August 2, 2010
Retardant bombers hauled 10,808 gallons of retardant from the Medford Airtanker Base to the Dutch Fire on Saturday. This fire has burned 522 acres on the Klamath National Forest. Five bombers from California were used in the aerial assault.
The activity began just a few hours after the Aerial Firefighting Open House, which was held at the Medford Airtanker Base on Saturday morning. Nearly 325 people attended the open house.
To date, the Medford Airtanker Base has pumped 47, 581 gallons of retardant this summer.
Brian Ballou – Oregon Department of Forestry, SW Oregon District
August 2, 2010
Two-thirds of the folks who took last week’s SWOFIRE poll about Smokey Bear’s age were correct. The fire-preventing bear turns 66 next Monday. Smokey was “born” Aug. 9 1944, which is the date the first Smokey Bear fire prevention poster was created.
The beloved bear is a shared icon between the US Forest Service, National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council. Commercial artist Albert Staehle is created with creating the Smokey image as a public education campaign for the Forest Service. By the way, lest you think about using Smokey for an advertisement, the Bear is protected by federal law. Smokey Bear’s name and image are proprietary to the three entities (which includes State Forestry departments) under the Smokey Bear Act of 1952 (16 USC 580 and 18 USC 711).
Need ideas about preventing wildfires close to home? Check out the Keep Oregon Green website, www.keeporegongreen.org/
Kevin Weeks – Oregon Department of Forestry (many thanks to Brian Ballou with SWOFIRE for the poll question)
August 2, 2010
Source: Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center
On Saturday, hold-over fires from lightning activity on Friday began popping up around Central Oregon from the southeast corner of the Deschutes National Forest to the canyon country around the city of Fossil. interagency fire crews dispatched by COIDC responded to approximately 12 new wildfires Saturday, containing most of those at less than half an acre. While most are believed to be lightning fires, one was an abandoned campfire at Wickiup Reservoir.
Incident #464 ignited north of Highway 20 approximately 1.5 miles west of Sisters and was quickly contained. The fire started in an area that had been treated to reduce hazardous fuels as part of the Highway 20 Fuels Reduction Project. Because of the treatment, fire intensity remained low and firefighters responding from the US Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, the Sisters-Camp Sherman and Cloverdale Fire Departments were able to quickly gain control of a fire burning across the highway from the Tollage subdivision. According to the incident commander, the fuels treatment significantly affected fire behavior and allowed fire crews to gain the upper hand. The fire was contained at 2:45 Saturday afternoon.
Incident #465 was reported shortly before 3 p.m. Saturday by Stephenson lookout. The fire is now approximately 70 acres and is burning primarily on private land in grass and brush seven miles southwest of Antelope. Seven engines coordinated by COIDC have responded to this incident and are working with local landowners to suppress this fire.
Incident #466 was reported at 3:45 Saturday afternoon by Pisgah lookout, and is burning on Warm Springs Tribal lands under an agreement with the BLM for fire suppression 17 miles southwest of Fossil. One structure was within a mile of the fireline and two airtankers dropped retardant to assist with suppression and provide structure protection. The two tanker drops successfully stopped the spread of the fire and it was contained at 5:45 p.m.
Fire crews are also assisting the Fossil Rural Fire Department on Incident #460, burning approximately 3-4 miles south of Fossil, Oregon. The fire is approximately 25 acres and is burning on private land.
August 1, 2010
Source: Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center
The Buckhorn Fire in central/eastern Oregon on BLM land was 100 percent contained on Saturday afternoon at 4,588 acres
.
July 31, 2010
The Buckhorn Fire in central/eastern Oregon on BLM land is at 4,588 acres and 80 percent contained.
More information on the fire is available through the InciWeb site:
http://www.inciweb.org/incident/2049/
July 31, 2010
The Bear Claw Canyon fire 13 miles NW of Ukiah was brought under control Friday evening. Four engines from the ODF Pendleton Unit attacked the fire with a five-person crew in addition to one water tender and one bulldozer. Lightning has been established as the cause of the fire, which was held to 28 acres.
Kevin Weeks – Oregon Department of Forestry
July 31, 2010
The Rabbit Fire burning 10 miles NE of Unity in Baker County was reported about 3pm Friday. Resources from ODF units in Baker City and La Grande responded to the fire, which on Friday is estimated at 15 acres. Preliminary investigation indicates lightning started the fire. Two engines are at the fire scene with one fire crew, receiving support from an air tanker, attack helicopter and two bulldozers.
Kevin Weeks – Oregon Department of Forestry
July 31, 2010
Four engines from the ODF Pendleton Unit responded Friday afternoon the Bear Claw Canyon fire burning 13 miles NW of Ukiah. Initial estimates place the fire at about 20 to 25 acres. Crews anticipate being able to establish a line around the fire on Friday. Cause of the fire is under investigation. A five-person crew is working on the fire in addition to one water tender and one bulldozer.
Kevin Weeks – Oregon Department of Forestry
July 30, 2010
The National Weather Service in Pendleton issued a Red Flag Warning on Friday afternoon warning of abundant lightning and dry fuel conditions across eastern and NE Oregon. The warning is in effect until 10:00 AM Saturday.
Thunderstorms are expected to develop about 6pm in central Oregon and move east. ODF fire crews across the region will be monitoring lightning strikes for potential fire activity this weekend.
Kevin Weeks – Oregon Department of Forestry
July 30, 2010
No new fires 10 acres in size or larger were reported to the ODF Salem Coordination Center during the past 24 hours.
July 30, 2010
The National Weather Service summary for the weekend calls for cooler weather in western Oregon from an offshore low pressure system. West of the cascades, the air is fairly moist but clear, with humidity in the seasonal range; as the air moves over the Cascades, central and eastern Oregon will see dryer air and breezy conditions that could increase fire potential until Sunday.
The Medford NWS office is calling for increased thunderstorm potential Friday around Crater Lake and Diamond Lake. Concern has also been expressed about breezy conditions in the Columbia Gorge and the crest of the Cascades this weekend.
A Fire Weather Watch has been issued by the Pendleton NWS office for much of northeast Oregon into the weekend. The low pressure moving over the Cascades could turn into lightning storms by the time the system reaches the NE part of the state.
Kevin Weeks – Oregon Department of Forestry
July 30, 2010
From SWOFIRE:
This Saturday, the Medford Airtanker Base is hosting an aerial firefighting open house. The event is free to the public and will remain open from 9 a.m. to noon.
The Oregon Department of Forestry and U.S. Forest Service will provide an airtanker, planes and helicopters for public viewing. This is a fun way for adults and children to learn what different resources are used during the fire season that help firefighters put out wildfire. Pictures will be available for those who would like a keepsake from the event.
“This is a great way for the community to see the fire-fighting resources used during the fire season,” said Dan Thorpe, ODF district forester. “Aerial firefighting is not something all residents are aware of, and this will be a fun way for them to learn more about what we do.”
The event will be held at the Medford Airtanker Base, located at 600 Nebula Way in Medford. The Airtanker Base is sited at north of the Jackson County International Airport grounds.
The open house will be subject to cancellation due to fire.
July 29, 2010
Source: Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center
The Central Oregon Incident Management Team, incident commander Mark Rapp, assumed command of the Buckhorn Complex this morning at 0600 hours. The incident command post (ICP) is located at the Wheeler High School in Fossil, Oregon.
Two fires of approximately 2,200 acres and 100 acres make-up the Buckhorn Complex. Yesterday, the largest fire of the complex burned down to the John Day River and crossed over the river. A large burn-out operation was also conducted to secure the west and southwest flank. Additional crews are on order as well as five engines. These firefighters will be used on the line and also to assist with initial attack responsibilities. The combined acreage is totaling 2,300 acres with an estimated containment of 20 percent.
There are no closures at this time but recreation floaters and rafters are asked to be aware that helicopters are dipping water from the John Day River to be used for fire suppression and are asked to stay clear of the dip sites.
QUICK FACTS:
Acres: 2,300
Containment: 20%
Location: 13 miles north of Clarno
Cause: Lightning
Start Date/Time: Reported July 27, 2010, 1148 hrs
Total personnel: 121
Crews: 4, Engines:5, Helicopters: 1- medium, 2-heavy lift, Water tenders: 1
July 29, 2010
Additional lightning strikes in Klamath and Lake Counties kept ODF resources busy Wednesday.
On Wednesday, 22 fires were reported to the Klamath & Lake Interagency Fire Centers, including a fire under federal jurisdiction which reached 29 acres. Six of those reported fires occurred within ODF protection areas, including the 20-acre Klamath Hills fire south of Klamath Falls. ODF relied on extensive initial attack of the fire from the air, including a helicopter and DC-7 air tanker. Two crews continue to work the fire on the ground Thursday.
In ODF’s Northeast Oregon District, six fires were responded to Wednesday, all quickly brought under control. Extensive patrols using fire engines and aircraft were planned for the region Thursday.
Kevin Weeks – Oregon Department of Forestry
July 29, 2010
ODF Central Oregon District crews are preparing for additional thunderstorms into this weekend. Thursday afternoon’s National Weather Service forecast calls for thunderstorms with possible gusty winds while Friday’s forecast anticipates renewed lightning strikes but with some precipitation coming with storms. Low humidity expected Saturday could increase fire potential through the weekend.
ODF John Day Unit crews responded to 1 new fire in the region Wednesday that was quickly controlled.
Much attention in the region is being focused on the Buckhorn Fire. The fire, which began on BLM land about 13 miles north of Clarno on Tuesday, became the largest wild fire of 2010 thus far in Oregon at 2,200 acres currently. Resources for this fire are dispatched through the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center in Redmond, which draws on many jurisdictions for fire suppression response. A federal government “Type 2” incident management team is assuming command of the fire Thursday, with a fire camp based at a high school in Fossil.
As of Thursday, ODF resources are not assigned to the Buckhorn Fire, as the fire scene is several miles away from a fire protection district affiliated with ODF. ODF provides fire protection services on 15.8 million acres of land in Oregon (roughly one-quarter of the state), including state-owned lands, private lands within a fire protection district and also provids fire services under contract protecting BLM-owned forests in western Oregon.
Kevin Weeks – Oregon Department of Forestry
July 29, 2010
The 20-acre Klamath Hills fire was reported before Noon Wednesday burning 12 miles south of Klamath Falls; preliminary reports indicate lightning caused the fire. Six fire engines responded, with three air tankers and two helicopters providing support to two crews. Full containment of the fire is expected Thursday. Two hand crews remain at the fire Thursday for mop-up operations and to monitor for potential flare-ups.
Kevin Weeks – Oregon Department of Forestry
July 29, 2010
Source: Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center
Central Oregon – Firefighters, working in very steep terrain, continue to work to suppress the now 2,200-acre Buckhorn Fire. The fire is burning in a remote section of the John Day River approximately 13 miles north of Clarno. The fire started Tuesday along the east side of the river; however wind Tuesday afternoon helped the fire jump to the west side of the river as well. The growth on the fire today is primarily attributed to the steep slopes and wind, as well as the light, grassy fuels. At this time, there is no estimate of containment.
Firefighters successfully completed a burnout operation along a nearby ranch as a prevention measure, and no structures are currently threatened. There are no closures in effect along the John Day River.
The fire is staffed with a 5-person hand crew, three Hotshot crews, four rappellers, two Type I Helicopters, one Type II helicopter, and five engines. A Type II Incident Management Team will assume command of this incident Thursday morning.
July 29, 2010
From the NW Interagency Coordination Center:
The Buckhorn Fire, 13 miles north of Clarno on the John Day River, has grown to 500 acres by Wednesday afternoon. The fire is on US Bureau of Land Management land. More than 90 fire fighters are battling the fire.
Current information is available at: http://www.nwccweb.us/information/fire_info.asp
July 29, 2010
Heavy thunderstorm activity has ignited numerous fires on Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) protected lands in northeast Oregon over the last several days. “We had an intense lightning storm roll through northeast Oregon yesterday that brought abundant lightning. Even with the moisture which came under the core of the storm, we have had seven fires on land protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry,” commented Matt Howard, Wallowa Unit Protection Supervisor. Fires ranged in size from a single tree to 1 ½ acres.
Fire starts from the thunderstorms which began hitting the area late Sunday have been suppressed at initial attack by our ODF fire crews with assistance from our federal cooperators and are in mop-up and monitor stages. The one exception is the King Ranch Fire which started late Sunday and spread to 33 acres before being contained Tuesday. Rainfall followed the center of the storm Tuesday, reducing initial spread of fire, and making smokes more difficult to detect. Fire managers anticipate detection of additional fires from yesterday’s lightning which may have been left smoldering from the passing rain. As the temperatures rise throughout the day and fuels continue to dry out these smoldering fires will likely spread and be more easily seen by firefighting crews and fire lookouts throughout the region.
A specially funded helicopter was moved up from Pendleton to Wallowa County Tuesday where the storm hit especially hard. The Type II helicopter was used for dropping water on the largest of the fires which was threatening private land in the Chesnimnus area. The helicopter will be staged in Wallowa, to be dispatched as needed throughout northeast Oregon. Firefighters expect additional thunderstorms to continue to move through the region through the remainder of the week and into the weekend. “There is a persistent upper level low pressure system that is set up off the northern California coast and a large high pressure system in the mid-west, creating an air mass that is very unstable, allowing thunderstorms to build readily”, Howard explains.
Fire Season is in effect for lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry, Northeast Oregon District. A Regulated Use Closure has also been implemented for protected lands. For more information regarding Fire Season and Regulated Use visit: http://bmidc.org/restrictions.shtml
Jamie Knight / Christie Shaw
Oregon Department of Forestry – NE Oregon District
July 28, 2010
ODF crews and fire resources are responding to a fire burning in brush and juniper about 12 miles south of Klamath Falls. The 19-acre Klamath Hills fire was reported before Noon Wednesday and preliminary reports indicate lightning caused the fire. Crews on the ground are expected to bring the fire under control by tonight. Six fire engines responded, with three air tankers and two helicopters providing support to two fire fighting crews.
Kevin Weeks – Oregon Department of Forestry
