Last week’s highlights
ODF incident management teams:
- Team 1 is in command of the Salt Creek Fire near Eagle Point (ODF Southwest Oregon District). Updates available on the incident’s Facebook page. Command is anticipated to transfer over to a Type 3 team on Wednesday, July 17.
- Team 2 is in command of the Larch Creek Fire near Dufur (ODF Central Oregon District). The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Green Team demobilized July 16. Updates available on the incident’s Facebook page.
- Team 3 is currently on rotation and available for dispatch.
The agency is working with the U.S. Forest Service on the Falls Fire near Riley (CIMT NW Team 8 in command), which has grown to be 55,000 acres with approximately 5,575 acres of those acres being on ODF-protected land. The agency is also in cooperation with our partners on the Lone Rock Fire, which is currently around 65,000 acres with approximately 15,000 of those acres on ODF-protected land.
This past Friday, July 12, 2024, Governor Kotek declared an extended state of emergency due to imminent threat of wildfire until October 1, 2024. Through this declaration, the agency has the ability to call upon more resources, like the National Guard, to assist in wildfire suppression efforts in Oregon.
ODF has received more than 58 resources from New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, Colorado, and Florida to assist in the Salt Creek and Larch Creek fires. The agency will receive 13 more firefighters from Florida in the coming days to assist the agency’s Incident Management Team 3 and other severity efforts.
A total of 71 resources are coming to Oregon through state-to-state mutual aid agreements and the Northwest Compact. The compact was created to facilitate assistance in wildland fire pre-suppression and suppression efforts between member agencies, which include Hawaii, Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, and the Yukon and Northwest Territories.
What to expect this week
Weather: High pressure drifts back westward today while a compact upper trough develops off the northern California coast. Isolated dry thunderstorms possible along the Oregon/California border this afternoon. Locally gusty winds continue along portions of the Cascade east slopes and gaps. Ongoing fires across eastern Oregon continue to have moderately strong mixing and ventilation potential. Significant ignition concerns return Tuesday through Wednesday as the weak trough moves northward across the Geographic Area. This recognized pattern brings potential for active elevated thunderstorms and notable lightning. Location details will evolve with time. Gusty winds look to return east of the Cascades each afternoon on Wednesday and Thursday.
Prevention: The majority of the fires we’ve seen so far this fire season are due to—likely unintentionally—someone’s actions. Please, know the fire danger level of the areas where you live, work and play, and follow all local restrictions on burning, equipment use, campfires and other activities that can start wildfires. Find danger levels and restrictions across the state here.
Resources
- ODF wildfire blog and Public Fire Restrictions/Danger Levels map
- Regional situation report and national situation report
- Inciweb (information, photos, videos, and maps from specific incidents)