August 5, 2011
Source: Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center
The Brown Road Fire nine miles north of Maupin along the east side of the Lower Deschutes River grew quickly Thursday and was mapped this morning at 5,600 acres. The fire started on the east side of the river near the Pine Tree put-in and moved east from the canyon bottom to the rim above the river. The fire is burning in grass and shrubs in the steep canyons. Several structures along the top of the river canyon remain threatened. The cause is under investigation.
The Deschutes River remains open for boating; however, campgrounds in Segment 3 were evacuated and are now closed. This includes all 8 campgrounds from Buck Hollow north to Macks Canyon. Day use is still permitted, and boaters are allowed to park their vehicles for shuttle. Campsites below Macks Canyon are open for rafters doing an overnight float to Heritage Landing, as are all sites in Segment 2 above and below Maupin. Boaters may be asked to temporarily halt their float while helicopters are dipping water. Please visit the Lower Deschutes River Webpage or call the Prineville BLM for more information.
Highway 216 from the Deschutes River east to Brown road is closed at this time for public safety. The fire jumped this portion of the highway and there is significant fire traffic along the route. Anyone traveling along the Lower Deschutes Access Road should watch for fire traffic and use extreme care. Smoke may impact visibility and drivers should use their lights, slow down and proceed with caution.
A lightning storm passed through central Oregon on Thursday, putting down more than 3,300 strikes. The majority of strikes hit along the east side of the Ochoco National Forest as the storm track northeast. Firefighters will remain positioned around the area to respond to any new starts.
August 5, 2011
According to the Oregon Department of Transportation, Oregon Highway 216 is closed Friday morning due to the Browns Road fire near Maupin. Additionally, the Deschutes River Access Road north of Hwy 216 is closed due to fire activity.
Consult ODOT TripCheck if you plan on driving through this area:
http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/RCMap.asp?mainNav=RoadConditions&curRegion=2
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry
August 4, 2011
The National Weather Service in Boise has extended the Red Flag Warning covering Oregon’s Malheur County further east and south into Idaho and northern Nevada. The warning calls for abundant lightning in the region until 6:00 Mountain Time Friday morning.
Strongest storm gusts are now predicted to reach 50 mph at times with some rain and hail, however not enough moisture to diminish the fire potential created by the summer storm.
The advisory applies to BLM-protected lands in the Vale District and Northern Boise District BLM.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry
August 4, 2011
The National Weather Service in Boise has issued a Red Flag Warning covering Oregon’s Malheur County further east and south into Idaho and northern Nevada. The warning calls for abundant lightning in the region until 6:00 Mountain Time tonight. Thunderstorms will develop Thursday morning in the region, with lightning and wind gusts to 45 miles per hour.
The warning applies to areas under BLM fire protection and the Southern Boise National Forest.
A Red Flag Warning is issued when critical fire weather conditions form rapidly to create potentially explosive fire growth should an ignition occur.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry
August 3, 2011
Source: Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center
The Deadman Canyon Fire grew to 3,514 acres yesterday as winds pushed the fire on steep slopes north of Madras. The fire is burning in an area east of Highway 97 and north of Hwy 293, approximately 17 miles northeast of Madras in juniper, sagebrush and grassland.
Five abandoned outbuildings (old sheds, storage buildings, etc.) were lost Tuesday and several structures on the scattered ranches in the area remain threatened today.
Firefighters worked overnight on the fire, taking advantage of cooler temperatures and reduced fire behavior, and the fire is now 10 percent contained. Although winds are predicted to be lower today, firefighters will still be challenged by high afternoon temperatures, limited access and rugged terrain.
Due to fire traffic along Highway 293 and the location of the fire, Highway 293 remains closed between the junction of Highway 97 and Hwy 293 and the town of Antelope. Traffic traveling to Antelope or farther to Fossil should take Highway 218 south from Shaniko to Antelope.
The Deadman Canyon Fire is staffed with approximately 150 personnel. Fire is within Bureau of Land Management jurisdiction.
The smoke from Deadman Canyon will be highly visible from Highway 97. People traveling through the area should use caution, avoid stopping and watch out for increased firefighter traffic.
Firefighters are also responding to a small 30-acre fire on Sutton Mountain in a Wilderness Study Area located 35 miles northeast of Prineville. The fire is in a remote area and will be managed to stay within the WSA boundary and suppression actions will be designed to maintain wilderness values.
August 3, 2011
Source: Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center
Firefighters are continuing to fight a new wildfire ignited by the lightning storm that passed through Central Oregon Monday afternoon. The Deadman Canyon Fire has grown to approximately 1600 acres, and is burning in a remote area east of Highway 97 and north of Hwy 293 (Please note: the previous release incorrectly identified this road as Highway 218); approximately 3 ½ miles northeast of the junction of Hwy 97/293. Several buildings remain threatened.
Due to fire traffic along Highway 293 and the location of the fire, Oregon Department of Transportation will be closing Highway 293, between the junction of Highway 97and Hwy 293 and Antelope. Traffic traveling to Antelope or farther to Fossil should take Highway 218 south from Shaniko to Antelope.
The fire has no estimate of containment at this time.
The Deadman Canyon Fire is staffed with two heavy airtankers, three helicopters, two single-engine tanker planes, one lead plane, one Hotshot crew and several additional handcrews. In addition, the fire is staffed by nine fire engines, ten smoke-jumpers, rappellers from helicopters, one dozer, and two water tenders.
Fire crews from the Prineville BLM are being assisted by Jefferson County Fire District #1, as well as by many local landowners. An incident management team will assume command of the fire Wednesday morning. The fire is burning in juniper, sagebrush and grass vegetation in an area with limited access.
(A revised acreage estimate at 7:00 Wednesday morning places the size of the fire at 3,500 – NW Coordination Center report)
August 2, 2011
Source: Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center
Firefighters are responding to a new wildfire ignited by the lightning storm that passed through Central Oregon yesterday afternoon. The Deadman Canyon Fire started yesterday on private land and moved on to BLM lands this afternoon. The fire, now approximately 400 acres, is burning in a remote area east of Highway 97 and north of Hwy 218; approximately 3 ½ miles northeast of the junction of Hwy 97 and 218. One home with several outbuildings is currently threatened by the fire.
The Deadman Canyon Fire is currently staffed with three helicopters and one single engine air tanker (SEAT), four engines, two handcrews, one dozer and two water tenders. Fire crews from the Prineville BLM are being assisted by Jefferson County Fire District #1, as well as by many local landowners. The fire is burning in juniper, sagebrush and grass vegetation in an area with limited access.
Central Oregon received more than 800 lightning strikes over the past 24 hours, and five new wildfires started from this storm. In addition to the Deadman Canyon fire, several single-tree fires were quickly contained. Firefighters will remain on standby for any additional lightning “holdover” fires that are reported. Additional thunderstorms predicted for this evening bring the potential for new lightning starts.
With conditions warming on the High Desert, fire officials want to take this time to remind visitors and residents of Central Oregon to be careful with fire. Vegetation is drying quickly, and the lighter fuels like grass and shrubs can be very receptive to an ignition source. Everyone should make sure to extinguish cigarettes inside vehicles and be sure campfires are “dead out” before leaving a site.
August 2, 2011
Source: Project Wildfire Deschutes County
The Deadman Canyon Fire near Madras has reached 400+ acres and is threatening homes since ignition last night during the thunderstorm over central Oregon. With over 800 lightning strikes in the last 24-hour period, central Oregon is certainly earning its nickname – Lightning Alley.
Fire season is far from over this year and Project Wildfire reminds residents in central Oregon that they are our greatest resource when it comes to protecting homes and neighborhoods. “Firefighting resources can be tied up on local emergencies and across the nation when a wildfire breaks out, so it’s up to individual homeowners to take responsibility for the defensible space around their homes,” says Kate Lighthall, Program Director for Project Wildfire.
“Historically, some of the largest fires we’ve experienced in central Oregon have occurred in August,” says Joe Stutler, Deschutes County Forester, referring to the B & B Complex, Hash Rock, Skeleton, Ashwood-Donneybrook and Smith Rock fires. “There is still time to prepare your homes and properties for any fire events that happen in late summer”.
“The greatest risk to our homes and properties during a wildland fire event is from the burning embers that can spot or drop miles ahead of an advancing fire,” adds Lighthall.
To address this threat Project Wildfire recommends the following steps that homeowners can take right now to help protect themselves against this very real threat in central Oregon:
• Clear all pine needles, weeds, leaves and flammable debris from around your home including on roofs; in gutters; near fences; and on, around and under decks – anywhere where glowing embers can ignite and spread fire to your home.
• Reduce shrubs and other “ladder fuels” around your home that can spread fire to nearby trees or structures.
• Keep grass and weeds cut to 4” or less to prevent rapid fire spread.
• Trim up trees to prevent the spread of fire to the upper branches, or “crowns”.
• Remove all dead, dying and diseased vegetation around your home – maintain healthy trees and shrubs.
• Move wood piles at least 20 feet from your home and away from combustible materials or vegetation.
• Keep driveways clear by trimming trees and cutting weeds for easy access of emergency equipment.
For additional tips, residents can visit www.firefree.org or www.firewise.org. For more information contact the Project Wildfire office at 541-322-7129.
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August 2, 2011
Fire resources from ODF’s Klamath-Lake District brought the 25-acre Hills fire under control Sunday evening. The fire was located about 4 miles south of Klamath Falls in sagebrush and juniper. Fire was determined to be caused by a lightning event.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry
July 22, 2011
No new fires 10 acres or larger were reported this past week on the 16 million acres of forestland protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Cool, damp weather has limited the number and size of wildfires so far this summer. But the seasonal weather pattern is beginning to take hold, and fire danger is expected to rise. The abundant growth of grasses and brush stimulated by the added rainfall will create a large potential fuel load in August and September as these fine fuels cure. Recreationists, forest operators and residents of the wildland-urban interface all need to be especially aware of fire safety in the weeks and months ahead.
July 12, 2011
The Oregon Department of Forestry’s North Cascade District, covering Marion County, Clackamas County and the eastern forested area of Multnomah County, will enter fire season at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday July 13th.
ODF-protected lands in the North Cascade Forest Protection District will also enter Regulated Use Closure on Wednesday as well. Fire restrictions apply to land within one-half mile of the Molalla River from Glen Avon Bridge upstream to the confluence of the Middle Fork, extending upstream 4 miles from confluence on the main stem, and the Middle Fork of the Molalla River on all land within an eighth of a mile of the Molalla River.
Complete information about the Regulated Use Closure is available on the ODF web site at:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/Closures/RU06.pdf
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry
July 11, 2011
The Yamhill County Fire Defense Board, in cooperation with the Oregon Department of Forestry, has enacted a Burn Ban within Yamhill County effective Monday, July 11th, 2011 at 1 a.m. Following that decision, all fire jurisdictions will ban outdoor burning within their jurisdiction, including areas in Polk County served by Amity, Dayton, Sheridan, and West Valley Fire Districts.
The Burn Ban covers all burning including, but not limited to, the following situations:
1. Individuals normally allowed to backyard burn
2. Individuals normally allowed to burn agricultural waste
3. Individuals with a Hardship Permit issued by DEQ
The Burn Ban does not include recreational burning (backyard fire pits and campfires in designated areas when approved by the Oregon Department of Forestry). Individuals intending to burn in this manner should use always exercise caution with fire sources.
Individuals found burning during the burn ban may be issued a citation and/or found liable for any property loss damage and suppression costs resulting from a burning incident. The burn ban will remain in effect until significant rains and cooler temperatures minimize the fire danger in the fall.
July 10, 2011
Fire Season will begin throughout ODF-protected land in Washington County, starting at 1:00 am on July 11. Fire season is determined by the State Forester when vegetation becomes dry and fires become harder to control.
Fire season restrictions that go into effect in ODF Protection Areas within Washington County on July 11, are as follows:
* The use of fireworks will be prohibited.
* Debris burning will be prohibited.
* Burn permits will be required for any burning and the burn site must be inspected by ODF prior to ignition.
Warnings and citations will be issued by ODF should individuals be found burning without permits in ODF Protection Areas in Washington County. Individuals wishing to obtain a burn permit through ODF should call the ODF Forest Grove District office at 503-357-2191 or the ODF Forest Grove dispatch center at 503-359-7424.
A distinction should be noted regarding the burn ban; the declaration applies to ODF protected land, and not areas protected by a structural fire service or district (for example, Tualatin Valley Fire and Rescue, Hillsboro Fire District, etc). The Fire Season declaration by the State Forester does move structural fire agencies to a heightened state of readiness for wildfires, and is the first step in moving towards a countywide Burn Ban in the near future. Once a countywide Burn Ban is declared, there will be no burning of any kind allowed in Washington County.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry
July 10, 2011
Source: NW Coordination Center
The Upper Dry Creek fire burning on the Warm Springs reservation was mapped Saturday as covering 1,313 acres with containment at 90 percent. Full containment of the fire, reported Thursday afternoon, is expected on Sunday.
July 8, 2011
The Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Northwest Oregon Fire Protection District will enter wildfire season on Monday, July 11. Entry into fire season imposes certain restrictions on work activities in the forest. Industrial operations are required to have firefighting equipment on site.
Wet, cool weather this spring delayed the onset of wildfire activity. But seasonal weather patterns have begun to take hold and forest vegetation is drying out rapidly. The added rainfall spurred heavy growth of grasses and brush, adding to the potential fuel bed, should a fire start.
The Northwest Oregon Fire Protection District includes the Astoria, Forest Grove and Tillamook ODF districts, covering Clatsop, Columbia, Tillamook counties and some portions of Washington and Yamhill counties.
For more information on the restrictions imposed by the fire season declaration, contact the nearest Oregon Department of Forestry office. Contact information for the Astoria, Forest Grove and Tillamook district offices can be found at: www.oregon.gov/ODF/offices.shtml.
On the 16 million acres of forestland protected by the Department of Forestry, the 10-year average for the period Jan. 1 – July 8 is 293 wildfires burning a total of 1,071 acres. In a typical year, about two-thirds of the fires are caused by people and the remainder by lightning. Of the human-caused fires, fewer than half are caused by forest landowners and operators. Across all Oregon forest protection jurisdictions, about 2,600 wildfires burn roughly 239,000 acres on average annually.
Through July 7, 2011, three lightning-caused fires have burned three acres on lands protected by ODF. During that period, 87 human-caused fires burned about 43 acres.
Rod Nichols
Oregon Department of Forestry
July 8, 2011
The Clatsop County Firefighters Association along with Terra Helicopters and Camp Rilea will be conducting a prescribed fire training exercise, an annual training event called “Wildfire 2011”, on Saturday July 9 and Sunday July 10 at Camp Rilea near Warrenton.
Smoke will be visible Sunday west of Highway 101 in the Camp Rilea and Sunset Beach areas.
The purpose of the event is to improve fire fighting skills in a prescribed live wildland fire using the Incident Command System. This training also improves the cooperative working relationships between Clatsop County Emergency Services, local rural fire departments and Oregon Department of Forestry.
The skills and lessons learned in this event can carry over easily to emergency situations such as severe winter storms or tsunami alerts. Camp Rilea benefits from hosting this event because the prescribe fire reduces the threat of range fires.
Approximately seventy fire fighters will be training this weekend. Oregon Department of Forestry crews will drill along with Astoria, Cannon Beach, Gearhart, Knappa, Lewis & Clark, Olney, Seaside, Warrenton, Molalla and Lafayette rural fire departments, Pacific County Fire Department and Campbell Group forestland fire prevention resources will be participating.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry
July 8, 2011
ODF has dispatched one engine from the Central Oregon District to assist the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs with battling a rapidly growing wildfire that broke out Thursday afternoon prior to 2pm near the Upper Dry Creek area of the Warm Springs reservation. Interagency resources from across central Oregon, including a team of Prineville Hotshots, are being mobilized to assist on the fire, which by 5 pm was estimated to be roughly 300 acres in size. ODF is assisting the fire in a resource capacity. Fire management is under the direction of the CTWS.
Caution is urged in the vicinity of US Highway 26 near Warm Springs as the Oregon Department of Transportation may be closing the highway for brief intervals during Thursday night to allow crews to set backfires in an effort to stop the advance of the fire. ODOT is urging motorists to avoid the area.
Highway 3, the primary access road to the Kah-Nee-Tah area, is closed due to the fire. The Oregon Mountain River Chapter of the American Red Cross has been mobilized to provide emergency assistance to those persons affected by the fire.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry
July 7, 2011
The National Weather Service in Pendleton has issued a Red Flag Warning for increased wildfire potential in Oregon Zone 631, generally covering northern Umatilla County extending into Washington state.
The Red Flag Warning is in effect from 2:00pm Thursday until 10:00 pm tonight.
Be advised of wind bursts of 10-minute duration in the region carrying sustained speeds of 25 mph but gusts up to 40 mph moving through the region until sunset. Humidity will be estimated between 18-25 percent but will rise overnight.
A Red Flag Warning is issued when critical fire weather conditions are forecast to occur imminently. Combinations of strong winds, low relative humidity and summer temperatures have the potential to create rapid wildfire growth.
Please exercise caution with potential fire sources during this event.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry
July 7, 2011
The final size of the Beals Creek Fire has been mapped at 88 acres. Fire was declared contained at 6 pm Wednesday.
Firefighters strengthened containment lines throughout the day Wednesday and are in the process of mopping up hot spots to prevent future growth. The mop up process is expected to take several days and then will enter patrol status. DFPA engine crews will check the fire area throughout the summer to prevent future flare-ups.
Cooperating agencies on the fire include DFPA, Coos Forest Protective Association, the Oregon Department of Forestry, landowners and several rural fire departments.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Anyone with information regarding the cause of the fire is asked to contact DFPA at (541) 672-6507 or the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office at (541) 440-4471.
Follow DFPA on twitter at www.twitter.com/DouglasFPA or at their website at http://www.dfpa.net/
DFPA has provided photos of the fire on their web site
Tom Fields
Public Information Officer
Douglas Forest Protective Association
July 7, 2011
Fire managers will be declaring the Beals Creek fire burning between Days Creek and Canyonville contained at 6:00 Wednesday night. Night crews will be continuing with mop-up activities and monitoring the fire zone using infrared detection equipment.
Cause of the fire remains under investigation.
The fire was reported at about 10:30 p.m. Monday, July 4th in a remote location between Canyonville and Days Creek. Firefighters from Douglas Forest Protective Association and surrounding rural fire departments discovered a five acre fire spreading rapidly in one-year old logging slash, timber and young trees. By Tuesday morning the fire had grown to about 55 acres and had peaked to its current size of 80 acres late Tuesday afternoon.
Cooperating agencies on the fire include DFPA, Coos Forest Protective Association, the Oregon Department of Forestry, landowners and several rural fire departments.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry
