Cottonwood Creek-Initial Attack July 30, 2021

 ODF:  Fire Update July 31, 2021

[John Day, Ore.]  Firefighters from the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) John Day Unit responded to several lightning fires Friday and Friday night.  These fires are holdover fires from thunderstorms which passed through on Thursday.  The National Weather Service has issued a red flag warning for much of central and eastern Oregon beginning this afternoon for abundant lightning in combination with critically dry fuels.  These thunderstorms may come with rain, however the precipitation will not significantly reduce wildfire danger. 

The 140 acre Cottonwood Creek Fire was reported mid-day Friday burning five miles south of Fossil.  Resources from Wheeler County Fire and Rescue assisted ODF firefighters in initial attack of the incident.  By late evening firefighters had completed construction of dozer line around the perimeter of the fire.  Air tankers and helicopters were used to cool the fire and keep the fire within the fireline, allowing firefighters on the ground to strengthen the fireline and widen the “cold, black”.  Throughout the night firefighters were challenged by embers from burning trees and hot rolling material igniting spotfires outside the line in steep terrain and heavy fuels.  Firefighters successfully stopped these spotfires, minimizing fire growth.  Increasing wind and warm temperatures this afternoon has increased fire behavior within the perimeter.  A Type 3 organization from ODF’s Central Oregon District, led by Incident Commander Chris Cook, is managing the fire today.  Resources include five hand crews, eleven wildland engines, a dozer, and additional overhead.  Local aircraft are available as needed to support the suppression efforts. 

Five additional lightning fires within the John Day Unit were controlled at less than an acre.  Resources from Burns District Bureau of Land Management, Umatilla National Forest, and Malheur National Forest were critical in stopping the spread of these fires.  The cause of one new fire start from early this morning remains under investigation.

A Regulated-Use Closure is in effect for the Central Oregon District to reduce human caused fires.  The closure restricts mowing of dried grass, cutting and grinding of metal, and chainsaw use between 10:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. as well as prohibiting campfires, cooking fires and warming fires.  The full proclamation and restrictions are available at https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/PFR.html.  Industrial operations on forestland within the Central Oregon District also have restrictions in place.  Details for these activities are found at https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/IFPL.html.  Preventing human caused fires allows firefighters to focus suppression effort on fires started by lightning.  These focused activities result in smaller fires with less damage to natural resources and communities and fewer impacts to air quality.

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

 

ODF:  Increased Restrictions for Industrial Operations in The Dalles Unit

[Prineville, Ore.]  Beginning at 12:01 a.m. on Friday July 16^th Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) for MH-4 will increase to Level 3.  MH-4 includes private, state, and municipal ownership protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) west of Hwy 35 within the Central Oregon District (COD) boundary.  The intent of the increased restriction is to reduce possible fire ignition from industrial forest operations.  MH-1, ODF protected lands east of Hwy 35 within the District boundary, is currently in IFPL 3.

Restricted Shutdown: The following activities are not permitted at any time, except as noted:

Cable yarding systems, except that gravity operated logging systems using non-motorized carriages or approved motorized carriages may operate between 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., when all blocks and moving lines are suspended at least 10 feet above the ground (except the line between the carriage and the chokers). An approved motorized carriage is defined as a cable yarding system employing a motorized carriage with two fire extinguishers, each with at least a 2A:10 BC rating, mounted securely on opposite sides of the carriage, an emergency motor cutoff, and an approved exhaust system.

During IFPL 3 the following are permitted to operate between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. where mechanized equipment capable of constructing fire line is immediately available to quickly reach and effectively attack a fire start: Ground-based operations (tractor/skidder, feller-buncher, forwarder, or shovel logging operations); Power saws on ground-based operations; Rotary head saw feller-bunchers with a continuous Firewatch; Non-rotary head saw feller-bunchers; Tethered logging - winch-assisted, cable-assisted, traction-assisted, etc. systems, which enable ground-based timber harvesting machines to operate on steep slopes.

More information regarding fire season requirements for industrial operations is available at https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/ifpl.html, or contact The Dalles Office at 541-296-4626.  

Regulated-Use Closure is in effect for the Central Oregon District.  Fireworks and campfires (including cooking fires) are not allowed within the district boundary. 

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

 Wildfire Update 

July 11, 2021

Redmond, Ore. – Firefighters from the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center responded to four wildfires today.  Two of these fires, incidents #556 and #561 were contained at less than a tenth of an acre. 

 

Incident #558, the Grandview Fire, was reported at approximately 1:30 p.m. burning on Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands and the Crooked River National Grassland.  The fire rapidly spread through grass and juniper.  Numerous resources were mobilized to the fire, including wildland engines, dozers, resources from structural agencies, and contract crews.  Single engine air tankers (SEATs) and large air tankers continued to drop retardant on the fire until dark.  Late this afternoon management of the fire transitioned to the Central Oregon Fire Management Service Interagency Type 3, Incident Commander Caldwell.  The fire is currently estimated at 2,000 acres with 0% containment.  Firefighters will be working through the night.  The cause of the fire is under investigation. 

 

Evacuations are in place for residents in Jefferson and Deschutes counties.  Information for the evacuations can be found at https://www.facebook.com/JeffersonCountyORSheriff/ for Jefferson County and https://www.deschutes.org/sheriff/page/emergency-information for Deschutes County. 

 

Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 3, Incident Commander Howard, will be in-briefed Monday at 12:00 p.m., with plans to take command of the fire at 6:00 p.m. 

 

The Newberry Fire, Incident #559, located near LaPine in the Rosland Road area burned 54 acres before crews were able to complete fireline around the perimeter.  Level 1 evacuations were implemented as a precaution for residents near the fire, but these have since been lifted.  Firefighters will be working to secure the fire late into the night.  The cause of this fire is under investigation.  Resources on the fire today included dozers, hand crews, water tenders and wildland engines with support from air resources.  Tomorrow firefighters will work to secure the fire and begin mop-up.

 

NEWS RELEASE—Dixie Creek Fire Update

July 9, 2021—9 a.m.

 

Contact:  Christie Shaw

(541)263-0661

Christie.shaw@oregon.gov

www.odfcentraloregon.com

 

John Day, Ore. – The High Desert Interagency Incident Type 3 Incident Management Team has completed work on the Dixie Creek Fire near Prairie City.  Today they transitioned management of the fire back to Oregon Department of Forestry’s John Day Unit.  A type 4 organization will continue to monitor and patrol the fire and complete any remaining mop-up within the perimeter. 

On Thursday crews worked to grid the fire looking for any hot spots.  The fire remains within the current footprint and has not grown in size since Saturday night.  Fire behavior Thursday was limited to areas creeping and smoldering in fuels which have not been fully consumed.  The fire is 99% contained.

Many resources from the fire have demobilized and been assigned to other fires in the region or returned home.  Equipment such as hose, portable tanks, and pumps which are not longer needed on the fire have been removed from the line and returned to the fire cache to be cleaned and prepared for the next fire.

No accidents or injuries have occurred on the fire.

ODF Central Oregon District

Public Information:  541-263-0661

www.facebook.com/ODFCentralOregon

Twitter:  @ODF_COD

Current fire restriction information and information for the Central Oregon District is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com.

Mop-up within the fire perimeter.

 Lewis Rock Fire Update

Mitchell, OR – Due to more accurate mapping, the fire now stands at 368 acres.  Containment has reached 45 percent.  Full mop-up efforts will continue as crews work to detect and extinguish hot spots. 

Today, firefighters will look for pockets of smoldering fuels and occasional isolated flare ups in the far interior of the fire area.  Overall, smoke from the fire will decrease due to consumption of residual fuels and aggressive mop-up efforts. 

The forecast includes the return of hot temperatures starting today and through the weekend, with a slight cool down next week.  Hot temperatures and single digit relative humidity will challenge firefighting activity. 

Fire prevention remains a top priority across the region. Fire officials would like to remind the public to follow fire season restrictions and pay particular attention to any spark emitting activities such as campfires, small equipment use and off-road driving. 

Current fire restrictions and information for ODF’s Central Oregon District is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com.

NEWS RELEASE—Dixie Creek Fire Update

July 8, 2021—9 a.m.

 

Contact:  Christie Shaw

(541)263-0661

Christie.shaw@oregon.gov

www.odfcentraloregon.com

 

John Day, Ore. – Firefighters on the 541 acre Dixie Creek Fire near Prairie City have continued to make progress mopping up the interior of the fire, increasing the area of cool black adjacent to the fireline.  This work to secure the fire is a slow process, as firefighters grid the area looking and feeling for hot spots.  The fire is 90% contained.

Firefighting resources are being released to other emerging incidents in the region as containment of the fire increases.  Aircraft are available if needed to support suppression and mop-up activities. 

Friday morning management of the fire will transition from High Desert Interagency Incident Management Team back to Oregon Department of Forestry’s John Day Unit.  A type 4 organization will continue any remaining mop-up activities until the fire is in patrol status.

There have been no accidents or injuries on the incident.

ODF Central Oregon District

Public Information:  541-263-0661

www.facebook.com/ODFCentralOregon

Twitter:  @ODF_COD

Current fire restriction information and information for the Central Oregon District is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com.

Lewis Rock Fire on July 7th

 

Mitchell, OR– Mop-up is in full swing on the Lewis Rock Fire five miles south of Mitchell. The size of the fire has not changed in three days, holding at 440 acres. Containment has reached 30 percent.

Part of the mop-up process includes a two-person crew armed with hand-held infrared cameras to detect hot spots undetectable to the human eye. These patches of heat can smolder beneath the surface of bulldozer berms, stumps, rocks and downed logs. Once detected, the area is unearthed with hand tools and soaked much like drowning a campfire.

Extreme fire weather consisting of elevated temperatures, low humidity and gusty winds will continue throughout the week maintaining the potential threat of flare-ups within control lines.

Fire prevention remains a top priority across the region. Fire officials would like to remind the public to follow fire season restrictions and pay particular attention to any spark emitting activities such as campfires, small equipment use and off-road driving.

Current fire restrictions and information for ODF’s Central Oregon District is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com.

Morning Briefing July 7th

 

NEWS RELEASE—Dixie Creek Fire Update

July 7, 2021—9 a.m.

 

Contact:  Christie Shaw

(541)263-0661

Christie.shaw@oregon.gov

www.odfcentraloregon.com

 

John Day, Ore. – Firefighters on the Dixie Creek Fire, near Prairie City, continue to make progress mopping-up the fire.  The 541 acre fire is now 75% contained.  There is very little smoke visible within the incident. The increased containment has allowed the fire to release resources from the incident to mobilize to other fires across the state and to return home for rest.  Several interagency hotshot crews were among those resources released, these crews were integral in providing leadership on the incident, working with less experienced firefighters to provide improved methods in the mop-up process.

Crews continue to grid across the fire, with most of the work complete in the divisions with lighter fuels.  Today resources will focus on areas of heat in the timbered part of the fire.  These larger fuels are more challenging to get completely cooled.  Firefighters are using skidgines and water cats to distribute water across the fire for mop-up.

Mop-up is a slow tedious process where firefighters use water and tools to stir areas of heat until they are cool to the touch.  The risk of fire moving outside the fireline is reduced as firefighters mop-up from the edge of the fire perimeter moving further into the interior of the fire.

One type 1 helicopter is assigned to the incident for air support if needed. 

ODF Central Oregon District

Public Information:  541-263-0661

www.facebook.com/ODFCentralOregon

Twitter:  @ODF_COD

Current fire restriction information and information for the Central Oregon District is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com.

Dixie Creek Fire Update 

John Day, Ore. – Firefighters made significant progress securing the Dixie Creek Fire Monday.  The fire remains in the same footprint, however updated mapping has estimated the fire to be 541 acres.  Containment for the fire is estimated at 50%.  High Desert Interagency Type 3 Team is managing the fire, which is burning on Oregon Department of Forestry and Prairie City Rural Fire Department protection.  Nearly 200 firefighters are assigned to the fire.

Firefighters are working to mop-up within the perimeter of the fire to ensure fire does not move across the line.  This work focuses seeking out heat and active fire near the fireline, and continuing to widen the cold, black area adjacent to the perimeter.  Crews will focus much of their effort in the timber, which has heavier fuels and more risk of holding heat as well as being more challenging to suppression work.

Fire activity within the fire area is mostly creeping and smoldering as larger fuels continue to slowly burn.  Some isolated torching has occurred.  Firefighters monitor these flare-ups to ensure there is no risk of fire moving outside the fireline.  A small island of unburned fuel within the interior of the fire was protected yesterday as firefighters constructed fireline around the trees and vegetation.

The current hot dry weather pattern continues to be a concern for suppression efforts and for firefighter safety.  Today temperatures will be much warmer, with a threat of thunderstorms across the area.

ODF Central Oregon District

Public Information:  541-263-0661

www.facebook.com/ODFCentralOregon

Twitter:  @ODF_COD

Current fire restriction information and information for the Central Oregon District is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com.

Lewis Rock Fire Update 

Mitchell, OR– Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 3, led by Incident Commander Tyler McCarty, assumed command of the Lewis Rock Fire Monday evening. The arrival of the team brings in additional overhead capacity and firefighting resources. The team’s presence also relieves local assets that have been battling the fire since June 30. 

Persistent winds that have been challenging firefighters over the past several days finally calmed and allowed crews to hold the fire in check overnight. The fire is now estimated at about 440 acres. While an overnight infrared flight detected heat close to containment lines, firefighters have established hose lays along much of the fire’s perimeter and are beginning to mop-up towards the interior to prevent spot fires. 

Crews are also working against the clock as thunderstorms are expected to develop over the area this afternoon bringing the threat of lightning and erratic winds. Some crews will be at-the-ready should additional fires spark from the predicted lightning. 

The active early fire season under extreme fire danger conditions gives fire officials cause to spread the fire prevention message. Preventable human-caused fires have the potential of pulling much needed resources away from fires sparked by lightning. The public is required to follow fire season restrictions such as campfires, small equipment use and off-road driving.

Current fire restrictions and information for ODF’s Central Oregon District is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com

 

Oregon Department of Forestry
Central Oregon District
John Day Unit
415 Patterson Bridge Road
John Day, OR  97845

 

NEWS RELEASE—Lewis Rock Fire

July 5, 2021— 3:30 p.m.

 

Contact:  Tom Fields

LewisRock.Information@gmail.com

 

John Day, Ore. – The Lewis Rock Fire has grown to an estimated 400 acres, since being sparked by lightning June 30^th.  Firefighters have continued to be challenged by numerous spotfires outside containment lines, caused by flying embers from trees torching.  Wildland fuel conditions are incredibly dry and receptive to these sparks, causing these spotfires to rapidly spread.

Most of the fire movement has been to the south, away from Mitchell and the surrounding community.  Today, dozers were used directly against the northern flank of the fire, with hotshot crews working in tandem to strengthen the line.  The Wheeler County Sheriff and fire managers are confident there is no threat to the Mitchell area at this time.

At 12:00 p.m. today the Central Oregon District in-briefed Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 3, Incident Commander Tyler McCarty.  The team will be taking command of the fire today at 6:00 p.m.

During in-briefing for the team, Rick Shaffer, Wheeler County Commissioner said “I’ve lived in Wheeler County for 72 years and I have never seen conditions like this.  You think you’ve caught the fire and then you hear on the radio that there are spots across the line.  It’s just really dry out there.”

Safety concerns for firefighters highlighted during in-briefing were heat related illnesses as temperatures are forecast to return to around 100 degrees in the coming days.  There have been no accidents or injuries on the fire.

ODF Central Oregon District

Public Information:  541-263-0661

www.facebook.com/ODFCentralOregon

Twitter:  @ODF_COD

 

Current fire restriction information and information for the Central Oregon District is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com.

 Dixie Creek Fire Update

Oregon Department of Forestry

Central Oregon District

John Day Unit

415 Patterson Bridge Road

John Day, OR  97845

 

NEWS RELEASE

July 5, 2021—9 a.m.

 

Contact:  Christie Shaw

(541)263-0661

Christie.shaw@oregon.gov

www.odfcentraloregon.com

 

John Day, Ore. – The Dixie Creek Fire, burning approximately three miles northwest of Prairie City, has burned approximately 570 acres of grass, brush, and timber within Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District and Prairie City Rural Fire Department protection.  Today at 6:00 a.m. command of the fire transferred to the High Desert Interagency Type 3 Team, led by incident commander Tim Boyce. 

 

The fire was initially reported Saturday afternoon, rapidly spreading.  Air and ground resources were able to stop the fire late in the evening, and have kept the fire within the same footprint since the initial burn period. Overnight Sunday fire personnel patrolled the fire, monitoring for any change to fire behavior or areas of concern. The fire is 25% contained.

 

Today firefighters will focus on mopping up along the edge of the fireline to secure the perimeter.  Tankers and helicopters are available to support on the ground suppression activities.  Resources assigned to the fire include hotshot crews, dozers, watercats, skidgines, hand crews, wildland fire engines, water tenders, and numerous overhead to manage the incident.

 

The High Desert Interagency Type 3 Team is comprised of personnel from the Malheur National Forest, and Vale and Burns District Bureau of Land Management.

 

ODF Central Oregon District

Public Information:  541-263-0661

www.facebook.com/ODFCentralOregon

Twitter:  @ODF_COD

 

Current fire restriction information and information for the Central Oregon District is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com.

Lewis Rock Fire July 4th Evening

 ODF Wildfire Evening Update

[John Day, Ore.]  No new fires were reported on lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) John Day Unit today.  Firefighting efforts for the Unit focused on the Dixie Creek Fire located approximately three acres northwest of Prairie City and the Lewis Rock Fire burning near Mitchell.

The Dixie Creek Fire was reported Saturday evening burning in timber, grass, and brush on lands protected by ODF and Prairie City Rural Fire Department.  The fire quickly grew to an estimated 570 acres before firefighters and aircraft were able to stop forward progress.  Overnight the fire was lined by dozers and wet lined where it was possible.  Today firefighters were able to achieve 25% containment with no fire growth. 

The High Desert Interagency Type 3 Team, Incident Commander Tim Boyce, spent Sunday integrating with the existing organization on the Dixie Creek Fire.  They will take command of the fire Monday morning at 6:00 a.m.

Fire behavior on the Lewis Rock Fire burning near Mitchell challenged firefighters throughout the day.  Isolated tree torching sent embers across the fireline throughout the day, sparking spot fires ahead of the fire up to a quarter of a mile.  Additional growth on the fire today increased the acreage to approximately 300 acres.  Aircraft was used throughout the day to moderate fire behavior and support crews on the ground.  180 firefighters worked to suppress the fire today.

Tonight, dozers and hotshot crews continue to work on fireline construction, taking advantage of reduced temperatures, moderating winds and increasing humidity.  ODF continues to work with the Wheeler County Sheriff to review risk to homes near the fire and the community of Mitchell.  There is currently no need to implement evacuation notices at this time.  Monitor the Wheeler County Sheriff’s facebook page for changes, https://www.facebook.com/WheelerCountySheriffsOffice.

Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 3, led by Incident Commander Link Smith, will be in-briefed by the John Day Unit at 12:00 p.m. on Monday.  Additional resources have been requested to staff the fire.  

Today firefighters continued to make progress securing the Bologna Fire, burning on private ownership and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management lands near Spray.  Containment improved to 85%.  One crew and one engine will continue mop-up work securing the fire Monday.

Regulated-Use Closure is in effect for the Central Oregon District.  Fireworks and campfires (including cooking fires) are not allowed within the district boundary.  For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.

 Wildfire Update

[John Day, Ore.]  Two new fires were reported on lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) John Day Unit on Saturday.  The Mitchell Spring Fire was reported mid-morning approximately eight miles east of Spray and was fully contained and controlled at less than a tenth of an acre by early afternoon.  The Dixie Creek Fire, burning two miles northwest of Prairie City, was reported late in the afternoon on ODF and Prairie City Rural Fire Department protection.

Late Saturday evening the fire was estimated to be 570 acres.  Overnight firefighters were able to establish dozer line around much of the fire and “wet line” areas of flashy, light fuels.  This morning nine engines, two water tenders, two Malhuer National Forest crews, one contract crew, La Grande Interagency Hotshots, seven dozers, and two skidgines are working to strengthen the fireline.  Additional resources arriving today include two contract engines, a skidgine, three hand crews, and three hotshot crews.  Air resources such as helicopters and air tankers are available to support firefighter efforts on the ground.

There is no threat to structures or residences from the fire.  ODF continues to work with the Grant County Sheriff to monitor any changes in fire behavior or direction which could impact homes near the fire.

High Desert Type 3 Team, comprised of personnel from the Malheur National Forest and Vale and Burns Districts Bureau of Land Management, will be integrating with fire management today planning for transitioning fire management Monday morning.

Increased evening wind, pushing from the north, caused spotfires outside the line on the Lewis Rock Fire near Mitchell.  Dozers were used throughout the night to complete fireline around the new fire growth.  Today hand crews, engines and dozers will continue work securing the perimeter.  Aircraft is available to support fire suppression activity.  The fire burned away from Mitchell and the surrounding community.

The Bologna Fire, burning on private ownership and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management lands near Spray is 75% contained.  Today the fire will have one crew and one engine assigned to the fire.  They will be working to find any hot spots within the perimeter and monitoring the fire.

Regulated-Use Closure is in effect for the Central Oregon District.  Fireworks and campfires (including cooking fires) are not allowed within the district boundary.  For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.

 Dixie Creek Fire

[John Day, Ore.]  The Dixie Creek Fire was reported just before 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon burning 3 miles northwest of Prairie City in Grant County.  The fire was ignited by a lighting strike Thursday afternoon, and has been smoldering, unobserved until today. Wind and hot temperatures caused the fire to rapidly spread through timber, brush and grass on lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s John Day Unit and Prairie City Rural Fire Department.  The fire is visible from Prairie City and from Highway 26.

Resources assigned to the nearby Lewis Rock and Bologna fires as well as initial attack resources quickly took action on the fire.  These resources included four large air tankers, three single engine air tankers, two type 1 helicopters, two type 2 helicopters, five dozers, one twenty-person contract crew, two crews from the Malheur National Forest, nine engines and the La Grande Interagency Hotshots.  Fire personnel from Prairie City Rural Fire Department also engaged in suppression efforts as the fire spread within their protection area.  The fire is currently estimated to be 570 acres.

No structures are threatened at this time and no road closures are in place.  Fire managers are working in coordination with the Grant County Sheriff to monitor any threat due to changing conditions.

Overnight the fire will be staffed by five dozers, two contract engines, and some overhead working to establish fireline and monitor fire conditions.  Fire behavior has begun to moderate tonight with cooler temperatures and increasing humidity, however winds continue to influence the fire behavior.

A local Type 3 Team from the Malheur National Forest and Burns District Bureau of Land Management will be working with fire personnel on Sunday and management of the fire will transfer to this organization Monday morning.  Additional resources are mobilizing to the fire and will be on the fireline Sunday.

Regulated-Use Closure is in effect for the Central Oregon District.  Fireworks and campfires (including cooking fires) are not allowed within the district boundary.  For additional information on ODF’s Central Oregon District, including contact information and unit offices, please visit www.ODFcentraloregon.com.

 ODF:  Wildfire Update

[John Day, Ore.]  Firefighters continue to make progress on fires in Oregon Department of Forestry’s John Day Unit.  The Lewis Rock Fire and Bologna Fire were sparked by passing thunderstorms Wednesday.  Additional “holdover” fires are anticipated from these storms as fuels dry and temperatures remain warm. 

Firefighters completed fireline on the Lewis Rock Fire Friday, and reached 29% containment for the fire.  Late in the day three Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) and a heavy airtanker were used to knock down a flare up inside the fire perimeter. Firefighters began plumbing fire hose around the fire to distribute water for mop-up activities.  The fire is estimated to be 70 acres.

The evacuation level for residences near the fire on Dollarhide Road have been reduced to Level 1.  The town of Mitchell and surrounding community remain on a level 1 evacuation notice.  For further information and current evacuation status visit the Wheeler County Sheriff’s facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/WheelerCountySheriffsOffice.

Friday firefighters completed fireline around 70% of the Bologna Fire.  The fire has burned approximately 140 acres of grass and juniper near Spray.  Helicopters were used Friday to control spotfires outside the fire caused by rolling fire debris.  Today five crews will be assigned to the fire. 

Regulated-Use Closure is in effect for the Central Oregon District.  Fireworks and campfires (including cooking fires) are not allowed within the district boundary. 

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

Lewis Rock Fire (Friday Morning)

Wildfire Update

[Prineville, Ore.]  Firefighting work continued Thursday in efforts to suppress wildfires on Central Oregon District protected lands.  Warm temperatures and windy conditions challenged firefighters on the Lewis Rock Fire throughout the day.  Retardant drop from air tankers was essential for keeping the fire in check, allowing firefighters to construct new fireline when the fire spotted across.  Fire growth yesterday was limited to approximately 12 acres, for a total size of 70 acres. 

Today firefighters will continue to work on strengthening the fireline and pushing fire and heat back from the perimeter to secure the fire.  Air resources including helicopters and tankers will be available to support work on the ground.  The fire remains 0% controlled.

The town of Mitchell and surrounding community remain on a level 1 evacuation notice.  For further information and current evacuation status visit the Wheeler County Sheriff’s facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/WheelerCountySheriffsOffice.

The 140 acre Bologna Fire, located 7.5 miles east of Spray in the John Day Unit, is burning in grass and other fine fuels.  Firefighters worked late into the night using bladder bags and gunny sacks to wet burning grass along the perimeter.  Overnight dozer line was completed around 25% of the fire.  Today two crews and two squads will continue work to complete the fireline.  The fire is burning on private ownership and Prineville District Bureau of Land Management lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

A fire on Big Summit Prairie was caught at less than a tenth of an acre by firefighters from the Prineville Unit.

Resources from The Dalles Unit were heavily engaged in mutual aid with partner agencies Thursday.  Resources including two fireboss aircraft were used to support suppression work on the Sunset Valley Fire on the south eastern edge of The Dalles.

Regulated-Use Closure is in effect for the Central Oregon District.  Fireworks and campfires (including cooking fires) are not allowed within the district boundary. 

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