FIRE RESTRICTIONS: - Fire Season terminated 12:01 p.m. October 24, 2022.
FIRE RESTRICTIONS: - Regulated Closure Terminated for October 14, 2022
IFPL Map MH1 IFPL: - IFPL not in effect MH4 IFPL: - IFPL not in effect
ADDITIONAL INDUSTRIAL FIRE PRECAUTIONS: - Terminated for John Day and Prineville Units

Friday, May 10, 2019

Bridge Drive Fire Update--Final


[La Pine, Ore.]  Today firefighters completed mop-up on the Bridge Drive Fire located in the Lazy River Sub-Division north of LaPine, Oregon.  The fire was reported at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 8th burning in small Ponderosa Pine, brush and grass.  Warm temperatures, low humidity, and dry fuel conditions caused the fire to quickly grow within a few hours to 11.9 acres before firefighters were able to control the spread.  The cause of the fire was determined to be a backyard debris burn. 
Firefighters will continue to patrol the fire area over the weekend.  Oregon Department of Forestry was assisted by Deschutes National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, Redmond Hot Shots, LaPine Rural Fire Department, Walker Range Fire Patrol, and numerous structural agencies from the area in the suppression and mop-up effort. 
The Deschutes County Sheriff implemented Level 3 evacuations for the area around the fire during initial attack.  One home was destroyed by the fire.  All evacuation levels have been lifted at this time. 
When burning always have fire tools and water present.  Consider no burn options such as chipping or off-site disposal when cleaning up yard debris or material from fuel reduction projects.  A landowner who is found to be negligent while burning may be held responsible for suppression costs as well as be subject to citations.  Open burning may be banned in some areas as weather warms and fire growth potential increases.  Check with your local fire department or Oregon Department of Forestry before conducting debris burning.  If you burned earlier this spring or winter check your burn area to make sure it is cool to the touch.  As weather warms burn piles can sometimes rekindle and ignite surrounding fuels.
May is Wildfire Awareness Month.  Take the time now to prepare you and your family for a wildfire.  These steps can include developing an evacuation plan, creating defensible space around your home, changing air filters within your home to help reduce smoke impacts, and finding ways to keep up to date with restrictions and prevention measures in your community. 
For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information, burn permit requests, and local Unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.

Thursday, May 9, 2019

Bridge Drive Fire--Update


[La Pine, Ore.]  Mop-up continues today on the ~12 acres Bridge Drive Fire located north of La Pine in the Lazy River sub-division.  Firefighters are working within the perimeter to extinguish areas of heat and look for burning and smoldering material.  The fire is located with the urban interface with several homes inside the fire perimeter.  Overnight the firelines held and this morning mop-up is 20% complete.  One primary residence was destroyed by the fire yesterday afternoon.  Today’s resources include the Redmond Hot Shots, seven engines, a water tender, and several miscellaneous overhead.
The cause of the fire was determined to be a backyard debris burn.  Always have fire tools such as a shovel and water source on site while you are burning.  Clear the area around your fire to mineral soil before ignition.  If your fire gets out of control immediately report it to 911.   A landowner who is found to be negligent while burning may be held responsible for suppression costs as well as be subject to citations.
Predicted weather patterns for the next several days increase the risk of escaped debris burns.  Consider using a no burn option for disposing of yard debris or other vegetation, or wait until the weather is better for burning.  Some no burn options include chipping or transporting the material to a disposal site.  Open burning may be banned in some areas as this warm, dry weather passes through.  Check with your local fire department or Oregon Department of Forestry before conducting debris burning.
May is Wildfire Awareness Month.  Take the time now to prepare you and your family for a wildfire.  These steps can include developing an evacuation plan, creating defensible space around your home, changing air filters within your home to help reduce smoke impacts, and finding ways to keep up to date with restrictions and prevention measures in your community. 
For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information, burn permit requests, and local Unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.

Wednesday, May 8, 2019

Bridge Drive Fire


[La Pine, Ore.]  Firefighters were dispatched around 2:30 p.m. today to a wildfire burning just north of La Pine, on private land in the Lazy River Sub-division.  The fire burned through small timber, brush and grass.  Observed fire behavior included single tree and group tree torching as well as the fire spotting ahead, causing rapid fire growth.  The fire was caught early this evening, using dozers and roads as firelines.  Firefighters continue to work mopping-up areas of heat and flame inside the fireline to limit potential of fire moving outside the line or igniting unburned vegetation inside the perimeter.  The fire was mapped at 11.9 acres. 
Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and LaPine Rural Fire Department are in Unified Command of the fire.  Resources involved in the suppression effort included two structural task forces from Deschutes County, eight wildland fire engines from Deschutes National Forest, Walker Range Fire Patrol, and the Oregon Department of Forestry, Redmond Hot Shots, a hand crew from ODF, Air Attack, miscellaneous overhead, and structural resources from La Pine Rural Fire Department.  A dozer from Walker Range Fire Patrol was utilized for fireline construction. 
The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office implemented Level 3 Evacuations (GO NOW) for areas near the fire as well as road closures for public safety.  These evacuations have since been reduced to Level 1 (BE READY).  One primary structure was destroyed by the fire.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.
The extended forecast for the remainder of the week through the weekend for central Oregon is for warming temperatures and reduced humidity.  These unseasonably warm, dry conditions increase the risk of fire growth at a more rapid rate than we have seen so far this spring.  Fires should never be left unattended, this includes burn barrels, debris burns, and campfires.  If you burned earlier this spring revisit the area and make sure the pile (or remnant) is cool to the touch.  Have fire tools such as a shovel, hose, or water bucket readily available near your fire.  Always fully extinguish any cigarettes and properly dispose of butts.  Use caution when welding or cutting metal, or mowing dried vegetation.  Following these guidelines significantly reduces the potential of accidental ignition or fire spread.  Open burning may be banned in some areas as this warm, dry weather passes through.  Check with your local fire department or Oregon Department of Forestry before conducting debris burning.
For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information, burn permit requests, and local Unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.