Substation Fire grows to 70,000 acres, 15 pct. contained

A growing army of firefighters have brought the now 70,421-acre Substation Fire southeast of The Dalles — the nation’s top wildfire priority — to 15 percent containment by Friday morning, but more hot and windy weather on the way means the battle is far from over.

Here’s the Friday morning update:

Substation Fire Update – AM

Friday, July 20 th

Fire Information: (503)597-8076

Email Address: substationfire2018.fireinfo@gmail.com

More information at: http://www.centraloregonfire.org/; https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5963/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/substationfire2018

MORO, OR — Although gusty winds and uphill fire runs fanned the Substation Fire to 70,421 acres, crews made progress on Thursday, reaching 15% containment by the end of the day. Handcrews, air resources, and heavy equipment continued working to mitigate the fire’s spread and reinforce containment lines, while engines and structural firefighters implemented point protection tactics to protect structures.

Significant winds are forecasted over the weekend; hot and dry conditions will continue. Evacuation notices remain in effect. Firefighters on the ground, supported by air resources, made progress that allowed the evacuation levels for Biggs, Moro, and Grass Valley to be reduced from Level 3 (GO) to Level 2 (Set). All residents and persons planning to travel to the area should check for the latest information regarding possible closures of roads and other areas, including Deschutes River access. The potential for reduced visibility due to smoky conditions poses an ongoing hazard, drivers are advised to keep their lights on and increase following distances.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect for the airspace above the fire. This includes a prohibition on personal drones or radio-controlled aircraft that can interfere with firefighting operations. Remember – “If you fly, we can’t!”

Additional resources arrived throughout the day, bringing the total number of personnel to 278. Today, crews will continue to focus on minimizing risk to the community, protecting agricultural resources, and transitioning as possible to evaluation of fire damage. Management of the fire was transitioned to the Pacific Northwest National Incident Management Team in the early afternoon.

Across the region, fuels are extremely dry and you have a critical role in fire prevention. Avoid parking in dry grass, discard cigarette butts in closed containers and be aware of local restrictions on campfires or fire use.

Total personnel: 278 firefighters

Evacuations: 1,165 homes in evacuation status

Size of fire: 70,421

NewsChannel 21’s Pedro Quintana traveled to the fire area Friday; watch for his reports coming up on Fox at 4, KTVZ at 5, 6 and 7.

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Earlier story:

The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office announced the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the fire as a suspected arson.

The Substation Fire started on Tuesday near a power converter station and quickly took off in strong winds, damaging structures and burning wheat fields.

The fire has forced evacuations of more than 900 homes in Sherman and Wasco counties and has closed parts of the lower Deschutes River.

Winds gusting to 35-40 mph made Thursday another challenging day on the lines, sending it spreading on the south end. More crews arrived Thursday afternoon, a 60-member regional incident management team, along with 217 firefighters with 73 agencies across the state.

The National Guard has provided two CH-478 Chinook helicopters and two HH-60M Blackhawk helicopters equipped with “Bambi” water buckets. Other air tankers known as “Super Scoopers” and “Fire Bosses” that can drop large volumes of water were still involved, as well as single-engine air tankers that disperse fire retardant.

“Primarily, our crews have been focused on protecting structures that are in the wake of the fire,” Stefan Meyer of the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office said at a late Thursday afternoon briefing. “As I said, we have had some fire growth in the north and south regions. That means we have new assets that need protections, and that’s where we’ve been putting our resources.”

Several wheat fields have been damaged by the fire. (Get the latest updates on the fire’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/SubstationFire2018/)

Gov. Kate Brown said the damaged fields will impact the agriculture industry, not just in the state but across the world.

The Substation Fire is one of nine larger wildfires burning around the state (as well as dozens of smaller blazes).

Firefighters are battling several in the southwestern part of the state.

The Northwest Interagency Coordination Center said Sunday’s lighting storm ignited these fires located at the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

Officials are keeping a close eye on the Hendrix Fire, which has burned 550 acres, and the Natchez Fire, which has burned 750 acres.

“We’re also seeing fire conditions in Southwest Oregon that is burning in timber, some of the areas have dried out,” said Carol Connolly, public information officer for the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center in Portland

“Again, some wind conditions, low humidity and the combination has led to some fire behavior down there. It’s so steep, and there is some areas we can’t safely put firefighters into,” Connolly said.

A man’s body was found at a wildfire site in Jackson County near a homeless camp, but officials have not determined if the man died before the fire or in it.

Fire crews were surveying the damage from the Penniger Fire by helicopter when they discovered the body. The man has not been identified.

The fire in Central Point burned 97 acres, and has been 100 percent contained.