Plea for caution as wildfires rage across Oregon, N.W.

With wildfires rapidly growing in number and size across Oregon and the Northwest, the Oregon state forester issued a renewed plea Saturday for residents to be extremely careful and cut the risk of any new human-caused blazes.

“Wildfire activity in Oregon has escalated significantly since Friday, particularly in Eastern Oregon,” said Doug Decker, Oregon State Forester. “If you couple these major fires with increasing shortages of firefighting resources and add in the extreme fire danger and conditions statewide, you can see just how critical it is to prevent the next fire.”

“I’m asking every Oregonian and visitor to help us eliminate the risk of any new human-caused fire through the rest of fire season,” said Decker. “Now is the time for vigilance and fire awareness.”

Fire regulations are in effect across Oregon’s wildlands, pertaining directly to anyone living, recreating or working there. The Department of Forestry uses its citation authority to enforce fire restrictions on lands in its jurisdiction, and investigates every fire. Liability for fire costs goes to responsible parties.

Multiple fast-moving fires have ignited in eastern Oregon in the past 48 hours. The 13,742-acre El Dorado Fire, the 34,000 acre Canyon Creek Complex, the 23,000-acre Windy Ridge and the 26,000-acre Cornet fires are burning forest resources, threatening homes and transportation corridors, and prompting evacuations and closures. On Friday, Governor Brown invoked the Conflagration Act to mobilize structural firefighting resources for the Canyon Creek Complex of fires near John Day. Additional structural task forces have been mobilized elsewhere in the state.

30 second video of State Forester Doug Decker’s call to Oregonians

Important wildfire prevention resources:

ODF social media for the latest #ORfire information. Fire prevention message from Oregon Governor Kate Brown Interactive fire restrictions map ODF prevention resources Keep Oregon Green Association ODF’s Wildfire Blog

EL DORADO FIRE

The El Dorado Fire reported Friday morning 5 miles southeast of Unity, Oregon is burning on Oregon Department of Forestry private lands, Vale BLM and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest lands. The fire burning primarily in grass, brush and timber is exhibiting extreme fire behavior including wind-driven runs and is approximately 12,000 acres at this time. Significant spread to the east and northeast is expected.Fire officials are recommending that people avoid driving near the fire due to increased firefighting traffic.

An ODF Type 1 IMT assumed command of the incident at 10:00 this morning.Cause is under investigation.

Fire information :541-523-2905

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4502/

CANYON CREEK COMPLEX

This lightning-caused complex of fires located south of John Day Oregon and reported Wednesday afternoon is now estimated at 34,143 acres.The fire has exhibited extreme behaviors including crowning, wind-driven runs and long-range spotting up to two miles. Strong winds pushed the Berry Creek and Mason Springs Fires to the north toward Canyon City and John Day on Friday.

The fires merged together creating a fast moving fire forcing residents to evacuate and fire fighters to retreat from the fire line. Air resources were grounded in the late afternoon because of the heavy winds. Today the fire is being managed by a local Type 3 Team, including ODF resources, with support from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Red Team.

Structural task forces are in place, working to protect homes in the path of the fire. Crews working to assess structures are challenged by access due to damage to road infrastructure such as burned wooden bridges and fallen trees.There are currently 26 primary residences confirmed destroyed. This number may rise as crews make assessments. The fire is estimated to be approximately 34,000 acres based on an IR flight from Friday night. Fire fighters will face calmer winds and increased humidity today.

Resources

Throughout the night dozers worked to put in line south of Canyon City. Available resources continue to be limited; approximately 225 people are currently assigned to this fire including 5 crews and 1 helicopter.

Today at 4pm the Great Basin Team (Type 1) will be in-briefed, with plans to take command of the fire on Sunday. Firefighting resources are depleted at a national level in the west. Multiplehave been issued by the Grant County Sheriff’s Department across the area. Due to the severity of the situation of the Canyon Creek Complex, the Conflagration Act has been enacted.

Evacuations

Level 2 evacuation notices have been issued for:

Laycock Creek Road, Nance Rock Road, West Bench Road, Dog Creek

Level 3 evacuation notices have been issued for: South of Canyon City to the J-Bar-L Ranch,Marysville Road, Adams Drive, South side of Marysville Road, Pine Creek

Those under a Level 1 evacuation notice need to be aware of the situation

Level 2 – prepare to leave on short notice

Level 3 – evacuate immediately

Please continue to monitor KJDY at 1400 am for more evacuation information

Closures and shelters

Highway 395 south is expected to remain closed for potential three more days at least due to active fire, hazard trees and heavy fire fighter traffic. A Red Cross shelter has been set up at the Mount Vernon Community Hall. Multiple churches are also providing assistance.

Multiple landowners are offering space for livestock as well as the Grant County Fairgrounds.

Fire information :541-263-0661

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4495/

CORNET FIRE

The lightning-causedCornet Fire(EOA) near Hereford, Oregon on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Vale BLM District and onprivate lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry is approximately 26,000 acres. It is 5 percent contained and now threatens approximately 146 residences.

On Thursday Governor Kate Brown invoked theEmergency Conflagration Actin response to the Cornet Fire. This declaration authorizes the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal to mobilize structural firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire. The fire is exhibiting extreme behavior with crowning, wind-driven runs and spotting.

Resources

Approximately 457 people are assigned to this fire including 14 crews, 4 helicopters and 19 fire engines. Ruggreio’s Type 1 Southwest IMT 2 assumed command of the Incident at 1800 hours yesterday.

Evacuations

Level 1 (READY) – Elk Creek Lane to Griffin Gulch Lane
Level 2 (GET SET) -Bridgeport
Level 3 (GO) -Beaver Creek -Black Mountain -Denny Creek -French Gulch -Greater Gowen Valley Rural Fire to French Gulch -Old Auburn Ln

Closures:Baker County Sheriff’ Office has issued a Level 3 Evacuation Order for Stices Gulch and a level 2 Evacuation Order for Rancheria Creek, Black Mountain and Denny Creek.

Fire Information :541-523-2905

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4478/

WINDY RIDGE FIRE

The lightning-causedWindy Ridge Fire (BLM)located 4 miles west of Durkeefirst reported August 11 hasmoved to the northeast toward Interstate-84. 41 residences are threatened. The fire is burning in brush, grass and timber and size is estimated to be 22,862 acres.

The terrain on the fire is rugged and steep and ground crews have trouble accessing certain areas. This has necessitated aggressive air suppression including single engine air tankers (SEATs), helicopters and heavy air tankers, though increasingly scarce resources are straining air support.

The Team is transitioning to Ruggiero’s Type 1 Team (Cornet and Windy Ridge Fires expected to merge).

Fire Information :541-523-2904

EAGLE COMPLEX

TheEagle Complex(USFS) reported Tuesday afternoon burning approximately 16 miles northeast of Baker City and 10 miles east of Medical Springs, Oregon, is now approximately 1,700 acres.Three fires comprise the complex and are burning on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest as well as private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry.

Strong winds and continued hot, dry conditions caused additional growth of the Eagle Fire Complex on Friday. The fire spotted over Forest Service Road 77 road in the southwest corner of the fire. Firefighters were able to successfully catch all of the spot fires and no structures were burned.

Today’s operations include continued structure protection and fire suppression.

Resources:A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered and will transition over the next couple of days with the current Type 3 team currently working on the Complex.

Evacuations

Level 2 evacuation notices remain in effect. A Level 2 evacuation notice means residents should be SET (Ready, Set, Go) to evacuate, and continue to closely monitor local media and incident information.Questions regarding evacuation notices and the evacuation process can be directed to the Baker County Emergency Management at 541-523-8200.

An area closure has been implemented for public and firefighter safety and can be viewed at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4481/

The fire danger rating has increased toEXTREMEand Public Use Restrictions involving campfires and chainsaw use are in effect. For more information about the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest’s Public Use Restrictions, please contact any forest office, or visit our website atwww.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman/or on the Blue Mountain Fire Information BlogSpot athttp://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.

Fire Information :(541) 523-1267

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4481/

CHAMBERS MILL

TheChambers Millfire located approximately 2 miles south of Lorane is now 100 percent lined with a combination of dozer and hand lines.Initial attack was strongly supported by air attack; three residences were threatened.

Crews have been mopping up and Territorial Highway is now open both ways.Cooperators on the incident include Weyerhaeuser Co. and the Bureau of Land Management. The fire size was 180 acres.

Resources

4Hand Crews, 2 helicopters, 4 engines, 4 bulldozers, 6 water tenders.

STOUTS CREEK

TheStouts Creek Fire(Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA)approximately16 miles east of Canyonville near Milo on forestlands protected by DFPA, is currently estimated at approximately 24,181 acres and 65 percent containment.

Night crews on the Stouts Creek Fire continued to be vigilant, holding and widening control lines while working toward securing the south end of the fire. Overnight fire activity was low as firefighters patrolled the northern portions of the 24,181-acre fire looking for hot spots and flare ups.

There are 1,645 personnel assigned to the fire with 49 crews, 46 engines, 27 water tenders, 20 bulldozers and 11 helicopters. Numbers of personnel and equipment will continue to shrink as objectives are met and these resources move on to fires with greater needs. The Stouts Creek Fire costs to date are $25.5 million. The Incident Management Team leading the effort under unified command is protecting lands that are about 48% on state protected lands, which include BLM and private lands, and 52% on the Umpqua National Forest. Twenty-three states and three Canadian provinces have provided staff for this effort.

Fire Information : 541-825-3724

Facebook:www.facebook.com/StoutsFire

CABLE CROSSING FIRE

TheCable Crossing Fire, (Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) burning on DFPA-protected private and public forestlands six miles east of Glide, is currently estimated at 85 percent containment.

The cause of this fire remains under investigation.

Fire information :541-817-7186

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4424/

https://www.facebook.com/DouglasForestProtectiveAssociation

#cablecrossingfire

PHILLIPS CREEK FIRE

ThePhillips Creek Fire (Northeast Oregon District – LaGrande Unit)located 7 miles northwest of Elgin in northeast Oregon in brush, grass, slash, and heavy timber predominantly on the Umatilla National Forest, has burned 2,601 acres including approximately 435 acres of ODF-protected private forestlands. It is now approximately 89 percent contained and crews continue to do mop up.

Planned actions include holding and mopping up along the fire perimeter, and continuing repair work on contingency lines.The tentative plan is to transition management of the fire back to the local district in the next three to six days.

Fire Information: 541-437-1159

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4443/

https://www.facebook.com/Phillipscreekfire2015

https://twitter.com/PhillipsCK2015

http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/

FIRE PREVENTION

Oregonians are reminded to continue to treat fire season with respect.Everyone is encouraged to follow current fire season restrictions to prevent human caused fires.

In addition, residents who live in the wildland urban interface, where communities border forests and grazing lands, should always be prepared before fire threatens. Have a plan that includes making arrangements for persons with special needs, livestock, and pets. Learn more about the Ready Set Go Program atwww.wildlandfirersg.org/.

WILDFIRE SMOKE

Smoke may persist where wildfires are burning in in Oregon, including times when burn-out firefighting operations are taking place. Stay up-to-date onsmoke density and public health advisories,orview and monitor Oregon’s air quality index. Wildfires and severe smoke can create dangerous conditions for people, especially those with chronic health conditions. Learn what you can do toreduce the risk of health effects of wildfire smoke.

OTHER FIRE INFORMATION

For information on wildfires on all jurisdictions in Oregon, view:

theNorthwest Interagency Coordination Centerwebsite, or
thenational Incident Information Systemsite.

ODF Social Media sources for information on fires on Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands:

thedepartment’s Wildfire blogfor news on wildfires statewide and provides current fire statistics
theODF’s Southwest Oregon District blogwith district-specific wildfire information and Twitterfeed
theDouglas Forest Protective Association Facebook pageandTwitterfeed
theBlue Mountain Interagency Wildfire blogfor news on wildfires in the Blue Mountains (northeast Oregon)
theODF Forest Grove District’s Fire blogwith district-specific wildfire information
theODF Central Oregon District’s Twitterfeed

ABOUT THIS UPDATE

This update provides information primarily about fires on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected lands involving fires 10 acres or larger. ODF provides fire protection primarily on private and state-owned forestland. The department also provides fire protection on some other lands, including U.S. Bureau of Land Management land in western Oregon.

The Oregon Department of Forestry works closely with neighbors and partner agencies to support the firefighting efforts on major fires outside its authority because sharing firefighting resources can help better protect all of Oregon’s forests.