Matlock Fire Update - July 31, 2020

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6896
Management: Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team, Incident Commander Gabe Hale
Size: 85 acres
Cause: Lightning
Containment: 40%
Resources Assigned: Three Interagency Hotshot Crews, two Type 2IA crews, twelve Type 6 engines, ten water tenders, three dozers, two feller-buncher/skidder teams, one processor, one Type 1 helicopter, one Type 2 helicopter, one Type 3 helicopter.

UKIAH, Oregon – Firefighters continue working to contain the 85-acre Matlock Fire, which is burning in timber on the Umatilla National Forest, 13.5 miles northwest of Ukiah, Oregon. The fire, which is 40% contained, exhibited no growth yesterday as crews improved existing handlines and extinguished small spot fires. Single-tree torching was observed within the perimeter, but fire behavior was generally minimal. Suppression efforts are directed by Incident Commander Gabe Hale and the Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team.

Firefighters are continuing to strengthen containment lines around the blaze, while other crews are extensively mopping up inside the lines to ensure that the fire does not rekindle. Aerial reconnaissance from helicopters and drones, using visual and infrared cameras, is aiding firefighters on the ground as they search for remaining pockets of heat. The Matlock Fire has been kept entirely within national forest lands; no private lands have been affected.

Temperatures are expected to moderate over the weekend, which will aid suppression efforts, though fuels remain extremely dry. Fire managers are employing tactics which protect firefighter and public safety, while effectively minimizing fire spread and preventing damage to private lands and natural and cultural resources. Firefighters are also taking a number of precautions to prevent transmission of coronavirus. Information is being provided virtually, crew camping areas are dispersed, and resources are kept apart to the extent possible.

Firefighting resources assigned include three Interagency Hotshot Crews, two Type 2IA handcrews, twelve Type 6 engines, ten water tenders, three dozers, two feller-buncher/skidder teams, and one processor. Aerial support includes one Type 1, one Type 2, and one Type 3 helicopter.

To protect public and firefighter safety, the public is asked to stay away from the area of the Matlock Fire. A closure order map can be viewed on the Matlock Fire InciWeb site at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6896. 

In this series of infrared and visible light photos taken from an Oregon Department of Forestry drone, a Type 6 engine crew can be seen hunting down hotspots putting up diffuse smoke, but which are easily pinpointed in infrared.

Incident Information: Travis Mason-Bushman, 541-519-8051
Web: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6896 

Email: 2020.matlock@firenet.gov

BMIDC Morning Breifing, Thursday July 31, 2020

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Thursday, July 31, 2020
BMIDC WEBSITE
7/30 (NEW) INITIAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	0	0
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	2	.2
Vale District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	1	1
WA DNR Snake River Unit	0	0
BIA Umatilla Agency	0	0
Total	3	1.2
INCIDENT SUMMARY
7/30/2020  OR-971S-000581, Meadow Cow.  LG ODF.  T3S R35E Sec 31. McCoy Creek Area, 20 Miles West of La Grande, OR.  1 Acre.  Lightning Caused.  ODF Stat. Resources Responded 7/30.  Timber, Grass.  OR-WWF-000580, Summit Lake.  BPFZ.  T3N R43E Sec 34.  Red Mountain Lake Area, 20 Miles NW of Baker City, OR  .1 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  FS Stat.  Resources Responded 7/30.  Timber, Grass.  OR-WWF-000571, Marble Pass.  BPFZ. T9S R38E Sec15. Marble Pass Area, 11 Miles West of Baker City, OR. 0.1 Acres. Lightning Caused, Resources Responded 7/30. Timber. Previously Reported Fire Activity  Date: 7/28/2020  OR-UMF-000530, Matlock.  NFJD. T4S R29E Sec 22.  Matlock Hill Area.  13 Miles NW of Ukiah, OR.  150 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  ODF Non Stat.  Resources Responded 7/28.  Timber and Slash.  Example OR-WWF-000206, East Pine.  BPFZ.  T7S R46E Sec 16 NESW.  Fish Lake Road Area.  6 Miles North of Halfway, OR.  1.3 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  Grass and Timber.

New fire restrictions start tonight for the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

BAKER CITY, Ore. (July 30, 2020) – In response to rising fire danger levels, additional Public Use Restrictions, or Phase B PURs, will go into effect across the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest at 12:00 a.m. on July 31, 2020.

Phase B PURs prohibit campfires, wood stoves, and briquette fires.  Campfires are allowed in fire pits provided at developed recreation sites, where all flammable material should be cleared 10 feet from the edge of the pit, and the pit should be free of overhanging material. Anyone with a campfire must have a tool that can serve as a shovel and at least one gallon of water.  Campfires must be attended at all times and completely extinguished prior to leaving.  Remember: “If it is too hot to touch, it is too hot to leave.”

Campfires are also allowed in Designated Wilderness Areas – however, campfires are not allowed in the Lakes Basin of the Eagle Cap Wilderness, where campfires are prohibited year-around to reduce their impact on this popular destination and reduce the risk to public safety.

Chainsaw use is not allowed during Phase B PURs without a permit.  Firewood permit holders should follow the terms of their permits, which govern chainsaw use according to Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPLs).  Generators are allowed only if fully contained in the bed of a pickup truck or in an area that has been cleared of all flammable material at least 10 feet away.  Other internal combustion engines are prohibited, except for motor vehicles.

Motor vehicle travel off developed forest roads and trails is not allowed due to the risk of a vehicle sparking a wildfire in the dry grass and encroaching vegetation.  Exception: Vehicles may be used to access campsites located within 300 feet of an open developed road.  All motorized travel on roads closed by gates, barricades, berms, rocks, or logs is prohibited.

With tinder-dry forest fuels and high daytime temperatures, conditions are prime for human-caused forest fires. We ask that you be extremely careful when out in the forest.  To learn more, contact your local Forest Service office or visit our websites (http://bmidc.org/restrictions.shtml, www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman, http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com).

Please call 911 to report a forest fire.

Poster: PURs Phase B

Matlock Fire Update - July 30, 2020

UKIAH, Oregon - This morning, the Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Gabe Hale, took charge of the 85-acre Matlock Fire, burning in timber on the Umatilla National Forest 13.5 miles northwest of Ukiah, Oregon. The fire was sparked by lightning on July 28; hot, dry conditions, along with gusty winds, initially pushed the fire northward along Matlock Hill. The fire was detected through an Oregon Department of Forestry camera on Black Mountain. Yesterday, with the aid of retardant-dropping large air tankers, firefighters were able to check the fire’s growth and begin establishing containment lines. The Matlock Fire is now 40% contained.

Today, firefighters on the ground are continuing to construct containment lines along each flank and across the head of the fire, supported by water-dropping helicopters to cool and slow hot spots. Several small spot fires are being encircled by dozers. In some areas, mop-up has begun – firefighters are meticulously searching the burned area to extinguish any pockets of heat which might remain.

Incident Commander Hale’s goals include stopping the progression of the Matlock Fire before any private lands are burned, and protecting natural and cultural resource values in the area. Firefighting resources assigned include three Interagency Hotshot Crews, one Type 2 handcrew, seven Type 6 engines, seven water tenders, three dozers, and two feller-buncher/skidder teams. Aerial support includes two Type 1, two Type 2, and one Type 3 helicopter.

Hot and dry weather, along with the threat of additional thunderstorms, are predicted today, which could result in increasing fire behavior.

Firefighters are taking precautions to prevent transmission of coronavirus. Information is being provided virtually, crew camping areas are dispersed, and resources are being kept apart to the extent possible.

To protect public and firefighter safety, a Closure Order is in effect for several roads in the vicinity of the Matlock Fire. The Closure Order and map can be viewed on the Matlock Fire InciWeb site at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6896.

Incident Information: Travis Mason-Bushman, 541-519-8051
Web: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6896 

Email: 2020_orumf_matlock@firenet.gov 

Fire size: 
85 acres

Containment: 
40%

Location: 
13.5 miles northwest of Ukiah, Oregon

Start date: 
July 28

Cause: 
Lightning

Total personnel: 
147

Management: 
Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team

Passing Thunderstorms Ignite Multiple Fires in Northeast Oregon

July 30, 2020 – 11 a.m.

JOHN DAY, PENDLETON, BAKER CITY, LA GRANDE, PRINEVILLE, Ore. - Fire crews in northeast Oregon are responding to multiple reports of smoke and fire following passing thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and overnight.  Approximately 30 new incidents have been reported to the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center and John Day Interagency Dispatch Center. Of these reported incidents, several have been discovered and are being actively suppressed at less than a quarter of an acre in size.

Additional fires are likely to be detected throughout the day as temperatures warm and fire activity increases.  Aerial reconnaissance and fire lookouts are assisting with detection efforts.  More thunderstorms are expected in northeast Oregon and southeast Washington tonight.

Fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at HIGH 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.

For more information about Fire Danger Levels, Industrial Fire Precaution Levels and Public Use Restrictions, please contact:

ODF, Northeast Oregon District                               ODF, Central Oregon District

Phone: (541) 963-3168 or (541) 786-2039                 Phone: (541) 263-0661

www.facebook.com/oregondeptofforestryNEO/       www.facebook.com/ODFCentralOregon/

                                                                                    www.odfcentraloregon.com

Malheur National Forest:

Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur

Supervisor’s Office: John Day (541) 575-3000;

Prairie City (541) 820-3800; Hines (541) 573-4300

www.facebook.com/MalheurNationalForest

Twitter: @MalheurNF

Umatilla National Forest:

Toll-Free (877) 958-9663

https://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla

Facebook: www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF

Twitter: @UmatillaNF

Wallowa-Whitman National Forest:

Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman/

Baker City (541) 523-6391; La Grande (541) 962-8500; Joseph (541) 426-5546 www.facebook.com/WallowaWhitmanNF

Twitter: @WallowaWhitman

The latest fire information can be found by visiting either the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog or Oregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon District blog. If you are interested in receiving updates on fire activity, follow ours blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/ or www.odf.centraloregon.com.   

           

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BMIDC Morning Briefing, Thursday, July 30, 2020

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Thursday, July 30, 2020
BMIDC WEBSITE
7/29 (NEW) INITIAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	2	.2
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	1	.1
Vale District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	5	2.4
WA DNR Snake River Unit	0	0
BIA Umatilla Agency	0	0
Total	8	2.7
INCIDENT SUMMARY
7/29/2020  OR-UMF-000535, Rabbit.  NFJD.  T8S R34E Sec 36.  Rabbit Butte Area.  27 Miles SE of Ukiah, OR.  .1 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  Resources Responded 7/29.  Timber, Slash.  OR-WWF-000544, Cub.  WFZ.  T3N R43E Sec 34.  Powwatka Ridge Area.  10 Miles NE of Wallowa, OR.  .1 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  ODF Non Stat.  Resources Responded 7/29.  Grass.  OR-973S-000546, Deerhorn.  PDT ODF.  T6S R31E Sec 18.  Deerhorn Creek Area.  8 Miles SW of Ukiah, OR.  .1 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  ODF Stat Fire.  Resources Responded 7/29.  Grass and Slash.   OR-UMF-000547, Hinton Creek.  NFJD.  T7S R31E Sec 9.  Hinton Creek Area.  11 Miles South of Ukiah, OR.  .1 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  Resources Responded 7/29.  Snag.    OR-UMF-000548, Sulpher Gulch.  JDIDC.  T7S R30E Sec 1.  Sulphur Gulch Area.  11 Miles SW of Ukiah, OR.  Lightning Caused.  Started on JDIDC, burned onto BMDIC.  Resources Responded 7/29.  This is the same incident as OR-952S-020105.  OR-UMF-000549, Five Mile.  NFJD.  T4S R29E Sec 25.  Five Mile Creek.  11 Miles NW of Ukiah, OR.  .1 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  Resources Responded 7/29.  Grass and Timber.  OR-973S-000552, Day Canyon.  PDT ODF.  T6S R31E Sec 3.  Day Canyon Area. 5 Miles South of Ukiah, OR.  .1 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  ODF Stat Fire.  Resources Responded 7/29.  Contained 7/29.  Grass and Timber.  OR-972S-000558, Beaver Dam.  BKE ODF.  T11S R38E Sec 32.  Beaverdam Creek Area.  10 Miles NE of Unity, OR.  .12 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  Resources Responded.  Grass and Timber.  OR-971S-000565, Z Road.  LGD ODF.  T2S R40E Sec 34.  Hohstadt Reservoir Area.  4 Miles North of Cove, OR.  1.5 Acres. Lightning Caused.  ODF Stat Fire.  Resources Responded 7/29.    OR-973S-000570, Trough Creek.  PDT ODF.  T6s R32E Sec 34.  Texas Bar Area.  10 Miles SE of Ukiah, OR.  .1 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  ODF Stat Fire.  Resources Responded 7/29.  Timber and Brush.  Date: 7/28/2020  Previously Reported Fire Activity  OR-UMF-000530, Matlock.  NFJD. T4S R29E Sec 22.  Matlock Hill Area.  13 Miles NW of Ukiah, OR.  150 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  ODF Non Stat.  Resources Responded 7/28.  Timber and Slash.   OR-971S-000531, Vey.  LGD ODF.  T6S R35.5 E Sec 1.  Vey Meadow Area.  22 Miles SW of La Grande, OR.  .1 Acres.  Contained and Controlled 7/28.  Grass.  Example OR-WWF-000206, East Pine.  BPFZ.  T7S R46E Sec 16 NESW.  Fish Lake Road Area.  6 Miles North of Halfway, OR.  1.3 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  Grass and Timber.