Wildfire information from the Willamette, Fremont-Winema forests
Also: ODOT on dangerous driving; importance of home inventory
SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Here are wildfire announcements Tuesday night from the Willamette and Fremont-Winema national forests, along with helpful information from ODOT and the state Department of Consumer and Business Services.
Your safety is paramount: Continued rapid fire growth expected
Springfield, OR, Sept. 8, 2020 – Continued rapid fire growth is expected tonight as the Red Flag Warning for low humidities and strong east winds remains in effect. The highest priority is your safety. Many towns in and around the western slopes of the Cascades near Forest lands remain under Level 3 - Go Evacuations being implemented by County Sheriff’s Offices. Please be aware of notifications and advisories being issued by local authorities, and check back often for updates on fire activity and how it may potentially impact you.
Opportunities for firefighters to make assessments of the status of current fires on the Willamette National Forest were limited today due to active fire behavior. Using sound risk management practices, firefighters will continue to conduct assessments and take suppression actions on fires where it is safe to do so.
Based on the latest heat signatures, Beachie Creek Fire is now estimated to be over 100,000 acres in size, with 0% containment. Further growth along the fire’s perimeter with east winds pushing the fire to the southwest is expected again tonight. The Incident Command Post for Northwest Incident Management Team 13 has been re-established in Salem.
As of noon today, the Holiday Farm Fire located along Oregon Route 126 had traveled from milepost 47, where it was first reported last night, to Vida Fire Station, an estimated distance of 20 miles. Observed fire behavior included twelve-foot flames and long range spotting up to a mile and a half away. The fire, which is 0% contained, is established on the ridgelines of both sides of the highway. An approximate size of the fire is not currently available. Presently, it is not safe to conduct thorough assessments of any damage the fire may have caused. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The Warner Fire, which started last night on the Middle Fork Ranger District, is estimated to be five acres. The fire is located ¾ mile east of McCredie Day Use Area. Despite having the fire mostly lined, fire managers feel the influence of tonight’s weather conditions on it could prove challenging.
Moderate to heavy smoke impacts from the fires are expected to continue along the western slopes of the Cascades and into the Willamette Valley. Stay informed on air quality ratings and more by visiting the Oregon Smoke Blog at http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/. Learn how to stay safe from wildfire smoke at https://www.cdc.gov/air/wildfire-smoke/default.htm.
The Red Flag Warning for the persistence of critical fire weather on the heels of this historic September event with low humidity and east winds of 15 to 30 mph and gusts up to 50 mph remains in effect until 8pm tomorrow. Conditions during this time will remain favorable for continued rapid fire spread.
All recreation offerings across the Willamette National Forest are currently closed including campgrounds, day use areas, trails, boat ramps and more. Forest Service roads are closed to the public across the Willamette National Forest unless you are vacating the Forest.
Evacuations are managed by local emergency officials. You are encouraged to check with local emergency officials for the latest information on evacuations.
- Marion County https://www.facebook.com/MCSOInTheKnow
- Lane County https://www.facebook.com/LaneCountyGovernment
Visit https://www.tripcheck.com/ for the latest road and weather condition updates.
Additional fire information is available on Inciweb:
           - Beachie Creek Fire https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7001/
- Lionshead Fire https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049/
Please call 911 to report any signs of new fires.
Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @WillametteNF.
From the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership:
Brattain Fire Burning on Paisley Ranger District; 1 of 3 Fires sparked during Wind Event
PAISLEY, OR – The Brattain Fire is currently burning on the Paisley Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest.
The fire was discovered late last night. It is one of three wildfires sparked on Monday during the fire weather event. The other two fires included a small fire off U.S. Highway 97 that was suppressed quickly and the Two Four Two Fire that is currently burning in the Chiloquin area. All three fires are currently under investigation.
The Brattain Fire is located near Morgan Butte, approximately 10 miles south of Paisley. It is currently estimated to be 300 acres with no containment.
The fire is moving from Brattain Butte west-southwest towards the Chewaucan River and Coffeepot Flat. There is spotting 100 to 200 yards ahead of the fire due to strong winds.
It is burning in sagebrush-juniper with stringers of Ponderosa pine.
High winds have presented a challenge today, with aircraft needing to shutdown due to winds. The Red Flag Warning currently in effect over the area for strong gusty winds and low relative humidity expires at midnight tonight.
There are multiple resources on the fire, including five engines, one helitack and one dozer.
Other resources have been ordered for the fire. However, due to increased fire activity in the Pacific Northwest, California, and other parts of the country there is a general shortage of resources and it is less likely that the orders for the Brattain Fire will be filled.
Local and regional resources currently assigned to the fire are working with area fire managers to leverage the skillset and resources available to effectively fight the fire.
Area residents and visitors are advised to use caution in the area, especially with increased fire traffic around Coffeepot Flat off Forest Road 33.
They are also reminded that we are still in fire season, public use restrictions are in effect and there is a need for continued caution and vigilance with anything that can throw a spark and start a wildfire. This includes campfires, motor vehicle use, chainsaws and smoking.
For more information, visit the SCOFMP Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SCOFMPFIREINFO or Inciweb at www.inciweb.nwcg.gov.
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South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership provides comprehensive wildland fire services to more than eight million acres of land administered by the Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District; Fremont-Winema National Forest; Oregon Department of Forestry Klamath-Lake District; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex; and Crater Lake National Park. The area encompasses federal, state, and private lands within south central Oregon and northwest Nevada.
Heavy smoke brings dangerous driving conditions
Sept. 8, 2020
Heavy smoke from fires up and down the West Coast is creating hazardous driving conditions in Oregon.
For those who aren't evacuating, the safest option is to stay off the roads in smoky and low visibility conditions. High winds and wildfires also create other hazards including downed limbs and power lines. Remember to check conditions if you must head out.
A number of roads are closed throughout the state and the situation is rapidly evolving. Go to Tripcheck.com or call 5-1-1 for real time road conditions.
In the middle of these dangerously smoky road conditions, a number of DMV offices are closed throughout the state due to wildfires or power outages. Closures are posted on web pages for DMV field offices. In the event of a closure, DMV will contact customers with appointments.
We may see additional smoky conditions in the weeks ahead. Remember to avoid driving in these conditions if at all possible. If you must drive, be alert, don’t drive distracted and remember you play a big part to help avoiding wildfires.
If you are driving and encounter heavy smoke here are some steps you can take to help stay safe.
- Slow down and stay alert. Slow driving gives you more time to respond to unexpected conditions.
- Turn on your headlights. Even during daylight hours your headlights will help others on the road see you. Use low-beams as high-beams reflect off the moisture in the air and cause glare.
- Use fog lights. If you have them, fog lights can help cut through the smoke.
- Check your entire route before setting out. Conditions may be very different at your destination.
- Find an alternate route. Fire is wildly unpredictable, especially in high winds. If at all possible find a route that takes you away from fires.
- Keep plenty of space between you and other vehicles. Visibility, of course, decreases in smoke so maintain a safe stopping distance between you and the vehicle up front.
- If visibility becomes too dangerous to continue, pull off to the side of the road as soon as safely possible.
- Never stop in a travel lane. Look for a safe area completely off the road if possible and turn off all lights, including flashers, until it’s safe to continue.
- Don’t tailgate. Keep a steady, reliable pace. Remember that everyone else on the road is in the same fix you’re in. They’re counting on you to help show the way.
- Roll up the windows. Set your fan to recirculate.
- Have your car ready before you go. Make sure you have a full gas tank before leaving and your vehicle is in good condition. Have water, food, and medications with you – and for any pets you bring.
If you're on evacuation alert these quick tasks will save you thousands in a wildfire
Oregon Dept. of Consumer & Business Services - 09/08/20 10:45 AM
Here are resources for people who are on evacuation alert.
Two tasks to do today to save time, money, and stress during a wildfire:
- Create a home inventory – Take photos or video of each room in your home. Pay close attention to what’s on walls, in closets and drawers, and storage spaces.
- Check your insurance coverage – Make sure you have the right coverage for fire damage. For example, you need comprehensive coverage on your auto policy to cover damage caused by fire.
These two tasks will help people save thousands following a disaster, and they are good for everyone to do, no matter where you live.
Visit the Division of Financial Regualtion website for more resources: dfr.oregon.gov/preparenow.
