Weigh Station Fire: 8 p.m. Update

Firefighters had a productive day on the Weigh Station Fire near Meacham, Oregon.  Weather conditions moderated some providing firefighters with the opportunity to work on strengthening fire lines.  Helicopters supported crews on the ground by delivering bucket drops to cool hotspots along the lines and support burning operations to remove unburnt islands of fuel.  Due to more accurate mapping, the reported fire size has decreased and is approximately 500 acres.  The fire is 25% contained.

Meacham has been removed from any evacuation notice.  The lands north and south of Interstate 84 from the Weigh Station on Deadman Pass to Emigrant Springs State Park are currently at a Level 2 “SET”.  Residents seeking shelter assistance from American Red Cross can call the Red Cross Dispatch phone at (888) 680-1455.

After nearly 24 hours of closure, the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has opened the freeway to all traffic.  Travelers are advised that firefighting activity continues directly adjacent to the freeway and to use caution when traveling in the fire area.  Check www.tripcheck.com for up to date information regarding travel conditions in Oregon.

Ongoing efforts to protect cultural resources in the area have been coordinated with Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). 

This week’s weather forecast calls for slightly cooler temperatures and the potential for low relative humidity.  High winds are forecast across the region on Tuesday.  Firefighters will continue to work over the next two days on strengthening control lines in preparation for the possibility of that event. 

 The public is reminded that ODF is currently in Regulated Use Closure in Northeast Oregon.  Fire managers recommend that recreationists and travelers check the fire regulations before heading out to enjoy the forest. 

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

To report a fire, call Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch at (541)963-7171 or dial 9-1-1. 

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Photo Courtesy of Jana Peterson (ODF)

Rail Fire Update

The Rail Fire, currently 500 acres is burning in lodge pole pine approximately ten miles Southwest of Unity Oregon. There are currently four fire engines, two hand crews and a dozer on scene. Additional resources are in route. Firefighters are performing a burnout operation off of road 2655 at the north end of the fire. The nearby campgrounds of South Fork, Stevens Creek and Elk Creek have been closed. The cause of the fire is unknown.

Weigh Station Fire: 12 p.m. Update

The Weigh Station Fire burning near Meacham, Oregon has burned approximately 700 acres and is at 0% containment as of this morning.  An Interagency Type 3 Incident Command Team has taken control of the fire and is working to strengthen containment lines today.  Fire managers are currently assessing the evacuation areas to determine when residents will be allowed to return to the area. 

The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has opened traffic going westbound.  Crews are completing hazard tree removal operations along the eastbound lanes.  ODOT hopes to have eastbound traffic moving sometime this afternoon when the area is deemed safe for the public.  Check www.tripcheck.com for up to date information regarding travel conditions in Oregon.

The fire is burning on lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry.  Working on the fire today are three Type 1 handcrews, three Type 2 handcrews, the Umatilla National Forest Veteran’s Crew, six Oregon Department of Corrections crews, two dozers, 13 engines, four water tenders, one air attack and two helicopters, along with miscellaneous overhead.  Approximately 282 personnel are battling the blaze. 

American Red Cross has opened a shelter for evacuees.  It is located at Sunrise Middle School in Pendleton.  The shelter coordinator can be reached at (541) 419-4159. 

The near-term weather report calls for continued warm temperatures and low relative humidities.  The public is reminded that ODF is currently in Regulated Use Closure in Northeast Oregon.  Fire managers recommend that recreationists and travelers check the fire regulations before heading out to enjoy the forest. 

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

To report a fire, call Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch at (541)963-7171 or dial 9-1-1.  

Conditions Have Dried Out Considerably as Firefighters Battle Weigh Station Fire along I-84

July 30, 2016
News Release
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jamie Knight (541) 786-2039

Pendleton, OR- An aggressively burning wildfire is threatening homes and has had Interstate 84 closed for several hours in Northeast Oregon.  Level 3 evacuations have been issued both North and South of the interstate for homes near Deadman Pass.  The Weigh Station fire has burned over 700 acres as of 8:00 p.m. and is 0% contained.  The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Gusty winds and dry fuel conditions are helping to drive the fire.  The fire behavior has moderated some with sunset, but the fire is still burning actively in timber and grass.  The fire made aggressive runs and displayed group torching in timber stands of Ponderosa pine this afternoon.

As the fire is burning actively near I-84, the freeway is closed both east bound and west bound.  Oregon Department of Transportation reports that the freeway is closed eastbound at Exit 216 in Pendleton.  The freeway is also closed westbound to all traffic at Exit 302 in Baker City.  Passenger cars are being permitted to travel westbound between Ontario and Baker City.  For up to date information concerning closures, please check www.tripcheck.com.

Local resources on the fire include nine Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs), one heavy air tanker, two helicopters, one air attack, one lead plane, three dozers, more than 12 engines, one hot shot crew, and various overhead personnel.  Firefighters from Umatilla County, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), United States Forest Service (USFS) and Oregon Department of forestry are battling the blaze.  The fire is burning on lands protected by and is being managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Objectives for tonight including completing containment lines and strengthening lines by firing along them.  The Blue Mountain Type 3 Interagency Incident Management Team is taking command of the fire tomorrow morning.

The near-term weather report calls for warm temperatures and a chance of thunderstorms.  The public is reminded that ODF is currently in Regulated Use Closure in Northeast Oregon.  Fire managers recommend that recreationists and travelers check the fire regulations before heading out to enjoy the forest. 

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

To report a fire, call Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch at (541)963-7171 or dial 9-1-1. 

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Photo Credit: John Buckman

Oregon Dept of Forestry

Sunday, July 31th BMIDC Morning Briefing

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Sunday, July 31st, 2016
BMIDC's Website
7/30 (NEW) INITITAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	0	0
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	1	.1
Vale District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	1	800
WA DNR Snake River Unit	1	300
BIA Umatilla Agency	0	0
Total	3	1100.1
INCIDENT SUMMARY
7/30 Inc. 570 Pine Creek:  BPFZ, .1 Acres, Staffed w/ 2 Rappellers, Fire Lined. Inc. 573 Weigh Station: PDT ODF, 800 acres, 13 Miles SE of Pendleton OR, Timber, Extreme Fire behavior with spotting, group torching and single tree torching. Residences threatened. Evacuations, road and area closures in effect. Fire is impacting Interstate 84, Interstate is closed between Pendleton and La Grande. Inc. 20574 North Touchet:  WA DNR, 300 Acres, Twenty-five miles northeast of Walla Walla, WA. Brush and tall grass. Active fire behavior with group torching and running. Numerous residences threatened. Evacuation, road and area closures in effect.

Saturday, July 30th BMIDC Morning Briefing

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Saturday, July 30th, 2016
BMIDC's Website
7/29 (NEW) INITIAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	0	0
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	1	1.1
Vale District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	0	0
WA DNR Snake River Unit	0	0
BIA Umatilla Agency	0	0
Total	1	1.1
INCIDENT SUMMARY
7/29 Inc. 564 (Milepost 250): Unknown Cause. 100% lined 7/29 at 1630

Friday, 7/29 BMIDC Morning Briefing

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Friday, July 29th, 2016
BMIDC's Website
7/28 (NEW) INITITAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	0	0
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	1	1.5
Vale District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	0	0
WA DNR Snake River Unit	0	0
BIA Umatilla Agency	0	0
Total	1	1.5
INCIDENT SUMMARY
7/28 Inc.556 (Black): Cause Unknown. Resources on scene

Thursday, July 28th, BMIDC Morning Briefing

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Thursday, July 28Th, 2016
BMIDC's Website
7/27 (NEW) INITIAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	0	0
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	0	0
Vale District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	0	0
WA DNR Snake River Unit	1	0.1
BIA Umatilla Agency	0	0
Total	1	0.1
INCIDENT SUMMARY
7/27 Inc.550 (20550): Cause Unknown. Controlled 7/27 @ 13:30