Umatilla National Forest - Lightning Wildfire Update

Joani Bosworth (541) 278-3722                                            August 8, 2016 – 11:00 AM

Pendleton, Ore. – Six of the seven lightning fires reported on the Umatilla National Forest over the weekend have been contained at less than 1/10^th of an acre.

The seventh and largest, the Gibbon Fire, is currently estimated at 50 acres and located in the Meacham Creek/Stumbough Ridge area, 20 miles east of Pendleton. This fire, burning in timber and grass on state protected and federal lands, is being managed jointly by the Oregon Department of Forestry and Umatilla National Forest. 

The fire is burning is extremely steep and challenging terrain.  Yesterday, air assets including two Single Engine Air Tankers, two helicopters, a lead plane and air attack worked to support ground resources.   Two engines, one helicopter, one fire crew and four rappellers are currently working the fire.  A Type 1 helicopter and an Interagency Hot Shot crew are among the additional resources responding today.

Today’s suppression strategy is to continue to complete direct line construction, where terrain and fuels allow for crews to safely engage, while utilizing helicopters to slow fire spread and cool hotspots within the fire perimeter.

The fire danger rating remains at HIGH and Public Use Restrictions involving campfires and chainsaw use are in effect on both State and Federal lands.  For more information on the Umatilla National Forest’s Public Use Restrictions, please contact any forest office, call our Forest Information hotline at 1-877-958-9663, or visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/.

Oregon Department of Forestry Northeast Oregon District is currently under Regulated Use Closure.  For details on this closure and restrictions go to www.bmidc.org.

The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog. If you are interested in receiving updates on fires in the Blue Mountains, follow our blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.

-ODF/USDA FS-