October 13, 2015
Another severe wildfire season
is fading into history – the third in a row. Along with the flames and destruction, Oregonians suffered through
weeks of choking smoke. This fall, forest landowners are conducting controlled
burns to clean up excess woody debris. Burning when weather conditions are
right limits smoke entering communities. It also reduces the risk of wildfires
later on. Learn more about fall burning from the Oregon Department of Forestry, www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/pages/Burn.aspx.
September 28, 2015
The 15-acre Fall Creek Fire reported Sunday burning in the Oregon Dept. of Forestry’s West Oregon District – Toledo Unit is currently in mop up. One fire engine, four hand crews and two water tenders were dispatched to the fire. Cause is under investigation.
September 25, 2015
Many Oregon forest
landowners are planning controlled burns to occur whenever wildfire
danger subsides in their areas. These deliberate fires meet a twofold purpose:
§
Prepare logged sites for replanting of young
trees
§
Reduce fuel loads to lower the risk of wildfires
next summer
Unlike wildfires, which
occur under the worst of conditions, prescribed burns are conducted only when
weather and wind patterns are optimal to carry smoke up and away from
communities and popular recreation sites. And forest operators and wildland
fire agencies staff the sites with fire engines and personnel to prevent the burns
from spreading outside of designated burn units.
The Oregon Department of
Forestry’s (ODF) meteorologists nail the forecast much of the time. But wind
shifts occasionally push some smoke from prescribed burns into populated areas.
However, most agree the tradeoff is well worth it. Some 150,000 to 200,000 acres of
forestland undergo prescribed burn treatments annually in the state, and the
resulting clean-up of logging debris and excess vegetation greatly reduces the
risk of damaging wildfires on those lands during the summer.
The high intensity of a
wildfire burning in a fuel-rich forest often does long-term damage, wiping out
entire tree stands and in some instances sterilizing the soil. In contrast, a wildfire
in a fire-treated forest typically leaves many of the trees alive.
More information about
prescribed forest burning and smoke management can be found on the Department
of Forestry website,
September 21, 2015
Following are highlight wildfire statistics in the Pacific Northwest region through Sept. 11.
· Since June 1, approximately 1,571,218 acres were affected by wildfire in the Northwest: 576,901 acres in Oregon and 994,317 acres in Washington.
· There were a total of 3,404 reported fires in the two-state area: 1,942 in Oregon (human-caused 849, lightning-caused 1,093), and 1,462 in Washington (human-caused 1,011, lightning-caused 451).
· There were 101 fires meeting large fire* criteria: 41 in Oregon and 60 in Washington.
· NW Incident Management Teams (National Interagency Management Organization, Area Command, Type 1 & Type 2) mobilized 46 times.
· To date, a total of 58,275 lightning strikes have been recorded. The largest number of strikes occurring in one day was 6,469 (July 9).
· In Oregon, the largest fire/complex is the Canyon Creek Complex for a total of 110,406 acres.
· The largest fire/complex in Washington is the North Star at 211,356 acres.
· The estimated total firefighting cost to date exceeds $463,953,514; this includes $211,041,902** in Oregon and $252,911,612** in Washington.
· During peak fire activity, more than 10,900 firefighters and support personnel were actively working on NW fires.
· In Oregon, fires affected 153,142 acres of Sage Grouse habitat:
– Very high priority habitat = Less than 1 acre
– High priority habitat = 74,343 acres
– Moderate habitat = 78,798 acres
*To be considered a “large fire”, a wildfire must be at least 100 acres in timber or 300 acres in grass or brush.
**not all costs have been reported.
September 14, 2015
Oregon Governor Kate Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act at
12:25 p.m. today in response to the Dry Gulch Fire burning
approximately seven miles northwest of Richland, Oregon. More than 150 homes
are under a Level 3 evacuation notice. Cause of the fire is under
investigation.
The Office of State Fire Marshal activated and deployed the
OSFM Green Incident Management Team and four structural task forces in
response. Green IMT Incident Commander is Les Hallman.
Structural task forces from Marion, Lane, Clackamas and
Columbia counties are expected to arrive on scene by 10:00 p.m. this evening.
The OSFM Green IMT will be in unified command with Oregon
Department of Forestry Team 3.
September 14, 2015
Dry Gulch Fire Information
Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015, 9 p.m.
Fire Information: (541) 786-0501
Dry Gulch Fire exhibits extreme behavior
The Dry Gulch fire burning seven miles northwest of Richland, Oregon, has burned approximately 12,000 acres. Due to the rapidly changing fire environment, evacuation orders have been issued and can rapidly change according to the situation.
Level 3 Evacuation (GO) orders have been issued for:
*77 road from McBride Campground to Highway 86
*The West Wall of the Halfway Valley
*Pine Town Lane east of Halfway
*New Bridge to Carnahan Lane
*Carnahan Lane to Hewitt Park
*Along the Powder River arm to Sag Road and Sag Road to Highway 86
Level 2 Evacuation (SET) orders have been issued for:
*Dry Gulch
*New Bridge.
*Between Carnahan Lane and Moody Road
*Cornucopia Highway and the West Wall of the Halfway Valley
Sunday’s operations: Firefighters worked to assess opportunities for fire lines and used aircraft and heavy equipment to establish fire lines where fire behavior allowed. The fire burned extremely actively, pushed by gusty winds and low relative humidity. Structure protection and public and firefighter safety took precedence in Sunday’s operations. Due to the increase in size and complexity, an ODF Type 1 Team (Smith) was been ordered and will take command of the fire Monday.
Weather and Fire Behavior: The forecast Sunday evening called for clear conditions with gusty winds up to 18 m.p.h. from the Northwest. Humidity recovery was expected to be poor Sunday evening. Weather for Monday is expected to be mostly clear with lighter winds and lower temperatures.
Road Closures
Road closures have been implemented for public and firefighter safety and include:
-Eagle Creek Road from New Bridge
-77 Road from McBride Campground to Highway 86
-Highway 86 from Richland to Halfway
Quick Facts Incident Summary
Size: 12,000 acres
Fire Containment: 0%
Incident Commander: Mike McDonnall
Total Personnel: 150
Jurisdiction:
Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
and Eagle Valley Rural Fire District
Social Media:
Inciweb
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4607/
Facebook
http://facebook.com/DryGulchFire2015
###
September 13, 2015
Fire Information line: (541) 786-0501
The Dry Gulch fire was reported at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Saturday September 12. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation. An Oregon Dept. of Forestry incident management team will take command of the firefighting operation at 5 p.m. today.
QUICK FACTS
Size: 3,800 acres
Containment: uncontained
Total personnel: 150
Jurisdiction: Oregon Dept. of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, Eagle Valley Rural Fire District
Level 3 Evacuation (GO) order has been issued for west of the 77 road from McBride Campground to Highway 86 and the West Wall of the Halfway Valley. Level 2 Evacuation (SET) orders have been issued for Dry Gulch and New Bridge.
Yesterday’s Operations: Firefighters were dispatched at approximately 3:30 p.m. Saturday, September 12. Initial attack utilized air resources and dozers heavily to fight the fire and build containment lines.
Weather and Fire Behavior: The forecast today calls for mostly sunny conditions with temperatures near 86 degrees. The potential for active fire behavior still exists with low relative humidity in the region. Winds will be moderate with gusty winds to 15 mph from the west.
Today’s Operations: Firefighters will continue to assess opportunities for fire line construction, use air resources to help secure containment lines and provide structure protection where needed. Fire behavior will continue to be extreme with the current and forecasted weather for the next couple of days. Firefighters from ODF, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and Baker County Rural Fire resources are on scene today. A local Type 3 Interagency Team will take control of the fire at 3:00 p.m.
Road Closures
Road closures have been implemented for public and firefighter safety and include:
-Eagle Creek Road from New Bridge
-77 Road from McBride Campground to Highway 86
The fire danger rating is still at a HIGH level and Public Use Restrictions involving campfires and chainsaw use are in effect. For more information about the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest’s Public Use Restrictions, please contact any forest office or visit our website at:
http://www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman/ or on the Blue Mountain Fire Information BlogSpot at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.
Regulated closures are in effect on State and private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast and central Oregon. Please check with your local Oregon Department of Forestry office for public use restrictions on lands protected by ODF. Visit the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch webpage at: www.bmidc.org or contact a local Oregon Department of Forestry office for more complete information.
September 13, 2015
1:55 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 13, 2015
The
Dry Gulch Fire reported Saturday evening burning seven miles NW of the town of
Richland, Oregon, in the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Northeast Oregon
District has grown to 1,200 acres. The fire is
burning in grass and brush fuels. Twelve structures are threatened. A
Type 3 (local) incident management team will take over management of the fire
at 3 p.m. today.
Steep terrain is challenging firefighters, and access is
limited. This morning, resources fighting the
fire included seven single-engine air tankers
and three helicopters. Two heavy air tankers and a lead plane were
on order at that time along with other
resources. Several hand crews have been assembled to perform direct attack.
Cause of the fire is currently under investigation.
News contact:
Rod Nichols
503-508-0574
rod.l.Nichols@Oregon.gov
September 13, 2015
The Dry Gulch Fire reported Saturday evening burning
seven miles NW of the town of Richland, Oregon, in the Oregon Department of
Forestry’s Northeast Oregon District has burned 300-plus acres. Resources fighting the fire include seven single-engine air tankers
and three helicopters, with two heavy air tankers and a lead plane on order
along with other resources. Several hand crews have been assembled to perform
direct attack. Cause of the fire is currently under investigation. Wind is
expected to pick up today, posing a potential challenge to firefighters.
Contact Info:
Rod Nichols
Oregon Dept. of Forestry
503-508-0574
rod.l.Nichols@Oregon.gov
September 8, 2015
Sept. 8, 2015
This week will bring warmer,
dryer weather conditions back to the John Day valley, and back to the fires of
the Canyon Creek Complex. Un-burned
vegetation and smoldering large fuels may begin to smoke more than they have in
the past week when humidity was higher and temperatures were cooler. Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) fire
managers are confident that fire lines adjacent to private lands are secure,
and do not pose a risk to landowners. The
fire continues to burn on the eastern front where Oregon Interagency Incident
Management Team 4 is developing a strategy to contain the fire and minimize
impacts in the Slide Creek and Strawberry Creek drainages of the Strawberry
Mountain Wilderness.
ODF’s John Day Unit will continue
to patrol, focusing on the private lands within the fire area. In addition to the normal engine patrols from
the John Day Unit the Central Oregon District has assigned a strike team of
five engines from other ODF offices around the state to patrol and mop-up
smokes or hot spots near the fire perimeter.
These engines and their strike team leader will also be involved in fire
suppression repair activities.
While interior smoke will be
visible until fall rains and cooler temperatures completely extinguish the fire,
any active fire or smoke near the fire edge, or within the urban interface
should be reported to the John Day Interagency Dispatch Center (541-575-1321),
or 911. The John Day Unit is still fully
staffed for fire season with initial attack resources including engines, Single
Engine Air Tankers, a helitack crew, helicopters, and a reconnaissance plane.
The Central Oregon District remains
in a regulated closure restricting activities with the potential to ignite fires. Campfires are prohibited on lands protected
by ODF, including Oregon State Parks.
This campfire ban includes warming fires and cooking fires. Hunters are encouraged to be prepared for
cooler temperatures as they go to the field so they will not be tempted to
build a fire to stay warm. Additional
restrictions are included in the closure which can be found on the Central
Oregon District website: oregon.gov/odf/centraloregon.
Open burning such as burn barrels
and debris burns within the Central Oregon District require a permit from ODF
during fire season. Currently no permits
are being issued. Burning without a
permit can result in citations or fines.
In addition to these restrictions exploding targets, tracer ammunition,
and sky lanterns are all prohibited during fire season.
Christie
Shaw
Public Information Officer
(541)263-0661
christie.shaw@oregon.gov
September 3, 2015
Sept. 3, 2015
Cooler temperatures, higher humidity
and a little rain are assisting firefighters on the lightning caused Eagle
Complex Fire, located 20 miles northwest of Richland, Oregon. Approximately 0.04 inch rain was received in the area of the fire on Wednesday
night. The fire is managed by a local Type 3 incident management team,
led by Willy Crippen, Incident Commander. The complex is 12,702 acres,
with 62 percent containment. There are 180 personnel assigned to the fire,
including four crews, nine engines, four water tenders, five dozers, and four
helicopters. Weather conditions are allowing fire officials to release 2
helicopters today to assist with other incidents.
Crews are building hand line directly
along the perimeter of the fire in the vicinity of Two Color Creek, in the
northwest portion of the fire. They completed approximately 1-½ miles of
fire line on Wednesday, tying it in to existing roads and natural fuel breaks; such as rocks and wet meadows. Masticators
have been cutting and chipping fuels along roads, preparing these roads to be
used as fire line, in the southwest area of the fire. Expert tree fallers are
arriving Thursday, to fall hazardous snags near the perimeter of the fire in
East Eagle Creek and along the west side of the fire.
Crews are continuing to mop up along
the east perimeter of the fire, extinguishing smokes within 100 feet of the
fire’s edge. Firefighters are continuing to mop up around the cabins and
structures along FS Road 7745, by East Eagle Creek. On Wednesday,
helicopters dropped water within the perimeter of the fire, on the northwest
corner and the northeast side of East Eagle Creek. The fire team has been assisted by
three firefighters in leadership roles from Australia for the last week. The Australians are leaving today in route to a fire in Washington.
Information about the Eagle Complex
Fire can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/WallowaWhitmanNF http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4481/
The public use restrictions on the
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest are reduced to Phase B on September 3. Weather has modified slightly, but fire danger remains high to extreme. This
change allows campfires ONLY in designated campgrounds and recreation sites,
and in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Operating a chain saw is still
prohibited. Traveling off developed forest roads and trails is not
allowed. Motorized travel on closed roads is prohibited, and smoking
restrictions are still in effect. Additional information about Public Use
Restrictions and emergency closure areas on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
can be found at www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman/. Oregon smoke condition
information is available at http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/.
###
September 2, 2015
Contact:
Tom Fields
Oregon Department of Forestry
(503) 945-7440
The recent rainfall that fell across Oregon in variable
amounts has fire officials concerned.
“Now is not the time for folks to let their guard down,”
says Oregon Department of Forestry Fire Prevention Coordinator Tom Fields.
“We’re still in the midst of three consecutive fire seasons that have wreaked
havoc in all four corners of the state. And while the small amount of rain was
a welcome relief, we are far from putting this fire season to bed.”
For the most part, the significant rainfall since August 24
landed along the Oregon coast and Willamette Valley. The north Cascades also
received in excess of an inch of rain while the rest of the state remained
fairly dry. Fuels receptive to sparks and embers remain abnormally dry and are
still prone to ignite and carry fire with ease. Add to the mix the region’s
early fall east winds that blow over the Cascades like California’s Santa Anna
winds, and the threat doubles. The Scoggins Creek, Yellow Point and Lost Hubcap
fires from 2014 are prime examples of September fires that grew out of control,
threatened communities, and cost millions of dollars to put out. Broken down,
the Scoggins Creek Fire burned 211 acres and cost $1.9 million; Yellow Point
burned 789 acres and cost $5.6 million; and Lost Hubcap burned 2,712 acres and
cost $3.1 million.
“The bottom line,” according to Fields, “is that we still
need to exercise caution and follow fire restrictions in effect when working or
recreating in wildland areas.”
Campfires remain prohibited on private and public lands
protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry as well as all state parks. The
exception is developed and approved campgrounds in some areas.
While many corporate private lands remain closed due to the
continued fire danger, hunting season is still open. Hunters and other outdoor
enthusiasts must have landowner permission before entering and follow all
public fire use restrictions, such as no smoking or off-road driving.
Outdoor debris burning also remains prohibited. Other
fire-starting activities currently restricted include the use of power
equipment such as chainsaws and lawn mowers cutting dry grass. Those activities
can only be done early in the day when fire danger is at its lowest.
###
September 2, 2015
Sept. 2, 2015
By the Oregon Cattlemen’s Association
Smothering smoke. Burning heat. Charred remains. Wildfires are natural disasters that should never be taken lightly. But how do you prepare for something that you know is going to happen, but are not given the when or where on the timing of the strike? Meet the Oregon Rangeland Fire Protection Association. The group, initially formed in 1964, is made up of Oregon ranchers who have come together to form a volunteer firefighting program that an Oregon Department of Forestry report is calling a grass roots success story.
Silas Skinner, 37, is a rancher from Oregon’s far East corner of Jordan Valley. He is president of the local RFPA and said the idea for the Jordan Valley association started during a fire in 2006. The disaster left many ranchers feeling helpless when it came to protecting their animals, land and local communities. Skinner said sitting back and watching the action didn’t bode well with many from the area. “The main thing was to be able to fight the fire,” he said.
Fast forward to 2015. With the drought the state of Oregon is currently experiencing, no one was shocked when a fire was called in during a lighting storm on June 28th. Phil Obendorf, a young rancher from Wilder, Idaho, caught word that the Jaca Reservoir fire was burning on Oregon land where his cattle were grazing. The first thought that ran through his head was, “save the cows lives.” Obendorf is a member of Oregon’s Jordan Valley RFPA and showed up to fight the fire at 7 p.m. that night, soon after the flames had begun to burn. With over 400 cattle grazing the land the fire was engulfing, Obendorf shuddered to think what the outcome might be.
Vale BLM was first to arrive on the scene and brought around 35 personnel including eight different vehicles/firefighting equipment. RFPA also received word of the fire via a radio system their ranchers carry at all times in case of emergency. Skinner was in the middle of cutting hay when he got the call. He and his wife, brother and brother’s wife all grabbed their equipment and rushed to the scene. Moments after BLM’s arrival, Jordan Valley RFPA had over 40 personnel and 28 pieces of equipment on sight. After conferring with BLM, the two groups split off to cover more ground.
Clint Fillmore, 44, acts as a liaison between Jordan Valley RFPA and Vale BLM. He carries two different radios, one for each group, that allow him to tell one group what area the other is currently covering. “We had three areas going on that fire at one time,” Fillmore said. Every member is required to carry a radio for safety. Larry Moore of Vale BLM said, “Over the last several years there has been outstanding synchronization of operations, specifically radio procedures, which helps to more effectively coordinate cooperative efforts in a seamless way.”
25 year old RFPA member Annie Mackenzie drove over an hour and half to help battle the flames. “When I’m driving out there its nerve racking, but once I’m there it’s down to business,” she said. Mackenzie drove a water tinder, a semi-truck carrying a water tank, and supplied both BLM and RFPA with water as needed. “We’re (BLM and RFPA) definitely working together.”
36 hours elapsed before Skinner resigned himself to taking a break. He reports that during their time, five to six RFPA personnel dedicated themselves to herding cattle out of the fire’s aggressive path, while the rest focused on dousing the flames. By July 1st the fire was controlled and by the 3rd it was contained. During the time it burned the fire consumed 13, 460 acres.
For Obendorf, that meant 12,000 acres of prime cattle grazing was out of commission for the next 2 years. Still, he’s thankful crews were able to save what they did.
“The RFPA is made up of ranchers that know the area which is key in helping fight wildfires,” Obendorf said. While he lost three cows, three calves and one bull in the flames, the RFPA was able to herd 400 of his cattle away from the fire, something government agencies don’t always have enough staffing to accomplish. “The RFPA saved my herd,” Obendorf said.
There are over 14 RFPA groups around Oregon consisting of over 600 volunteer members. While wildfires may seem a distant concern to some of Oregon’s urban areas, they have a direct impact on the state’s budget and in a way burn right through the heart of the capital. Volunteer programs, like the RFPA, help protect Oregon’s rangeland and its finances.
Oregon prides itself in its beautiful landscapes and vibrant variety of wildlife. Fillmore sees that wildfires endanger that beauty in that they are a threat to Oregon communities, wildlife and animals. Why fight fires? “I do it because we have to protect the rangeland and wildlife,” he said.
“You can’t just sit there and hope for the best,” Mackenzie added. “It’s my brothers, my cousins, my neighbors, my friends. If they need one more person out there to watch their back, I want to be that person.”
Being a volunteer Oregon firefighter is a time consuming job. Especially when there are cows to be fed, water troughs to fill, and gates to fix. “It takes time that’s not available,” said Fillmore. “But is it worth it? The answer is yes.”
The Oregon Cattlemen’s Association was founded in 1913 and works to promote environmentally and socially sound industry practices, improve and strengthen the economics of the industry, and protect its industry communities and private property rights.
– By Kayli Hanley
September 2, 2015
Fire Information: (541)
820-3643 or (541) 820-3633 (staffed 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.)
Email Address: canyoncreekcomplex@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/canyoncreekfireoregon
Malheur NF: www.fs.usda.gov/malheur/
Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4495/
Twitter: @MalheurNF
Air Quality Index: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/
Cause: Lightning
Date of Origin: August 12, 2015
Location: One mile south of the towns of John Day and Canyon City, Oregon.
Types of
Fuel: Timber with brush/grass understory; areas of medium logging
slash.
Structures Threatened: 100
Structures Damaged: 50
Residences Destroyed: 43
Current Size: 105,684
acres (no infrared flight last night)
Percent Containment: 52%
Number of Personnel: 1,014
Types of resources: 2 Type 1 (hotshot) crews, 23 Type 2 crews, 5 helicopters, 54 engines, 13 dozers, 20 water tenders, 9 skidgines, 1 masticator.
All Evacuation Levels lowered as
of 6 a.m. today.
Canyon Creek Complex Recent Activities:
• Night shift crews continued to make progress strengthening
fire lines and mopping up along the entire northern perimeter of the fire. Fire activity moderated through the night due
to higher relative humidity and operations occurred with no issues.
• Additional resources continue
to arrive and are being incorporated into the operational plan, mostly on the northern and eastern flanks to hold the
completed line.
• Spot fires east of the 1640 Road challenged firefighters along the High Lakes Rim. Crews and air support worked yesterday to
contain them, however low relative
humidity and higher temps made the fire resistant to control. Firefighters had
to pull out as smoke hindered visibility and potential for spotting below crews
made it unsafe to continue operations. Today crews will again engage in this effort and are hopeful lower
temperatures and higher relative humidity will aid in their efforts.
• Firefighters worked on two spot fires located in the
northeast area of the fire yesterday. Air support dropped retardant on one and firefighters constructed a
dozer line around the other. Crews will continue to work on these two spots
today.
• Because of active fire activity in the High Lakes
basin, causing spotting and increased smoke, the fire module and an additional
crew that were hiking into the Strawberry Lake Basin left the area due to
unsafe conditions.
• Cooler weather will move
into the area with slight wind gusts and higher relative humidity. This should calm fire activity and allow
firefighters to make progress in several areas.
• Firefighters continue providing structure protection
and strengthening dozer and hand lines
in the Dog Creek, Pine, Indian, and Strawberry Creek areas.
• Repair operations will continue along the entire
western and southern flanks.
• The Oregon National Guard will continue to work on the
western and southern edge of the fire focusing on suppression repair and
reinforcing the line.
• A full contingent of aircraft will be active today.
ODOT: CR 62, the 16 Road and Highway 395 are open
for through travel with no restrictions. Be advised that crews may still be working on the roads and drivers are
urged to use caution. Smoke will
continue for some time, please do not report unless active fire is seen.
Public Safety
Alert:
If traveling through the area that has burned,
please do not leave your vehicles and walk through ashes due to hot spots,
stump holes and falling trees.
Grant County Sheriff: The Grant County
Sheriff’s Office reminds people to be respectful of private property and to
remain on the road unless invited. Trespassing is punishable by law and violators will be prosecuted.
Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER): A BAER team has
been ordered and will begin to conduct a watershed assessment of the area in
order to plan rehabilitation of fire lines and mitigate soil erosion.
Air Quality Index: Smoke levels may reach unhealthy levels for sensitive groups range from time to time.
For more specific information visit Oregon Smoke Information at http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com.
September 2, 2015
Christie Shaw
Public Information Officer
(541) 263-0661
christie.shaw@oregon.gov
It has been nearly three weeks since the Mason
Springs and Berry Creek fires came roaring down canyon, consuming everything in
their path. These fires merged, known as the Canyon Creek Complex, they
continue to burn in the surrounding hillsides. While the smoke still
lingers and the shock starts to wear off, residents begin the planning stages
of the difficult rebuilding process. Thoughts of how to rebuild and
reclaim a community from the fire aftermath are forming. The Oregon
Department of Forestry (ODF) wants to be a part of this process of restoring
communities in Grant County.
The John Day Unit of ODF employs a staff that can
help by providing technical assistance to landowners in the rebuilding of their
forested landscapes. This staff is vital in helping the community return
the forests and wildland back to pre-fire conditions over time while meeting
the requirements of the Oregon Forest Practices Act.
Scorched and burned out silhouettes remain where
grass, shrubs and trees were once part of the landscape. As we move
toward fall and the rainy season, fragile soil that was held in place by this
vegetation becomes a threat to water quality. Rules in the Oregon Forest
Practices Act are intended to limit damage to soils and streamside vegetation
which can filter ash and sediment from run-off on these blackened slopes.
While you may want to get started right away clearing burned vegetation, that
vegetation may be critical for soil stabilization until new plants become
established. ODF Stewardship Foresters can help landowners navigate
through the rules and processes which are in place to maintain healthy
forests.
ODF wants to assist landowners through the process
for removing hazard trees near homes and infrastructure as well as planning for
and implementing salvage logging operations and post fire recovery efforts on
private forestlands. ODF John Day Unit Stewardship Forester Ryan Miller
explains, “We don’t want to stop someone from removing a tree that poses a
safety hazard, we just want to ensure that we protect streams and soil. We can
provide landowners options and technical advice for removing hazards while
protecting the environment.” Stewardship Foresters can also provide
advice on how to restore vegetation back to a site. Contact the local ODF
Office in John Day (541-575-1139) for more information.
September 1, 2015
The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Forest
Grove District announced today it is lowering the Industrial Fire Precaution
Level to “I: Closed Season.” This reduces the fire safety precautions
that forest operators must follow while logging or constructing roads in the forest during wildfire season. The two
units affected by the change are NW-2 and NW-3. A map on the ODF website
entitled, “ODF Industrial Precaution Levels and Public Use
Restrictions/Closures,” depicts the two units – http://www.oregon.gov/odf/Pages/index.aspx
The two units were previously at Level II, which requires more fire prevention
steps of forest operators. The recent weather change in the district that
brought significant rainfall and cooler temperatures prompted the level change.
August 24, 2015
The 26-acre August Fire burning 10 miles west of Banks near milepost 42-43 along Highway 26 was fully contained by Monday morning, Aug. 24. Firefighters have also completely “plumbed” the fire, meaning they have run hoses to all sectors, enabling firefighters to put water on any hot spots they discover. The fire lines are holding around the fire, and firefighters are making progress mopping up the blaze. A lack of wind this morning is aiding their efforts. Oregon Department of Forestry firefighters and firefighters from local rural fire departments are working the fire, which was human caused. Highway 26 remains closed this morning. The Oregon Department of Transportation will reopen the highway as soon as conditions allow.
August 24, 2015
Aug. 23, 2015, 7:30 p.m.
The Oregon Dept. of Forestry reported this evening that the August Fire, burning 10 miles west of Banks on the south side of Highway 26 near mile posts 42 and 43 poses no threat to structures, and that no evacuations are underway.
This afternoon, a wind shift caused the fire to become more active, increasing the total size to 20 acres. ODF firefighters are continuing to work the fire. For the latest information on Highway 26
delays/closures, go to: www.tripcheck.com.
August 23, 2015
There is a four-acre fire burning near Milepost 43, on the south
side of Highway 26 that has caused ODOT to CLOSE the highway (both
lanes). Visit www.tripcheck.org for details on the highway closure, delays, or detours.
The fire, reported at about 3 p.m., is named the August Fire, and is burning about 10 miles west of Banks.
Four ODF engines out of the Forest Grove District have responded, as well as five engines from Banks and
Elsie-Vine Maple RFDs, and Washington County Fire District 2 and the
Forest Grove Fire District. Air resources on the fire are one helicopter and two single-engine-air-tankers. There are approximately 60 total personnel working the fire. Weather conditions: Winds are
calm and the temperature is 75 degrees.
The fire has been determined to be human-caused.
###
August 22, 2015
Southern Oregon is wildfire country. In the last five years
about one-third of the 325,000-acre Tiller Ranger District has been blackened
by wildfire. This year, the Stouts Creek Fire has already burned over 25,000
and was 82 percent contained on August 22, 2015. Locals here know about living
with wildfire. They have learned that adapting to wildfire means getting to
know your neighbors and that potlucks are the perfect place talk about being a
fire-adapted community.
When the Stouts Creek Fire was threatening homes east of the
community of Azalea, fire managers were pleased to learn that Milo, Tiller, and
Upper Cow Creek Road were designated FireWise Communities. Being Firewise means
homeowners have taken significant steps to make their homes defensible from a
wildfire. After several years of hard work, 14 homes and several roads
including Upper Cow Creek Rd have defensible space and have joined the dozen
other recognized FireWise communities in Douglas County.
The maxim of many hands makes light work applies. Grant
resources, program support and technical assistance came from the Douglas
Forest Protective Association, the Umpqua National Forest, Douglas County
Public Works, the Phoenix Charter School and others. At the grassroots level,
neighbors did not just come together on their own. There was a spark, a
catalyst, someone who overcame the inertia and fostered change. That person was
Kathy Staley of Upper Cow Creek Rd.
“The Umpqua National Forest is part of our community,” said
Kathy Staley. “Donna Owens, Tiller District Ranger, made it easy for us. We
hold regular potlucks and Donna and her staff began attending. As we got to
know one another we naturally broadened our circle of care to include those who
work for the Forest Service,” she explained.
“Prior to these gatherings, the relationship with the Umpqua
NF was often adversarial. It helped that Ranger Owens was willing to say the
tough but honest things,” Staley said. “That built trust in the eyes of the
community members.”
Clearly motivated, Kathy explained that her career as an
engineering inspector gave her a sharp and critical eye.
“I saw a need,” she explained. “I’m relatively new to the
community. We learned that there were grants available to help pay for removing
the brush and small trees to make our homes safer from wildfire,” she said. The
grant funds and other monies helped pay for road crews removing roadside brush.
“Red Apple Road used to be tight with brush,” explained
Kathy Pack of Upper Cow Creek Road. “It made me nervous thinking about driving
it during a wildfire. Getting the roads and houses cleared of brush out really
gave me piece of mind,” she said.
Once the neighbors learned that they could meet their
commitment by contributing their time, the idea spread like creamy peanut
butter. Using the county’s road crew and students from the Phoenix Charter
School, they were able conduct defensible space activities at more than a dozen
homes—removing brush and small trees and pruning up the branches on larger trees
to make the homes safer from wildfire.
“We’ve owned this piece of land for 30 years,” said Jim
Pack. “I planted all the trees myself and each one has a name. This place is a
dream come true for me. Making it safer from wildfire was just something we had
to do. We have too much at stake to live with the risk of it burning.”
Just as local residents gave their time, staff from the
Tiller Ranger District understood they had to do the same. “The relationship
building just took time,” said Terry Brown, Fire Management Officer, Tiller
Ranger District. “The relationships we have with the community are the most
valuable results from this process.”
The Douglas Forest Protective Association formed the third
leg of the FireWise triangle. FireWise Coordinator Dennis Sifford advises
communities on becoming FireWise.
“The program helps make homeowners aware of the risks and
teaches them about the little things they can do to help their homes survive a
wildfire,” said Dennis.
Wildfire is a frequent visitor to southern Oregon. Building
resilience and adapting to wildfire depends on knowing your neighbors, widening
the circle of care and finding the catalysts in the community who can make
things happen. In these Firewise communities, these grass roots efforts have clearly
paid off.
“When I learned that the residents of Upper Cow Creek Road
were designated FireWise, I was more confident that we could protect the homes
and that our firefighters would come home safely,” explained Steve Bowen,
Structural Liaison for the Stouts Creek Fire.
Contacts:
Marcus Kauffman, ODF, Stouts Creek Fire Information: 541-825-3724; Cell: 206-402-7175
Kyle Reed, DFPA, 541-672-6507 X 136 Cell: 541-817-7186
