Umatilla National Forest September 6 Fire Update

PENDLETON, Ore. (Sept. 6, 2024) — Of the new wildfires caused by the lightning activity that occurred Sept. 2 across the Umatilla National Forest, firefighters have contained, controlled or put out five of them. Still active is Whitman Spring Fire but “Containment is progressing well,” according to Brett Thomas, Fire Staff Officer for Umatilla National Forest.

The 55-acre Whitman Spring Fire is located near Buck Mountain area approximately 28 miles east of Pendleton, Oregon on the Walla Walla Ranger District in the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness. Initial suppression resources devoted to the fire are two engines, rappelers, and two hand crews. Fire managers are continually assessing resource needs based on fire spread and behavior.

In addition, Forest officials from the Heppner Ranger District are monitoring the 190-acre Canyon Fire, located approximately 15 miles Southeast of Heppner, OR. This fire has not reached the Umatilla National Forest boundary and has a dozer line in place around it. Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Incident Management Team 2 will take command of the Fossil Complex, which is currently comprised of four fires (Kinzua, Canyon, Holmes, Two Cabin) at 6 p.m. today.

Forest personnel will continue scouting for potential new smoke reports. More smoke reports are expected throughout the next few days as weather conditions continue to stay hot and dry. Fire crews and managers will monitor the current fires, watch for additional starts and continually assess local resource needs based on fire circumstances.

Extreme hot and dry conditions are expected to persist throughout the weekend. The current fire danger rating is at HIGH and public use restrictions phase B for Umatilla National Forest are in effect.

More information regarding restrictions, please contact:

Umatilla National Forest:

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

www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF  

X: @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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