[Parkdale, Ore] The 1620 Road Fire was reported Monday morning
June 24th burning in brush, slash and young timber on private land
approximately four miles west of Parkdale, Oregon. Throughout Monday, resources from Oregon Department
of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District were assisted by firefighters from
Parkdale Fire Department, USFS Mt. Hood National Forest, USFS Columbia River
Gorge National Scenic Area, and Washington Department of Natural
Resources. Jackpots of slash and
increasing afternoon winds challenged firefighters yesterday. Fire behavior included creeping, spotting and
single tree torching.
A spot fire was
detected Monday afternoon burning in a draw to the east of the main fire. The spot fire was burning in dense vegetation
and less accessible terrain, quickly growing in size. Currently the combined acreage for the two fires
is estimated at 85 acres. The fires are 35% lined and 10% contained. No
structures are threatened or have been destroyed, and there have been no
firefighter injuries reported.
Overnight
firefighters worked to complete line around the original fire perimeter using
dozers and existing roads. Handline construction started around the larger
spotfire, and this work will continue on Tuesday. A Type
3 organization was in-briefed Tuesday morning and will take command of the fire
to provide additional support to firefighters and resources. This organization will be used to manage the
additional resources which have been ordered for suppression efforts. Overnight two 20 person crews, two five person
crews, an engine, a dozer, an excavator and additional overhead staffed the
fire. Today the fire will be staffed by
six 20 person crews, five engines, three tenders, two dozers, an excavator and
overhead to manage the resources. Aerial resources available to support ground
operations today include two fireboss scooper planes, two heavy air tankers, a
Type 2 helicopter, and a Type 1 helicopter.
Firefighter and
public safety are the priority for the incident. Today’s objectives for firefighters is to
hold and secure existing firelines along the perimeter of the fire and begin
mop-up on the secured lines. Direct line
construction will be used where possible to minimize acres burned and damage to
natural resources.
The cause of the fire
is still under investigation at this time.
For additional
information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and
unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.
