: 1,323
More information:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5966/
Other fires
Taylor Creek and Klondike Fire – Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest
The Taylor Creek and Klondike Fires were split into zones on Saturday. The fires are now referred to as “Taylor Creek and Klondike East Fires,” managed by the Alaska Incident Management Team out of Lake Selmac, and “Klondike West Fire” managed by California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 out of Gold Beach.
Crews made significant containment progress on the Taylor Creek and Klondike fires. Containment grew from 28% to 32% on the Klondike Fire and 79% to 95% on the Taylor Creek Fire.
Taylor Creek and Klondike East
Fire behavior was not as active as expected on Monday. Northeast winds cleared enough smoke to allow for aircraft use. Thanks to a successful night of tactical burning operations, the south edge of the fire is now tied into the Chetco Bar Fire burn scar, which serves as a natural firebreak due to lack of available fuel.
Location: 10 miles west of Grants Pass
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: 52,588 acres
Personnel: 552
Containment: 95%
More information:
Klondike Fire West
The biggest area of concern remains in the “bulge” at the fire’s edge. Yesterday, fire in this area became more active in the afternoon and spotted across Silver Creek drainage. Helicopters continue to drop water in the bulge area as visibility allows. Extreme fire conditions were predicted for today, moderating on Wednesday.
Location: 9 miles northwest of Selma
Ignition date: July 15, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: 76,098 acres
Personnel: 989
Containment: 32%
More information:
Terwilliger Fire – Willamette National Forest
This fire saw slight growth as it burns on both the east and west side of Cougar Reservoir. Crews worked yesterday to build lines on the fire west of the reservoir. Wind gusts expected to continue through Wednesday. A Type 2 IMT has been ordered to assist the district.
Location: 5 miles southeast of Blue River
Cause: Under investigation
Acres burned: 125
Personnel: 87
Containment: 0%
More information:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6160/
Kinzua Complex
This complex includes five fires at approx. 619 acres and is burning in grass, timber, and juniper.
Location: 10 miles around Fossil
Ignition date: August 17, 2018
Cause: Lightning
Acres burned: 619
Personnel: 83
More information:
August 21, 2018
HOOD RIVER, Ore. – Steep, rugged terrain has slowed mop-up work on the Westcliff Fire. Monday firefighters held the fire within the containment lines, and were able to improve control to 75%. Evacuation orders were reduced yesterday, however some areas remain under a Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation. Updates are available from the Hood River County Sheriff at www.facebook.com/hrcso/.
Safety is the highest priority. Because of the cliffy nature of the terrain firefighters are being extra cautious in their actions on the fire. Potential rolling debris is a concern as crews grid through the fire interior. They must constantly be watching for crew members below and hazards above. During mop-up they dislodge material and mix water with dirt and burning fuels, thus increasing the potential for hazards to shift downslope.
Monday timber fallers were able to fall several trees which still had live fire burning within the canopy. A Type 1 helicopter was then used to drop water on the flames to reduce the heat and allow firefighters to fully extinguish the heat. The trees fell within the existing fire perimeter.
Resources on the fire today were four wildland engines, a pair of timber fallers, and a 20-person crew. Two helicopters, a Type 1 and Type 3 were available as needed to support the suppression activities. The engines and crew will return to the fire tomorrow.
Union Pacific train traffic is moving through the area slowly, coordinating with firefighters as it enters the area. Firefighters are also watching to ensure no debris has rolled onto the tracks.
The fire was reported around midnight Saturday night. It is located northwest of Hood River near Westcliff Drive, between Interstate 84 and the Columbia River.
The weather forecast calls for continued dry, hot days. Please remember that wildland fuels are extremely flammable under these conditions. Regulated Use Closure is in effect for ODF’s Central Oregon District. Specific restrictions can be found at www.ODFcentraloregon.com.
