October 30, 2019
SALEM, Ore. – Continued dry and windy conditions brought new fires to western Oregon Wednesday morning, adding to ongoing fire activity. Suppression efforts continue with cooperators, industrial landowner partners and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) providing ground resources in multiple ODF districts.
Two fires have grown in size due to continued east winds and difficult access:
Crankshaft Fire near Gates
- The Crankshaft Fire, located about 6 miles south of Gates, is an estimated 25 acres.
- The Gopher Valley Fire, located 5 miles north of Sheridan, is an estimated 20 acres.
Firefighters made significant progress on fires reported yesterday, with both in mop-up status:
- The North Fork Fire, located 16 miles east of Molalla, is an estimated 80 acres.
- The Detroit Dam Fire, located 5 miles west of Detroit, remains at an estimated 50 acres.
There are no road closures or threatened structures associated with any reported fires at this time. Resources engaged on the fires include water tenders, engines, and hand crews.
In the last 24 hours, there have been 22 fires reported across the Willamette Valley on lands protected by ODF. While these fires officially remain under investigation, the suspected causes for the vast majority are prescribed burns rekindled by recent easterly winds and dry conditions.
Detroit Dam Fire near Detroit
“It is important to note the timing of these fires,” said ODF’s Northwest Oregon Area Director Andy White. “The majority of these burns were started weeks ago when conditions were optimal for burning. ODF encourages and supports landowners to take advantage of optimal conditions for fuels reduction work on their property. Precautions are taken, forecasts are considered, and every effort is made to ensure minimal impact and maximum benefit to the landscape. This is a valuable reminder of how quickly conditions can change and highlights the value of our partnerships with landowners and other agencies.”
ODF flew a contracted aircraft yesterday and today to check on known fires and detect potential new starts or smoke from rekindled slash piles. Given the steep terrain, remote access, and multiple ownerships across the valley, this aviation resource is a valuable tool in covering a lot of ground in a short time span.
ODF appreciates the help from the public in preventing new fires and encourages Oregonians to hold off on those back yard burn piles until conditions improve.
Smoke may be visible in some areas as resources remain engaged on these fires. The Department of Environmental Quality continues to monitor for smoke and has confirmed the air quality remains in the good to moderate range. Those wishing to monitor on their own may check DEQ’s Air Quality Index at https://bit.ly/2N372UF or download the free OregonAIR app.
October 30, 2019
Oct. 29, 2019
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is working with cooperators and industrial landowner partners to suppress multiple fires across western Oregon. The majority of these are currently reported at less than 10 acres in size.
Two of these fires have grown in size due to strong easterly winds and dry conditions, with steep terrain and remote access posing challenges:
- The North Fork Fire, located 16 miles east of Molalla, is an estimated 65 acres in size.
- The Detroit Dam Fire, located 5 miles west of Detroit, is an estimated 50 acres in size.
While smoke is visible from both fires, there are no road closures or threatened structures associated with either fire.
“Though we are well outside fire season, it is fairly common to see fires of this nature this time of year due to lower humidity, seasonal winds, and dry conditions,” said ODF’s Fire Operations Manager Blake Ellis. “Our resources and those of our partners and cooperators train to consider the conditions, not the calendar. We appreciate the help from the public in making the same considerations and saving those burn piles for later in the season to help prevent additional fires.”
Private resources engaged on both the North Fork and Detroit Dam Fires include tenders, engines, and hand crews. The cause for both these fires is under investigation with containment status pending further information.
October 1, 2019
SALEM, Ore. – The 2019 fire season officially ends today on all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). The last district to end its fire season — the Southwest Oregon District covering Josephine and Jackson counties — did so this morning at 9 a.m.
The 923 wildfires on ODF-protected lands this year is about average. However, thanks to favorable conditions and successful initial attack, the 16,867 total acres burned is 56 percent below average. Based on the average number of days in fire season across all ODF Districts, this year was the shortest fire season in the 21st century at only 99 days. This is about three weeks shorter than the 121-day fire season average for ODF across all Districts.
“Thanks to a minimum number of wildfires on the landscape statewide, we were fortunate to have adequate resources to respond to fires on our jurisdiction,” said ODF Fire Protection Deputy Chief Ron Graham. “With two team deployments – to the Milepost 97 Fire and Ward Fire – we share in the success of the 2019 fire season with Oregon’s complete and coordinated fire protection system, including forest and range landowners, local fire districts, Tribes, contractors, federal, state and county partners.”
The end of fire season removes restrictions on ODF-protected lands intended to prevent wildfire, such as on backyard debris burning and use of certain equipment. Many structural fire departments in Oregon, however, still require a permit for debris burning, so check with your local fire department before starting a burn.
As Oregon transitions out of fire season, ODF districts across the state are shifting their attention to wildfire prevention efforts. Clearing vegetation, creating defensible space around homes, and keeping those debris piles under control are just a few ways ODF is working with local landowners, members of the public and fellow fire response agencies to mitigate wildfire risk.
“While we are seeing cool, rainy fall weather, it is important to note conditions can change quickly,” Graham said. “Given most of the lightning this time of year is accompanied by rain, human-caused fire starts tend to increase in number. People are anxious to burn backyard debris piles and can get complacent with fire safety. We are grateful for the help of every Oregonian working together to prevent wildfires year round.”
The start and end of fire season are set by each fire protection district based on the fuel conditions in their area. The arrival of steady, soaking rain coupled with cooler temperatures and shorter day lengths usually triggers the closure of fire season. The 2019 fire season varied across Districts in length from 122 days in ODF’s Southwest Oregon District to just 78 days in the Northwest Oregon District.
For more tips on how to keep yourself, your loved ones and your property safe from wildfire at any time of year, visit ODF’s Fire Prevention webpage at www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/pages/FirePrevention.aspx or go to the Keep Oregon Green website at www.KeepOregonGreen.org.
