Ben Harrison Fire Update

 PENDLETON, Ore. (August 13, 2023 – 9 a.m.) — Firefighters continue suppression efforts on the 93-acre Ben Harrison Fire, which is burning approximately 20 miles west of Sumpter, Oregon on the North Fork John Day Ranger District.

The Ben Harrison Fire, which was reported on Friday, Aug. 11, is burning generally toward the north and northeast in steep and rocky terrain with heavy timber within the North Fork John Day Wilderness. The fire experienced moderated fire behavior yesterday and did not expand outside of the previously estimated perimeter. Firefighters, aided by aerial resources, focused suppression efforts on establishing containment lines along both sides of the fire.

Today firefighters will continue to build containment lines, where terrain and fuels allow for crews to safely engage, while utilizing aircraft to limit the spread of the fire outside of the current perimeter. Crews continue to scout alternate containment lines where natural features bolster potential containments lines and provide for firefighter safety. Natural features utilized by fire managers to establish containment lines include roads, ridges, and rivers. Approximately 80 personnel are being assigned to the fire today.

The Forest will inbrief the Northwest Type 2 Incident Management Team 8 today at 12 p.m. and the team is anticipated to take command of the fire tomorrow. The incident command post will be set up at Crane Flats.

Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist throughout the weekend. 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:

Information Hotline: Toll-Free (877) 958-9663

www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF   Twitter: @UmatillaNF

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/.  

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

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