Andrews Creek Fire fully contained May 12
The 60-acre Andrews Creek Fire burning in the Douglas Forest Protective Association jurisdiction of southwestern Oregon was fully contained on Sunday, May 12. Cause is under investigation.
Andrews Creek Fire in SW Oregon now in mop-up
The 60-acre Andrews Creek Fire in the Douglas Forest Protective Association jurisdiction of southwestern Oregon was trailed and in mop-up by Saturday afternoon, May 11. Cause is under investigation.
Andrews Creek Fire burns in SW Oregon
The 60-acre Andrews Creek Fire is burning on Douglas Forest Protective Association jurisdiction in southwestern Oregon. The fire is uncontained. Cause is under investigation. (05-11-13)
Firefighters scramble to attack early season wildfires
Several wildfires larger than average for early May are keeping Oregon Dept. of Forestry firefighters busy.
The 100-acre Burgess Road Fire in the Central Oregon District reported May 4 is burning in grass and timber. Twenty-five structures in a rural subdivision were initially threatened. The fire is 75 percent lined with mop-up continuing Sunday. Cause is under investigation.
The 22-acre Gooseneck Road Fire in the West Oregon District reported May 4 is burning in logging slash on steep terrain. Cause is under investigation.
The 20-acre Jasper Lowell Fire in the South Cascade District reported May 4 is burning in grass, brush and timber. The fire is uncontrolled and extended attack is expected. Cause is under investigation.
The 15-acre Milepost 160 Fire in the Douglas Forest Protective Association jurisdiction reported May 4 is burning in logging slash. It is currently in mop-up. Cause is under investigation.
The 20-acre Rasor Road Fire in the South Cascade District reported May 5 is expected to require extended attack. Cause is under investigation.
The 10-acre Tokatee Fire in the South Cascade District reported May 5 is expected to require extended attack. Cause is under investigation.
Wildfire season ends statewide on Oct. 22
It’s official: At midnight on Oct. 22 the last Oregon forest protection district went out of fire season, closing the 2012 season statewide. It was a long one. Eighty-plus consecutive days with no significant rainfall extended wildfire activity well into the fall. The last significant fire occurred on Oct. 18, a 16-acre blaze in the South Cascade District.
On the 16 million acres protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry, it was an average season. Just under 700 fires burned about 17,000 acres. The running 10-year average is 971 fires burning about 21,000 acres.
But 2012 saw plenty of fire on the rangelands of southcentral and southeastern Oregon. At 557,648 acres, the Long Draw Fire rewrote the record book, racing across the high desert to become the largest blaze in Oregon in more than a century.
Nearly as big, the Holloway Fire burned 461,047 acres along the border with Nevada. The fire’s perimeter included some 245,000 acres burned on the Oregon side. Other large range fires contributed to the total of 1.26 million acres burned on all jurisdictions in the state.
Oregon Department of Forestry firefighters, forest landowners and volunteers with the Rangeland Fire Protection Associations teamed with federal and rural fire departments to minimize the spread of these rangeland fires onto private forestlands.
Monday, October 8, 2012
FIRES ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS
No new fires 10 acres in size or larger on ODF-protected lands were reported to the Salem Coordination Center during the past 24 hours.
FIRES ON OTHER LANDS
The Pole Creek Fire, six miles southwest of Sisters in mature timber and down, bug-killed timber, is 26,795 acres, and 85% contained. A special flight was conducted last night, which took infra-red pictures showing hot spots within the fire perimeter. A slight increase in burned acreage was discovered along the western edge of the fire in the Three Sisters Wilderness. The fire is burning towards natural barriers of rock. A Type IV Incident Management Team will assume command of the fire tomorrow.
Area closure: An area around the fire remains closed to public access during fire suppression activities. The closure area includes Forest Road 16 (Three Creek Lake), Forest Road 15 (Pole Creek Road), and a portion of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCNST). A reroute is in place for that portion of the PCNST that is closed. Please refer to the website: www.inciweb.org/incident/3244 , for further information.
Residents are reminded that we are still in fire season and this fire is not fully contained. Due to hunters in the woods and continued dry conditions, new fire starts are a concern. If you are traveling in the forest, be aware of current fire restrictions and stay alert.
Unless conditions change, this will be the last status report on this fire.
The lightning-caused Bald Mountain Fire, which started on September 18 and is burning in sub-alpine fir 12 miles southwest of Enterprise in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, has been mapped at 1,009 acres and is uncontained. Minimal fire behavior reported. Trail closures are in place and visitors are advised to contact the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, who is managing this fire, prior to entering the area.
Friday, October 5, 2012
Although autumn has arrived, weather conditions in Oregon are still creating high wildfire potential across the state.
FIRE WEATHER and FIRE PREVENTION
In Southern Oregon, there will be a slight cooling trend but high temps will remain above normal and the air mass will remain very dry. In NE Oregon forecast calls for very dry and locally breezy conditions both today and Saturday, especially along the east slopes of the Cascades and in the Columbia River Gorge. In NW Oregon there are red flag warnings in effect for most areas this afternoon.
Campfires are still a concern in many areas. Open fires, including campfires, remain prohibited on forestlands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. On forestlands or in areas when campfires are allowed, they should be put completely out before leaving the campsite — drown the fire with an abundance of water, stir and separate the hot coals, and drown again until all of the heat has been removed.
A few fire prevention tips for private forest landowners and operators:
1) Monitor weather conditions – such as humidity and wind – and consider earlier close-down of operations if the weather warrants it;
2) keep equipment in good working order and free from flammable debris, as well as parking it away from flammable material when shutting down for the day;
3) Fire Watches – stay on high alert; and
4) Be prepared by performing daily checks of fire suppression and communications equipment.
FIRES ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS
No new fires 10 acres in size or larger on ODF-protected lands were reported to the Salem Coordination Center during the past 24 hours.
FIRES ON OTHER LANDS
The Pole Creek Fire, burning six miles southwest of Sisters in mature timber and down, bug-killed timber, is 26,510 acres, and 85% contained. The east side of the fire was relatively calm yesterday as crews have completed most of the fire suppression objectives. Very little smoke was observed near the fire perimeter. All of the planned fire line construction has been completed; crews will continue to patrol the area for the next few days. Along the northern edge of the fire, excess fire hose and equipment is being back-hauled to camp to return to Redmond Fire Cache. This area is in patrol status.
There may still be periods of time when smoke concentrations become uncomfortable. Those with respiratory issues may wish to consult the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality website for tips on smoke mitigation: http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/wildfire/index.htm
Residents are reminded that we are still in fire season and this fire is not contained. Due to hunters in the woods and continued dry conditions, new fire starts are a possibility and citizens should monitor available information sources and stay alert. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Full containment is expected by October 15. For more info: 541-549-6935.
The lightning-caused Bald Mountain Fire, which started on September 18 and is burning in sub-alpine fir 12 miles southwest of Enterprise in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, has been mapped at 1,009 acres and is uncontained. Minimal fire behavior reported last night. Trail closures are in place and visitors are advised to contact the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, who is managing this fire, prior to entering the area.
Thursday, October 4, 2012
FIRE WEATHER and FIRE PREVENTION
There was a red flag warning in S. Oregon this morning for strong winds and low relative humidities. In NE Oregon dry northerly flow will persist through early next week which will result in locally breezy northeast winds and low relative humidity each afternoon. In NW Oregon there is a continuing red flag warning for dry east winds. These weather conditions in various areas of the state pose possible problems for any new potential fire ignitions that occur this week.
Campfires are still a concern in many areas. Open fires, including campfires, remain prohibited on forestlands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. On forestlands or in areas when campfires are allowed, they should be put completely out before leaving the campsite — drown the fire with an abundance of water, stir and separate the hot coals, and drown again until all of the heat has been removed.
A few fire prevention tips for private forest landowners and operators:
1) Monitor weather conditions – such as humidity and wind – and consider earlier close-down of operations if the weather warrants it;
2) keep equipment in good working order and free from flammable debris, as well as parking it away from flammable material when shutting down for the day;
3) Fire Watches – stay on high alert; and
4) Be prepared by performing daily checks of fire suppression and communications equipment.
FIRES ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS
No new fires 10 acres in size or larger on ODF-protected lands were reported to the Salem Coordination Center during the past 24 hours.
FIRES ON OTHER LANDS
The Pole Creek Fire, burning six miles southwest of Sisters, is 26,510 acres, and 85% contained. Most of the fire suppression work today will focus along the western fire edge in the Three Sisters Wilderness. Hand crews have been hiking up to five miles from trailheads to begin their fire line construction duties. Production will increase and exposure to difficult terrain and hazardous snags will be minimized when these hand crews are transported to their work site by helicopters in the morning and flown out in the evening; for some of the hand crews this plan will be implemented starting today.
Three helicopters are also available to cool down any newly-discovered hot spot or assist with any initial attack mission near Sisters outside of the fire area.
Residents are reminded that we are still in fire season and this fire is not contained. Due to an increae in hunters in the woods and continued dry conditions, new fire starts are a possibility and citizens should monitor available information sources and stay alert. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Full containment is expected by October 15. For more info: 541-549-6935.
The lightning-caused Bald Mountain Fire, which started on September 18 and is burning in sub-alpine fir 12 miles southwest of Enterprise in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, has been mapped at 1,009 acres and is uncontained. Minimal fire behavior reported last night. Trail closures are in place and visitors are advised to contact the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, who is managing this fire, prior to entering the area.
Red Flag Warning for northern Columbia Basin
The National Weather Service in Pendleton on Monday issued a Red Flag Warning for the northern Oregon Columbia Basin in effect from Noon to 11:00pm Tuesday. High wind gusts with very low relative humidity are forecast, creating increased potential for wildfire ignition and growth.
The Warning covers Oregon Zone 631 – generally, the northern areas of Sherman, Gilliam, Morrow and Umatilla Counties. The strongest winds are anticipated on Tuesday afternoon, with gusts of up to 30 mph expected in some areas.
A Red Flag Warning is the highest fire forecast warning issued by the National Weather Service to warn of conditions that are ideal for wildland fire ignition and propagation. To the public, a Red Flag Warning means high fire danger with increased probability of a quickly spreading wildland fire in the area within the next 24 hours.
Kevin Weeks – ODF Public Affairs Office
Campfires still a problem on forest lands
It’s what keeps foresters awake at night. Somewhere right now, in the almost 30.5 million acres of Oregon forestland, someone has just walked away and abandoned a campfire – even in an area where open campfires are prohibited due to wildfire danger.
“It doesn’t take much to spark a fire this time of year,” says Oregon Department of Forestry’s Fire Prevention Coordinator, Tom Fields. “We’ve been very fortunate so far considering we’ve gone an entire summer with little to no precipitation. Now is not the time to let our guard down and ruin an otherwise successful season.”
Drought conditions across much of the region this summer have sapped trees, shrubs and grasses of moisture, creating a fuel bed primed to burn. It will take more than morning dew or even a brief rain shower to reduce the wildfire hazard.
ODF operates fire patrols daily during the height of fire season, checking designated or informal camp sites to make sure fires are not left unattended. This weekend, ODF crews across northwest Oregon found three abandoned or illegal campfires in the Forest Grove District, one burning in the Astoria District and two campfires – including one that sparked a 20 foot by 20 foot spot fire – burning in the Tiilamook District.
“While we were totaling up the weekend figures,” said Don Everingham, assistant to the Area Director for ODF’s NW Oregon region, “we had reports come in of abandoned campfires that two districts detected on Monday morning and put out.”
ODF’s Southern Oregon Area patrol crews detected 5 campfires that resulted in two small fires over the weekend. The ODF Eastern Oregon Area patrols detected 11 unattended or illegal campfires throughout their region. Illegal campfires, when detected by ODF, are put out and the potential exists for persons found responsible for the campfire to be cited.
First, find out if campfires are allowed in the forest area you plan to camp. Currently, campfires remain prohibited on the 16 million acres of land under ODF protection. When campfires are allowed, they should be monitored at all times; even if a fire is sited and built properly, leaving it unattended even for a few minutes can allow a spark to ignite nearby vegetation. The parched conditions in the forest have left grass, shrubs and trees vulnerable to burn.
When you leave the campsite, put the fire completely out before leaving. To do so, drown the fire with an abundance of water, stir and separate the hot coals, and drown again until all of the heat has been removed.
Fields adds that even if campfires are allowed — this is not a good time to have one. “We can’t afford to have a careless fire now,” he said.
For additional information and helpful tips on campfire safety, consult the Keep Oregon Green website, www.keeporegongreen.org
Kevin Weeks – ODF Public Affairs Office
Scoggins Valley Road fire is contained
The Scoggins Valley Road fire is contained on Sunday afternoon. Fire size is now estimated at 0.3 acres and crews have established a hose line surrounding the fire. Landowner fire resources have been released, and just two 10-person crews from South Fork are working the fire.
Kevin Weeks – ODF Public Affairs
Scoggins Valley Road fire west of Forest Grove
Oregon Department of Forestry resources based in Forest Grove are battling a fire several miles west of Henry Hagg Lake. The Scoggins Valley Road fire was reported just after Noon Sunday burning in forestland south of Saddle Mountain. The fire at 3 p.m. is estimated at about 3.5 acres and is 75 percent contained. Cause of the fire is under investigation
ODF dispatched 4 engines to the fire, 3 engines owned by the forest landowner are assisting along with a water tender provided by Gaston Rural Fire Department to assist suppression efforts. Three 10-person crews from the South Fork Forest Camp are being mobilized to assist efforts are the fire scene.
Please be safe if you are venturing into the forests this weekend, for recreation or the opening of several hunting seasons. Open fires, including campfires, remain prohibited on forestlands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. On forestlands or in areas when campfires are allowed, they should be put completely out before leaving the campsite — drown the fire with an abundance of water, stir and separate the hot coals, and drown again until all of the heat has been removed.
Kevin Weeks – ODF Public Affairs Office
Weather outlook
From the National Weather Service offices in Oregon — Dry weather is forecast throughout the weekend for Oregon. East of the Cascades expect increasing westerly winds, mainly in the wind prone areas like the Columbia River Gorge. Wind speeds and relative humidity are not forecast to reach a critical combination. Warm and drier conditions will develop Sunday across the state. Weak offshore winds will build Sunday and Monday across the top of the Oregon Cascades, bringing stronger winds into eastern Oregon. Fire danger indicators will rise on Sunday and Monday. A cold front Monday night and Tuesday will bring gusty east winds to Oregon without rain.
Kevin Weeks – ODF Public Affairs Office
Buck Mountain fire is contained
Through aggressive attack Friday, the Buck Mountain fire NE of Eugene was fully contained on Friday afternoon. Size of the fire was 18 acres, cause of the fire remains under investigation. No structures were threatened during the fire and no injuries were reported.
A reminder for the weekend – Hot, dry conditions are forecast for several areas of Oregon, including high winds on the eastern slopes of the Cascades and Columbia Gorge. Thunderstorms which may produce lightning are also predicted for NE Oregon.
Please be safe if you are venturing into the forests this weekend, for recreation or the opening of several hunting seasons. Open fires, including campfires, remain prohibited on forestlands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry. On forestlands or in areas when campfires are allowed, they should be put completely out before leaving the campsite — drown the fire with an abundance of water, stir and separate the hot coals, and drown again until all of the heat has been removed.
Kevin Weeks – ODF Public Affairs Office
Central Oregon hunter info booths for Friday
Fire danger remains high in central Oregon. In an effort to prevent human-caused fires during hunting season, wildland fire officials will host Hunter Information Booths across Central Oregon Wednesday, Sept. 26 to Friday, Sept. 28. (See below for location and times). Current fire restriction information will be provided to the public regarding open fires, off-road driving, chainsaw use, smoking in the forest, and more. Maps will be available for sale and road closure information will also be available. Coffee will also be available at most locations.
Hunter Booth Locations on Friday:
Prineville – at Ray’s on the East side of Prineville off Highway 26 from 5:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sisters- at Ray’s West end of Sisters on HWY 20 from 6 a.m.- 6 p.m.
La Pine – at Ray’s located on Hwy 97 South from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Walker Range/Crescent-Highway 58 – On Highway 58 at mile post 71 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The Dalles – Memaloose Rest Area on I84 6 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
The Dalles – Dodson Road 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Mt. Vernon- Hwy 26 6 a.m.- 6 p.m.
The hunter booths are brought to you by the Central Oregon Fire Prevention Cooperative, the Klamath County Fire Prevention Cooperative the Mid-Columbia Fire Prevention Cooperative and the Grant-Harney Fire Prevention Co-op.
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Hood River MP 66 fire is now contained
Hood River, OR – Aided by calm winds, firefighters completed a line around the Milepost 66 fire Thursday afternoon, containing a highly visible blaze along Interstate 84 that began Tuesday night.
The fire, two miles east of Hood River, was contained at approximately 70 acres by about 120 firefighters and two helicopters Thursday. The fire had grown little overnight. The lack of customary Gorge winds was a big help in containing the hillside fire.The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Meanwhile, firefighters responded to two small fires south of Mosier Thursday afternoon. Called the Elder Road fires, one was a quarter-acre in size; the other about three-quarters. Oregon Dept. of Forestry, aided by firefighters from the National Scenic Area, a National Park Service engine and a helicopter, fought the two blazes. Both fires are under investigation.
Another one-acre fire Thursday near the High Bridge on the Wind River in Washington was picked up by crews from the Larch Mountain Honor Camp, the Dept. of Natural Resources and local fire departments. The Wind River fire caused two homes to be temporarily evacuated. It is also under investigation.
The Mark O. Hatfield Trail from Hood River to Mosier remains closed. No structures are threatened. Interstate 84 remains open, though one of the east-bound lanes is closed at milepost 66, just east of Hood River.
The fire crosses several ownership types, and resources from Oregon Department of Forestry, the U.S. Forest Service, and multiple local fire districts are assigned to the fire.
Crews and airships will be back at work in the morning after monitoring the fire overnight.
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Erin Black
Public Affairs Staff Officer
Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area
Hunter information booths for Thursday
Fire danger remains high in central Oregon. In an effort to prevent human-caused fires during hunting season, wildland fire officials will host Hunter Information Booths across Central Oregon Wednesday, Sept. 26 to Friday, Sept. 28. (See below for location and times). Current fire restriction information will be provided to the public regarding open fires, off-road driving, chainsaw use, smoking in the forest, and more. Maps will be available for sale and road closure information will also be available. Coffee will also be available at most locations.
Hunter Booth Locations for Thursday September 27:
Prineville – at Ray’s on the East side of Prineville off Highway 26 from 5:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Sisters- at Ray’s West end of Sisters on Highway 20 from 6 a.m.- 6 p.m.
La Pine – at Ray’s located on Hwy 97 South from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Walker Range/Crescent – Highway 58 at mile post 71 from 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
The Dalles – Memaloose Rest Area on I84 from 6 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
The Dalles – Dodson Road from 9 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Mt. Vernon- Hwy 26 from 6 a.m.- 6 p.m.
The hunter booths are brought to you by the Central Oregon Fire Prevention Cooperative, the Klamath County Fire Prevention Cooperative the Mid-Columbia Fire Prevention Cooperative and the Grant-Harney Fire Prevention Co-op.
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Hunter information booths – Wednesday locations
Fire danger remains high in central Oregon. In an effort to prevent human-caused fires during hunting season, wildland fire officials will host Hunter Information Booths across Central Oregon Wednesday, Sept. 26 to Friday, Sept. 28. (See below for location and times). Current fire restriction information will be provided to the public regarding open fires, off-road driving, chainsaw use, smoking in the forest, and more. Maps will be available for sale and road closure information will also be available. Coffee will also be available at most locations.
Hunter Booth Locations for Wednesday, September 26:
Prineville – at Ray’s on the East side of Prineville off Highway 26 from 5:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Mt. Vernon – Highway 26 from 6 a.m.- 6 p.m.
The hunter booths are brought to you by the Central Oregon Fire Prevention Cooperative, the Klamath County Fire Prevention Cooperative the Mid-Columbia Fire Prevention Cooperative and the Grant-Harney Fire Prevention Co-op.
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Reward offered for Slate Creek fire cause information
The Oregon Dept. of Forestry and the Oregon Council Against Arson are offering up to $5,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person, or people, who caused the Slate Creek Fire. The fire started on Labor Day around 1:30 p.m. in a densely wooded area southwest of Waters Creek Road, located ten miles southwest of Grants Pass and west of Hwy 199 near the community of Wonder. Specifically, the fire started along a road called the Root Springs Access Rd, about 2 miles up Waters Creek Rd.
The Slate Creek Fire burned 160 acres of Bureau of Land Management and private forestland, and cost the state more than $1.5 million to extinguish.
Anyone who has information about this fire is encouraged to call (800) 452-7888. Information is confidential. Several tips have already been received.
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Brian Ballou, ODF SW Oregon District
Milepost 66 fire in the Gorge approaching 50 acres
The Milepost 66 fire in the Columbia Gorge, burning 2 miles east of Hood River, is estimated Wednesday morning at 50 acres. Fire crews provided attack on the fire burning in steep terrain throughout the night after the fire was reported just after 8:00pm Tuesday. The fire is burning along the Mark Hatfield trail between Hood River and Mosier; the trail is closed during the fire response. Cause of the fire is under investigation
The fire crosses several ownership types, and resources from ODF, the U.S. Forest Service, multiple fire districts including Wy’East Fire District and Westside FD are assigned to the fire. An estimated 30 fire personnel from all responding agencies worked the fire Tuesday night. Mutual aid is being provided from a Washington DNR fire engine. Wednesday, 4 ODF engines are working the fire and an ODF helicopter has been ordered for air attack on the fire, in addition to the USFS units and local fire districts providing mutual aid on the fire.
ODOT advises that one eastbound lane of Interstate 84 is blocked between MP 66 and 67 due to fire activity. Motorists are advised to be prepared for slow downs.
Kevin Weeks – ODF Public Affairs Office