C.O. firefighters spend holiday weekend working to contain wildfires, old and new
(Update: Wrentham Market Fire fully contained; COIDC update; Highway 97 reopens)
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Central Oregon firefighters were kept busy over the holiday weekend, taking on new wildfires that continue to emerge in the wake of last week's thunderstorms, while progress is made on larger, days-old blazes.
Here's the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center's 9 a.m. Monday update, along with a Sunday night update on the Rattlesnake Fire, now 90% contained, and an earlier update from the Oregon Department of Forestry:
With minimal new fire activity, firefighters have been able to achieve containment on several fires around Central Oregon.
The Wrentham Market Fire is now 100% contained at 7,222 acres east of Dufur in Wasco County.
The Rattlesnake Fire is now 90% contained at 5,479 acres burning on Prineville District BLM managed lands in the area of South Junction campground and the Warm Springs Reservation. For more information on this fire, visit: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7592/
The 1,102-acre Ryegrass Fire east of the Maury Mountains and south of the Paulina Highway on Prineville District BLM lands is now 100% contained.
The Dry Creek Fire (incident 449) is burning south of the historic Rager Ranger Station on the Prineville District BLM now 100% contained at 53 acres.
The Sulphur Spring Fire (incident 447) by Maupin Butte east of the Maury Mountains on Prineville District BLM lands and south of Paulina Highway is 81 acres and 70% contained. Crews are continuing mop up today.
The Black Mountain Fire (incident 475) is in the area of Deep Creek on the Ochoco National Forest, 6-7 miles east of Big Summit Prairie is now 50% contained. Crews are continuing to hold and secure the 150-acre fire and have two crews, an engine, and a water tender assigned to the incident.
Incident 500 near Barnhouse Campground on the Ochoco National Forest was contained at one acre yesterday.
Firefighters did assist city and county resources with several small fires related to 4th of July firework displays. All were contained last night.
This will be the final daily COIDC fire update until fire activity increases.
For up-to-date information on Central Oregon fires, visit www.centraloregonfire.org or www.twitter.com/CentralORFire.
Meanwhile, ODOT reported late Monday that US Highway 97 has reopened at the Oregon-California border, a week after the Lava Fire and other Northern California blazes prompted its closure.
Rattlesnake Fire Update – July 4, 2021 7 p.m.
Current Situation –The Rattlesnake Fire has burnt 5,479 acres with 90% containment.
Fire crews had a good day with mop-up and made significant progress in containment. With all the hard work that they have accomplished the last few days, tomorrow the T3 team and many resources will be transitioning out. The fire will be turned over to local management, who will continue to staff and monitor the fire with resources from Warm Springs and Prineville BLM.
Closures - South Junction road and South Junction Campground will continue to be closed. For updates check with Wasco County Sheriff’s office.
Weather - Temperatures will be in the mid to upper 90’s, with west winds increasing through the weekend. It is very dry with low relative humidity recoveries overnight. Fire officials anticipate more fire starts to pop up in the next two weeks. The public is reminded that we remain in EXTREME fire danger and public use restrictions are in place on all federally managed public lands. Ensure vehicles are parked in safe places, campfires are only in designated areas, spark arrestors are on chainsaws, chains on trailers are picked up and protected, and guidelines for fireworks for the 4th of July are followed.
For up-to-date information on Rattlesnake Fire visit:
- https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7592/
- www.twitter.com/CentralORFire
- “CTWS – Fire Management” Facebook
- or call 541-903-5848
ODF wildfire evening update - July 4, 2021
[John Day, Ore.] No new fires were reported on lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) John Day Unit today. Firefighting efforts for the Unit focused on the Dixie Creek Fire, located about three acres northwest of Prairie City and the Lewis Rock Fire burning near Mitchell.
The Dixie Creek Fire was reported Saturday evening burning in timber, grass, and brush on lands protected by ODF and Prairie City Rural Fire Department. The fire quickly grew to an estimated 570 acres before firefighters and aircraft were able to stop forward progress. Overnight, the fire was lined by dozers and wet lined where it was possible. Today, firefighters were able to achieve 25% containment, with no fire growth.
The High Desert Interagency Type 3 Team, Incident Commander Tim Boyce, spent Sunday integrating with the existing organization on the Dixie Creek Fire. They will take command of the fire Monday morning at 6:00 a.m.
Fire behavior on the Lewis Rock Fire burning near Mitchell challenged firefighters throughout the day. Isolated tree torching sent embers across the fireline throughout the day, sparking spot fires ahead of the fire up to a quarter of a mile. Additional growth on the fire today increased the acreage to approximately 300 acres. Aircraft was used throughout the day to moderate fire behavior and support crews on the ground. 180 firefighters worked to suppress the fire today.
Tonight, dozers and hotshot crews continue to work on fireline construction, taking advantage of reduced temperatures, moderating winds and increasing humidity. ODF continues to work with the Wheeler County Sheriff to review risk to homes near the fire and the community of Mitchell. There is currently no need to implement evacuation notices at this time. Monitor the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Facebook page for changes, https://www.facebook.com/WheelerCountySheriffsOffice.
Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 3, led by Incident Commander Link Smith, will be in-briefed by the John Day Unit at 12:00 p.m. on Monday. Additional resources have been requested to staff the fire.
Today firefighters continued to make progress securing the Bologna Fire, burning on private ownership and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management lands near Spray. Containment improved to 85%. One crew and one engine will continue mop-up work securing the fire Monday.
Regulated-Use Closure is in effect for the Central Oregon District. Fireworks and campfires (including cooking fires) are not allowed within the district boundary. For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.
