8/24/2021 Black Butte Fire Update

John Day, OR – Crews will continue to mop-up and work on suppression repair in all divisions today. The fire remains at 85% containment and that number is expected to increase in the days ahead. The Type 2 Incident Command Team, Northwest 6 will be transitioning the fire to a local Type 3 Team tomorrow, August 25 at 7:00 am.

Suppression efforts on the Black Butte fire were successful due to a lot of hard work from many partners and firefighters. The fire began after a lightning strike and quickly spread due to steep terrain, extremely dry fuels, and weather. Over time, the fire interacted with over 90 fuels treatments (prescribed burns, pile burns, slash clean up and thinning projects) slowing its forward progress. With the advantage of the pre-existing fuel treatments and moderate wind, firefighters were able to initiate offensive strategies to increase containment.

Fire danger continues to be extreme on the Malheur National Forest and surrounding areas and fire restrictions are in place. Please remember to use caution while visiting public lands. Propane stoves and lanterns are permitted, but no open flames or campfires are allowed.
 

Closures:

Recreation Sites within the closure boundary: North Fork Malheur River Trailheads both north and south, North Fork Malheur Campground, Crane Crossing Trailheads both east and west, Short Creek Guard Station, Elk Creek Campground, Sunshine Flat Trailhead and Trail, Horseshoe Trailhead and Trail, Sheep Creek Trail and Trailhead, Little Crane Campground.

Currently the Trout Farm and Crescent Campgrounds are still open to the public.

For updated Forest closure information, please visit the Forest webpage at www.fs.usda.gov/malheur or Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MalheurNationalForest.