Blue Mountain Fire Information
Oregon Department of Forestry
Wallowa-Whitman
National Forest
Jamie Knight, ODF –
(541)786-2039
Katy Gray, Wallowa-Whitman
National Forest – (541)519-4623
Lightning sparks 2 Large Fires in Baker County
Baker City, OR – As
a result of recent lightning activity, 2 large incidents have ignited across
Baker County, with smoke and fire fighting aircraft visible from Baker City.
The larger of the two fires is the Cornet Fire, which is currently burning on private lands protected
by Oregon Department of Forestry, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and Vale BLM
District approximately 7 miles east of Hereford, Oregon. The fire is currently
5,000 acres and with just over 100 personnel on scene. Additional resources are
on order. Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (ORIMT4), with Incident
Commander Brian Goff, will assume command of the fire on Wednesday evening, Aug
12th. ORIMT4 brings a wealth knowledge and skill to the table, with
many of the team members coming from local, Northeast Oregon Interagency
organizations.
The second incident is a small complex of 3 fires, the Eagle Complex, burning 10 miles east of
Medical Springs, Oregon. The 3 fires are currently 120 acres, 40 acres and 10
acres in size and are burning on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and
private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry. Resources on scene
include 4 engines and two, 10 person hand crews as well as several aviation
resources. Additional resources are on order. An Interagency Type 3 Management
team will assume command of the fire on Wednesday, August 12th.
A level 1 notice has been sent to residents in the Stices Gulch
and Black Mountain area associated with the Cornet Fire, and along Forest
Service Road 77 near Tamarack Camp Ground, the Bennett Peak and Main Eagle
areas associated with the Eagle Complex. A Level I notice means residents
should be READY to evacuate and continue
to closely monitor local media and incident information. Questions regarding
evacuation notices and the evacuation process can be direction to the Baker
County Emergency Management at 541-523-8200.
Fire officials want to
remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at EXTREME
and Public Use Restrictions involving campfires and chainsaw use are in effect.
Regulated closures are in effect on State and private lands protected by Oregon
Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast and central Oregon. On the
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest lands Public Use Restrictions are in effect,
including campfire restrictions and use of chainsaws.
Vale BLM Unit is also managing several large fires in the
Burnt River area; additional information can be found at: http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/vale/fire/report-fire.php.
Additional
information on the Cornet Fire and Eagle Complex can be found on the following
sites:
Wallowa Whitman National
Forest –
-
Twitter: @WallowaWhitman
 |
| Cornet Fire, 11 Aug 15 Photo by Trisha Price, NE Oregon ODF |
 |
| Eagle Complex 11 Aug 15, Photo by Larry Aragon, USFS |
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