This is the Oregon Dept. of Forestry (ODF) fire update for Monday, July 21, 2014.
FIRES ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS
No new fires were reported to Salem Coordination Center in the last 24 hours.
This lightning-caused complex of fires near Mitchell, Service Creek and Kimberly, was reported last Monday evening. It is 11,989 acres and is 60 percent contained and includes the Bailey Butte, Toney Butte and Junction Springs Fires.
Adverse winds yesterday prevented completion of the planned burnout operations to secure the existing fire lines along the Forest Road 2630 to Highway (Hwy) 26. The limited opening of the highway will not occur today as scheduled.
Evacuation Notices
Wheeler County Sheriff and fire officials have lowered the Level 3 evacuation order for the West Branch area. West Branch and Marks Creek residents will remain at the Level 2 preparedness. Residents need to remain ready to evacuate should fire conditions warrant. The Red Cross Shelter remains open at the Crook County High School in Prineville.
Current Situation
The Complex consists of four fires (Bailey Butte, Toney Butte, Junction Springs and Incident #376.) The Bailey Butte fire is being actively managed. The others are 100% contained and will continued to be monitored by air.
Resources assigned to the Waterman Complex: 37 engines, 23 crews, 24 water tenders, 8 helicopters, 11 bulldozers, and 872 personnel.
Bailey Butte Fire – 9,745 acres, 50% contained. Due to an increase in relative humidity, firefighters were unable to complete the scheduled burnout operation early this morning. Crews worked all night into the early morning hours continuing the burnout operation from Corral Flats to the Hwy 26 corridor to provide a secure fire line along the highway. When the burnout and hazard tree falling is complete, Hwy 26 will partially open as soon as it is deemed safe for travel. Fire fighters are also mopping up hot spots, chipping debris removed from fire line preparation, using helicopters to drop water to cool hotspots, and holding established fire lines.
Toney Butte Fire – 2,229 acres, 100% contained. The fire will be monitored by the air. Smoke may be visible from interior burning.
Junction Springs Fire – 15 acres, 100% contained. This fire remains in patrol status and monitored by air.
Incident #376 - .25 acres, 100% contained.
Ochoco National Forest Closure Area:
A Forest Closure Order 06-07-01-14-001-01 is in effect on Ochoco National Forest System lands. The closure prohibits the public from entering the Closure Area except under special exemption. The closure is due to firefighting activities and the safety of the public within the Closure Area. The public is encouraged to check with the Forest before they travel. To view the entire Forest Closure Order please see the following link:
Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR):
The TFR over the Toney Butte fire was removed. One TFR remains in place over the Bailey Butte fire. Please check the NOTAM for current information.
For more information on the Waterman Complex visit: Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3961/
On Monday, July 14, 2014 a thunderstorm ignited the Sunflower Fire (USFS) 10 miles northwest of Monument, OR. The fire is now estimated at 6,736 acres, 250 acres are on ODF-protected lands but there has been no growth in acreage over the last 2 days. The fire is burning in steep, rocky terrain with open grass lands and timber stringers. The fire is now 35 percent contained.
The fire continues to spread south of Wall Creek drainage between Happy and Wilson Creeks and is established in the Little Wilson and Big Wilson Creek drainages. It has not crossed the Indian Creek Road.
Current Situation: Ground and aerial resources continue to make excellent progress connecting dozer lines with handlines on the southern perimeter. A contingency branch, the Monument Group, with Oregon Department of Forestry personnel, area landowners and the Incident Management Team is working together to keep the fire from progressing onto private land. The fire crossed Forest Road 190, but crews were able to complete hand line and secure the fire from spreading.
Crews contained the 13 acre spot fire on the eastside of Indian Creek Road (Forest Road 24) with the help of four handcrews and three helicopters. Today, in the Little Wilson drainage, the fire is making short uphill runs into itself in heavy timber. Crews and aerial assets will concentrate suppression efforts to keep the fire from spreading.
If favorable conditions allow, this afternoon crews will conduct a low impact burn on the eastern perimeter in Big Willow Springs Creek drainage to strengthen the containment line. Crews in the northern perimeter will initiate rehabilitation efforts on internal dozer lines and continue to mop up hot spots.
Weather: Cooler temperatures with higher relative humidity will be observed today which should aid in fire suppression activities.
Resources: 24 engines, 2 helicopters, 16 crews, 6 water tenders, 5 bulldozers and 525 personnel.
Area Fire Closures: An area closure was again expanded on July 19 around the fire for firefighter and public safety. Information and map can be found @ http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3964/
Sunflower Fire Information: 1-800-923-6891
· FOX FIRE
Approximately 600 acres of ODF-protected lands have burned on the Fox Fire, part of the Ochoco Complex (USFS). The fire recently grew to about 6,036 acres and is located approximately 3 miles northwest of the North Fork Wilderness Study Area about 17 miles east of Post, Oregon.
Resources assigned: 9 engines, 4 crews, 3 dozers, 4 water tenders and 191 personnel are now assigned to the Ochoco Complex.
· Moccasin Hill FireThe 2,535-acre Moccasin Hill Fire located 4 miles north of Sprague River and northeast of Klamath Falls, was 100 percent contained on Saturday.
A local Type 4 team is now assigned to the fire, which is in mop-up. The cause of the fire is under investigation.
FIRE STATISTICS
Fire statistics are for the current year and the average over the past 10 years for the 16 million acres of private and public forestland protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.
January 1, 2014, through today:
Lightning-caused fires: 58 fires burned 28,084 acres
Fire statistics are for the current year and the average over the past 10 years for the 16 million acres of private and public forestland protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.
January 1, 2014, through today:
Lightning-caused fires: 58 fires burned 28,084 acres
Human-caused fires: 343 fires burned 8,804 acres
Total: 401 fires burned 36,888 acres
10-year average (January 1 through the present date in the year):
Lightning-caused fires: 85 fires burned 4.605 acres
Total: 401 fires burned 36,888 acres
10-year average (January 1 through the present date in the year):
Lightning-caused fires: 85 fires burned 4.605 acres
Human-caused fires: 281 fires burned 619 acres
Total: 365 fires burned 5,224 acres
Total: 365 fires burned 5,224 acres
Fire statistics can be accessed any time from the ODF website.
*When personnel are heavily engaged in firefighting activities, the latest information may not always appear in the statistics.
ABOUT THIS UPDATE
ODF is responsible for fire protection on about 16 million acres of private and state-owned forest and grazing land, and on certain other public forestlands, including those owned by the U.S. Bureau of Land Management in western Oregon. Fires may cross ownerships, and because of the need to share firefighting resources, agencies work closely together.
This update focuses primarily on firefighting activity on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected lands involving fires 10 acres or larger in size or of other significance. It also reports on ODF's major actions as a partner with other agencies.
FIRE PREVENTION REMINDER
Debris burning is the number one cause of fires in our state. Oregon's current climate and dry landscape conditions are such that the slightest spark or stray ember can start a wildfire.
Please check with your local forestry or fire district to learn the current fire regulations or restrictions.
For more info: http://www.keeporegongreen.org/ (Keep Oregon Green)
OTHER FIRE INFORMATION & LINKS
Oregon Department of Forestry social media
Blogs, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr links at link to our social media menu page.
Other Department of Forestry links
http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Pages/fire/fire.aspx#Fire_Weather (Fire Weather)
http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/fire.shtml#Smoke_Management_Information (Wildfire smoke forecasts)
Other links
http://www.nwccweb.us/ (Northwest Interagency Coordination Center overview)
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov (Sortable nationwide information)
http://www.deq.state.or.us/aqi/index.aspx (Statewide air quality index readings)
http://wildfirelessons.net/uploads/6mfs/home.html (Safety tips)
http://www.keeporegongreen.org/ (Keep Oregon Green)
NEWS MEDIA
News media may call the Fire Information Duty Officer pager, 503-370-0403, 24/7 for fire information. The duty officer will call back promptly. Media may also call the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters office, 503-945-7200, weekdays during business hours.
Cynthia Orlando | Public Information Officer & Certified arborist
Oregon Department of Forestry
2600 State St., Salem, OR 97310
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