BMIDC's Fire Activity

Lightning caused 10 fires for approximately 10 acres across the Umatilla NF, Wallowa Whitman NF and NEO Oregon Department of Forestry.  Pearson Creek on North Fork John Day District of the Umatilla NF was the largest fire at 8.2 acres.  La Grande Unit of Oregon Department of Forestry had an incident on I-84 near milepost 272 which involved a hay truck that caught fire.  The Table Rock Complex is 80% contained and will start releasing resources tomorrow.

Umatilla National Forest Lightning Wildfire Update

Contact: Joani Bosworth - (541)278-3722 or Darcy Weseman (541)523-1302

Pendleton, OR: Additional new wildfires have been reported from the recent lightning storms that hit the Umatilla National Forest over the past few days. Fire lookouts and detection aircraft continue to monitor the Forest for new ignitions and to search for fires that were reported but not located. Fire managers anticipate more fires to be detected throughout today and this week.

The Heppner Ranger District reported three new fires yesterday. The Old Misery Fire, which is located two miles SE of Bull Prairie, is estimated at six acres and is 80 percent contained. Resources on scene include one engine and a dozer. Today firefighters will focus suppression actions on completing control lines and mopping up the fire.   

The Rocky Flat Fire, located near Highway 207 and Big Flat Road, is currently at 127 acres and is 80 percent contained. The fire is burning in grass and juniper. Resources are on scene and will complete control lines and mop up the fire today.

The North Fork John Day Ranger District reported two new fires yesterday. The Pearson Creek Fire is located approximately 12 miles SE of Pilot Rock.  This fire is estimated at eight acres and is burning in steep terrain. Current resources include three engines, one 20-person crew and a Type 2 helicopter with bucket. Firefighters are constructing control lines, supported by water drops from the helicopter.

Crews also continue to make progress on existing fires caused by the lightning storms over the past few days.

Resources on the Table Rock Complex are working to secure control lines and mop up the five fires within the complex. The Table Rock Complex, located on the Walla Walla and Pomeroy Ranger Districts, is estimated to be 80 acres and is currently 75 percent contained. The complex, which was reported on June 27, 2015, is located about two miles south of Bluewood Ski Area and consists of three fires in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness and two fires in the Mill Creek Watershed. A local Type 3 Incident Management Team is assigned to the complex.  Current resources include two 20-person crews, seven smoke jumpers, one 5-person crew, one 7-person crew, four water tenders and two dozers.

The Table Rock Complex area closure order remains in effect and includes:

·         Forest Road 6400 from the junction of Forest Road 6500 to the junction of Forest Road 6400-650.

·         Forest Road 6400-650 from the junction of Forest Road 6400 to its end.

·         Indian Trailhead and Forest Trail 3235 from Indian Trailhead to the junction of Forest Trail 3237.

The Texas Fire, which is located on the Heppner Ranger District two miles east of Madison Butte Lookout, is estimated at nine acres in size and is currently 40 percent contained. The fire was reported on June 27, 2015, and is burning in heavy fuels with short range spotting. The fire is currently staffed with sixteen rappellers and one 20-person hotshot crew. Heavy dead and down material and spotting continue to present challenges in containing this fire. Crews will continue to strengthen control lines and mop up the fire today. 

The Trail closure on the Texas Fire remains in effect and includes:

·         Copple Butte Trailhead and entire length of Copple Butte Trail #3052

The Collins Butte Fire is approximately 87 acres in size and 100 percent contained. This fire was reported on June 27, 2015, and is located four miles NE of the community of Winlock on the Heppner Ranger District. Resources continue to improve control lines and conduct mop up activities.

The fire danger rating remains at HIGH and Public Use Restrictions involving campfires and chainsaw use are in effect. For maps of the closures or more information about 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/.

-USFS-

Umatilla National Forest Lightning Wildfire Update

Pendleton, OR: Additional new wildfires have been reported from the recent lightning storms that hit the Umatilla National Forest over the past few days. Fire lookouts and detection aircraft continue to monitor the Forest for new ignitions and to search for fires that were reported but not located. Fire managers anticipate more fires to be detected throughout today and this week.

The Heppner Ranger District reported three new fires yesterday. The Old Misery Fire, which is located two miles SE of Bull Prairie, is estimated at six acres and is 80 percent contained. Resources on scene include one engine and a dozer. Today firefighters will focus suppression actions on completing control lines and mopping up the fire.   

The Rocky Flat Fire, located near Highway 207 and Big Flat Road, is currently at 127 acres and is 80 percent contained. The fire is burning in grass and juniper. Resources are on scene and will complete control lines and mop up the fire today.

The North Fork John Day Ranger District reported two new fires yesterday. The Pearson Creek Fire is located approximately 12 miles SE of Pilot Rock.  This fire is estimated at eight acres and is burning in steep terrain. Current resources include three engines, one 20-person crew and a Type 2 helicopter with bucket. Firefighters are constructing control lines, supported by water drops from the helicopter.

Crews also continue to make progress on existing fires caused by the lightning storms over the past few days.

Resources on the Table Rock Complex are working to secure control lines and mop up the five fires within the complex. The Table Rock Complex, located on the Walla Walla and Pomeroy Ranger Districts, is estimated to be 80 acres and is currently 75 percent contained. The complex, which was reported on June 27, 2015, is located about two miles south of Bluewood Ski Area and consists of three fires in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness and two fires in the Mill Creek Watershed. A local Type 3 Incident Management Team is assigned to the complex.  Current resources include two 20-person crews, seven smoke jumpers, one 5-person crew, one 7-person crew, four water tenders and two dozers.

The Table Rock Complex area closure order remains in effect and includes:

·       Forest Road 6400 from the junction of Forest Road 6500 to the junction of Forest Road 6400-650.

·       Forest Road 6400-650 from the junction of Forest Road 6400 to its end.

·       Indian Trailhead and Forest Trail 3235 from Indian Trailhead to the junction of Forest Trail 3237.

The Texas Fire, which is located on the Heppner Ranger District two miles east of Madison Butte Lookout, is estimated at nine acres in size and is currently 40 percent contained. The fire was reported on June 27, 2015, and is burning in heavy fuels with short range spotting. The fire is currently staffed with sixteen rappellers and one 20-person hotshot crew. Heavy dead and down material and spotting continue to present challenges in containing this fire. Crews will continue to strengthen control lines and mop up the fire today. 

The Trail closure on the Texas Fire remains in effect and includes:

·       Copple Butte Trailhead and entire length of Copple Butte Trail #3052

The Collins Butte Fire is approximately 87 acres in size and 100 percent contained. This fire was reported on June 27, 2015, and is located four miles NE of the community of Winlock on the Heppner Ranger District. Resources continue to improve control lines and conduct mop up activities.

The fire danger rating remains at HIGH and Public Use Restrictions involving campfires and chainsaw use are in effect. For maps of the closures or more information about 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/.

BMIDC's Fire Activity

The combination of high fire danger, instability and lightning resulted in numerous fires across the Pacific Northwest.  The Umatilla National Forest and NEO Oregon Department of Forestry Pendleton Unit both picked up many new starts.  The largest of the new starts is within a complex of incidents called the Table Rock Complex.   The Table Rock Complex includes five incidents for a total of approximately 70 acres, burning in the Wenaha – Tucannon Wilderness and Mill Creek Watershed.  The fires are being supported by heavy airtankers, smokejumpers and rappellers.  ZigZag IHC will be on scene tomorrow along with a 20 person contract crew.  More lightning is expected throughout the Blue Mountain footprint this evening.   

Public Use Restrictions increased on the Umatilla National Forest

Due to increased fire danger and dry weather conditions, Phase A of the Public-Use Restrictions (PURS) involving chainsaw use, smoking, off-road travel, and campfires will go into effect on the Umatilla National Forest at 12:01 a.m. (PDT) on Monday, June 29, 2015. The seasonal campfire restriction remains in effect. 

‘The hot weather forecasted for this weekend will quickly elevate the fire danger across the forest,” said Brian Ebert, Deputy Fire Staff for the Umatilla National Forest. “Beginning Monday, chainsaw use will be prohibited between the hours of 1:00 PM and 8:00 PM.  Firewood cutters will want to get an early start to beat the heat,” said Ebert.

Phase A is the second level of restrictions, generally implemented when the fire danger is moderate to high.  PURS are phased in collectively, as conditions warrant, and may differ from Forest to Forest.   

Phase A restrictions include:

·         Chainsaws may be operated only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time. A one hour fire watch is required after saw operations cease. Saw operators are required to have an axe (minimum 2 lb. head, 26” length), shovel (8” wide, 26” length), and fire extinguisher (minimum ABC 8 oz.) in their possession.

·         Smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles and buildings, developed recreation sites, or cleared areas.

·         No off-road/off-trail vehicle travel or travel on roads not cleared of standing grass or other flammable material; no vehicle travel on those FS roads where access has been impeded or blocked by earthen berm, logs, boulders, barrier, barricade or gate, or as otherwise identified in the Fire Order.

·         Seasonal campfire restrictions and requirements described for June 1- October 31 apply.

o   Campfires allowed only in fire pits surrounded by dirt, rock, or commercial rings and in areas not conducive to rapid fire spread.  All flammable material shall be cleared within a 3 foot radius from the edge of the pit and free of overhanging material. Use existing pits wherever possible.

o   Campfires must be attended at all times, and completely extinguished prior to leaving.

o   Persons with campfires are required to have a tool that can serve as a shovel and one gallon of water in their possession (except in specified developed recreation sites listed in Exhibit A).  The intent of this requirement is to ensure individuals with a campfire to have the tools necessary to completely extinguish their campfire per “a” above.

o   Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled gas and wood burning stoves equipped with a chimney that is at least five (5) feet in length with a spark-arresting screen consisting of ¼ inch mesh hardware cloth are allowed. 

o   Use of charcoal briquettes is permitted under the same restrictions as campfires described above.

·         The use of exploding targets is prohibited

The public’s awareness of the increasing fire danger and cooperation is essential to a safe fire season. Recreationists, firewood cutters, hunters, and other forest users can all help by closely adhering to restrictions, operating safely and cautiously and keeping up-to-date on the latest orders and regulations.

Please check with your local Oregon Department of Forestry office for public use restrictions on lands protected by ODF.  Visit the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch webpage at: www.bmidc.org or contact a local Oregon Department of Forestry office for more complete information.  Similar restrictions may be in effect on State and private lands protected by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WA-DNR).  More information can be found on the WA-DNR website at:http://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/firedanger/BurnRisk.aspxrestrictions may be in effect on State and private lands protected by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WA-DNR).  Minformation can be found on the WA-DNR website at:http://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/firedanger/BurnRisk.aspx

For more information about the Umatilla National Forest’s Public Use Restrictions, please contact our Pendleton, Oregon office at 541-278-3716, call our Forest Information Hotline at 1-877-958-9663, or visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/.

Public Use Restrictions increased on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

BAKER CITY, OREGON – Due to increased fire danger and dry weather conditions, Phase A of the Public Use Restrictions (PURS) for campfires, smoking, off-road travel, and chainsaw use will go into effect on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest at 12:01 a.m. (PDT) on Wednesday, July 1, 2015. The Seasonal Campfire Restrictions that are currently in place will also be in effect in Phase A of the PURs.

“Phase A is the second level of restrictions, generally implemented when the fire danger is moderate to high,” said Bret Ruby, Fire Staff Officer on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. PURS are phased in collectively, as conditions warrant, and may differ from Forest to Forest.

On Wednesday, July 1 at 12:01 am (PDT), Phase A of the Public Use Restrictions (PURS) will go into effect and will include:

• Chainsaws may be operated only between the hours of 8 p.m. and 1 p.m. local time. A one hour fire watch is required after saw operations cease. Saw operators are required to have an axe (minimum 2 lb. head, 26” length), shovel (8” wide, 26” length), and fire extinguisher (minimum ABC 8 oz.) in their possession. 
• Smoking is allowed only in enclosed vehicles and buildings, developed recreation sites, or cleared areas.
• No off-road/off-trail vehicle travel or travel on roads not cleared of standing grass or other flammable material; no vehicle travel on those FS roads where access has been impeded or blocked by earthen berm, logs, boulders, barrier, barricade or gate, or as otherwise identified in the Fire Order.
• Seasonal campfire restrictions and requirements described for June 1- October 31 apply.
  • Campfires allowed only in fire pits surrounded by dirt, rock, or commercial rings and in areas not conducive to rapid fire spread.  All flammable material shall be cleared within a 3 foot radius from the edge of the pit and free of overhanging material. Use existing pits wherever possible. 
  • Campfires must be attended at all times, and completely extinguished prior to leaving.
  • Persons with campfires are required to have a tool that can serve as a shovel and one gallon of water in their possession. The intent of this requirement is to ensure individuals with a campfire to have the tools necessary to completely extinguish their campfire.
  • Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled gas and wood burning stoves equipped with a chimney that is at least five (5) feet in length with a spark-arresting screen consisting of ¼ inch mesh hardware cloth are allowed.
  • Use of charcoal briquettes is permitted under the same restrictions as campfires described above.

The public’s cooperation and awareness of the increasing fire danger is essential to a safe fire season. “Recreationists, firewood cutters, hunters, and other forest users can all help in ensuring a safe fire season,” Ruby said. The public is responsible for knowing if restrictions are in place.

For more information about the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Public Use Restrictions, please visit our websitehttp://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/PURS or call our Public Affairs Officer Katy Gray at 541-519-4623, Public Affairs Specialist Matt Burks at 541-523-1208, or one of our Forest Information Hotlines:

·        Baker City (541) 523-1234

·        La Grande (541) 962-8679

·        Joseph (541) 426-5552

Please visit the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch webpage at www.bmidc.org for public use restrictions on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) or check with your local ODF office:

·        La Grande Unit                               (541) 963-3168

·        Baker City Sub-Unit                       (541) 523-5831

·        Wallowa Unit                                 (541) 886-2881

·        Pendleton Unit                               (541) 276-3491

Have a safe and Happy Fourth of July on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest! Please visit our website www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman  for up to date recreation information.

Northeast Oregon District Implements Regulated Use Closure as Wildfire Danger Increases

With increasing thunderstorm activity and prolonged high temperatures the need to minimize human caused fire starts has prompted the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Northeast Oregon District to institute a Regulated-Use Closure starting at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, July 1, 2015. All lands protected by the district will be placed under heightened fire safety restrictions at that time, including forestland within one-eighth mile of the district boundary. 

 “The measurements that we use to determine fire danger are indicating that the fire danger has reached a point that we normally don’t see until later in the season.” says Kyle Tucker, acting Wildland Fire Suppression Supervisor from La Grande. “Since we can’t control the weather, we use regulated use closures to help influence factors that spark human caused fires.”  The restrictions within the Regulated Closure are intended to reduce the risk of human-caused fires and allow firefighters to focus on fires started by lightning.

Limiting human-caused fires within the Northeast Oregon District is the objective of the closure, which includes the following restrictions:

·       Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires, except at designated locations.  Designated locations within the Regulated Use Closure area includes but is not limited to the following Oregon State Parks:  Emigrant Springs, Ukiah Dale, Catherine Creek, Hilgard Junction, Red Bridge, Wallowa Lake, Minam and Unity Lake.  Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.

·       All debris burning is prohibited, including burn barrels in Baker, Umatilla and Wallowa counties.  Burn barrels in which a burning permit has been issued in Union County are still permitted, but other open debris burning in Union County is prohibited.

·       Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, or at a cleared area free of flammable vegetation.

·       Non-Industrial chain saw use is prohibited, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.  Chain saw use is permitted at all other hours, if the following firefighting equipment is present with each operating saw: one axe, one shovel, and one 8 ounce or larger fire extinguisher.  In addition, a fire watch is required at least one 1 hour following the use of each saw.

·       Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m.  Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is permitted at all other hours, if conducted in a cleared area and if a water supply is present.

·       Mowing of dried and cured grass with power driven equipment is prohibited, between the hours of 1:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., except for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops.

·       Any electric fence controller in use shall be: 1) Listed  by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; and 2 ) Operated in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions.

·       Use of fireworks is prohibited.

·       Use of sky lanterns is prohibited.

·       Use of exploding targets is prohibited.

·       Use of tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base is prohibited.

         
·       Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher.

The Regulated Use Closure for ODF’s Northeast Oregon District affects private, state, county, municipal, and tribal lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in seven counties: Union, Baker, Wallowa, Umatilla, and small portions of Malheur, Morrow and Grant. The Regulated Use Closure is intended to protect natural resources and public health and safety. 

Visit the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch webpage at:  www.bmidc.org or contact a local Oregon Department of Forestry office for more complete information on ODF Restrictions:

 

          La Grande Unit                  (541) 963-3168

          Baker City Sub-Unit           (541) 523-5831

          Wallowa Unit                     (541) 886-2881

          Pendleton Unit                   (541) 276-3491

To report a fire, contact:

Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center                 (541) 963-7171

Or, call 9-1-1.

Please check with your local National Forest for public use restrictions on National Forest land. You can visit the Umatilla NF website at www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla  or the Wallowa-Whitman NF at www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman or contact them by phone at Umatilla 541-278-3716; Wallowa-Whitman 541-523-6391.

Little Basin Fire Kicks Off 2015 Fire Season

Fire season 2015 is officially underway in Northeast Oregon.  The Little Basin fire ushered in the early fire season. Located in the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, off of Dug Bar Road in Imnaha Canyon, the fire is currently approximately 630 acres burning in grass and brush in steep terrain which is making control difficult.  The southerly wind is helping push the fire downslope.

Resources on the fire are Union and La Grande Interagency Hotshot Crews, a Type 2 IA crew from the Nez Perce National Forest, five engines, two Type 2 helicopters, one Type 1 helicopter and one Single Engine Air Tanker (SEAT).  The fire is estimated to be 10% contained at this time.  The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

In addition, a lightning storm moved through the area Monday and ignited several small fires.  The Wallowa-Whitman responded to a 1/4 acre fire near Whitney in Baker County and Oregon Department Forestry responded to two small spot fires near Unity.  Those fires are all controlled and contained today.



For up to date fire information on the Little Basin Fire, visit:
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4290/

WARM AND DRY WEATHER BRINGS FIRE SEASON TO PRIVATE LANDS IN NORTHEAST OREGON

While the May rains delayed the early drying of fuels in Northeast Oregon, fire managers are concerned about the warm, dry, and windy weather that we have been experiencing.  This concern has prompted officials with Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) to declare FIRE SEASON beginning at 12:01 a.m., Tuesday, June 16 for forest and range lands protected by ODF Northeast Oregon District.  “The warming and drying trend that we are seeing now, along with the windy conditions across much of the area, will lead to quickly drying fuels.  We want to make sure that we are prepared with the prevention measures that help us to minimize human-caused fire starts.”  Steve Meyer, Unit Forester for La Grande and Baker said.  A fire season declaration places fire prevention restrictions on landowners and public.  Additionally, fire prevention regulations on industrial logging and forest management activities are put into place.  Lands affected include private, state, county, municipal, and tribal lands in Union, Baker, Wallowa, and Umatilla counties along with small portions of Malheur, Morrow and Grant counties within the Northeast Oregon Forest Protection District.  This area encompasses approximately 2 million protected acres.  Landowners and recreationists are urged to use caution in areas of dry, cured vegetation.  Meyer states “We didn’t receive the snowpack that we generally count on in the area.  Because of this, this year may be a busy year for firefighters.  We are asking that the folks that live, work, and play in the forest to use caution and good prevention measures this summer.” 

During Fire Season:

·         Burn Permits for burn barrels and all open burning except camp fires are required on all private forest and range lands within the Northeast Forest Protection District of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF).  Contact your local ODF office in La Grande, Baker City, Wallowa, or Pendleton to acquire a Burn Permit.

·         Landowners who conducted burning of slash piles last fall and this past spring are encouraged to check the piles to ensure that they are completely out and all heat is gone.   It is not uncommon for recently burned slash piles to retain heat in them for several months after the actual burning of the piles. 

·         Logging and other industrial operations must meet requirements for fire prevention, such as fire tools, water supply, and watchman service when those operations are occurring on lands protected by ODF.  Contact your local Stewardship Forester at any ODF office for more information.

·         Campfires must be DEAD OUT!  Recreationists are reminded that campfires need to be attended and fully extinguished before being left.  Get permission from the landowner prior to starting a campfire. 

 

The extended forecast for Northeast Oregon calls for warm temperatures with little chance for precipitation for the next few days.

For further information, contact the Oregon Department of Forestry at these local offices:

              La Grande Unit                  (541) 963-3168

              Baker City Sub-Unit          (541) 523-5831

              Wallowa Unit                    (541) 886-2881

              Pendleton Unit                   (541) 276-3491

To report a fire, dial 9-1-1. 

For information on the weekends call:

Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center               La Grande                          (541) 963-7171

 

Visit our website at http://www.oregon.gov/odf/northeastoregon/Pages/index.aspx or contact a local Oregon Department of Forestry office for more complete information on ODF Restrictions.

Please check with your local Forest Service office for fire regulations on National Forest land.  Information on Public-Use Restrictions on the Oregon Department of Forestry, Umatilla National Forest and Wallowa Whitman National Forest can be found at http://bmidc.org/index.shtml under Current Information: Fire Restrictions.

http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/ is your spot for current fire information in the Blue Mountains. 

 

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