Wildfire Updates: Bear Butte and Indian Lake Fires on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

BAKER CITY, Ore. – Fire crews around the region are currently responding to multiple incidents.  The Bear Butte Fire and Indian Lake Fire were both discovered at approximately 2:00 p.m. on August 4^th.  Both fires are burning on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, where crews are fighting the fires with heavy use of air resources, along with engines, bulldozers, and hand crews.

The Bear Butte Fire is burning along the Anthony Lakes Highway (National Forest Road 73) and is currently reported at approximately 700 acres.  Forest Service Road 73 has been closed.  The Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort, Anthony Lakes Campground, and cabins in the immediate area have been evacuated by the Baker County Sherriff’s Office.  The public is encouraged to avoid the area to allow for firefighting operations and provide for responder safety.  An Interagency Type 3 Team has been ordered for the management of this incident, and that Team will arrive on Saturday.  Due to the growing complexity of the Bear Butte Fire, an additional Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered to manage the fire beginning on Sunday, at which point they will relieve the Type 3 Team.

The Indian Lake Fire is located 3 miles east of Indian Lake in Umatilla County, north of National Forest Road 21.  The fire is currently reported at approximately 75 acres in size.  There are NO evacuation orders or road closures for this incident, however, fire managers are urging the public to stay clear of the area.  Lands under the jurisdiction of Oregon Department of Forestry are currently threatened by Indian Lake Fire. 

The cause of both incidents is unknown at this time.  For further updates, please monitor the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/WallowaWhitmanNF/

At least two smaller fires located near Hilgard and Enterprise were reported this afternoon and were successfully initial attacked by local interagency resources. 

Public Use Restrictions remain in effect on both public and private lands, and fire danger is “extreme.”  Check www.bmidc.org for current information on fire restrictions in the region.