8/6/2015 West Fork Fire Update

JOHN DAY, OR – The local Type 3 Team recently took advantage of conditions on the West Fork Fire by conducting a burnout operation on the west flank of the fire, north of Forest Road 2150, which is on the north slope of the Aldrich Mountain range, 10 miles southeast of Dayville, Oregon.

Crews will continue with prep work on the east flank in days ahead. When weather and fuel conditions are favorable, burnout operations will continue on to the remaining portions needed on the east flank to tie into established hand and dozer lines, securing the perimeter.

“Low intensity burnout operations conducted on the west flank were very successful,” said Tim Boethin, Incident Commander Trainee for the Type 3 Team, “Weather and fuel conditions were favorable, with easterly winds assisting in guiding the burnout operations deeper and to the east as intended.”

Additionally, crews will continue to mop-up the west flank and Forest Road 2150 burnout, carefully monitoring for potential spot fires in the area.

Temperatures are expected to be in the mid-80’s to low-90’s over the next few days, with potential thunderstorms arriving over the weekend. “We continue to carefully monitor all conditions contributing to successful burnout operations, igniting only when all align favorably,” says Type 3 Team Incident Commander Kevin Brock.

Estimated at 916 acres, the fire is now said to be 80% contained.

Fire base camp is staged at the Oregon Mine Campground at this time, temporarily closing the campground to public use.

NOTICE: Additional updates will only be released as conditions warrant.

Due to heavy resource traffic on all roads in the area, forest officials ask that the public remain clear, providing for public and firefighter safety.

Current closures include a temporary road closure for Forest Road 2150, west to the Aldrich Mountain Lookout from the intersection with Forest Road 2150-070.

The area closure for the West Fork Fire also remains in effect. This closure will affect a small portion of the north slope of the Aldrich Mountain range, including:

• Sections 4, 5, 8, 9, 17 (portion north of FR 2150), and 16 (portion north of FR 2150) of Township 14S and Range 28E.

Official orders are available at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur/.

Effective Thursday, August 6 at 12:01 a.m., Industrial Fire Precaution Level will increase to III, and Public Use Restrictions will increase to Phase B forest-wide. The south half of the forest will increase to VERY HIGH for their Fire Danger Rating, and the north half will increase to EXTREME. With this, no firewood cutting will be allowed. Campfires will be allowed only in a designated campsite. 

For additional information, contact the forest at 541-575-3000.

For more information on the Malheur National Forest, please visit us at www.fs.usda.gov/malheur, follow U.S. Forest Service- Malheur National Forest on Facebook, and @MalheurNF on Twitter.

To report a fire, contact the John Day Interagency Dispatch Center at 541-575-1321 or the Burns Interagency Communication Center at 541-573-1000.

###