News Release from Oregon Dept. of Forestry – Posted on FlashAlert: August 10th, 2015 12:40 PM
FIRE PREVENTION
As the smoke is clearing over the Cable Crossing Fire, 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.
NEW FIRES ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS
No new fires 10 acres or larger were reported in the past 24 hours on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry.
FIRES CURRENTLY BURNING ON ODF-PROTECTED LANDS
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 1,857 acres and 80 percent contained. ODF IMT 3 (Incident Commander Link Smith), turned the fire over to a smaller fire management organization (Incident Commander Brian Reel) on Sunday, August 9. The team in place for the next few days is made up of about 221 personnel, with the fire camp having moved from French Creek Road to the Incident Command Post at the old Glide Jr. High School on Glide Loop Road. 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
Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA): The Stouts Creek Fire, reported July 30, burning 11 miles east of Canyonville near Milo on forestlands protected by DFPA, is currently estimated at approximately 22,501 acres and 40 percent contained, with over 1,770 personnel assigned. Crews made significant headway connecting the Stouts Creek Fire’s control lines Sunday night and now will begin strengthening those lines. Crews from Oregon, Massachusetts, Ohio, and West Virginia, with expertise conducting burnout operations and falling large trees, arrived at the fire camp last night, and are headed out to the fireline today. Today’s work will focus on strengthening lines along the southern part of the fire to prepare for a large burn. A Red Flag Warning is in effect in the area because of lightning potential which might be accompanied by rain, wind gusts, and hail during the next 24 hours. Motorists are asked to use extreme caution if they encounter smoke on roadways in the fire area, use headlights and slow their speed for safety, but not to slow or stop to view firefighting operations. All evacuation levels within the fire area remain at Level 1 (Get Ready) Level 2 (Get Set), with the number of homes under evacuation level notice remaining at 163. There are public land and road closures in place for the fire area by both the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management. The Stouts Creek Fire is burning on private timberlands, other tracts of private land, and Bureau of Land Management and Umpqua National Forest lands; 53 percent of the fire is on state-protected private and BLM lands, and 47 percent on the Umpqua National Forest. The fire being managed under joint command by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 1 (Incident Commander Buckman) and the U.S. Forest Service. 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
Northeast Oregon District – LaGrande Unit: 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 today having burned 2,447 acres, including approximately 435 acres of ODF-protected private forestlands (no change in ODF-protected acres). The fire is now 45 percent contained, with 582 personnel assigned. A Red Flag Warning for the area remains in effect through Tuesday due to the threat of thunderstorms with potential gusty winds up to 40 mph. Firefighting operations and smoky conditions will continue to impact travel in that area on Highway 204, necessitating pilot cars or temporary road closures – visit www.tripcheck.com for the latest information. Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuations were lifted on Sunday evening, however road closures in the area of the fire are in effect. 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 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. A community meeting will be held this evening, August 10, at 6:30 p.m. in the Elgin Community Center, with representatives from the IMT, U.S. Forest Service, ODF, and Union County.
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
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 today:*
Lightning-caused fires: 222 fires burned 2,498 acres
Human-caused fires: 513 fires burned 23,030 acres
Total: 735 fires burned 25,528 acres
10-year average (January 1 through August 4):
Lightning-caused fires: 174 fires burned 19,741 acres
Human-caused fires: 373 fires burned 3,110 acres
Total: 547 fires burned 22,851 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.
