Warm Springs fire closes trail, campground, roads
The Waterfalls 2 Fire burning on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation was less active Wednesday, but the still-growing forest fire prompted some road, trail and campground closures.
The fire has grown to 2,723 acres, and there is no estimate on containment. Some 400 people are working to get the fire contained.
On Wednesday, the Pacific Crest Trail was closed between Russell and Breitenbush lakes on the Willamette National Forest. Fire officials also say the Breitenbush Lake Campground has been closed as well.
Roadblocks have been put in place on some tribal roads, at the Tenino and J-100 junction and the P-500 and P-600 junction.
No homes or other structures are threatened at this time, officials said.
Fire officials say the fire is still pushing east, towards the Peters Pasture and White Water area.
There have been reports of smoke being seen from the west side of the Cascades, but fire officials say for the time being, there is no threat of the fire jumping the Cascades crest.
A Culture Camp planned for this weekend at Peters Pasture has been moved to HeHe.
Huckleberry pickers and other tribal forest users are being cautioned to be aware of the fire location and the extreme fire conditions.
Fire officials told NewsChannel 21 they are paying close attention to the weather and the threat of thunderstorms this weekend.
You can follow the latest on this and all of Oregon’s wildfires on Oregon’s InciWeb Page
Meanwhile, starting Friday at 12:01 a.m., all lands administered by the Ochoco and Deschutes National Forests and the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management will move to an Industrial Fire Precaution Level III (IFPL).
Level III is a partial shutdown of operations, and the following activities are prohibited except as indicated:
Cable yarding – except gravity operated logging systems employing non-motorized carriages may operate between 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. when all blocks and moving lines are suspended 10 feet above the ground except the line between the carriage and the chokers.
Power saws – except power saws may be used at loading sites and on tractor/skidder operations between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time.
In addition, the following are permitted to operate between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time:
Tractor, skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder, or shovel logging operations where tractors, skidders, or other equipment with a blade capable of constructing fireline are immediately available to quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start;
Mechanized loading or hauling of any product or material blasting;
Welding or cutting of metal
Any other spark emitting operation not specifically mentioned.
Fire precaution levels begin with Level 1 at the start of fire season and can increase to Level 4 as the fire danger increases. Each fire precaution level requires adherence to the restrictions applied under all lower levels in addition to the limits placed by the current level. Operators may apply for waivers from responsible agency.
Industrial Fire Precaution Levels are based on current and expected fire conditions, and govern permitted commercial and industrial operations on public lands such as woodcutting, off-road travel, road maintenance, welding, and timber cutting operations including felling, cable yarding, and loading. It is the responsibility of the individual operating on public land to know the precaution level for the day and to take the correct fire precautions.
For more information about the Industrial Fire Precaution Level system, please visit the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/centraloregon and follow the link on the bottom right for “alerts and warnings.”
