Ready, Set, Go! Begin Your Personal Wildland Fire Preparedness Efforts

Ready-Be Ready

Take personal responsibility and prepare long before the threat of a wildland fire so your property is ready to sustain the threat.  Create defensible space by clearing brush away from structures.  Use fire-resistant landscaping and harden structures using fire-safe construction measures.  Assemble emergency supplies and belongings in a safe place.  Plan escape routes and make sure all those staying on the property are aware of these plans.

Set-Be Alert
Put together a "go kit"  Learn how to receive and stay aware of the latest news and information on the fire from local media, fire departments and public safety agencies.  Prepare your personal wildland fire action plan.

Go-Act Early
Follow your personal wildland fire action plan.  Doing so will not only support your safety, but will allow firefighters to best maneuver resources during response.

For more information on Ready, Set, Go!  check out:  www.wildlandfireRSG.org

THUNDERSTORM IGNITES GRASS FIRE; RESOURCES FROM AROUND THE AREA RESPOND

Firefighters from around the area have responded to a fire on lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla (CTUIR).  The Table Rock Fire is currently estimated at 400 acres.  It is located approximately 8 miles Northeast of Pilot Rock.  The fire was ignited by a thunderstorm on Thursday evening.  Burning in mostly grass and brush, fire managers are hopeful that the fire will be contained during the night.  
 

Suppression efforts are being led by ODF. Firefighters from Helix Rural Fire Department, Echo Rural Fire Department, Stanfield Rural Fire Department, Pendleton Fire Department, Pilot Rock Rural Fire Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs, CTUIR Tribal Fire, and Umatilla National Forest have provided engines and firefighters to assist. 16 engines and one hand crew are currently on scene.  In addition, there is a contract dozer and an ODF dozer on scene assisting with lining the blaze.  

The near-term weather report calls for more showers and thunderstorms, although red flag warnings have subsided.  The public is reminded that ODF is currently in Regulated Use Closure in Northeast Oregon.  Fire managers recommend that recreationists check the fire regulations before heading out to enjoy the forest. 

Contact a local Oregon Department of Forestry office for more complete information on ODF Restrictions.

         La Grande Unit              (541)963-3168

         Baker City Sub-Unit      (541)523-5831

         Wallowa Unit                (541) 886-2881

         Pendleton Unit               (541)276-3491

Please check with your local National Forest for public use restrictions on National Forest land. You can visit the Umatilla NF website at www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla  or the Wallowa-Whitman NF at www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman or contact them by phone at Umatilla 541-278-3716; Wallowa-Whitman 541-523-6391.

http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/ is your spot for current fire information in the Blue Mountains. 

To report a fire, call Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch at (541)963-7171 or dial 9-1-1. 

BMIDC's Activity

Gilmore Gulch (WA-WFS-000604) was reported on 7/5 and is burning 6 miles Northeast of Anatone, WA.  The fuel is grass and brush.  The incident is approximately 4500 acres, still actively burning with 10% containment.  The cause is unknown at this time.  This incident is under the protection of Blue Mountain Fire District in Washington and State Mob is in place on this incident.  BMIDC is assisting with ground and aerial resources.   There is a second incident burning within the same fire district, 9 miles Northeast of Anatone, WA.  This incident also falls under the State Mob and is approximately 130 acres.  

Most Wildfires Can Be Prevented

PORTLAND - With the July 4th holiday approaching, the Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group (PNWCG) would like to remind outdoor recreationists in Oregon and Washington to use care to prevent wildfires. Parts of the region have not had significant precipitation since mid-March, and conditions are very dry across many areas in both states. Wildfires can start and grow much more easily when conditions are dry.

Discharging fireworks or explosives, including exploding targets, is prohibited. Fireworks can cause costly and dangerous wildfires, especially when conditions are hot and dry and vegetation is receptive to sparks. Fireworks and exploding targets are prohibited at campgrounds and elsewhere on public lands. Recreationists should also check on local fire restrictions before heading out, and consider whether a campfire is necessary.

In 2014, 1,293,685 acres burned in wildfire. Almost half of the 4,572 fires reported in Washington and Oregon were human caused and could have been prevented. Firefighters and land managers need everyone’s help to prevent wildfires this holiday and through the summer.

The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center seasonal drought outlook shows drought conditions in all of Oregon and nearly all of Washington will likely persist and increase through September, creating conditions that will lead to larger and longer wildfires once they start. While there is nothing we can do to prevent lightning-caused fires, extra caution to prevent accidental human-caused fire starts will be especially important all summer long. 

“Wildland agencies work together year round to protect and maintain healthy and fire resilient landscapes, support fire adapted communities and coordinate safe and efficient wildfire response,” said PNWCG Chair David Summer. “We all have a role to play in protecting our beautiful public lands here in the Pacific Northwest. Please take care to avoid starting a wildfire when recreating this season. Protect what you love.”

Follow the Northwest Coordination Center (NWCC) on Twitter: @nwccinfo. Visit the NWCC website for a wealth of fire information: http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/ .  For more information on Pacific Northwest Fire Adapted Communities, please visit: http://pnwfac.weebly.com/ or follow on Twitter @PNWFAC. Details for individual fires can be found on Inciweb: www.inciweb.nwcg.gov

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Wallowa Whitman National Forest - Lightning Wildfire Update

Wallowa Whitman National Forest Lightning Wildfire Update

News Contact: Katy Gray (541)519-4623

Baker City, OR: Multiple fires have been reported to the Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center (BMIDC) as a result of recent lightning activity.  Both staffed lookout towers and aerial reconnaissance continue to pick up hold over activity as the hot, dry weather continues. The Dennis Creek Fire, located in the Eagle Cap Wilderness about 15 miles east of Union, OR, is currently burning in steep, rugged terrain with limited access and grew to 40 acres yesterday afternoon, with smoke visible from both Baker City and La Grande, OR.  Current resources include sixteen smoke jumpers from McCall Smokejumper Base, one Medium Helicopter and two Single Engine Air Tankers (SEAT).  Additional ground and aerial resources are on order. The Whitman District reported an additional 3 fires since June 29th and excellent response from fire crews kept all three fires under ½ acre. As we head into this hot and dry 4th of July weekend, it is important to remember that Fireworks and the Forest do not mix! Fireworks can cause costly and dangerous wildfires, especially when conditions are hot and dry and vegetation is receptive to sparks. Fireworks and exploding targets are prohibited at campgrounds and elsewhere on public lands. Recreationists should also check on local fire restrictions before heading out, and consider whether a campfire is necessary. The fire danger rating remains at HIGH and Public Use Restrictions involving campfires and chainsaw use are in effect.  For more information about the Wallowa Whitman National Forest’s Public Use Restrictions, please contact any forest office or visit our website at www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman/. Additional Blue Mountain Fire information can be found at: http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/ -USDA FS-

Northwest Wildland Fire Agencies Urge Public Not to Fly Drones Over or Near Wildfire to Prevent Accidents and Disruptions of Suppression Operations

July 2, 2015

Pacific Northwest Wildfire Coordinating Group

Contact:  Jim Whittington

503-808-6414

Northwest wildland fire agencies urge public not to fly drones over or near wildfires to prevent accidents and disruption of suppression operations

PORTLAND, OREGON – After members of the public flying drones disrupted wildfire operations in southern California twice recently, federal, state, and local wildfire managers in Oregon and Washington are urging the public not to fly Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), often referred to as “drones,” within or near wildfires to ensure firefighter safety and the effectiveness of suppression operations.

                On Thursday, June 25^th, airtanker operations were suspended on the Sterling Fire on the San Bernardino National Forest and on Wednesday, June 24th, airtanker operations were suspended on the Lake Fire on the San Bernardino National Forest, after drones flown by members of the public were detected in the fire areas.

“If a UAS is detected flying over or near a wildfire, we will stop airtankers from dropping fire retardant, helicopters from dropping water, and other aerial firefighting aircraft from performing wildfire suppression missions until we can confirm that the UAS has left the area and we are confident it won’t return,” said Steve Gage, U.S. Forest Service representative on the National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC) at the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise, Idaho.  “Unfortunately, this could decrease the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations, allowing wildfires to grow larger, and in some cases, unduly threaten lives and property, but firefighter and public safety are our top priorities in wildfire management.”

Aerial firefighting aircraft, such as airtankers and helicopters, fly at very low altitudes, typically just a couple of hundred feet above the ground, the same as UAS flown by members of the public do, creating the potential for a mid-air collision that could seriously injure or kill aerial and/or ground firefighters.  In addition, a UAS flown by a member of the public that loses its communication link could fall from the sky, causing serious injuries or deaths of firefighters on the ground.

                Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs) are typically put in place during wildfires that require aircraft, manned or unmanned, that are not involved in wildfire suppression operations to obtain permission from fire managers to enter specified airspace.  The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Oregon Department of Forestry, and other wildland fire management agencies consider UAS, including those used by members of the public for hobby and recreation purposes, to be aircraft and therefore subject to TFRs.  Members of the public should not fly UAS over or near wildfires even if a TFR is not in place to prevent accidents and disruption of suppression operations.  Individuals who are determined to have interfered with wildfire suppression efforts may be subject to civil penalties and potentially criminal prosecution.

FAA guidance for members of the public flying UAS for hobby or recreation purposes is available online at http://www.faa.gov/uas/model_aircraft/

For more information or to set up an interview with the Regional Fire Aviation Director, please contact Jim Whittington, Public Information Officer with the BLM Oregon State Office & United States Forest Service Alaska and Pacific Northwest Regions, at 503-808-6414.  A Public Service Announcement can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Aj0BJi9Hcg

On the evening of July 1st, a new fire was detected in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, near High Hat Butte. The fire was staffed with 16 smoke jumpers from the Payette National Forest, and 3 helicopters for bucket work, in efforts to control the spread of the fire.

As of last night, the fire was about 20 acres in size, with the body of the fire approximately 10 acres in size with numerous spots. The fire is currently exhibiting very active fire behavior due to the high temperatures and low relative humidities.

The fire is visible from the communities of La Grande, Baker City, Enterprise and Joseph.

In addition to yesterday's fire, there was a 400 acre grass fire (Ayers Gulch) 15 miles South of Clarkston, WA on the Washington Department of National Resource's (WDNR) protection. The fire was contained on 7/01/15 at 1900. Resources that were used on the fire included WDNR engines and a strike team, Pomeroy Ranger District engines and crews, and SEATS provided by Oregon Department of Forestry and Idaho Department of Lands.