DAILY FIRE UPDATE FOR WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12, 2015
August 13, 2015
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News Release from Oregon Dept. of Forestry – Posted on FlashAlert: August 12th, 2015 11:27 AM
NEW FIRES
The Eagle Complex was reported Tuesday afternoon burning approximately 16 miles northeast of Baker City and 10 miles east of Medical Springs, Oregon.
Three fires comprise the complex, approximately 120 acres, 40 and 10 acres in size and burning on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest as well as private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry.
Resources: 4 engines and two 10-person hand crews as well as several aviation resources, with additional resources on order.
A level 1 notice has been sent to residents in the Stices Gulch and Black Mountain area associated with the Cornet Fire, and along Forest Service Road 77 near Tamarack Campground, the Bennett Peak and Main Eagle areas associated with the Eagle Complex. A Level I notice means residents should be READY to evacuate and continue to closely monitor local media and incident information. Questions regarding evacuation notices and the evacuation process can be direction to the Baker County Emergency Management at 541-523-8200.
An Interagency Type 3 Management team is assuming command of the fire today.
Fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at EXTREME and Public Use Restrictions involving campfires and chainsaw use are in effect. Regulated closures are in effect on State and private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast and central Oregon.
On the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest lands Public Use Restrictions are in effect, including campfire restrictions and use of chainsaws.
The Vale BLM Unit is also managing several large fires in the Burnt River area; additional information can be found at: http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/vale/fire/report-fire.php.
Cornet Fire and Eagle Complex Fire information:
Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center – www.bmidc.org
Blue Mountain Fire Information Blog – www.bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com
Cornet Fire on InciWeb – http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4478/
Wallowa Whitman National Forest –
– Website: www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman
– Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WallowaWhitmanNF
– Twitter: @WallowaWhitman
FIRES CURRENTLY BURNING ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS
The lightning-caused Cornet Fire (EOA) near Hereford, Oregon is currently burning approximately 7 miles east of Hereford, Oregon on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and Vale BLM District as well as on private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry.
The fire has grown to approximately 5,000 acres and with just over 100 personnel on scene. Additional resources are on order.
Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (ORIMT4), with Incident Commander Brian Goff, will assume command of the fire tonight. ORIMT4 brings a wealth knowledge and skill to the table with many of the team members coming from local, Northeast Oregon Interagency organizations.
> Cornet Fire Fire Information: Jamie Knight, (541) 786-0501
The Stouts Creek Fire (Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) burning 11 miles east of Canyonville near Milo on forestlands protected by DFPA, is currently estimated at approximately 23,589 acres and 56 percent containment.
While there still is a large active component to the Stouts Creek Fire, many portions of the fire are in mop-up mode. Firefighting crews are using handheld infrared devices to seek out small pockets of heat that could become problematic if left to smolder. There still is a long way to go before the effort is complete but progress is being made every day.
Firefighters along the southwestern edge of the fire – north of Upper Cow Creek Road and Beaver Creek – are gearing up for a burnout operation to help complete and strengthen fire line.
“This is a fairly substantial operation in difficult terrain and fuels,” said Deputy Incident Commander Russ Lane. “Completing this task is key to closing the door on this fire.”
Resources: There currently are 1,693 personnel assigned to the fire including 62 crews, 53 engines, 30 water tenders, 23 bulldozers and 16 helicopters. Relative humidity is forecast to be lower than yesterday with more fire activity but also allow for better burning operations.
All evacuation levels are at Level I.
Smoke: With continued smoke in the area, those with health concerns should talk to their doctor or go to www.oregonsmoke.blogspot.com. There they will find information on wildfires and health as well as access to Air Quality Index monitors. Motorists are urged to be careful driving through smoke on the roads, and turn on their low beam headlights. Residents and travelers also are asked to not stop along Tiller-Trail Highway to view fire or helicopter activity as traffic is heavy with response vehicles.
Costs: The Stouts Creek Fire costs to date are $22.4 million.
The Incident Management Team leading the effort under unified command is protecting lands that are about 50 percent on state protected lands, which include BLM and private lands, and 50 percent on the Umpqua National Forest. Twenty-three states and three Canadian provinces have provided staff for this effort. The fire is being managed cooperatively by the Oregon Department of Forestry and the U.S. Forest Service. The Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 1 develops and leads the wildland fire suppression strategy.
Please note that the current Incident Command Post located at Days Creek Charter School will move at 10 a.m. today to the main camp west of Days Creek. ¬
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
>Stouts Fire Information:
Phone 541-825-3724
Facebook: www.facebook.com/StoutsFire
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StoutsFire
E-mail: StoutsFire@gmail.com
#StoutsFire
The Cable Crossing Fire, (Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) burning on DFPA-protected private and public forestlands six miles east of Glide, is currently estimated at 85 percent containment. Crews continue to make good progress with firefighters now focusing efforts on mopping up hot spots, extinguishing all visible smokes and smoldering material within 300 – 500 feet of the fire trail.
Crews are also beginning to move excess fire hose and miscellaneous supplies which are no longer needed on the fire line. These supplies are cleaned, checked, and made available for other fires as needed.
The Cable Crossing Fire currently has 214 personnel assigned to the fire. This number is expected to drop over the next couple days as the fire nears containment. Depending on the amount of time firefighters spent on the Cable Crossing Fire, they will either be released home for rest or reassigned to another fire in the region.
Safety for both the firefighters and the public remains the number one priority on the Cable Crossing Fire. The public is reminded that the temporary closure around the Cable Crossing Fire which was issued by the BLM remains in place as fire crews continue to work in the area.
The cause of this fire remains under investigation.
>Cable Creek Fire information:
PH: 541-817-7186
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4424/
https://www.facebook.com/DouglasForestProtectiveAssociation
#cablecrossingfire
The Phillips Creek Fire (Northeast Oregon District – LaGrande Unit) located 3-4 miles northwest of Elgin in northeast Oregon in brush, grass, slash, and heavy timber predominantly on the Umatilla National Forest, has burned 2,601 acres including approximately 435 acres of ODF-protected private forestlands.
The fire is now 82 percent contained, with 446 personnel assigned, however some staff are being released today.
Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuations were lifted on Sunday evening, however road closures in the area of the fire are in effect. There is also a lot of smoke in the area, much of it drifting in from other fires in the vicinity. A Type 3 Team has taken over today with (IC Joel McCraw, USFS). The incident command post will remain at the Elgin Stampede Grounds in Elgin. Fire officials and firefighters wish to thank the communities of the Grande Ronde Valley for their tremendous support and cooperation.
Due to the impact and continuing threats to ODF-protection, ODF is fully integrated with the team, with personnel assigned specifically to help protect ODF-protected private forestlands, as well as assigned elsewhere directly to the team or serving as liaisons.
>Phillips Creek Fire Information:
PH: 541-975-4271
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4443/
https://www.facebook.com/Phillipscreekfire2015
https://twitter.com/PhillipsCK2015
http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/
#Phillipscreekfire
OTHER FIRE INFORMATION
Fire danger and activity is high all over the state; for example, fire crews attacked a 7-acre wildfire from air and ground yesterday morning burning about 5 miles west of Alsea on lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The public is reminded to continue to be vigilant.
FIRE PREVENTION
Oregonians are reminded to continue to treat fire season with respect. Everyone is encouraged to follow current fire season restrictions to prevent human caused fires.
In addition, residents who live in the wildland urban interface, where communities border forests and grazing lands, should always be prepared before fire threatens. Have a plan that includes making arrangements for persons with special needs, livestock, and pets. Learn more about the Ready Set Go Program at www.wildlandfirersg.org/.
WILDFIRE SMOKE
Smoke may persist where wildfires are burning in in Oregon, including times when burn-out firefighting operations are taking place. Stay up-to-date on smoke density and public health advisories, or view and monitor Oregon’s air quality index. Wildfires and severe smoke can create dangerous conditions for people, especially those with chronic health conditions. Learn what you can do to reduce the risk of health effects of wildfire smoke.
NEWS MEDIA
News media may call the Fire Information Duty Officer, who is currently Cynthia Orlando, 503-945-7421 (office) or 503-521-5868 (Cell), any time for fire information. If the duty officer is unable to take your call, you can expect a prompt return call. Media may also call the Oregon Department of Forestry headquarters office, 503-945-7200, weekdays during business hours.
OTHER FIRE INFORMATION
For information on wildfires on all jurisdictions in Oregon, view:
the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center website, or
the national Incident Information System site.
ODF Social Media sources for information on fires on Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands:
the department’s Wildfire blog for news on wildfires statewide and provides current fire statistics
the ODF’s Southwest Oregon District blog with district-specific wildfire information and Twitter feed
the Douglas Forest Protective Association Facebook page and Twitter feed
the Blue Mountain Interagency Wildfire blog for news on wildfires in the Blue Mountains (northeast Oregon)
the ODF Forest Grove District’s Fire blog with district-specific wildfire information
the ODF Central Oregon District’s Twitter feed
ABOUT THIS UPDATE
This update provides information primarily about fires on Oregon Department of Forestry-protected lands involving fires 10 acres or larger. ODF provides fire protection primarily on private and state-owned forestland. The department also provides fire protection on some other lands, including U.S. Bureau of Land Management land in western Oregon.
The Oregon Department of Forestry works closely with neighbors and partner agencies to support the firefighting efforts on major fires outside its authority because sharing firefighting resources can help better protect all of Oregon’s forests.
