Governor declares Conflagration Act; evacuation, alert zones expand on 3,000-acre Elk Lane Fire NW of Madras
(Update: Official Monday updates on new fires; Conflagration Act declaration)
MADRAS, Ore. (KTVZ) – Thunderstorms moving through Central Oregon Sunday evening brought heavy rain in Bend, hail in Prineville, damaging wind that toppled trees and knocked out power in Madras and Terrebonne and lightning that sparked several new wildfires, one growing fast to 2,700 acres northwest of Madras, prompting evacuations and task force call-ups.
The sheriff's office said in Monday morning Facebook posts that "winds are starting to pick up" on the fire, adding, "We are trying to bring in additional resources. All (evacuation) levels will remain in place."
Also, they advised that planes would be dipping in and out of Lake Simtustus all day, urging people to avoid the area for safety reasons. The Lake Simtustus Resort was evacuated and those who left campers were advised to use Highway 26 and Pelton Dam Road to get them.
In a 12:30 p.m. Monday update on Facebook, the sheriff's office added another Level 1 BE READY pre-evacuation zone due to afternoon winds.
"There is no current wind-driven direction of the fire," they said. "The fire is, however, headed toward the campgrounds, but also moving south at this time. It is currently active near the Willow Creek drainage."
Emergency Conflagration Act invoked for Elk Lane Fire, pre-positioned resources respond immediately
Oregon State Fire Marshal - 08/05/24 11:46 AM
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Elk Lane Fire in Jefferson County. The move comes following a request made by the local fire defense board and approved by the state fire marshal Monday morning.
On Sunday night, two task forces from Lincoln and Polk counties, pre-positioned in Central Oregon, helped local responding agencies with structure protection. This morning, the OSFM mobilized its Red Incident Management Team and three additional structural task forces to protect life and property. The OSFM moved to swiftly bring in more resources through the Emergency Conflagration Act.
“The two task forces we pre-positioned in Central Oregon on Friday have been busy helping several local agencies respond to wildfires including two fires that sparked moments after they arrived,” Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple said. “Pre-positioning these resources has been an extremely valuable tool as our agency focuses on being proactive in keeping fires small and away from communities.”
According to Jefferson County Fire District 1, the region was hit by a massive lightning storm last night that brought gusty winds and sparked the Elk Lane Fire. As of this morning, the fire was estimated to be roughly 3,000 acres. The region is expecting temperatures in the high 90s on Monday, with wind gusts up to 18 miles per hour. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has levels 1, 2, and 3 evacuation orders in place. A map of evacuations can be found here.
The OSFM mobilized its Red Incident Management Team and five structural protection task forces from Clackamas, Lincoln, Polk, Washington, and Yamhill counties.
There isn’t much relief in sight for improved fire weather conditions over the next week. The Oregon State Fire Marshal is calling on everyone to be wildfire aware. Find wildfire prevention tips here.
About the Emergency Conflagration Act
The Emergency Conflagration Act is invoked by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek, allowing the state fire marshal to mobilize state resources to wildfires to protect life and property.
The conflagration act is invoked following ORS 476.510-476.610 when Governor Kotek determines threats to life, safety, and property exist because of the fire, and the threats exceed the capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment.
--
Here's the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch update on the new fires, at midday Monday:
A thunderstorm passed through portions of Central Oregon last night, which sparked multiple new fires. Central Oregon Fire Management Service resources responded to over 13 new smoke reports yesterday evening. Firefighters were busy throughout the night finding and fighting these new starts. Currently, the largest of the fires are the Elk Lane Fire, Bennett Fire, and Wildhorse Fire.
Elk Lane Fire (604):
The Elk Lane Fire started approximately 7 miles northwest of Madras and has grown to 2,700 acres. A Central Oregon Type 3 Team was ordered to take over management of the fire. They were in-briefed this morning and have now assumed command of the fire. Last night, successful firing operations held the fire from moving further south and southwest towards structures. The fire has burned into the Deschutes River Canyon but remains on the east side of the river. Structures remain threatened and evacuation notices are in place.
The Jefferson County Fairgrounds is a temporary evacuation site, and the Red Cross is on scene. For the most up to date evacuation information in Jefferson County visit, https://tinyurl.com/mte4e75m
Bennett Fire (596):
The Bennett Fire started approximately 5 miles northeast of Antelope and is estimated to be around 400 acres. Wasco County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 3 (Go Now) evacuation notice for the town of Antelope, reduced to Level 2 (Be Set) on Monday, while the Level 2 issued for Shaniko was reduced to Level 1 (Be Ready). Firefighters worked hard through the night and will continue to construct control line around the fire today.
The Shaniko Schoolhouse is the temporary shelter site for evacuees. For the most up to date evacuation information in Wasco County visit, https://www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff
Wildhorse Fire (598):
The Wildhorse Fire started roughly 10 miles south of Spray and was reported to be approximately 60 acres last night. The fire is burning on Oregon Department of Forestry land in difficult terrain northeast of Tamarack Creek. Multiple hand crews, a helitack crew, a taskforce of engines, and additional ODF resources have responded and are currently working the fire.
Find the latest information on the Wildhorse Fire on their Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/ODFCentralOregon or X/Twitter account, @ODF_COD.
For the current air quality in your area visit, https://www.airnow.gov/.
Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire.
--
Earlier info:
Central Oregon fire officials tweeted earlier that interagency resources responded to about 13 smoke reports from the passing thunderstorms, including the three wildfires of notable size.
Incident 604, named the Elk Lane Fire, had burned about 300 acres by late Sunday night and 2,700 acres by Monday morning about seven miles northwest of Madras.
Another fire, Incident 596, named the Bennett Fire, began five miles northeast of Antelope, at about 400 acres by Monday morning, prompting Level 3 evacuation of the small, historic town and Level 1 BE READY for Shaniko, but officials said "crews made good progress overnight." Incident 598, the Wildhorse Fire, located 10 miles south of Spray, was estimated at 60 acres Monday morning, burning in "very challenging terrain."
The Jefferson County fire quickly spread to about 300 acres from the Elk Drive and Belmont Lane area northwest of Madras, prompting a Level 3 GO NOW evacuation and call-up of two regional structure-protection task forces, with Level 2 and Level 1 evacuations to the south. Two areas were raised to Level 3 and Level 2 later Sunday night, with no Level 1 areas remaining. The latest Jefferson County Sheriff's Office map can be seen here.
Sheriff's deputies said the fire was moving south-southwest and that Belmont Lane was shut from the PGE gates to SW Columbia. Residents were asked to avoid Mountain View Drive for fire apparatus.
The Jefferson County Fairgrounds parking lot was established as a temporary evacuation site for anyone displaced by the fire.
One Madras resident said around 7:30 p.m. that a “micro-cell” was moving through the area, knocking down trees and destroying roofs along Highway 97. They said they were helping State Police remove trees from the road.
Terrebonne-area rancher Travis Schwerbel shared photos after trees fell onto and heavily damaged a pickup truck and a shop, also hitting the corner of his house. He said no one was hurt but there were downed trees and damage at several properties along Ice Avenue.
Pacific Power reported nearly 2,700 customers without power from Terrebonne north into Jefferson County Sunday evening. That number was reduced to about 1,000 by 10 p.m. Get updates here.
To the north, the Antelope Fire prompted the Wasco County Sheriff's Office around 8 p.m. to issue a Level 3 GO NOW evacuation for the city of Antelope, saying: "Leave without delay." The Shaniko Schoolhouse was a temporary shelter for evacuees.
