July 19, 2013
The approximately 150-acre Pacifica Fire burning in the Southwest Oregon District jumped Highway 238 at 2:45 p.m. on Friday, July 19, immediately threatening the towns of Williams and Provolt, located southwest of Medford. Some 150 structures are threatened. The fire is burning in timber and brush. Initial attack is underway by the Oregon Dept. of Forestry with assistance from local fire departments. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Blue Team, a structural fire incident management team, has been dispatched to the site. Cause of the fire is under investigation.
July 17, 2013
The 500-acres Box Springs Fire burning 25 miles northeast of Prineville in the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District was stable Wednesday morning with no growth. The lightning-caused fire is fully lined and 50 percent contained. No smoke is visible in the area today.
The Department still has many firefighters continuing mop-up and asks the public to be cautious driving on forest roads due to firefighting traffic. Traffic is heaviest on Forest Service Road No. 27, with some traffic on McKay Road, also (pronounced ‘muk-eye’). Firefighting vehicles will continue traveling back and forth to the fire for the next 2-3 days.
Lightning storms forecast for Tuesday evening didn’t materialize, enabling firefighters to focus on the existing fire.
Most of the resources fighting the fire are ODF and private contract, along with some local USDA Forest Service resources.
July 17, 2013
The 500-acre Box Springs Fire burning 25 miles northeast of Prineville in the Central Oregon District was fully lined by the afternoon of July 16 and is 25 percent contained. An Oregon Department of Forestry fire team took over management of the lightning-caused fire this morning. Thunderstorm activity has been forecast for the area, and firefighters will keep a close watch tonight for any new lightning starts. The Box Springs Fire is burning on private forestlands.
July 8, 2013
The 154-acre STRATTON CREEK FIRE burning 14 miles northwest of Grants Pass in the Southwest Oregon District was fully contained by the evening of July 7. At the peak of the suppression effort, resources on the fire included bulldozers, hand crews, and two heavy airtankers. The fire started in the Stratton Creek Ridge area between Stratton Creek Road and Hog Creek Road in heavy timber and steep terrain on public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management and eventually burned into public lands managed by Josephine County Forestry. Five 20-person hand crews, two water tenders, one bulldozer and six fire engines will remain on the fire through the week to fell hazardous trees, improve lines, continue mop-up and begin rehabilitation where needed. Cause is under investigation.
The 125-acre BLAND MOUNTAIN FIRE burning in the Douglas Forest Protective Association jurisdiction of the Southern Oregon Area was lined and in mop-up by July 7. Cause is under investigation.
Both fires were reported July 4.
July 6, 2013
The 125-acre Bland Mountain Fire burning in the Douglas Forest Protective Association jurisdiction of southern Oregon was 90 percent contained by the morning of July 6. Mop-up continues on the fire, which is burning in timber and grass fuels.
The size of the Stratton Creek Fire burning in the Grants Pass Unit of the Southwest Oregon District has been revised downward to 175 acres due to more accurate mapping. On the morning of July 6 the fire continues to be active, burning in timber and other fuels. Cause is under investigation.
July 5, 2013
The Stratton Creek Fire in the Grants Pass Unit of the Southwest Oregon District had grown to 200 acres by mid-morning July 5. The fire is currently uncontained. Cause is under investigation. The fire was reported July 4.
The 125-acre Bland Mountain Fire in the Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) jurisdiction of southern Oregon is 80 percent contained and in mop-up. Cause is under investigation. The fire was reported July 4.
The 2-acre Bear Creek Fire along Highway 42 South near Bandon caused the highway to be closed at the 2-1/2 mile marker due to visibility concerns from smoke. Coos Forest Protective Association is fighting the fire, with assistance from a DFPA helicopter. Coos County has mobilized a structural task force. The fire was reported July 5.
July 5, 2013
Two new wildfires were reported Saturday afternoon in southern Oregon: The 75-acre Stratton Fire in the Southwest Oregon District’s Grants Pass Unit and the 20-acre Bland Mountain Fire in the Douglas Forest Protective Association’s jurisdiction.
The Bland Mountain Fire is burning in grass and timber and displaying active behavior. Initial attack is in progress. Cause is under investigation.
The Stratton Fire is burning in brush and timber and also active, pushed by winds up to 20 mph. Initial attack is in progress. Cause is under investigation.
July 2, 2013
Sixty-seven Oregon Dept. of Forestry (ODF) personnel are currently fighting fires in other states. These include:
- 62 in Alaska (includes ODF’s Incident Management Team 1)
- 5 in Colorado
The Oregon Department of Forestry and its sister agencies in the other western states routinely share firefighting resources as needed. The arrangement is reciprocal: If ODF needs outside help on fires in Oregon, its partner agencies will provide personnel and equipment when possible.
NO NEW FIRES
No new fires 10 acres or larger were reported on the 16 million acres of private and public lands protected by ODF in the past 24 hours.
FIRES ON OTHER LANDS
- The 30,000-acre Owyhee Fire burning four miles west of Adrian on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands is uncontained. Cause: lightning.
- The 2,800-acre Curry Canyon Fire burning five miles northwest of Juntura on BLM lands is fully contained. Cause: lightning.
- The 12,000-acre Crooked Creek Complex Fire burning nine miles southwest of Rome on BLM lands is 25 percent contained. Cause: lightning.
- The 550-acre Shumway Fire burning 12 miles southeast of Juntura on BLM lands is uncontained. Cause: lightning.
July 1, 2013
[Following is an excerpt from a message Oregon State Forester Doug Decker sent to Oregon Dept. of Forestry employees on July 1 regarding the recent tragedy in Arizona.]
By the nature of the profession, firefighters work side by side.
Today—side by side—we share our sorrow at yesterday’s loss of 19 firefighters, 18 of them members of a Hotshot crew, on Central Arizona’s Yarnell Hill Fire. This is one of the greatest tragedies in the history of wildland firefighting.
On behalf of the Department and Oregon’s broader wildland firefighting community, I have extended our thoughts and prayers to the families, co-workers and friends of these firefighters. Yesterday evening, I also offered Oregon’s ready support to Arizona State Forester Scott Hunt.
It will take time to establish exactly what led to this tragedy. This is a loud and clear statement that firefighting is serious business with the very highest of stakes. Protecting people, resources and property often means going into harm’s way. As we do this, we must keep safety and vigilance paramount.
These reminders are exactly on point for us at this moment. Our permanent and seasonal workforce is trained, in place, and putting out fires on a daily basis. Our Incident Management Team 1 is on assignment in Alaska, and several others of our staff are in Colorado and Arizona. The indicators point to a more-than-typically severe fire season in the West.
As the summer goes on, we, too, will encounter the most challenging of conditions: lightning, unpredictable winds, heavy fuels, and other conditions that demand our utmost attention to safety.
More broadly, we are in an era when weather and forest health conditions across much of the West suggest many challenging fire seasons ahead. However that future plays out, when all is done, our No. 1 priority is for everyone to return home safely.
There will be much more to come, as investigators sort through yesterday’s events, as memorial ceremonies are organized, and as the Yarnell Hill fire, which has destroyed a number of homes, continues to challenge firefighters.
Our fire protection work is vital to public health and safety, and to the protection of natural resources. It is widely appreciated. As you go about this difficult mission, I am counting on you to be safe.
Best,
Doug Decker
July 1, 2013
The 42-acre Sparrow Park Fire reported Sunday burning five miles north of Reedsport in the Coos Forest Protective Association (CFPA) jurisdiction of the Southern Oregon Area was contained by the morning of July 1. CFPA fielded two 10-person inmate hand crews from the Shutter Creek Correctional Facility, two CFPA six-person crews, along with fire engines, water tenders and an observation airplane in the suppression effort. The landowner and operator also assisted. Today, 75 to 80 personnel including three 20-person hand crews are proceeding with mop-up, which is expected to take several days, due to the heavy fuels. Cause of the fire is under investigation.
Out-of-state deployments
Sixty-eight ODF and fire association personnel are currently fighting fires in other states. These include:
- 62 in Alaska (includes ODF’s Incident Management Team 1)
- 3 in Colorado
- 1 in Arizona
The Oregon Department of Forestry and its sister agencies in the other western states routinely share firefighting resources as needed. The arrangement is reciprocal: If ODF needs outside help on fires in Oregon, its partner agencies will provide personnel and equipment when possible.
June 27, 2013
Summer has been delayed but not denied. Though cool, damp weather calmed wildfire activity across Oregon in recent weeks, fire danger is forecast to rise with the temperature over the Fourth of July holiday. The Oregon Department of Forestry urges recreationists heading to the woods to be mindful of common fire causes: off-road driving and riding, campfires, smoking and, of course, fireworks.
Even if the forest is not bone dry by Independence Day, the 1,200-degree-plus temperatures generated by fireworks can ignite grass, tree needles and brush nearly instantly. Please leave the fireworks at home over the Fourth.
Four-wheel-drives, ATVs and motorcycle pose a threat as well. From only a few seconds of contact with dry grass, their exhaust systems can start a smoldering burn that may flare into a wildfire minutes or even hours later. Stay on established roads and trails, and park on gravel surfaces or developed roadside pull-outs to avoid this fire scenario.
As the weather warms and dries, fire safety restrictions in the forest may change. These include rules for campfires, off-road vehicle use and other activities. Check the rules before you go.
For more fire safety tips, visit: Keep Oregon Green, http://keeporegongreen.org/.
June 23, 2013
The 94-acre Worthington Road Fire reported Saturday in the Southwest Oregon District two miles east of Eagle Point is fully lined and in mop-up. The fire is burning in grass, oak and pine fuels. Cause is under investigation.
June 23, 2013
The 40-acre Worthington Road Fire was reported Saturday afternoon burning in the Southwest Oregon District. Cause is under investigation. No additional details are available at this time.
June 18, 2013
ODF’s South Fork Forest Camp plowed new ground hosting a two-week Fire School last month to prepare for this year’s fire season. Traditionally, South Fork has held a one-week fire school to train up to 200 inmates so they can become certified wild land fire fighters and assist with Northwest Oregon Area and statewide fire suppression efforts. The two week fire school concept came about as an attempt to improve the quality of training – reducing class by training half the inmates each week, letting the other half continue their regular project work on State Forest Lands.
Training included class time and learning stations for pumps, hoses, mop up, fire shelters and line construction. In addition to training 210 inmates from South Fork Forest Camp and the Mill Creek Facility in Salem, crew bosses, safety officers, food unit leaders, corrections kitchen coordinators and inmate kitchen crew also received training.
The ODF and Department of Corrections staff at South Fork Camp worked collaboratively to pull off a very successful fire school, highlighting the important cooperative relationship between the two agencies in wild land fire suppression readiness.
June 14, 2013
FIRES ON OREGON DEPT. OF FORESTRY-PROTECTED LANDS
No new fires 10 acres or larger were reported this week on ODF-protected lands.
ODF sent Gordon Foster Sr. to the Crowley Incident where he is serving as a Liaison Officer.
ODF also sent Rory Collins, DFPA, to the Iron Springs Fire in AZ to serve as Air Tactical Group Supervisor June 11th.
ODF sent a strike team of fire engines to New Mexico June 4 to assist on wildfires burning there; they are still assisting this week.
ODF and other western states routinely share firefighting resources as needed. This is an opportune time for the department to send the strike teams, as fire activity in Oregon is currently moderate. And the arrangement is reciprocal: If ODF needs outside help on fires in Oregon, its partner agencies will provide personnel and equipment when possible.
FIRES ON OTHER LANDS
BLM – The lightning-caused Crowley Creek Fire located 20 miles SE of Riverside, OR., is 12,935 acres and 60 percent contained. It is adjacent to the 6,613-acre lightning-caused Stockade Fire, also 60 percent contained. Both fires are being managed by a single IMT Type 3.
BLM – The lightning-caused South Fork fire located 23 miles SE of Vale, OR, is 250 acres and 100 percent contained.
FIRE STATISTICS
Fire statistics are for the current year and the average over the past 10 years for the 16 million acres of private and public forestland protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.
January 1, 2013, through today:*
Lightning-caused fires: 45 fires burned 18 acres
Human-caused fires: 189 fires burned 847 acres
Total: 234 fires burned 865 acres
10-year average (Jan. 1 through the present date in the year):
Lightning-caused fires: 17 fires burned 17 acres
Human-caused fires: 101 fires burned 282 acres
Total: 118 fires burned 299 acres
Fire statistics can be accessed any time from the ODF website.
*When personnel are heavily engaged in firefighting activities, the latest information may not always appear in the statistics.
June 10, 2013
An Oregon Department of Forestry strike team of fire engines dispatched to New Mexico last week is seeing lots of action fighting wildfires in the Bernalillo area outside of Albuquerque. On arrival the strike team, consisting of 10 ODF and three Coos Forest Protective Association personnel with five fire engines, was immediately assigned to initial-attack operations.
A rash of fires across the state has spread local resources thin. Prior to the Oregon team’s arrival, New Mexico was making do with only one fire engine per million acres.
While in New Mexico, the crews will be paid by the jurisdictional agency on the fires. ODF considers the out-of-state deployment a valuable opportunity for its firefighters to maintain and develop their skills required for national certification.
June 7, 2013
The crews of the ODF fire engine strike team assigned to New Mexico June 4 to assist on wildfires burning there have arrived. The team, consisting of 10 ODF and three Coos Forest Protective Association personnel, flew down, while their five fire engines are being trucked to a staging area near Albuquerque. One engine has arrived and the rest are expected this morning.
ODF and other western states routinely share firefighting resources as needed. This is an opportune time for the department to send the strike teams, as fire activity in Oregon is currently moderate. And the arrangement is reciprocal: If ODF needs outside help on fires in Oregon, its partner agencies will provide personnel and equipment when possible.
While in New Mexico, the crews will be paid by the jurisdictional agency on the fires. ODF considers the out-of-state deployment a valuable opportunity for its firefighters to maintain and develop their skills required for national certification.
June 6, 2013
The Oregon Department of Forestry sent a strike team of fire engines to New Mexico June 4 to assist on wildfires burning there. Five ODF fire engines were trucked to a staging area near Albuquerque. The crews are scheduled to fly down to pick up their engines on June 7 and will be deployed immediately to fight fire.
ODF and other western states routinely share firefighting resources as needed. This is an opportune time for the department to send the strike teams, as fire activity in Oregon is currently moderate. And the arrangement is reciprocal: If ODF needs outside help on fires in Oregon, its partner agencies will provide personnel and equipment when possible.
While in New Mexico, the crews will be paid by the jurisdictional agency on the fires. ODF considers the out-of-state deployment a valuable opportunity for its firefighters to maintain and develop their skills required for national certification.
June 3, 2013
The 115-acre Beacon Hill Fire damaged one home and burned an outbuilding above Grants Pass in the Southwest Oregon District last weekend.
Sparks from a car driving on Interstate 5 may have started the fire in the brush along the base of Beacon Hill.
The dry conditions caused the flames to race up the hill and consume heavy brush at the top.
On Saturday the fire was in mop-up status.
Cause of the Beacon Hill Fire continues to be under investigation.
(Information from the Mail Tribune.)
May 22, 2013
Warm, dry weather in late April and early May spawned a number of wildfires across Oregon, causing fire managers to wonder if the season was off to an early start. But rain and cooler temperatures followed, calming fire activity for now. Long-term predictions point to an above-average season in 2013.
