Umatilla National Forest Lightning Fire Update

 PENDLETON, Ore. (Aug. 25, 2022 – 9 a.m.) — Firefighters have made substantial progress on most of the wildfires caused by recent thunderstorms. This will be the final daily update unless conditions change. More fires may be detected throughout the next few days as weather conditions continue to stay warm and dry.

The 95-acre Rattlesnake Ridge Fire on the Walla Walla Ranger District is now 70% contained.  The fire was reported on Aug. 22 and is located 26 miles east of Pendleton, Oregon. Fire behavior was minimal yesterday and firefighters continued to secure control lines and conduct mop up activities on the fire. Mopping up includes searching for pockets of heat, digging out the heat source, and cooling with water.

Today firefighters are strengthening containment lines and completing mop up activities further into the interior of the fire perimeter. Firefighters will also continue to remove snags (dead or dying trees) within the burned area that could threaten safety or cause material to roll down the steep terrain. Resources on scene include one 20-person crew, one interagency hot shot crew, a water tender, and two engines.

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 are in effect.

For more information regarding Restrictions, please contact the Umatilla National Forest information hotline at (877) 958-9663.  The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.

Additional information about the Umatilla National Forest is available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla.

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