August 19, 2010
Observances this weekend in Idaho will mark the centennial of the 1910 Big Burn, a devastating fire that consumed 5,000 square miles of forest across Washington, Idaho and Montana, killing 78 fire fighters. Though the Big Burn occurred a century ago, the impacts of the fires remain felt today in wild land fire management and forest policy.
Read more about how the Big Burn shaped Oregon’s forests here: http://egov.oregon.gov/ODF/newsroom/newsreleases/2010/NR1041.shtml
Additional information about the 1910 Big Burn is available on the U.S. Forest Service Region One website, http://www.fs.fed.us/r1/1910-centennial/index.html
August 19, 2010
A fire burning 12 miles southwest of Maupin in Wasco County is currently being managed, in different areas, by fire resources from the Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Indian Affairs fire protection and independent private landowners.
The Nelson fire, also referred to as the White Lightning fire, is a fast-moving blaze which preliminary estimates place at 850-900 acres on Wednesday afternoon. Lightning was determined to be the cause of the fire. ODF’s Central Oregon District responded with three engines, two contractor engines, bulldozer support from both ODF and landowners, and aerial support from three air tankers and one helicopter.
The fire occurred in an area with three distinct landowner types: the majority of the fire is occurring on private land outside of an ODF-affiliated protection district while ODF crews are working to keep the fire from moving onto ODF-protected land. On another boundary of the fire, BIA crews are seeking to keep the fire from moving onto Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs-owned lands.
Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry
August 18, 2010
The Nelson Fire reported Aug. 18 about 12 miles southwest of Maupin in the Central Oregon District has grown to approximately 850 acres. Oregon Dept. of Forestry is mobilizing additional firefighting resources for extended attack on the fast-moving fire. It was caused by lightning.
August 18, 2010
Firefighters contained the 50-acre Graveyard Butte Fire Tuesday evening 12 miles west of Maupin in the Central Oregon District. Oregon Dept. of Forestry and rural fire department firefighters teamed to fight the lightning-caused blaze. The fire has been mopped up and is currently in patrol status.
August 18, 2010
Lightning activity from Tuesday evening’s thunderstorm produced about 50 lightning strikes and one confirmed fire on Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) protected lands. A DFPA engine crew responded to and extinguished a single tree fire in the White Rock area northeast of Myrtle Creek. DFPA also assisted the Umpqua National Forest with three small fires on the Tiller Ranger District.
DFPA will take to the air with a fixed wing aircraft Wednesday morning to scour the county for possible sleeper fires from the storm. DFPA is also working with Douglas County landowners who are assisting in the patrol of forestlands.
The thunderstorm hit Douglas County around 5:00 p.m. as it made it’s way from southern Oregon and traveled north and east over the Cascades. Over 3,600 lightning strikes were recorded throughout the state and were accompanied by varying amounts of rainfall ranging from zero to 1.76 inches.
While on high alert during Monday evening’s storm, firefighters responded to a report of a fire that turned out to be an illegal burn pile near Elkhead Road and Romey Howard Road. The individual was cited for burning without a permit. All back yard burning is currently prohibited on DFPA protected lands.
Tom Fields – Douglas Forest Protective Association
(541) 672-6507 ext. 136
August 18, 2010
The 15-acre Anderson Creek Fire was reported Tuesday afternoon burning six miles southwest of the community of Talent in Jackson County. Rugged terrain and hot, dry conditions are challenging firefighters. Oregon Dept. of Forestry resources fighting the fire include two helicopters, five fire engines, one hand crew, one bulldozer and one water tender. The blaze is currently uncontained.
August 16, 2010
Mop-up of the 74-acre Garrish Valley Fire reported Saturday evening in Oregon Dept. of Forestry’s (ODF) Forest Grove District in northwestern Oregon was completed Sunday evening. Firefighters are patrolling the site today. At the peak of the suppression action, resources on the fire included: seven ODF fire engines, 10 rural fire district engines, five South Fork Forest Camp inmate hand crews and four water tenders.
August 15, 2010
The 74-acre Garrish Valley Fire reported Saturday evening in Oregon Dept. of Forestry’s (ODF) Forest Grove District in northwestern Oregon has been contained. Firefighters are currently mopping up the blaze. At the peak of the firefighting action, resources working the fire included seven ODF fire engines, 10 rural fire district engines, five South Fork Forest Camp inmate hand crews and four water tenders.
August 9, 2010
The latest map of the Rooster Rock Fire, showing the revised closure and approximate fire acreage, has been posted to the fire’s Inciweb site at http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2056/ .
The direct link to open the enlarged version is:
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ftp/InciWeb/ORDEF/2010-08-03-15:34-rooster-rock/picts/pict-20100808-172244-1.jpeg
*****************************************
Jeri Chase
Oregon Department of Forestry
PH: 503-945-7201
Fire Duty Officer #: 503-370-0403
August 9, 2010
The following announcement/news release is from the Central Oregon Incident Management Team on the Rooster Rock Fire, August 8, 2010:
********************************
Tending Your Campfire: Revisiting Smokey’s Message
Incident: Rooster Rock Wildfire
Released: August 8, 2010; 5 p.m.
Abandoned and unattended campfires have become the predominant cause of recent fire starts in Central Oregon. Regional fire researchers (1) estimate that 2/3 of current statistical fires are human caused, compared to 1/3 of fires caused by lightening.
Nationally, over fifty percent of all large fires are human caused (2) Besides campfires, other types of human caused fires requiring fire personnel intervention include: fires caused by smokers, debris burning, equipment use, and arson. The percentage of children (minor) caused fires is extremely low. Adults predominantly cause fires.
SMALL FIRES
Fire is an element that has provided comfort and utility for humankind since prehistoric eras. In modern times, we no longer need to ward off saber-toothed tigers, but still retain an innate attraction to fire. Whether socializing around a campfire, dutch oven cooking, or enjoying the comfort of a warming fire at hunting camp, fire retains its mythological status. With the increased recreation in public lands and camping, the popularity of campfires creates a need to moderate our use of fire in both dispersed and developed campsites. Small fires are best for cooking, warming, and are easier to control. They create less impact. While bonfires are exciting, they pose more danger than warranted. Until they are cold out they are a source of ignition for nearby surface vegetation and surrounding tree limbs as they throw off firebrands and the flame lengths may be high. Additionally, attempting to douse a bonfire composed of large logs, will require enormous effort and water.
WHEN IS A FIRE SAFE TO LEAVE UNATTENDED
A fire is never safe to leave unattended. It’s really that simple. A shift in wind direction or speed can easily tease up flame in embers and send even small fire brands to nearby vegetation. This could take five minutes, it could take five hours. Is it worth the risk In June, 2010, the Schultz Fire, north of Flagstaff, AZ, was started by an abandoned campfire, eventually burning 15,075 acres, much of which was prime ponderosa and aspen forest, as well as a critical watershed. The cost of the Schultz Fire was estimated at $8,613,389 (4). The eight million doesn’t include the damages for the floods that occurred post-fire when monsoon rains ran off the hydrophobic soils caused by the Schultz Fire. How do you quantify that Public awareness of the necessity to leave all campfires cold is critical with the increased use of our public lands.
WHAT IS “COLD”?
Fortunately every camper has the one tool needed to check the heat of a campfire: hands. If a fire is too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave; simple enough. Burying a campfire is not effective, the heat can stay dormant in unburned bark and roots, ‘skunking’ until it can break into flame. The potential for this to happen is high, especially in high desert areas like Central Oregon, where the climate is drier than the western side of the Cascades.
The safest method of putting a fire out ‘cold’ is to pour water over the pit and mix the embers with a shovel, making a kind of campfire soup. This may take a surprising amount of water and should be planned when preparing for a trip. The general rule is the larger the circumference of the wood, the more water it will take to remove the heat. The simplest solution is to only burn small fuels that will be consumed down to ash before leaving. This will lessen the water needed to leave a campfire cold and increase the confidence of returning home with no future regrets.
PENALTY FOR ABANDONMENT
Conclusive agreement by frontline land management personnel indicates ‘whether you’re gone five minutes or five hours, if you’re not in sight of the fire, it’s abandoned’. Adults are legally responsible for suppression costs of their fires and the fires of their minor children, plus any damages incurred by negligence. Given the potential property loss, and endangerment of life posed by forest fires, the Federal Code of Regulations (CFR) Title 36. 261.5 is specific and prohibits: “(a) Carelessly or negligently throwing or placing any ignited substance or other substance that may cause a fire. (b) Firing any tracer bullet of incendiary ammunition. (c) Causing timber, trees, slash, brush or grass to burn except as authorized by permit. (d) Leaving a fire without completely extinguishing it. (e) Allowing a fire to escape from control. (f) Building, attending, maintaining, or using a campfire without removing all flammable material from around the campfire adequate to prevent its escape.”
In some cases, state violations may be added to a federal violation. The fine for negligent use of fire varies by district and jurisdiction, from $125 to $500, and may include imprisonment, depending on the seriousness of the incident. Beyond legal ramifications, there are some long term effects of causing a wildfire which are difficult to put a number on: injury or death to people caught in the fire or firefighting personnel suppressing that fire, long term damage to watersheds, old growth, or wild and scenic resources that will not be restored except in many generations ahead.
REPORT AND PUT OUT ABANDONED CAMPFIRES
Given the current statistics, it is important that all recreationists be willing to mitigate the negligence of others for the common good. In the event you find an abandoned campfire, put it out if you have sufficient water. If you can’t put it out yourself, lacking water or tools, call the local 911 non-emergency line and report the location and time of your observation. Write down any details that may assist in locating the owners of the abandoned fire. In Central Oregon, you can also directly notify Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch in Prineville at 541.416.6800.
Ultimately, the only way to know a fire is safe to leave is if you can place your hand on any part of the fire. If the fire is too hot to touch, it’s too hot to leave.
Additional Resource
How to put out a fire: http://azstateparks.com/find/f_act_fire.html
References
(1) Lisa Clark, Fire Mitigation Specialist for the Central Oregon Fire Management Service, a combined USFS and BLM agency.
(2) NWCG website
(3) Code of Federal Regulations36 C.F.R. � 261.5 Fire, Title 36 – Parks, Forests, and Public Property [42 FR 2957, Jan. 14, 1977, as amended at 46 FR 33520, June 30, 1981]
(4) Schultz Fire Incident Management Team
(5) Inciweb.org: Schultz Fire, AZ
Written by Alexis West, Rooster Rock Fire, Public Information Officer 2
********************************************
Jeri Chase
Oregon Department of Forestry
PH: 503-945-7201
Fire Duty Officer Pager #: 503-370-0403
August 7, 2010
Following is a revised closure notice issued by the Central Oregon Incident Management Team effective today, August 7, at 2:00 p.m. for the area of the Rooster Rock Fire.
**********************************
Rooster Rock Fire Information Center: (541) 549-7610
Saturday, August 7, 2010 2 pm Hours of Operation – 7 am to 10 pm
www.inciweb.org/incident/2056
ROAD CLOSURE LIFTED AND AREA CLOSURE REDUCED
The existing Rooster Rock Fire Special Area Closure notice, which included the Peterson Ridge Trail system and Forest Road 16, has been lifted, effective today, August 7, 2010 at 2 p. m. Motorists and recreationalists are cautioned to look out for the presence of fire personnel and vehicles continuing to work along the road. Limitations on all other areas stated in the revised closure remain in effect. Visit the fire information website on Inciweb and look for the revised Special Area Closure notice: www.inciweb.org/incident/2056.
***********************************
Jeri Chase
Oregon Department of Forestry
PH: 503-945-7201
Fire Duty Officer Pager #: 503-370-0403
August 5, 2010
Following is a copy of a media invite for a Rooster Rock Fire Press Conference and Guided Tour that is being coordinated by Project Wildfire.
**********************
August 5, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact/RSVP: Katie Lighthall, Program Director, Project Wildfire 541-408-3048
MEDIA INVITE
Rooster Rock Fire Press Conference and Guided Tour
The Rooster Rock Fire has presented many opportunities for teachable moments and provided many examples of the successful collaborative projects for which central Oregon fire agencies are known.
Please join us Saturday, August 7, 2010 at 11 AM at the Sisters Middle School Library for a look at lessons already learned on the Rooster Rock Fire and how our collective efforts have paid off this fire season. Please RSVP to attend this event and take the tour.
The press conference will include representatives from:
• Rooster Rock Fire Incident Management team
• US Forest Service, Deschutes National Forest
• Oregon Department of Forestry
• Deschutes County
• Sisters – Camp Sherman Fire District
• Cloverdale Fire District
• Project Wildfire
• Deschutes County Sheriff
Following the press conference, we will take a guided tour to the Rooster Rock Fire site to witness the results of defensible space and see how fire behaves in treated areas vs. untreated areas.
Central Oregon fire agencies are no stranger to wildland fire and known nationwide for their ability to work together on large fire incidents. The Rooster Rock Fire is no exception to these cooperative efforts in fire management, fire suppression, and fire prevention education.
Bring your cameras! Remember to wear a hat, sturdy shoes, long sleeves and long pants to protect yourself from any stray embers. Be prepared to buddy up in vehicles as we will only take what we absolutely need to the fire site.
##
*****************************
Jeri Chase
Oregon Department of Forestry
PH: 503-945-7201
Fire Duty Officer Pager#: 503-370-0403
August 5, 2010
The news release issued by the inter-agency team on the Rooster Rock Fire this evening notes that a planned burn-out is being implemented throughout the night that will be visible to area residents and travelers on Highway 20 from Sisters to Bend.
The Central Oregon Incident Management Team, under joint authority from the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Deschutes National Forest, assumed command of the Rooster Rock Fire on August 3, 2010. This inter-agency Team is working closely with the Oregon Department of Forestry and the Deschutes National Forest to determine strategy and tactics for suppression of this fire. The Team is working with guidance from the Oregon Department of Forestry to meet the objectives of the private land owners whose lands the Department is responsible for protecting.
Fire Behavior: The Team’s evening news release noted that the inversion over the Rooster Rock Fire lifted this morning by 10 am resulting in active fire behavior. The lifting of smoke allowed aerial resources to engage earlier than yesterday. Both helicopters and air tankers were able to support the firefighters on the ground to suppress the forward movement of the fire and cool numerous spot fires outside the pioneered dozer line.
Closures: The Special Area Closure that closes portions of the Forest Road 16 and surrounding area remains in effect. For the full closure information please see the following website and look for the Rooster Rock Special Area Closure http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/fire/conditions/fire-news.shtml .
Quick Facts (effective Wednesday, 8/4/10 @ 8 p.m.)
Acres: 4,600
Containment: 20%
Location: 6 miles south of Sisters
Cause: Under investigation
Start Date/Time: Reported August 2, 2010, 1141 hrs
Total personnel: 712
Crews: 20; Engines: 23, Helicopters: 6; Water tenders: 25
For complete information on the Rooster Rock Fire, visit the Inciweb site at
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2056/ or call the Team’s Fire Information Line (7 a.m. – 10 p.m.) at 541-549-7610.
*************************
Jeri Chase
Oregon Department of Forestry
PH: 503-945-7201
Fire Duty Officer Pager #: 503-370-0403
August 4, 2010
Last Saturday, the Medford Airtanker Base held an aerial firefighting open house. Over 325 people attended, including what looks like some promising young future firefighters!
Just a few hours after the Open House, retardant bombers from the Airtanker Base were called out to work the Dutch Fire on the Klamath National Forest, so, all in all, it was a busy Satuday for Medford.
**********************
Jeri Chase
Oregon Department of Forestry
PH: 503-945-7201
Fire Duty Officer Pager#: 503-370-0403
August 4, 2010
A map displaying the road and area closure that is in place due to the Rooster Rock Fire has been posted on Inciweb at:
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/map/2056/0/.
In addition, the phone for the Central Oregon Incident Management Team’s Fire Information Office has been established and also posted to fire’s website on Inciweb at:
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2056/.
That phone number is: 541-549-7610.
******************************
Jeri Chase
Oregon Department of Forestry
PH: 503-945-7201
Fire Duty Officer Pager #: 503-370-0403
August 3, 2010
The Central Oregon Incident Management Team is getting their Rooster Rock site set up on Inciweb. Direct link is: http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2056/.
*******************
Jeri Chase
Oregon Department of Forestry
PH: 503-945-7201
Fire Duty Officer Pager#: 503-370-0403
August 3, 2010
The Central Oregon Incident Management Team (COIMT) has been deployed to the Rooster Rock Fire, burning approximately six miles south of Sisters. Transfer of command to this Type 2 interagency team is scheduled for 8 a.m. tomorrow, August 3.
COIMT is one of four Type 2 interagency area teams located in the state of Oregon. The team is comprised of members from local, state and federal wildland and structural agencies throughout Oregon. COIMT members are highly skilled specialists in command, safety, information, finance, logistics, operations and planning, and work with Agency administrators and firefighters to meet their objectives without compromising regulations or safety.
Once the team is up and running on the fire, more information on Rooster Rock will be posted and available on Inciweb at http://www.inciweb.org/.
August 2, 2010
ODF resources have been dispatched to battle the Rooster Rock fire six miles south of Sisters. The fire, which preliminary estimates place at 10 acres on Monday afternoon, began on US Forest Service land but has crossed boundaries into ODF-protected lands. Fire is active on Monday afternoon. Cause of the fire is under investigation. The ODF Sisters Unit responded with six fire engines, two fire crews and support from an air tanker, helicopter and two dozers.
Kevin Weeks – Oregon Department of Forestry
August 2, 2010
Creating defensible space around your home is the best way to protect your home from wildfire. The first 30 feet surrounding your home – referred to as the primary ignition zone – is critical space during a fire; There are some simple steps that a homeowner can take to help protect their homes from wildfire that are easy, quick, and relatively inexpensive.
Find out more on the ODF web site:
http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/homewildfiresafety.shtml
Kevin Weeks – Oregon Department of Forestry
August 2, 2010
The fire danger level will move to “Extreme” starting Thursday, August 5 on ODF-protected lands in Jackson and Josephine counties.
Find out more information on the SW Oregon District blog, SWOFIRE:
swofire.blogspot.com
