June 5, 2017
A fire in slash in Curry County that went unreported for several
days was mopped up on Friday, June 2 by three hand crews, a water tender and a
dozer. The Coos Forest Protective Association reported the fire and responded
to it. No structures were damaged or threatened by the Saunders Creek Fire,
which burned near the town of Gold Beach in southwest Oregon. Cause of the fire is under
investigation.
May 31, 2017
Firefighters are mopping up Honey Creek Fire in Douglas County
Firefighters in southern Oregon are
aggressively mopping up a fire that broke out May 26 about nine miles northeast
of Glide. The Honey Creek Fire was initially responded to by Douglas Forest
Protective Association firefighters, who worked over the weekend constructing a
fire trail in the steep, rocky hillside where the fire was located. The
job was made more difficult because access to nearby water sources was limited
due to snow drifts which are still present on some roads in the area.
As of 1 p.m. May 30 the fire had burned 54
acres and was reported as 80% contained. DFPA was assisted in suppression
efforts on the Honey Creek Fire by the Oregon Department of Forestry, the
Umpqua National Forest and the private landowner.
No structures were threatened by the blaze,
which occurred in a remote part of Douglas County. The cause of the Honey
Creek Fire is currently under investigation.
Homes threatened by Hemlock Fire in western Lane County have been spared
In western Lane County, a fire that started on May 26 burned 25
acres before being reported contained over the weekend. The
Hemlock Fire broke out in an area north of Honeyman State Park and just south of Florence, Ore. The fire had been threatening homes in the area but no structures were
damaged.
The Hemlock Fire was responded to by ODF’s
Veneta Office in the Western Lane District assisted by Coos Forest Protective
Association, Siuslaw Valley Fire, the U.S. Forest Service and inmates from
Shutter Creek Correctional Institute who have been trained as wildland
firefighters. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
October 18, 2016
Oct. 14,
2016
The end of the 2016 fire season caps off a
successful summer following three tumultuous seasons. The Oregon Department of
Forestry, which protects roughly 16 million acres of private, state and federal
lands, officially ended fire season today (Friday, Oct. 14, 2016), with the
Central Oregon District being the last to lift restrictions.
ODF and its fire protective association partners suppressed 807 fires in 2016
that burned 5,554 acres and cost about $17.4 million. In comparison, the
volatile fire seasons from 2013-2015 accounted for an annual average of 81,467
acres and about $88 million in fire suppression costs.
“Overall, we are pleased with the outcome of the 2016 fire season,”
said ODF Fire Protection Deputy Chief Ron Graham. “Thanks to aggressive and
safe firefighting, we were able to keep several fires with great potential
small in scale while keeping firefighter injuries to a minimum. We are thankful
for our partners within Oregon’s complete and coordinated fire protection
system, including forest landowners, rural fire districts, and federal and
state partners that played key roles throughout the fire season.”
While acres burned were significantly less than normal, the number of
human-caused fires was well above average. ODF’s fire statistics show that more
than 90 percent of the ignitions in 2016 resulted from people, up nearly 25
percent from the average. Graham said there is still a lot of work to be done
through prevention.
“Fire prevention remains our top priority,” he said.
“Human-caused fires, especially debris burning and illegal, abandoned
campfires continue to raise concern. We are constantly looking for new ways to
raise awareness to reduce these unnecessary and careless fires.”
The end of fire season does not mean the end of fire prevention. The public is
urged to continue to practice vigilance with any activity associated with fire.
When burning yard debris, do so during daylight hours under calm conditions.
Scrape a fire trail down to mineral soil completely around burn piles. Keep
piles small and manageable, feeding the fire periodically from larger piles.
Monitor the burn carefully and keep a shovel and charged garden hose at the
ready.
Just like a campfire, never leave the burn pile unattended and put the fire
completely out before leaving. Revisit the burn site regularly over several
weeks to make sure the fire has not rekindled.
Burn piles, especially tightly compacted piles, can hold heat and smolder for
many weeks, rekindling when the temperature goes up and the wind blows.
Residents should contact their local fire department before conducting any
burning as restrictions vary among local fire districts.
Fire season is declared and terminated on a district-by-district basis based on
fire danger conditions. Walker Range Fire Patrol, which provides protection for
ODF near Crescent, was the first to declare fire season on June 1.
Below is a list of ODF Fire Protection Districts and their fire season start
and end dates:
– Walker Range Fire Patrol Association, June 1-Oct. 13
– Central Oregon District, June 3-Oct. 14
– Klamath-Lake District, June 3-Oct. 13
– Southwest Oregon District, June 3-Oct. 13
– Douglas Forest Protective Association, June 8-Oct. 5
– Coos Forest Protective Association, June 24-Oct. 6
– Northeast Oregon District, June 28-Oct. 13
– South Cascade District, June 28-Oct. 5
– Western Lane District, June 28-Oct. 6
– North Cascade District, June 30-Oct. 1
– West Oregon District, July 5-Oct. 4
– Northwest Oregon District, July 30-Oct. 4
###
October 12, 2016
Department of Forestry – Northeast Oregon District
October 12, 2016
Contact: Jamie Knight, 541-786-2039
As of Oct. 13, 2016, the Oregon Department of Forestry has terminated fire season for forestlands protected by the Northeast Oregon District. This includes private, state, county, municipal and tribal lands protected by ODF. The Northeast Oregon District includes lands in the following counties: Union, Baker, Umatilla, Wallowa and small portions of Grant, Morrow and Malheur counties.
The forecast is calling for a turn towards wetter and cooler fall weather. Mitch Williams, Wildland Fire Supervisor in La Grande Unit ,reminds people to exercise caution:
“It’s important to remember that a warmer or windy day can dry fine fuels out quickly. Folks burning slash or debris piles should remember that conditions can become unfavorable fairly quick this time of year. If we have periods of warming and drying later in the fall, it’s essential for landowners to go out and check slash piles that were burned for remaining heat that could cause a problem. It’s not uncommon for us to be fighting escaped slash fires in late October and November.”
With the termination of fire season, requirements for providing firefighting equipment at logging sites or obtaining a burn permit from ODF are no longer in effect. Terminating fire season does not relieve landowners or forest operators of lawful responsibilities concerning the safe burning of debris or slash.
Specific Smoke Management/Burning Advisory Information:
If you are under the protection of a rural or city fire department, please call and ask what their burning restrictions are. Burn permits for burn barrels or small amounts of yard debris are not required on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. In addition, burning within the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation requires a permit from CTUIR. Follow all requirements within the permit.
Burning slash from forestry and logging activities requires a Notification of Operation/PDM from ODF. In addition to this permit, the local ODF office must be contacted prior to ignition. Before burning in northeast Oregon, it is important to check weather conditions relative to smoke management. For smoke management forecasts call 541-963-9781 or visit the following website:
www.odf.state.or.us/DIVISIONS/protection/fire_protection/Daily/neo.htm.
Slash burns must be registered with the local ODF office at least seven days prior to burning and burning accomplishments after seven days.
The Northeast Oregon District of the Oregon Department of Forestry would like to thank all of our landowners, forest operators and the public for their efforts in fire prevention, detection and suppression activities this season. In 2016, the district had 38 fires that burned a total of 871 acres; this is well below the 10-year average of 7,500 +/- acres. Fourteen of the fires were lightning caused; the lowest number since 1960 for the Northeast Oregon District.
For further information, call your local ODF office:
La Grande Unit 541-963-3168
Baker City Sub-Unit 541-523-5831
Wallowa Unit 541-886-2881
Pendleton Unit 541-276-3491
To report a fire, call the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center at 541-963-7171, or dial 9-1-1.
http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/ is your spot for current fire information in the Blue Mountains.
September 29, 2016
The 10-acre Reservoir Fire was reported burning early Thursday afternoon west of Lakeview at Lower Cottonwood Reservoir in the Lake Unit of the Klamath-Lake District. Resources at the fire include: two air tankers, one helicopter, six fire engines, two bulldozers, two hand crews and a water tender. Firefighters have completed dozer line around the perimeter. High winds are expected this evening. Cause is under investigation.
September 29, 2016
The Oregon Department of Forestry announced today that the current Regulated-Use Closure in the Northwest Oregon Forest Protection District will be lifted Friday, Sept. 30.
This area includes all state, private and federal Bureau of Land Management forest lands in the Tillamook, Forest Grove and Astoria districts of ODF.
When Regulated Use is officially terminated, the public no longer must observe fire restrictions on smoking, campfires, chainsaws and motorized vehicles. However, everyone still needs to think about fire prevention all year-round. For example, do not discard burning materials, such as cigarettes, and always ensure campfires are cold before leaving.
Fire Season is still in effect
Meanwhile, forest operators must have required fire equipment at the sites of their operation, and are reminded to inspect their fire equipment to ensure it is ready and can pass inspection. Forest operators must also provide fire watch on each operation after equipment is shut down at the end of operations each day. Operators can refer to the Fire Watch Waiver in effect for IFPL fire watch requirements. Fire season rules also prohibit smoking while in or traveling through any “operation area,” and prohibit the use of fuse and caps for blasting on forest land. Zones NW-1, NW-2, and NW-3 IFPL levels and changes may be obtained by calling your local ODF office or online, http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Restrictions.aspx.
For the general public, burning permits are required for open pile burning and burn barrels. Residents who live within a city fire department district or rural fire protection district will need to contact their local fire officials for burning and burn permit requirements.
Fire can be a hazard at any time of year if steps are not taken to use it safely. Whenever you use fire, whether for debris burning or enjoying a campfire, follow these steps to prevent your fire from turning into the next wildfire.
- Never leave your fire unattended.
- When burning debris, always have a hose and shovel at the fire to prevent the fire from spreading.
- Check with your local fire protection agency prior to burning. (Most Rural Fire Protection Districts require a burn permit year round.)
- If camping, ensure your campfire is in a designated area.
- Always make sure your campfire is out cold before leaving.
- On the beach, keep your campfire far from beach grass and drift wood piles.
Once the proclamation is processed early Friday morning, you can find it and other restrictions and closures information on the ODF website, at the link above.
September 27, 2016
The eight-acre Short Lake Fire was reported burning in the Klamath Unit of the Klamath-Lake District Monday afternoon. Air tankers, a helicopter, a bulldozer, three fire engines and a water tender were assigned to the blaze burning in grass, sagebrush and juniper fuels. Crews fought the fire through the night and it is currently in mop-up. Oregon Dept. of Forestry and Bureau of Land Management are partnering on the suppression effort. Cause is under investigation.
September 26, 2016
Contact: Kyle
Reed
541-672-6507 x 136, kyle.reed@oregon.gov
Smoke will soon be seen
throughout Douglas County as the Douglas Forest Protective Association works
with farmers, ranchers and other landowners to complete prescribed burns
throughout the Umpqua Valley. Prescribed burns may be conducted on
fields, pastures and hillsides to promote productive grazing lands for
livestock and to improve habitat for wildlife. The main objective of the
prescribed burns is to remove noxious weeds, brush, insects and plant disease
from the proposed burn sites. Permits for backyard debris burning,
including both debris piles and burn barrels, will not be issued at this time.
Historically, DFPA and local
landowner’s have completed about 10,000 acres of prescribed burns annually
throughout Douglas County to improve habitat and pasture lands. Prescribed burns are also beneficial to firefighters by reducing the buildup of
brush and other flammable vegetation throughout the area. Fire officials
note that many wildfires have been suppressed in open grass fields and
hillsides where prescribed burning has taken place periodically over the years.
Prescribed
burns are made safe by the construction of fire trails around the proposed burn
site before fire is introduced onto the landscape. In addition,
landowners must be able to show that they have the ability and resources in the
form of fire suppression equipment and personnel on site to maintain control of
the prescribed burn. Once fire trails are approved by DFPA and weather
conditions are favorable, a permit may be issued to complete the prescribed
burn.
Fire officials say that the
effects from the prescribed burns on populated areas will be minimized by
allowing the burns to take place only when both fire conditions and weather
patterns are favorable to keep smoke out of large populated areas.
###
September 22, 2016
September 22, 2016
Contact: Jamie Knight, 541-786-2039
On September 23, the Oregon Department of Forestry will terminate the Regulated-Use Closure for forestlands protected by the Northeast Oregon District. Due to the change in weather, the closure and the associated fire prevention restrictions are no longer necessary. Campfires are now allowed with landowner permission.
Joseph Goebel, Wallowa Wildland Fire Supervisor, cautions, “While we are trending towards cooler fall weather, the conditions can change rapidly. Parts of the region have gotten some moisture and while that has helped, there is still a danger of fire spreading. Make sure you’re cautious with campfires and debris burning and ensure they are dead out before leaving them unattended.”
While fire restrictions have eased, Fire Season remains in effect for private, state, county, municipal and tribal lands protected by ODF. Burn permits are required for all open fires (except campfires), debris burns and burn barrels. ODF will still need to issue a burn permit for any open burns or burn barrels within the protection district until weather conditions warrant an end to fire season.
The Northeast Oregon District includes lands in the following counties: Union, Baker, Umatilla, Wallowa and small portions of Grant, Morrow and Malheur counties.
To obtain a burn permit from ODF, call the local ODF office:
- La Grande Unit 541-963-3168
- Baker City Sub-Unit 541-523-5831
- Wallowa Unit 541-886-2881
- Pendleton Unit 541-276-3491
Fire restrictions may differ on lands protected by rural fire departments or lands managed by the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management. Check local regulations before burning. More information on fire restrictions can be found on the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center website, www.bmidc.org.
To report a fire, call the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center at 541-963-7171, or dial 9-1-1.
http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/ is the spot for current fire information in the Blue Mountains.
###
September 21, 2016
Oregon Department of Forestry
Southwest Oregon District
Contact: Melissa Cano, 541-613-6313 or 541-664-3328
Cooler temperatures and higher humidity across southwestern Oregon have made it possible to ease off some of the fire prevention regulations. However, warm and dry weather is expected to return to the region by the weekend.
The fire danger level on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties will be lowered to “high” (yellow) tomorrow, September 22, 2016, at 12 a.m. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will remain at 2.
These regulations affect 1.8 million acres of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management lands protected by ODF’s Southwest Oregon District.
Restrictions on the public use of chainsaws, brush cutters and other power-driven or spark-emitting machinery are being slightly relaxed, allowing the use of equipment until 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. Today will be the last day power-driven and/or spark-emitting machinery is completely prohibited.
Other fire prevention regulations that will remain in effect include:
· No debris burning, including piles and debris burned in burn barrels
· No fireworks use on forestlands
· Exploding targets and tracer ammunition, or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base, are prohibited
· Sky lanterns may not be used in wildland and forestland areas
· Campfires allowed only in designated campgrounds. Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used in other locations
· Motorized vehicles are allowed only on improved roads
· Chainsaws may be used until 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. Chainsaw users must have an ax, a shovel and an 8-oz. or larger fire extinguisher at the job site, and a fire watch is required for one hour after the saw is shut down
· Mowing of dead or dry grass with power-driven equipment is allowed until 10 a.m., and may resume after 8 p.m. This restriction does not apply to mowing green lawns, or to equipment used for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops
· The cutting, grinding or welding of metal is allowed until 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. These activities may only take place at a site cleared of potentially flammable vegetation and other materials, and with a water supply at the job site
· Any other spark-emitting internal combustion engine not specifically mentioned is permitted during high fire danger before 10 a.m. and after 8 p.m. as long as it is used in a cleared area and has a charged garden hose or one 2-½ lb. or larger fire extinguisher immediately available
· Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in enclosed vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, and other designated locations
· Electric fence controllers must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services, and be installed and used in compliance with the fence controller’s instructions for fire safe operation
For more information about the Oregon Department of Forestry’s public regulated use regulations, or Industrial Fire Precaution Levels, please call or visit the Southwest Oregon District unit office nearest to you:
· Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central Point. (541) 664-3328
· Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Grants Pass. (541) 474-3152
Fire season information is also available online at www.swofire.com.
###
September 21, 2016
September 20, 2016
Media Contact: Tamara
Schmidt
541-947-6243
LAKEVIEW, Ore. – As of this
morning, the fire danger had been reduced from extreme to high, the Industrial
Fire Precaution Level was reduced to 2 on lands under the South
Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership and Public Use Restrictions
were lifted in several areas.
The IFPL affects lands
administered by the Fremont-Winema National Forest, the Bureau of Land
Management Lakeview District and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at
Sheldon-Hart Mountain and Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge
Complexes. The Public Use Restrictions
are also lifted on these public lands.
The only Lakeview District BLM lands not included in this
are those within the Klamath Falls Resource Area west of Langell Valley. This area is under the protection of the
Oregon Department of Forestry, which remains under regulated use. For information on specific restrictions in
areas under ODF’s fire protection, please visit http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Restrictions.aspx.
Crater Lake National Park remains under Stage 1 Fire
Restrictions, prohibiting campfires in the backcountry and restricting campfires
and smoking to designated areas. For
more information, please visit www.nps.gov/crla
and select “Alerts.”
Personal and commercial woodcutters are allowed to resume
operations in accordance with their permit and current IFPL levels. Woodcutters are reminded of their
responsibility to stay informed of current IFPLs and all restrictions that
apply to activities conducted on public lands. Failure to comply with the fire precautionary requirements may result in
a violation notice.
“While the Public Use Restrictions are lifted and the fire
danger is decreasing, conditions are still dry,” said Interagency Fire Staff
Officer Barry Shullanberger. “As people
go out to enjoy their public lands – whether it’s cutting firewood, hunting,
camping or just enjoying the warm weather – we ask that they be careful with
anything that can throw a spark and to make sure campfires are completely out
and cold to the touch before leaving.”
Visitors should also be aware of their surroundings and
prepared for changing weather conditions as the seasons change. This includes reporting visible smoke that
could be from a wildfire.
For more information on SCOFMP, please visit www.scofmp.org, on Twitter @scofmpfireinfo or
on Facebook at http://facebook.com/scofmpfireinfo.
###
September 20, 2016
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Contact: Randall Baley
541-883-5681
Klamath Falls – The Oregon Department of
Forestry has decreased the fire danger level from Extreme to High
in the Klamath-Lake District, effective Sept. 20. However, the district remains in fire season, which means the regulations restricting debris burning and timber
harvest operations remain in effect.
“With the
forecasted weather for the upcoming weekend and week, we will stay in Closed
Fire Season and Public Regulated Use Closure restrictions. The public has done
an awesome job this season being considerate of the landowners that have
allowed the usage of their properties and by following the regulations that
were in effect,” said Randall Baley, Unit Forester.
The best protection measures are always preventative measures. Residents and visitors to Klamath and
Lake Counties have been very responsible in their use of Fire Safe Practices, he said.
“Let’s continue to not let our guard down. Be
sure to follow any restrictions put in place and other general fire prevention
measures to decrease the chance of or the spread of a wildfire.”
September 15, 2016
At approximately 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon, the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District responded to a grass fire burning near a home on Highway 227 and Rocky Road in Trail. The Rocky Road Fire was burning at a moderate rate of speed upslope in grass, brush and timber. Within two hours, crews were able to slow down the fire’s spread and get a fire line around 80 percent of the perimeter.
Tonight, the fire size is estimated at 15.2 acres and is 35 percent contained.
There was an initial threat to nearby homes along Rocky Road; however, with the help of the Rogue Valley Wildland Task Force 2 consisting ofIllinois Valley Fire District, Jackson County Fire District 3, Jackson County Fire District #5 IAFF Local 2596, Jackson County Fire District 4, Medford Fire-Rescue and Ashland Fire & Rescue, all structures were protected.
No public or firefighter injuries have been reported.
Crews will continue to work tonight constructing additional hand line, as well as strengthening fire line currently in place. Firefighters will also be monitoring for spot fires throughout the evening and tomorrow morning. Ground crews were able to quickly stop several spot fires this afternoon at 1/10th and 1/100th of an acre. Air attack was integral in stopping the fire’s growth.
All road closures have been lifted, but please be cautious of increased fire traffic along Highway 227.
The cause of the fire is under investigation.
Fire management officials ask that the public continue to use caution and adhere to regulations. Current fire restrictions for lands in Jackson and Josephine Counties protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon District can be found at www.swofire.com.
September 14, 2016
The Douglas Forest Protective Association is working on a 30-35 acre fire near milepost 6 of Highway 138 west of Sutherlin. Two Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) and three helicopters are working the fire from the air to support about 30 firefighters on the ground. DFPA is being assisted by several rural fire departments in the suppression effort. At last report, firefighters were making excellent progress. Structures are in the area but not immediately threatened. Rural fire departments are providing structural protection. The cause of the fire is under investigation. To follow the action, follow along DFPA’s Facebook Page here.
Highway 138 is now closed six miles east of Highway 38 Junction.
September 6, 2016
September 6, 2016
Oregon Department of
Forestry
Southwest Oregon
District
Contact:
Brian Ballou, 541-621-4156 Melissa Cano, 541-613-631
Cool
temperatures and high relative humidity has prompted the Oregon Department of
Forestry’s Southwest Oregon District to drop the Industrial Fire Precaution
Level to 2 today. Cable yarding, blasting, welding or cutting of metal,
and powersaws except at loading sites may operate only between the hours of 8
p.m. and 1 p.m.
This does not
change the fire danger level for the public. The regulated use closure will
remain “extreme” (red). The regulations listed below affect 1.8 million acres
of state, private, county, city and Bureau of Land Management lands in Jackson
and Josephine counties that are protected by ODF’s Southwest Oregon District.
Fire
prevention regulations currently in effect, and which will remain in effect for
the public, include:
- No debris burning in
piles or in burn barrels;
- No fireworks on
forestlands;
- Tracer ammunition and
exploding targets may not be used on forestlands or in any other wildland
area;
- Sky lanterns are
prohibited.
- Campfires are allowed
only in designated campgrounds. Portable stoves using liquefied or bottled
fuels may be used in other locations;
- Motorized vehicles are
allowed only on improved roads;
- Smoking while traveling
is allowed only in enclosed vehicles on improved roads;
- Possession of the
following firefighting equipment is required while traveling, except on
state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of
water or one 2-½ lb. or larger fire extinguisher. All-terrain vehicles
and motorcycles must be equipped with one 2-½ lb. or larger fire
extinguisher;
- A chainsaw with a
spark-emitting internal combustion engine may not be used;
- Mowing of dead or dry
grass with equipment using a spark-emitting internal combustion
engine is not allowed. This restriction does not include mowing
of green lawns, or equipment used for the commercial culture and harvest
of agricultural crops;
- The cutting, grinding or
welding of metal is not allowed;
- The use of any other
spark-emitting internal combustion engine is not allowed;
- Electric fence
controllers must be approved by a nationally recognized testing
laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories Inc., or be certified by the
Department of Consumer and Business Services, and be installed and used in
compliance with the fence controller’s instructions for fire safe
operation.
In the Wild and Scenic Section of the Rogue River between
Grave Creek and Marial:
- Smoking is prohibited
while traveling, except in boats on the water, and on sand or gravel bars
that lie between water and high water marks that are free of vegetation.
- All travelers are
required to carry one shovel and a one-gallon or larger bucket.
- The use of fireworks is
prohibited.
- Campfires, charcoal
fires, cooking fires and warming fires are prohibited. Portable cooking
stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels may be used.
For more information about the Oregon Department of
Forestry’s public regulated use regulations, or the Industrial Fire Precaution
Levels please call or visit the Southwest Oregon District unit office nearest
to you:
·
Medford Unit, 5286 Table Rock Rd., Central
Point, 541-664-3328
·
Grants Pass Unit, 5375 Monument Dr., Grants
Pass, 541-474-3152
###
September 1, 2016
Sept. 1, 2016
Contacts:
Brian Ballou,
541-621-4156
Melissa Cano, 541-613-6313
In the past 24 hours, air and ground support on the Gold
Canyon Fire made significant progress toward containment. The 61-acre fire is now 60
percent contained.
Fire activity is expected to remain minimal today.
Temperatures will be cooler today – in the high 70s and low 80s – but there
is a potential for wind gusts throughout the afternoon.
Firefighters will mop up 200 feet inside the fire
line today to further strengthen the containment of this fire. Ground crews
will also be gridding green areas surrounding the line for potential hot spots.
Residents on Wildpark Lane and Reeves Creek Road will remain
at a Level 1 (Ready) Evacuation Level throughout the day as a precaution. No
structures have been lost.
The fire was reported Tuesday at 4:53 p.m. Cause is
under investigation. The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon
District is asking the public’s help in identifying the person or people
who may be responsible for starting the Gold Canyon Fire.
Please call the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Grants Pass
Unit office at 541-471-3883 if you have information that will help identify
people or vehicles in the area at that time. Information received will be
confidential.
Fire management officials ask that the public continue to
use caution and adhere to regulations. Current fire restrictions for lands in
Jackson and Josephine Counties protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s
Southwest Oregon District can be found at www.swofire.com.
###
September 1, 2016
Aug. 31, 2016
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.
August 31, 2016
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF
FORESTRY
SOUTHWEST OREGON
DISTRICT
Contact:
Brian Ballou
541-621-4156
The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Southwest Oregon
District is asking the public’s help in identifying the person or people who
may be responsible for starting yesterday’s Gold Canyon Fire, which burned 120
acres of forestland south of Selma in Josephine County. The fire was reported
at 4:53 p.m. Tuesday alongside Highway 199 (Redwood Highway) near the
intersection with Gold Canyon Drive.
Please call the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Grants Pass
Unit office at (541) 471-3883 if you have information that will help identify
people or vehicles in the area at that time. Information received will be
confidential.
###
August 31, 2016
OREGON DEPARTMENT OF
FORESTRY
SOUTHWEST OREGON
DISTRICT
Contact:
Melissa Cano,
541-613-6313
Fire
crews worked through the night building and strengthening fire line on the Gold
Canyon Fire south of Selma. The fire is approximately 120 acres, 100 percent
lined and 20 percent contained as of this morning.
The
fire was reported Tuesday at 4:53 p.m. burning in steep terrain
consisting of tall brush and timber. The cause is under investigation.
Weather
conditions today call for temperatures in the mid-80s. While temperatures and
relative humidity are favorable, there is a chance of variable winds reaching five
mph.
This
morning firefighters will continue to strengthen fire line, monitor fire
activity for hot spots and mop up 50 feet within the line. Fire crews will also
be walking the perimeter in order to get an accurate estimate of acres burned.
Today,
residents on Wildpark Lane and Terrece Place will remain at a Level 2 (Set)
Evacuation Level. Residents on Reeves Creek Road will remain at a Level 1
(Ready) Evacuation Level, unless conditions change. The Rogue Valley Strike
Team has been released, and the Illinois Valley Fire District will lead
structural protection throughout the day.
An
American Red Cross shelter has been set up at Rogue Community College in Grants
Pass in the gymnasium for residents evacuated from the Gold Canyon Fire.
Redwood
Highway is back open this morning. Please be cautious while driving through the
fire area. There will be an increased presence of fire traffic along the road.
Fire
management officials ask that the public continue to use caution and adhere to
regulations. Current fire restrictions for lands in Jackson and Josephine
Counties protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry Southwest Oregon
District can be found at www.swofire.com.
###
August 26, 2016
Aug. 26,
2016
The Oregon Department of Forestry has its hands full this morning with a fire
that started in the late afternoon yesterday 10 miles west of Junction City.
The High Pass 12.5 Fire has burned roughly 200 acres in remote timberland of
Lane County. The fire is expected to grow considerably today given the
conditions and terrain. Fire officials estimate that the fire is 10 percent
contained. No structures are threatened.
Continued hot and windy conditions combined with tinder dry forest fuels have
prompted ODF’s Western Lane District to call for one of the agencies incident
management teams. ODF’s Type 1 IMT 2 (Chris Cline incident commander),
comprised of 33 overhead personnel and support staff from across Oregon, will
receive a briefing about the fire later today.
Currently, more than 200 firefighters are assigned to the fire that is burning
in timber and young plantations in steep rugged terrain primarily on Bureau of
Land Management and private industrial timberlands. The firefighters are being
supported with two medium and two large helicopters, several fire engines and
two retardant-dropping air tankers. The district is also receiving support from
BLM, the U.S. Forest Service and several private landowners and forest workers.
Fire officials are hopeful that the recent heat wave will come to an end soon.
Four ODF districts west of the Cascades imposed Industrial Fire Precaution
Level 4 today that calls for a general shutdown of all forest operations due to
extreme fire danger. Many workers unable to work due to the shutdown will be
able to assist the district with the fire.
###
