Contact: Darcy Weseman (541) 278-3722
July 29, 2020 – 10
a.m.
PENDLETON, Ore. – Firefighters are actively suppressing a wildfire located
near Matlock Hill, approximately 13 miles northwest of Ukiah, Oregon on the
North Fork John Day Ranger District.
The Matlock Fire, which is currently estimated at 60 acres, was reported on Tues., July 28 at 3:39 p.m. Fire managers located the wildfire with assistance from an Oregon Department of Forestry detection camera located on Black Mountain. The fire was caused by lightning and is burning in grass and timber with dead and down trees. The fire actively burned yesterday to the southeast with crowning, torching, and spotting. Gusty winds contributed to increased fire behavior and growth. Numerous resources aided in initial attack efforts, including support from Oregon Department of Forestry.
Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist throughout the week. Fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at HIGH and public use restrictions involving chainsaw use, smoking and off-road travel are in effect.
The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog. To receive updates on fires in the Blue Mountains, follow our blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.
The Matlock Fire, which is currently estimated at 60 acres, was reported on Tues., July 28 at 3:39 p.m. Fire managers located the wildfire with assistance from an Oregon Department of Forestry detection camera located on Black Mountain. The fire was caused by lightning and is burning in grass and timber with dead and down trees. The fire actively burned yesterday to the southeast with crowning, torching, and spotting. Gusty winds contributed to increased fire behavior and growth. Numerous resources aided in initial attack efforts, including support from Oregon Department of Forestry.
The Forest will inbrief the local Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident
Management Team today at 12 p.m. with plans for the team to take command of the
fire tomorrow. An incident command post will be set up at the Ukiah school. The
health and safety of the public and wildland fire responders is top priority
and mitigations are being taken regarding group sizes by dispersing resources
through separate and smaller fire camps and conducting virtual meetings when
possible.
Current resources on scene include three Forest
Service engines, one 20-person hand crew, two interagency hotshot crews, and two
dozers. Firefighter suppression efforts are being supported by various aerial
resources as needed, including two helicopters, single engine air tankers and
large air tankers. Additional resources are on order. Today firefighters will
continue to complete line construction, where terrain and fuels allow for crews
to safely engage, while utilizing aircraft to slow fire spread and cool
hotspots within the fire perimeter. Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist throughout the week. Fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at HIGH and public use restrictions involving chainsaw use, smoking and off-road travel are in effect.
For more information
regarding Restrictions, please contact:
Umatilla National Forest:The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog. To receive updates on fires in the Blue Mountains, follow our blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.
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