Westcliff Fire Update

[Hood River, Ore.]  Steep, rugged terrain has slowed mop-up work on the Westcliff Fire.  Today firefighters held the fire within the containment lines, and were able to improve control to 75%.   Evacuation orders were reduced today, however some areas remain under a Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation.  Updates are available from the Hood River County Sheriff at www.facebook.com/hrcso/.

Safety is the highest priority.  Because of the cliffy nature of the terrain firefighters are being extra cautious in their actions on the fire.  Potential rolling debris is a concern as crews grid through the fire interior.  They must constantly be watching for crew members below and hazards above.  During mop-up they dislodge material and mix water with dirt and burning fuels, thus increasing the potential for hazards to shift downslope.   

Type 1 Helicopter using bucket to
drop water on hots spots

Today timber fallers were able to fall several trees which still had live fire burning within the canopy.  A Type 1 helicopter was then used to drop water on the flames to reduce the heat and allow firefighters to fully extinguish the heat.  The trees fell within the existing fire perimeter. 

Resources on the fire today were four wildland engines, a pair of timber fallerss, and a 20-person crew.  Two helicopters, a Type 1 and Type 3 were available as needed to support the suppression activities. The engines and crew will return to the fire tomorrow.

Union Pacific train traffic is moving through the area slowly, coordinating with firefighters as it enters the area.  Firefighters are also watching to ensure no debris has rolled onto the tracks. 

The fire was reported around midnight Saturday night.  It is located northwest of Hood River near Westcliff Drive, between Interstate 84 and the Columbia River.   

The weather forecast calls for continued dry hot days.  Please remember that wildland fuels are extremely flammable under these conditions.  Regulated Closure is in effect for ODF’s Central Oregon District.  Specific restrictions can be found at www.ODFcentraloregon.com.  

Westcliff Fire

[Hood River, Ore.]  This morning firefighters from Oregon Department of Forestry, Hood River Fire and Rescue, and Mosier Fire are working to contain the Westcliff Fire.  The fire is located northwest of Hood River near Westcliff Drive, between Interstate 84 and the Columbia River.  Hood River County Sheriff has implemented evacuations for residents in the area of the fire.  Visit www.facebook.com/hrcso/ for updates.

The fire was reported just after midnight Sunday morning, spreading from a structure into the wildland.  Currently the fire is estimated at approximately five acres.  Cool temperatures, low wind, and increased humidity moderated fire behavior through the night and this morning.  Rising temperatures and gorge winds will increase fire behavior today, challenging firefighter’s efforts to control the fire.  The fire is burning in a rugged area of cliffs, making firefighter access difficult.  Steep terrain on the east flank of the fire, with large trees and snags and significant down woody material is a safety concern for firefighters working below as rolling debris moves downslope.

Resources on the fire include structural and wildland engines and structural tenders.  A Type 1 helicopter will arrive this morning, focusing on getting water on the east flank of the fire in the cliffy area where access is difficult.  A Type 3 helicopter will also be using a bucket to drop water on hot spots in the fire.  Oregon Department of Forestry is being assisted by the U.S. Forest Service Mt. Hood National Forest and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area and Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Union Pacific has closed the railroad lines north of the fire as a precaution.  Firefighters are working near the tracks to establish containment lines.     

The weather forecast calls for continued dry hot days.  Please remember that wildland fuels are extremely flammable under these conditions.  Regulated Closure is in effect for ODF’s Central Oregon District.  Specific restrictions can be found at www.ODFcentraloregon.com.   

Memaloose #2 Fire

News Release:  Memaloose #2
Saturday August 11, 2018
11:00 a.m.

Contact:  Christie Shaw, Oregon Department of Forestry
    541-263-0661
     
The Memaloose #2 Fire was reported late Friday evening burning on the south side of Interstate 84 near the eastbound Memaloose Rest Area.  Initial attack resources worked through the night as the wind pushed the fire east in light fuels.  Unified command has been established between Oregon Department of Forestry, Mosier Fire and Rescue and the U.S. Forest Service Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.  Firefighters from the US Forest Service, Mosier Fire and Rescue, Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue, Hood River Structural Task Force, and the Oregon Department of Forestry are continuing work to establish containment lines this morning. 

US Highway 30 is closed from the Memaloose Overlook (MP 61.5) to the Rowena I-84 interchange (MP 66.5). The fire is threatening homes in the Rowena Dell community and evacuations are in place for the area.  Information for current evacuation levels can be found on the Wasco County Sheriff’s facebook page:  www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff/. 

The fire is currently estimated at 175 acres.  Today firefighters are working to stop the fire spread to the east using dozers to establish firelines and aircraft to cool hot spots and any fire spotting outside the fire perimeter.  Two FireBoss air tankers (water scooping airplanes) from the Washington Department of Natural Resources are available to support the firefighters on the ground as needed.  Additional resources will be arriving on scene today to relieve personnel who have been on the fireline overnight and to bolster suppression efforts.

Governor Kate Brown invoked the Conflagration Act at 8:55 a.m. Saturday morning, providing additional resources to protect lives and homes in the area.  Oregon State Fire Marshal’s (OSFM) Blue Incident Management Team (IC Walker) will be in-briefing today at 12:00 p.m.  Following the in-brief OSFM unified command will be established between ODF, OSFM, and USFS Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.  In addition to the overhead personnel from the Incident Management Team four structural task forces will be arriving today and two additional task forces will be arriving for night shift. 

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Allen Creek Fire Update

Prineville, OR –This morning firefighters on the Allen Creek Fire are reporting 100% containment for the fire.  Yesterday crews focused on finding and extinguishing heat and flames adjacent to the fireline to keep the fire inside the existing perimeter.  In many areas they were able to mop-up more than 100 feet into the interior of the fire.  With a forecast of increasing heat this week fire managers are focusing efforts on the fire to ensure that the fire will not rekindle or move outside containment lines.  Gordon Foster, Prineville Unit Forester, commented on the great work from firefighters on Allen Creek, “Crews did some great work today, although fuels were light they worked hard throughout the day to ensure good containment.” 

Last night’s shift included two 5-person crews and one engine, these resources used infra-red cameras to detect heat sources underground.  These “hot spots” are identified so crews can follow up with water and tools to extinguish the burning material.  

Today two 20-person crews, four engines, and two tenders will be continuing mop-up activities.  Fire managers are looking to have 100% mop-up completed for the fire by end of shift on Wednesday.  Aircraft is available to support the fire if it is needed.  The fire will continue to be in patrol status after the mop-up work is complete.

Reported around 11:30 a.m. on August 5, 2018, the fire burned primarily grass and brush on steep and rocky terrain near Allen Creek Road in northwest Crook County. Heavy use of aircraft and a surge of ground resources during initial attack checked the spread of the fire at approximately 27 acres.  The fire is under investigation.

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

Allen Creek Fire Update

Public information contact for the Allen Creek Fire is Laura York-541-447-5658

Prineville, OR – Firefighters responded to a new incident located approximately 10 miles north of Prineville, near Allen Creek Road.  The fire, burning in grass and brush, was reported at 11:23 a.m. on August 5, 2018.  The fire is currently under investigation.

Local resources responded with initial attack that included, four Oregon Department of Forestry engines, two U.S. Forest Service engines, four hand crews, four dozers, three water tenders, two Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), three heavy air tankers, and four helicopters.  Crook County Fire and Rescue assisted, providing multiple engines and a water tender, along with the Crook County Sheriff who provided additional overhead resources.  The landowner provided two skidgines and one dozer.

Aggressive initial attack held the fire at approximately 27 acres.   The dozers and skidgines were able to tie in the fire line, and hose was laid allowing crews to begin mop up by 7:00 p.m.   Overnight, three 5-person crews, one engine, two water tenders, and one 20-person crew continued working on the fire.  Crews will continue mopping up today with Type 4 Incident Commander Jones, one other overhead person, two tenders, three crews and two engines. Fire is currently 100% lined and 40% containment.

During the initial attack, as a precautionary measure, Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuation notices were issued by the Crook County Sheriff’s office for the Lofton Creek area, which included approximately half a dozen residences.  Evacuation Level 1 was lifted at 6:00 p.m. on August 5, 2018. 


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

Wilson Prairie Fire Update

Contact:  Christie Shaw, Oregon Department of Forestry

                   541-263-0661

                   Darcy Weseman, Umatilla National Forest

                   541-278-3722

[Morrow County, Ore.] Firefighters have completed mop up operations on the Wilson Prairie Fire located near the Morrow County Off Highway Vehicle Park in southern Morrow County.  The fire was initially reported on July 23, 2018 and burned 405 acres.  The fire is in patrol status as of Saturday, August 4, 2018.  Firefighters will continue to monitor the fire during the heat of the day when any potential smoldering fire may become more active.

There are unburned areas of fuel within the interior of the fire with smoldering and creeping fire.  These areas are well interior of the fireline with minimal risk of the fire moving outside the lines.  Some hose remains on the fireline to be used if fire or heat is discovered near the line.

The Umatilla National Forest Area and Road Closure around the fire was rescinded as of Friday afternoon. 

Information for the fire is available on InciWeb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6028/

The weather forecast for the region will return to a hot and dry trend over the next few days.  Please follow restrictions to limit potential human wildfire ignitions.

·        Regulated Closure is in effect for ODF’s Central Oregon District.  Specific restrictions, intended to reduce human caused fires, can be found at www.ODFcentraloregon.com.  

·        Phase B of the Public Use Restrictions (PURS) for the Umatilla National Forest is in effect.  For more information regarding these and other restrictions on the Umatilla National Forest visit www.bmidc.org.

South Valley Fire

[Dufur, Ore.] The South Valley Fire was reported Wednesday afternoon around 1:30 p.m., burning in ponderosa pine, oak, and wheat, southwest of Dufur, Oregon on Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) protected lands.  Dry fuels and steady winds have contributed to the fire’s spread.   It is currently estimated at 10,000 acres.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Governor Kate Brown has invoked the Conflagration Act in response to the fire’s threat to homes and infrastructure. Tonight Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) mobilized resources to the fire and is in Unified Command with ODF.  Tonight firefighters will take advantage of increased humidity and reduced wind to engage the fire and build fireline while the fire behavior is moderated.      

Evacuation information for the fire can be found on the Wasco County Sheriff’s Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff/

The fire originated approximately five miles southwest of Dufur, and spread to the southeast, crossing Highway 197 south of Dufur. Potential spread of the fire overnight toward the Deschutes River prompted the Bureau of Land Management to implement a Level 3 evacuation order in Segment 3 of the river corridor from Sandy Beach to Mack’s Canyon.

Resources on the fire today included large air tankers, very large air tankers, Washington Department of Natural Resources FireBoss scoopers, ODF Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), several helicopters, ground crews and engines from ODF and the U.S. Forest Service, additional engines from Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue and other local rural fire departments, and contract dozers.  Approximately 150 fire personnel have engaged in the fire this afternoon and evening, with more resources arriving tonight with OSFM.  Additional resources have been ordered and will arrive tomorrow.  Aerial resources will be supporting ground suppression activities Thursday morning.

Year-to-date the District has responded to 48 human caused fires, burning nearly 350 acres.  This is nine more than the ten-year average for this time period.  Fuel conditions throughout the region continue to be very dry with the potential for rapid fire growth from every spark.  Regulated Closure is in effect for ODF’s Central Oregon District.  Specific restrictions can be found at www.ODFcentraloregon.com.   

Wilson Prairie NWIMT8 Thank You Video

Northwest Incident Management team 8 would like to thank publics, cooperators, agency administrators and firefighter for their assistance in the suppression of the Wilson Prairie Fire.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pImZygNFJXw

News Release:  Area and Road Closures Reduced on the Wilson Prairie Fire

Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018

Contact:  Christie Shaw, Oregon Department of Forestry

                   541-263-0661

                   Darcy Weseman, Umatilla National Forest

                   541-278-3722

[Morrow County, Ore.] Umatilla National Forest officials have re-opened Bull Prairie Lake Campground and reduced the closure area associated with the Wilson Prairie Fire to provide access to National Forest lands not impacted by the wildfire or wildfire suppression efforts. A description of the updated closure area is at the bottom of the news release.

“We know Bull Prairie Lake Campground is an important area for our communities and visitors,” said Brandon Houck, Heppner District Ranger. “Suppression efforts have held the fire within its current footprint and we feel we can thoughtfully make some adjustments to the closures while keeping firefighters and the public safe.”

The Wilson Prairie Fire is currently 405 acres and 75% contained. A local Type 4 organization took command of the fire today at 6 a.m. Firefighters are continuing mop up within the fire perimeter and completing suppression repair activities, including water barring (an angled trench, to direct water off the fireline to prevent erosion), removal of hose, and removal of trash from the fire line.  Firefighters also continue to make repairs to OHV trails impacted by fire line.

The Morrow County Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) Park, restaurant, and campground remains open, however some OHV trails may be impacted by the fire activity.  Please observe all trail and area closures.

The weather forecast for the region is a continued hot and dry trend with poor humidity recovery.  Any spark landing in light fuels (grass) has a 100% potential to start a fire so please follow restrictions to limit potential human wildfire ignitions. Please follow restrictions to limit potential human wildfire ignitions.

·        Regulated Closure is in effect for ODF’s Central Oregon District.  Specific restrictions, intended to reduce human caused fires, can be found at www.ODFcentraloregon.com.  

·        Phase B of the Public Use Restrictions (PURS) for the Umatilla National Forest is in effect.  For more information regarding these and other restrictions on the Umatilla National Forest visit www.bmidc.org.

A map and detailed description of the reduced area closure is available at all Umatilla National Forest offices as well as on the Umatilla National Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/.  

###

  

Area Closure Description:

Starting at Forest Service Road (FSR) 2000350 at its junction with the Forest Trail 2000320 east to its junction with FSR 2039000, then east on FSR 2039000 to Forest Boundary at T7S, R26 Section 6, then following the Forest Boundary north then west to Forest Trail 2000320, then follow Forest Trail 2000320 south to FSR Road 2000350.

Additionally, the following roads are closed:

•       National Forest System Road (NFSR) 2039000 - From the Junction of NFSR 2000350 easterly to Morrow County Road Wilson Creek Road 732 – 2.5 miles. 

•       National Forest System Road (NFSR) 2000350 - From the Junction of Highway 207, easterly to National Forest System Road (NFSR) 2039000 – 4.6 miles . 

•       National Forest Trail (NFT) 2000320 - From the Junction of National Forest System  Road 2003500, north to National Forest Boundary  – 0.6 miles