OSU experts discuss conditions, causes of early wildfire season
Oregon State University held an online wildfire and drought forum Monday on what Oregon can expect as this fire season hits full swing.
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S-503 Fire on Warm Springs Reservation at 6,200 acres; Klamath fire evacuation level lowered
A wildfire on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation southeast of Mount Hood grew to about 6,200 acres Sunday, also bringing hazy skies to Central Oregon, while another blaze north of Bonanza in southern Klamath County grew to about 1,500 acres. Both fires threatened homes and prompted evacuation orders and warnings over the weekend.
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New wildfire south of Chiloquin prompts Level 3 evacuations, road closures
A new wildfire broke out south of Chiloquin Monday afternoon, threatening structures and prompting Level 3 evacuation orders and two road closures, authorities said.
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EPA issues burn ban on Warm Springs Indian Reservation
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 10, in coordination with the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation, has issued a ban on all outdoor open burning on the reservation due to wildfire smoke. This ban is in effect until further notice.
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Three fires destroy RVs, spread to wildland at campsites on BLM land east, south of La Pine
Three unoccupied RVs were destroyed by separate fires at dispersed campsites on BLM lands near La Pine on Sunday, spreading to nearby wildland, and two were deemed suspicious by fire investigators.
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OSU models predict drop in C.O. lightning-sparked wildfires — but bigger blazes
Human-caused wildfire ignitions in Central Oregon are expected to remain steady over the next four decades and lightning-caused ignitions are expected to decline, but the average size of a blaze from either cause is expected to rise, Oregon State University modeling suggests.
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As wildfire season arrives, ‘our system is at a breaking point,’ Forest Service chief says
Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., sounded the alarm during Thursday’s Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hearing on the U.S. Forest Service annual budget on what every person living in the West knows is coming: another catastrophic wildfire season.
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Central Oregon Fire Info launches online survey
Central Oregon Fire Info, a group of local agencies that shares information about prescribed fire, smoke and public health, is seeking community feedback to help guide their future communication efforts.
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Rain prompts cancellation of burn south of Sisters for new firefighter training
Tuesday’s rainfall prompts cancellation of live-fire training for new firefighters south of Sisters.
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What it takes to fight fires in Central Oregon: A behind-the-scenes look
Firefighters are gearing up for another busy wildfire season in Central Oregon and across the West. And as always, there’s a lot that goes on behind the scenes.
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NW federal land managers say they’re worried, but well-prepared for wildfire season
As recovery work continues from last year’s record fire season, federal land managers and fire, fuels and aviation officials in the Pacific Northwest say they are concerned, but well-prepared for the 2021 season.
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Deschutes National Forest’s last prescribed burn of spring Wednesday NE of La Pine
Fuel specialists with the Deschutes National Forest will conduct a prescribed burn northeast of La Pine Wednesday, to allow for firefighter training. This will be the final prescribed burn of the season on the forest, officials said.
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NE Oregon sees early fire season as 2 wildfires burn
Forest managers in northeast Oregon declared on Tuesday an early start to the 2021 fire season, with conditions resembling those that would be typical for mid-summer, as firefighters worked to contain two wildfires ignited by lightning in the region.
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Small prescribed burn planned Monday SW of Sunriver for firefighter training
Fuel specialists with the Deschutes National Forest will be conducting a small prescribed burn southwest of Sunriver Monday, both for the ecosystem and for firefighter training.
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Cooler temperatures, calmer winds slow growth of 4,000-acre wildfire in NE Oregon
Cooler temperatures and moderate winds Sunday slowed the growth of the Joseph Canyon Fire in northeast Oregon, estimated at 4,000 acres with no containment Monday morning, the Oregon Department of Forestry reported.
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Washington utility has no plans to shut off power for fires
A Washington state utility company says it has no plans to shut off power to prevent wildfires this summer after a blaze that destroyed more than 100 homes last year was sparked by a tree falling onto the utility’s lines.
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Senators secure $300K for more Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project work
Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced Friday that the Deschutes Collaborative Forest Project is receiving another $300,000 in federal funding, supporting its ongoing science-driven forest management efforts in Central Oregon.
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Oregon officials prep for ‘challenging’ fire season amid worst drought in over a century
Resilience, determination, and perseverance. That’s the expectation Oregon fire officials set for this year’s wildfire season.
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I-84 reopens temporarily west of The Dalles after wildfire prompts evacuations
A wildfire west of The Dalles in the Columbia River Gorge and downed power lines Wednesday afternoon closed Interstate 84 and U.S. Highway 30 in both directions and prompted Level 3 immediate evacuation notices, authorities said.
Continue Reading BPA adds public safety power shutoff procedure to mitigate wildfires
The Bonneville Power Administration said Wednesday it has added a public safety power shutoff procedure to its wildfire mitigation plan to protect public safety, life and property.
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