[PRINEVILLE, Ore.]
Fire danger in Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon
District moved to “extreme” Monday based on fuel conditions and potential rate
of spread of wildland fires. Additional
fire prevention measures were implemented to reduce potential human starts
across ODF protected lands. Red Flag
Warnings issued by the National Weather Service for lightning, wind, and high
temperatures starting Monday heightened fire manager’s concern for increased
fire activity.
Today, ODF and federal partners have reconnaissance
aircraft flying throughout central Oregon to detect fires from lightning. Locating fires while they are small and
taking aggressive initial attack on the fires is critical for reducing wildfire
impacts to landowners and smoke effects.
ODF’s multi-mission aircraft, a Partenavia Observer, equipped with
infra-red and Electro-optical cameras, will also be flying areas across the
District that have received lightning the last few days.
ODF firefighters and partners have taken action on
three lightning fires on ODF protected lands since Monday. The largest was the four acre Little Grizzly
Fire on the Prineville Unit. All fires
on ODF protected lands have been caught during initial attack. Mop-up continues on Little Grizzly and Cat
Mountain (1.5 acres) fires today. Air
resources such as Single Engine Air Tankers and helicopters were crucial in
supporting ground resources in slowing the fire and allowing firefighters to
construct fireline.
The Black Mountain smoke detection camera was used to
locate the Matlock Fire on the Umatilla National Forest near Ukiah, Oregon
Tuesday afternoon. The ODF detection
center for all cameras located in Central Oregon and Northeast Oregon districts
is located at Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center in Redmond.
Firefighters across the Central Oregon District have
also responded to escaped debris burns in recent days. Debris burning is not allowed within the
District at this time. Fire season
restrictions, regulated-use closure, and industrial forestry operation
requirements are in effect. Full details
are available at www.ODFcentraloregon.com.
ODF’s Central Oregon District continues to serve
landowners and the public as an essential service for Oregonians. Please call or email to talk with our staff
or schedule an appointment. For
additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact
information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.
