Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) fire Update for Wednesday, August 5, 2015

Northwest Fire Updates

August 6, 2015

This is the .

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 was reported August 3 burning on the South Jetty in the Fort Stevens State Park near Warrenton, OR. This morning, the fire remains at 27 acres and is now 65 percent contained. A mini-dozer, called a Sweco, that ODF usually uses to build recreational trail has proven to be a valuable firefighting tool this week. The narrow 3-foot-wide blade made building fireline on this fire easy and quicker than doing it by hand, allowing fire crews to focus on suppressing the fire within the perimeter. Yesterday, crews made good progress and, today, approximately 65 percent of the fire perimeter is lined, with hose laid around about 80 percent. Today’s objective is to continue to build line and tie into the river beach, with hand crew continuing to mop-up the interior, seeking and destroying all hot spots. Yesterday, crews started along the fire perimeter and worked inward; today they will continue to build the black rim around the fire. The entrance to Parking Lots C and D at Fort Stevens State Park REMAINS CLOSED, and ODF is using Parking Lot C to stage operations. ODF and Oregon Department of Parks and Recreation officials continually assess the situation and when the area is deemed safe for public entry, the road block will be removed. 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): Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 (Incident Commander Smith) assumed command of the Cable Crossing Fire July 30. The fire, burning on DFPA-protected private and public forestlands six miles east of Glide, is estimated this morning at approximately 1,800 acres and 40 percent contained. Firefighters are deep into mop-up and as crews are completing operations, the team has begun releasing some crews and equipment to be available for other wildfires in the region. Evacuation notices have been lifted, however the fire area and forest roads remain closed to the public and Highway 138 is still being managed by the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), with a pilot car. As the fire winds down, ODF IMT 3 invites community residents to a Cable Crossing Fire Open House between 7-8 pm this evening, August 5, at the Glide Fire Station. Members of the IMT will be present and available to explain maps of the fire, and the American Red Cross will hand out cold drinks, snacks, and emergency preparedness information. The cause of this 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 17,500 acres and approximately 15 percent contained, with most of the increased fire size due to fireline relocation and burn-out operations. Much of today’s fire suppression focus on the Stouts Creek Fire is on connecting fire lines and doing burnout operations along 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, with some burn-out operations also being conducted along the west side. Helicopters will be seen much of the day over the Stouts Creek Fire because the smoke has cleared out allowing the aircraft to fly earlier than normal. Two task forces of structural fire protection engines are in place in two areas of homes within the fire area, and portable water ponds, pumps, hoses, and sprinklers have been stationed among several homes. Residences and other structures have been evaluated for defensible space, and vegetation reduction has been completed in many areas to make homes more defensible against fire. The fire is being managed under a joint incident comment between Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1, the Oregon State Fire Marshal Green Team, and the U.S. Forest Service, with approximately 1,272 fire personnel fighting the fire. The fire is burning on a mix of private forestlands, Bureau of Land Management Lands, and U.S. National Forest lands – approximately one-third of the total on each ownership. Closed roads and an area closure remains in effect, and Evacuation Levels 1 and 2 (Get Ready, Get Set) continue for 317 homes; no Level 3 (Go) evacuations are currently in place. 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 at approximately 1,582 acres and 5 percent contained., The fire has burned ODF-protected private non-industrial forestlands, and continues to threaten additional ODF-protected private industrial and non-industrial forestlands (ODF’s Northeast Oregon District’s Pendleton Unit). Union County has issued Level 1 (Get Ready) evacuation notices to some residents in the area and road closures are in effect. Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 2 (Incident Commander Brett Fillis), assumed management of the fire on Tuesday afternoon. Due to the impact and threats to ODF-protection, ODF is fully engaged with team, who is officially working for both the Umatilla National Forest and ODF. This involvement and participation with the team includes two 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. Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 2 will hold a community meeting this evening, August 5, at 6:30 p.m. at the Elgin Community Center. Fire managers will be on hand to talk about the Phillips Creek Fire and break-out sessions will follow the meeting for those who have more questions. The U.S. Forest Service, Union County Emergency Management, and the Oregon Department of Forestry will all be at this meeting. The cause of this fire remains under investigation.
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 today:*
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 present date in the year):
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.