Firefighters report progress on pair of Umatilla County wildfires; Hat Rock Fire at 15,000 acres, evacuations continue
(Update: New fire information)
Second fire, in Pendleton, nearly contained
HERMISTON, Ore. - Two fast-moving fires began in Umatilla County on Tuesday: the Hat Rock Fire and the Mount Hebron Fire. Red Flag Warnings were in effect, with high winds contributing to rapid fire growth, exhausting local resources and prompting a call-up of outside resources.
Governor Tina Kotek declared a conflagration Tuesday evening, mobilizing the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Green Incident Management Team (IMT) led by Incident Commander Lance Lighty and six task forces from Clackamas, Lane, Linn, Marion, Multnomah, and Yamhill counties.
Three task forces and the IMT arrived Tuesday night and began integrating and relieving local crews to continue operations throughout the night on both fires. Transfer of command occurred at 7:00 Wednesday morning with the arrival of an additional three task forces. The OSFM is collaborating closely with the Oregon Department of Forestry, which is assisting through a partnership by providing air resources and personnel to battle these fires.
The Umatilla County Sheriff's Office reported Wednesday afternoon that Level 3 evacuations and Level 2 alerts are still in place.
When asked about the progress made, Chief Scott Stanton with Umatilla County Fire District #1 said, “We couldn’t have done it without the farmers’ disking line and the large community of volunteers who immediately responded.”
There are no reported injuries and the cause of both fires is under investigation.
Hat Rock Fire:
On Tuesday, June 13, at 10:59 a.m., Umatilla County Fire District #1 was dispatched to a brush fire at the intersection of Highways 37 and 730. Upon arrival, crews came across a rapidly-moving fire through grass and sagebrush. Mutual aid resources were quickly dispatched and Umatilla County Sheriff issued Level 1 and later Level 2 evacuation notices for Hat Rock State Park and RV Park. Oregon Department of Transportation and Oregon State Police were dispatched to assist with road closures.
The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) activated a K-MAX helicopter through Immediate Response to assist in fire operations with funding made available from Senate Bill 762, though winds and low visibility limited its use.
The fire spread to the northeast, reaching the Oregon-Washington border by nightfall, pushing the fire through Juniper Canyon into Washington. The fire is now estimated at 15,000 acres in Oregon and the fire remains active as crews continue to strengthen containment lines and monitor flare-ups.
Mount Hebron Fire:
On Tuesday, June 13, at 2:08 p.m., Pendleton Fire and Ambulance was dispatched to a brush fire northeast of Pendleton near Highway 11. Additional mutual aid resources were quickly dispatched and several crews from the Hat Rock Fire were reassigned to the fast-moving fire. Local resources were able to stop the progress of the fire and by nightfall reported 99% containment at an estimated 600 acres. Resources remained on scene throughout the night and were supplemented by a responding state task force before the transfer of command this morning.
Crews worked throughout the night to strengthen containment lines, put out hot spots, and build contingencies on both fires, with no additional reported growth during the night.
The Hat Rock Fire does remain active in Washington and is being managed under the Benton Complex Fire. While the strongest winds have passed, winds are expected to continue throughout the day — out of the west-southwest, 15-20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph. Winds are expected to decrease into the evening with a passing cold front decreasing temperature and allowing for good recoveries in relative humidity (RH). Evacuation levels remain in effect.
For up-to-date information on evacuation levels, please refer to the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
Mutual aid provided was to Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District from Echo Fire Department, Irrigon Fire Department, Boardman Fire Rescue District, Pendleton Fire & Ambulance, Pilot Rock Fire District, East Umatilla County Rural Fire Protection District, Oregon Department of Forestry, Umatilla Tribal Fire Department, Gilliam County Fire Services – Oregon, U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs, Heppner Fire Department, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Oregon National Guard – Oregon Military Department.
For updates, please follow the Umatilla County Fire Dist. #1 Facebook page.
Earlier info:
Umatilla County Fire District No. 1 said Tuesday evening an evacuation notice for the Hat Rock RV Park had been dropped and residents could return home, but warned there could be hot spots that flare up and to contact authorities if they see anything.
The Hat Rock Fire was estimated around 10,000 acres and burning toward the Washington state line. Two U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service aircraft were canceled due to high winds and visibility, while a K-MAX helicopter ordered up by the state fire marshal out of La Grande was also grounded for the same reason.
The Umatilla County Sheriff's Office said issued an evacuation notice for areas in Juniper Canyon, with deputies and Search and Rescue members going door to door, advising occupants to leave. The sheriff's office later posted the warning was no longer in effect and people could return to their homes.
The Red Cross opened a shelter Tuesday evening in response to the Hat Rock Fire, at 1705 E. Airport Road in Hermiston, with volunteers ready to help those affected by the wildfire.
Some residents self-evacuated due to the fire activity on the Mount Hebron fire in the Pendleton area. Local fire officials have confirmed some outbuildings were lost in the Mount Hebron fire.
ABOUT RESPONSE READY OREGON
The use of this helicopter was made possible through the OSFM’s Response Ready Oregon initiative. It was launched through Immediate Response, a tool developed with funding from Senate Bill 762 (2021). The goal is to boost response to wildfires and keep fires small and away from communities.
