News Release from Oregon Dept. of Forestry – Posted on FlashAlert: August 6th, 2015 2:35 PM
NEW FIRES ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS
No new fires 10 acres or larger were reported during the previous 24 hours on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.
FIRES CURRENTLY BURNING ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS
Astoria District: The South Jetty Fire, reported August 3 burning on the South Jetty in the Fort Stevens State Park near Warrenton, remains at 27 acres and is now 80 percent contained. Yesterday, crews made good progress and have built fire line around the entire fire perimeter and anchored to the river beach dune on each end, with almost 2.8 total miles of hose laid. A small amount of drizzle was received on the fire earlier this morning, providing some small relief. Today crews will grid the burn area – systematically walking the fire, identifying and flagging hot spots for the hand crews to dig up and douse with water. Twenty-six firefighters are currently assigned to this fire. Fire officials and State Park managers will remove the road block today at 2:00 p.m. The public will have full access, except for parking lot C, which will remain closed for fire management purposes. The cause of this fire remains investigation.
South Jetty Fire Information: Ashley Lertora, 503-338-8442; Ashley.M.Lertora@oregon.gov.
Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA): The Cable Crossing Fire, reported July 28 burning on DFPA-protected private and public forestlands six miles east of Glide, is currently estimated at 1,848 acres and approximately 50 percent contained. Mop-up is well underway on the fire; however, firefighters remain cautious, as warm and dry weather as well as gusty winds, mixed with burned forest fuels, creates a potentially dangerous environment of falling trees and other hazards. Today, approximately 1,000 firefighters are assigned to this fire. The fire area and forest roads remain closed to the public, and Highway 138 remains open with the aid of a pilot car. Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 (Incident Commander Smith) assumed command of this fire July 30. The cause of the Cable Crossing Fire remains under investigation.
Cable Creek Fire information:
PH: 541-496-0902
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4424/
https://www.facebook.com/CableCrossingFire
#cablecrossingfire
Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA): The Stouts Fire, reported July 30, burning 11 miles east of Canyonville near Milo on forestlands protected by DFPA, is currently estimated at approximately 19,971 acres and approximately 20 percent contained. Working together through the night, wildland firefighters from 17 states continued carving out control lines and doing controlled burn-outs; work which will continue today. Structural crews supported wildland firefighting efforts and are on hand to protect homes if needed, as some homes in the area of the fire remain in Level 1 (Get Ready) and Level 2 (Get Set) evacuation status. Today, crews’ fire suppression efforts will focus on connecting and widening existing fire lines. If conditions are favorable, more burn-out operations may be done on the east and south flanks. Crews on the fire’s west and north flanks are running hose lays and doing mop-up along the fire’s edge. Helicopters will continue supporting them by dropping thousands of gallons of water to calm fires threatening existing lines and spot fires, and air tankers are available on an as-needed basis. The Stouts Fire is burning on private timberlands, other tracts of private land, and both Bureau of Land Management and Umpqua National Forest lands. The fire is being managed cooperatively by ODF’s Incident Management Team 1 (Incident Commander Buckman), the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal’s Green Team, and the U.S. Forest Service. The firefighting team includes 1400 people. The cause of this fire remains under investigation.
Stouts Fire Information:
PH: 541-825-3724
http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4426/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StoutsFire
Twitter: https://twitter.com/StoutsFire
E-mail: StoutsFire@gmail.com
#StoutsFire
The Phillips Creek Fire, reported August 1 burning seven miles northwest of Elgin in brush, grass, slash, and heavy timber predominantly in the Phillips Creek Drainage on the Umatilla National Forest, is reported this morning having burned 1,801 acres, including approximately 431 acres of ODF-protected private forestlands, and is now 10 percent contained. Yesterday’s fire behavior moderated, with cooler temperatures, and firefighters continued work on direct and indirect containment line around the fire’s perimeter, in addition to helicopter water drops to minimize fire spread. Today’s fire behavior may display areas of active, rapid spread, including high intensity flare-ups. Today’s operations plan for mop-up on the fire’s south end along the dozer line, protecting private land; pursuing opportunities to secure the fire’s west edge with direct line construction; and, on the north and east flanks, focus on securing the established line and continuing to shepherd the fire down to Highway 204. Helicopter water drops will be used to prevent the fire from crossing Highway 204, with contingency lines being improved on the other side (east) of that highway. Firefighting operations may continue to impact travel in that area on Highway 204, with pilot cars or temporary closures. Travelers need to drive with caution as smoke may reduce visibility, and firefighters and equipment could be present. For the latest status of Highway 204, visit www.tripcheck.com. Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 2 (Incident Commander Brett Fillis), assumed management of the Phillips Creek Fire on August 5. Due to the impact and continuing threats to ODF-protection, ODF is fully engaged with the team, who is officially working for both the Umatilla National Forest and ODF. This involvement and participation with the team includes ODF divisions assigned specifically to help protect ODF-protected private forestlands, as well as several other ODF personnel who are either assigned 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
WILDFIRE SMOKE
Smoke may continue to persist where wildfires are burning in in Oregon, including times when burn-out firefighting operations are taking place. For updates on smoke density and public health advisories, see www.oregonsmoke.blogspot.com. 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.
FIRE STATISTICS*
Fire statistics are for the current year and the average over the past 10 years for the 16 million acres of private and public forestland protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.
January 1, 2015, through August 4:*
Lightning-caused fires: 206 fires burned 2495 acres
Human-caused fires: 478 fires burned 966 acres
Total: 684 fires burned 3461 acres
10-year average (January 1 through the August 4):
Lightning-caused fires: 143 fires burned 16,977 acres
Human-caused fires: 356 fires burned 2980 acres
Total: 499 fires burned 19,957 acres
Fire statistics can be accessed any time from the ODF website.*
*When personnel are heavily engaged in firefighting activities, the latest information may not always appear in the statistics.
NEWS MEDIA
News media may call the Fire Information Duty Officer, who is currently Jeri Chase, 503-945-7201 (office) or 503-931-2721 (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.
For information on Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands view:
* the department’s blog for news on wildfires statewide and provides current fire statistics.
* the Southwest Oregon District blog with district specific wildfire info, and follow the Twitter feed covering fires as they occur.
* the Douglas Forest Protective Association 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.
