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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