Umatilla National Forest and Partners Respond to Lightning

 

PENDLETON, Ore. (July 18, 2024) — Significant lightning activity occurred across much of the forest in the past day, with multiple new incidents across the Blue Mountains reported to the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center (BMIDC) and John Day Interagency Dispatch Center (JDIDC). More smoke reports are expected throughout the next few days as weather conditions continue to stay hot and dry.

Local initial attack resources have been busy responding to these incidents. Fire crews will monitor these fires and continue to watch for additional starts and fire managers are continually assessing local resource needs based on fire circumstances. In addition to responding to these known incidents personnel will be scouting for potential new smoke reports throughout the day.

Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist, and officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at EXTREME 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/.

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

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