Bull Springs Fire Final

[Bend, Ore.] The Bull Springs Fire, west of Bend, was reported late Sunday afternoon burning in slash, Ponderosa Pine, juniper, and brush.  This wind driven fire grew quickly, burning 211 acres before fire fighters were able to stop the spread.  Two outbuildings were destroyed by the fire, and nearly 200 residences were placed in a Level 3 (GO) evacuation Sunday evening.  Coordination between Bend Fire Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon Department of Forestry, and federal resources from Central Oregon Fire Management Service were the key to catching this fire Sunday evening and protecting structures and homes in the fire area.  Aided by dozers from Taylor Northwest, fire crews were able to get line around the fire’s perimeter and focus on any spot fires outside the fireline.

Firefighters have continued to work in the fire area, monitoring for spot fires, and extinguishing heat and flames within the perimeter.  Additional crews from the Department of Corrections and the US Forest Service Prineville Hotshots have aided in this work.  As of Wednesday afternoon the fire is estimated to be 95% contained.  Fire managers anticipate completing the mop-up work on Thursday with five engines and the Department of Corrections crew. The fire will continue to be monitored and checked in the coming weeks to ensure the fire is out.  The Deschutes County Sheriff lifted all evacuation orders Wednesday morning.

The cause of the fire has been determined to be a rekindled debris burn.  Heat can hold in burn piles and even under soil for many weeks with no visible smoke.  With limited recent moisture in Central Oregon vegetation and wildland fuels are very dry, making them susceptible to ignition and rapid fire spread, especially on windy days.  Please check burn piles and burn areas from any debris burning completed this winter or spring to ensure there is no residual heat or fire.  

Below are some tips to reduce the risk of a fire getting out of control. 

·        Check weather forecasts.  Avoid burning on windy days or when wind is forecast to be erratic or increasing.

·        Check with local fire department and county restrictions to be certain burning is allowed and what restrictions should be followed.

·        Never leave a fire unattended.  Be certain the fire is completely out prior to leaving.

·        Have a water source and shovel available while burning.

·        Keep debris piles small.  Add material gradually as the pile burns down.

·        Ensure burned piles are cold prior to adding new material for future burning.

·        Contact 911 immediately if the fire gets out of control.

For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.

Use Caution With Spring Burning

[Prineville, Ore.] Spring is often the time when landowners work to clean up vegetation and yard debris around their property and is the perfect time for cleaning gutters and removing leaves and needles from rooftops to reduce risk of wildfire damage to homes and buildings.  However, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Prineville Unit reminds landowners to be cautious if they plan to burn that material.  Weather in the spring can often be erratic and winds can pick up suddenly, fanning flames and dispersing embers into dry vegetation nearby. Many communities have programs which allow for chipping and disposal of these types of materials at low or no cost to landowners.  ODF encourages landowners to take advantage of these “No Burn” opportunities such as FireFree Events throughout Central Oregon.  Event dates for 2021 can be found here, https://www.firefree.org/firefreeevents/.

Landowners planning to burn yard debris, material from fuel reduction projects, and other commercial forest slash this spring in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties should obtain a burn permit from the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and/or follow burning instructions from their local fire department.  Operators and landowners burning forestry slash or fuel reduction materials should complete burning according to the instructions on their burn permit to reduce risks of escaped burns and the rekindling of burn piles later in the season when wildland fuels have dried out.  

Below are some tips to reduce the risk of a fire getting out of control. 

·        Check weather forecasts.  Avoid burning on windy days or when wind is forecast to be erratic or increasing.

·        Check with local fire department and county restrictions to be certain burning is allowed and what restrictions should be followed.

·        Never leave a fire unattended.  Be certain the fire is completely out prior to leaving.

·        Have a water source and shovel available while burning.

·        Keep debris piles small.  Add material gradually as the pile burns down.

·        Ensure burned piles are cold prior to adding new material for future burning.

·        Contact 911 immediately if the fire gets out of control.

Landowners can be held financially responsible for the costs of putting the fire out and any damage caused by a fire if they are found to be negligent while burning.  The responsible party can also be cited for an uncontrolled fire.  Debris burning includes field/pastures and irrigation ditch burning intended to reduce thatch as well as other agricultural type burning.

For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.

Oregon Department of Forestry:  Now is the Time to Complete Spring Debris Burning

[The Dalles, Ore.] Landowners planning to burn yard debris, material from fuel reduction projects, and other commercial forest slash this spring in Wasco and Hood River counties should contact the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) office in The Dalles for information on how to obtain a permit and when burning is allowed.   ODF is encouraging landowners to complete burning from fuel reduction projects or commercial forest slash prior to March 31st to reduce risks of escaped burns and the rekindling of burn piles later in the season when wildland fuels have dried out.  Yard debris pile burning is typically allowed until May 15th.  

Spring is often the time when landowners work to clean up vegetation and yard debris around their property and is the perfect time for cleaning gutters and removing leaves and needles from rooftops to reduce risk of wildfire damage to homes and buildings.  However, ODF reminds landowners to be cautious if they plan to burn that material.  Weather in the spring can often be erratic and winds can pick up suddenly, fanning flames and dispersing embers into dry vegetation nearby. Many communities have programs which allow for chipping and disposal of these types of materials at low or no cost to landowners.  ODF encourages landowners to take advantage of these “No Burn” opportunities. During the month of May the Wasco County landfill accepts yard debris free of charge. 

Below are some tips to reduce the risk of a fire getting out of control.  

• Check with local fire department and county restrictions to be certain burning is allowed and what restrictions should be followed.

• Check weather forecasts.  Avoid burning on windy days or when wind is forecast to be erratic or increasing.

• Never leave a fire unattended.  Be certain the fire is completely out prior to leaving.

• Have a water source and shovel available while burning.

• Keep debris piles small.  Add material gradually as the pile burns down.

• Ensure burned piles are cold prior to adding new material for future burning.

• Contact 911 immediately if the fire gets out of control.

Landowners can be held financially responsible for the costs of putting the fire out and any damage caused by a fire if they are found to be negligent while burning.  The responsible party can also be cited for an uncontrolled fire.  Debris burning includes field/pastures and irrigation ditch burning intended to reduce thatch as well as other agricultural type burning.

Burn permits can be requested online at http://centraloregonburnpermitinfo.blogspot.com/ or by calling The Dalles Unit at 541-296-4626.  For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information for other offices in the District, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.

 Hood River-Wasco Counties Forestland Classification Committee

 -Public Meeting-

The Hood River-Wasco Counties Forestland Classification Committee has called a public meeting at the following time and location.

DATE:                        Wednesday March 24, 2021

TIME:                         9:00 A.M.-12:00 P.M. 

LOCATION:               VIRTUAL MEETING

                                    The public is welcome to attend via Zoom videoconference at the following:

                                    https://odf.zoom.us/j/96477343244

                                    Phone # if computer audio is not working:

      1-346-248-7799 or 1-669-900-6833

      Meeting ID: 964 7734 3244

The purpose of this meeting is to continue review and update of the Hood River-Wasco Counties Forestland Classification.  This review determines lands that may be classified as “Forestland” (ORS 477.001(9)) which determines what lands are protected from wildfire by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Kristin Dodd

Forestland Classification Committee Secretary