Wind shift spares homes in path of 1,930-acre Akawana Fire
The Akawana Fire burning southwest of Lake Billy Chinook grew to nearly 2,000 acres Wednesday, but crews brought it to 30 percent containment — and a wind shift spared Three Rivers residents from immediate evacuation.
The area of about 1,000 largely vacation homes was placed on Level 2 evacuation alert Wednesday morning as winds fanned the flames in that direction, but a shift late in the day made a big difference, at least for now.
:”Predicted winds were toward the majority of homes and the wind actually turned a bit away,” said Jefferson County Fire District Chief Brian Huff..
Here’s the Thursday morning update from fire managers:
Sisters, OR — Incident management teams from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office (OSFM) are currently serving in unified command on the Akawana Fire burning 13 miles north of Sisters.
The fire is currently mapped at 1,930 acres. Approximately 912 homes in the Three Rivers Grandview area are considered threatened and under a Level 2 evacuation notice. Level 2 indicates that residents should be set for a potential evacuation. Residents must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
The lightning-caused fire was reported on Tuesday at 2 p.m. on Akawa :Butte The fire is 30% contained and is currently burning on private forestland protected by ODF.
The fire is being pushed by 15-20 mph winds and is burning in heavy dead and down fuels. The winds are expected to persist through today with a cooling trend in the next day or two.
In all, about 400 firefighters and support staff are expected to work on the fire today. Crews are being supported from the air with helicopters and retardant dropping air tankers.
Due to the threat to structures, Gov. Kate Brown invoked the Conflagration Act Wednesday afternoon at the request of Jefferson County Fire Defense Board Chief Brian Huff.
The declaration authorizes the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire. The State Fire Marshal has mobilized four task forces, for a total of approximately 20 pieces of firefighting equipment, including engines and water tenders.
Cooperating agencies assisting in the fire suppression effort include the Central Oregon Fire Management Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and Jefferson and Deschutes County Emergency Management.
The fire broke out on private forest land protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry, said ODF spokesman Erik Pronold.
As the winds picked up Wednesday, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 1 pre-evacuation (Be Ready) alert — then a short time later a Level 2 (Be Set) pre-evacuation order for the Three Rivers subdivision. Capt. Marc Heckathorn said the fire had grown to 2,100 acres, or just over three square miles.
“Level 2 indicates that residents should be set for a potential evacuation,” Pronold said. “Residents must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.”
Heavy dead and downed fuel, along with 15-20 mph winds, were causing torching and spotting of the fire, Pronold said.
The conflagration declaration was requested by Jefferson County Fire Defense Board Chief Brian Huff.
Some forest roads in the area have been closed for public and firefighter safety, including Forest Road 1170 east of the Forest Road 11 junction, and eastbound traffic on Forest Road 64 and 63 at the Lake Billy Chinook Store.
You can sign up to receive for or log in to view Jefferson County emergency alert notifications at:https://member.everbridge.net/index/892807736724035#/login
Three Rivers, a 4,000-acre gated community on the shore of Lake Billy Chinook, has about 625 property owners and many vacation homes. It has been threatened by wildfire numerous times before, including the Bridge 99 fire in 2014, and lost 18 homes to the 23,000-acre Eyerly Fire in 2002, prompting creation of the Lake Chinook Fire Department and other steps to reduce the fire risk.
Late Tuesday, the fire burned in heavy brush and beetle-killed timber, putting up a tall smoke plume visible over a wide area of the High Desert.
The fire broke out just east of Green Ridge Forest Service Road 11, southwest of Lake Billy Chinook and about 10 miles north of Eagle Butte, said U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman Kassidy Kern.
Many Central Oregonians could see the billowing smoke plume, as well as planes and helicopters dropping retardant and water on the blaze, burning in heavy brush and beetle-killed timber.
And many nervous residents called dispatchers after dark Tuesday, when the still-growing fire burned in the distance — or as many worried, not too distantly.
The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office put out this updated notice on the Level 1 pre-evacuation notice, later upgraded to Level 2, along with a refresher of what the three levels mean:
Level 2 Evacuation Notice “BE SET”
There is significant danger from the Akawana wildfire in the Lake Chinook Fire District and residents should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Residents and guests are encouraged to leave and should do so as soon as possible. If you choose to stay, you should be able to leave immediately if conditions worsen. You MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at your own risk. Entry to evacuated areas may be denied until the hazard subsides.
This may be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee we will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Local media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.
Level 2 Evacuation notice is being sent to all persons residing in the Lake Chinook Fire District. This district includes homes in the Rivers Recreation Area, Forest Park, and Chinook Village. This order does NOT affect Crooked River Ranch or the Cove Palisades State Park.
This order is authorized by Sheriff Jim Adkins of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
The Akawana fire is now at 2100 acres and local fire task force teams throughout Central Oregon have been called in to assist in protecting homes and property should conditions worsen.
Approved Oregon Evacuation Levels
LEVEL 1: A Level 1 Evacuation means “BE READY” for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. This is the time for preparation and precautionary movement of persons with special needs, mobile property and (under certain circumstances) pets and livestock. If conditions worsen, emergency services personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.
LEVEL 2: A Level 2 Evacuation means “BE SET” to evacuate. YOU MUST PREPARE TO LEAVE AT A MOMENTS NOTICE This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. THIS MAY BE THE ONLY NOTICE THAT YOU RECEIVE Emergency services cannot guarantee that they will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate. Area media services will be asked to broadcast periodic updates.
LEVEL 3: A Level 3 Evacuation means “GO” Evacuate NOW LEAVE IMMEDIATELY! Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. THIS WILL BE THE LAST NOTICE THAT YOU RECEIVE Entry to evacuated areas may be denied until conditions are safe. Area radio and TV stations have been asked to broadcast periodic updates.
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About 2,000 lightning strikes hit Central Oregon over the past 72 hours, sparking six small (under quarter-acre) fires on federal lands and the one on ODF-protected land. The state agency said in a Twitter post Tuesday it had “resources on scene of multiple fire starts from the afternoon’s lightning storms.”
In Eastern Oregon, The Owyhee Canyon Fire that burned just a mile and a half southeast of Rome, Oregon has been 90 percent contained, officials said Wednesday.
The fire began 10 miles southeast of Rome and crept along the rim of the Owyhee Canyon to burn nearly 23,000 acres.
Demobilization began at the Owyhee Canyon Fire Wednesday , with resources and personnel being gradually withdrawn. Engines, along with bulldozers and water tenders, are still on site.
Officials said the Jenkins Reservoir Fire continues to be a concern, although fire suppression personnel have been successful in limiting the fire’s size to around 170 acres. There is no exact date or time anticipated for containment, but fire personnel are hopeful that it will be contained soon.
While suppression is going well given the conditions, personnel have been cautious in declaring total containment.
“With the temperatures, the lightning, and the wind, we were nervous that this fire could potentially get out of control at any time,” said Sam Delong, Incident Commander for the High Desert Type 3 Team at the Owyhee Canyon Fire.
Delong also said that the terrain in and around the Owyhee Canyon further complicated suppression efforts by making access extremely difficult.
“We were very worried that the fire could get into the Owyhee Canyon and use the old debris from the river to carry itself across the river to the other side,” Delong said. “Luckily, the Vale Hot Shot crew was able to get down into the canyon and keep that from happening.”
Despite terrain and weather difficulties, crews were able to limit the spread of the fire and said they were hoping to have the fire contained by late Wednesday .
Cooler temperatures are forecast for the remainder of the week, potentially aiding in suppression efforts and limiting new starts. Still, members of the public should remain cautious in preventing human-caused fires and vigilant in reporting suspected fires.
Earlier, resources increased drastically, they said, with a combined 25 engines from the BLM and contracted firefighting services. Also on site are four Snake River Valley hand crews, one hot shot crew, four water tenders, two bulldozers and air attack aircraft coordinating efforts from the air.
Also assisting with suppression was the Jordan Valley Rangeland Fire Protection Association.
More information on the Owyhee Canyon fire can be found at: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4763/ .
If you suspect a wildfire or see suspicious smoke, report it to the Vale BLM Dispatch Center at 541-473-6295 .
Meanwhile, the Draw Fire about 20 miles northeast of Chiloquin, also lightning-caused, had grown to 497 acres as of Wednesday and was 30 percent contained.
The fire was burning in the Telephone Draw area on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, 6 1/2 miles southwest of Rocky Ford Campground and six miles northwest of the Head of the River Campground. The area consists of large Ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine and ceanothus shrub.
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Fire managers urged the public to drive cautiously in the area, as there may be dust and smoke along Highway 97 and in the area of Forest Service Road 48.
More information on the Draw Fire can be found online athttp://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4767/
For information on the current fire danger level, visit the Lakeview Interagency Fire Center Web site at:http://www.scofmp.org/lifc.shtml
To report a fire, call 911 or contact the Lakeview Interagency Fire Center at541-947-6315.
