8/16/2016 Wildland Fire Minute

With multiple fires burning last week on BLM-managed lands around Vale and Burns, Oregon, we wanted to give a shout out to some very important partners – the Rangeland Fire Protection Associations or RFPAs.

These volunteers provide much-needed support, especially during critical initial response to new fires. On the Juntura complex of fires, RFPA dozer operators actively put in dozer lines, their engine crews performed mobile attack alongside our Eastern Oregon Task Force, and then remained engaged on the fires when a type 2 incident management team arrived. To the Juntura RFPA – we thank you and the rest of our important partners for your support.

On a sad note, we are heartbroken to learn of the loss of another wildland firefighter this weekend on a fire in Nevada. Lolo Hotshot Justin Beebe was killed by a falling tree Saturday on the Strawberry Fire in Great Basin National Park. Our thoughts are with his family, friends and fellow firefighters during this difficult time.

As it remains hot and dry in the Pacific Northwest, we ask all of you to do your part to prevent unwanted fires.

To learn more about the latest wildland fire conditions in the Pacific Northwest head on over to: http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/

Video by Michael Campbell, BLM -- Graphics by Matt Christenson, BLM – Featuring Traci Weaver, BLM/U.S. Forest Service – Photo.

Wildland Firefighter Foundation: https://wffoundation.org/