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Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 News Release July 4, 2018 Lobster Creek Fire Update Gold Beach, OR – Firefighters on the Lobster Creek Fire and fires across the nation are wishing everyone a happy 4th of July. On this anniversary of independence, firefighters are encouraging everyone to act responsibly with fireworks and other spark emitting activities that could to lead to another devastating wildland fire. Wildland firefighters cherish our country’s beauty and work hard every day to preserve it. Their message is simple, “only you can prevent wildfires”. Acres burned on the Lobster Creek Fire remain unchanged at 446. Containment has reached 15 percent. Personnel on the fire has grown to over 700, which typically means that the fire is growing. In this fire’s case, with much of the fire season still remaining, reinforcements were brought in to eliminate any chance of the fire rekindling and escaping in the future. Crews...

Se ha hecho un gran progreso! Ha habido personal de bomberos trabajando dos turnos diarios desde que el incendio de Stormy Creek comenzó el domingo 1 °. Los equipos nocturnos patrullaban y monitorean la actividad del fuego con dos camiones de contra incendios. El perímetro del incendio se ha mantenido relativamente sin cambios en los últimos días. Las cuadrillas han estado limpiando sistemáticamente desde el perímetro exterior. Este es un trabajo sucio. Cada pulgada cuadrada se revisa para detectar cualquier calor. Esto se hace a mano con el miembro los bomberos tocando el suelo con las manos desnudas. Si se detecta un punto caliente, es desenterrado, volcado y rociado con agua. El terreno es muy empinado y rocoso, ha hecho el trabajo muy difícil. El incendio está en él huella del Tyee Fire de 1994 con sus escombros, árboles quemados, y árboles caídos. El perímetro aumenta a medida que se eliminan estos puntos calientes. Cuanto más ancho sea el...

Lobster Creek Fire Update Gold Beach, OR – Firefighters gained considerable ground overnight on the Lobster Creek Fire 12 miles northeast of Gold Beach. The wind driven fire, that started Sunday afternoon on private industrial timberlands, quickly grew to an estimated 450 acres by Monday morning. Since that time, fire crews have nearly completed hand and bulldozer lines around the fire’s perimeter. Current containment stands at 10 percent. Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team (IMT), led by Incident Commander Link Smith, arrived Monday afternoon to relieve Coos Forest Protective Association crews and allow them to return to initial attack responsibilities on the district. The IMT, comprised of 33 overhead positions, quickly assessed the needs and began ordering additional resources. About 450 firefighters will be working round the clock, split between a day and night shift. Ground forces are being supported with 6 helicopters, 3 retardant dropping Single...

Firefighters made considerable progress today on the Lobster Creek Fire 12 miles northeast of Gold Beach. The wind driven fire, that started Sunday afternoon on private industrial timberlands, quickly grew to an estimated 450 acres by Monday morning. Since that time, fire crews have stopped the fire's progress and continue to reinforce containment lines. The fire is currently 10 percent contained.

The Wasco County Sheriff has lifted all Level 1 Notifications on the Boxcar and Jack Knife Fires as of Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Although the imminent risk from these fires has passed, residents are encouraged to continue to be thoughtful and prepared for other emergencies and natural disasters. Local residents may still see occasional smoke from pockets of unburned fuel smoldering within the perimeter of the burned areas. This is not a great concern if it’s well interior to the fire perimeters, but if you see flames or spot fires near the edge of a burned area, call 911. The Deschutes and John Day Rivers, boat launch sites, camping areas and highways are open for recreation. Visitors should use caution while driving as rocks may dislodge and become a hazard along the roads. If precipitation occurs, flash flooding can move large amounts of soil and debris. Always be aware of potential hazards when moving through recently burned areas. For additional Fire Information,...

The Wasco County Sheriff has lifted all Level 1 Notifications on the Boxcar and Jack Knife Fires as of Thursday, June 28, 2018 at 8:00 a.m. Although the imminent risk from these fires has passed, residents are encouraged to continue to be thoughtful and prepared for other emergencies and natural disasters. Local residents may still see occasional smoke from pockets of unburned fuel smoldering within the perimeter of the burned areas. This is not a great concern if it’s well interior to the fire perimeters, but if you see flames or spot fires near the edge of a burned area, call 911. The Deschutes and John Day Rivers, boat launch sites, camping areas and highways are open for recreation. Visitors should use caution while driving as rocks may dislodge and become a hazard along the roads. If precipitation occurs, flash flooding can move large amounts of soil and debris. Always be aware of potential hazards when moving through recently burned areas. For additional Fire Information,...

Maupin, Oregon – Despite gusty winds and low relative humidity yesterday, firefighters continued to improve containment lines and mop up. Estimated containment of the Boxcar Fire has increased to 85%, with 95% containment accomplished for the Jack Knife Fire. There was no significant growth of the fires yesterday. The small increase in acreage is due to more accurate mapping. Crews and air resources are targeting any remaining hotspots near firelines, but mopping-up and patrolling are the major activities occurring today. Many resources are being released to support fire suppression efforts throughout the nation. A local Type 3 Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Shannon Prather will shadow NWIMT #13 and begin managing the Boxcar Fire tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. The Jack Knife fire will enter patrol status. Unless conditions change, this will be the final daily Update specific to these fires. Fire information will continue to be available through the Central Oregon Fire...

Maupin, Oregon – Despite gusty winds and low relative humidity yesterday, firefighters continued to improve containment lines and mop up. Estimated containment of the Boxcar Fire has increased to 85%, with 95% containment accomplished for the Jack Knife Fire. There was no significant growth of the fires yesterday. The small increase in acreage is due to more accurate mapping. Crews and air resources are targeting any remaining hotspots near firelines, but mopping-up and patrolling are the major activities occurring today. Many resources are being released to support fire suppression efforts throughout the nation. A local Type 3 Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Shannon Prather will shadow NWIMT #13 and begin managing the Boxcar Fire tomorrow at 7:00 a.m. The Jack Knife fire will enter patrol status. Unless conditions change, this will be the final daily Update specific to these fires. Fire information will continue to be available through the Central Oregon Fire...

Maupin, Oregon – Despite gusty winds yesterday, cooler weather helped firefighters continue to build and improve containment lines. Estimated containment for the Boxcar Fire has increased to 60% and for the Jack Knife Fire to 80%. The Boxcar Fire is now 99,500 acres. More than 100 miles of containment line on the fire are being monitored by firefighters who mop-up hotspots as they are found. Emphasis is still being directed in the Deschutes River Canyon where heat can persist under juniper trees and sage brush. Steep, rocky, inaccessible terrain is a challenge for firefighters in this area. A BLM jet boat transported firefighters up river yesterday to assess structures and develop contingency plans, should fire activity increase. Yesterday afternoon, as firefighters were completing fireline on the East flank of the Boxcar Fire, some active fire between Highway 197 and Bakeoven Road was suppressed with helicopter water drops. Overall, smoke in the fire area was minimal in...

Maupin, Oregon – Despite gusty winds yesterday, cooler weather helped firefighters continue to build and improve containment lines. Estimated containment for the Boxcar Fire has increased to 60% and for the Jack Knife Fire to 80%. The Boxcar Fire is now 99,500 acres. More than 100 miles of containment line on the fire are being monitored by firefighters who mop-up hotspots as they are found. Emphasis is still being directed in the Deschutes River Canyon where heat can persist under juniper trees and sage brush. Steep, rocky, inaccessible terrain is a challenge for firefighters in this area. A BLM jet boat transported firefighters up river yesterday to assess structures and develop contingency plans, should fire activity increase. Yesterday afternoon, as firefighters were completing fireline on the East flank of the Boxcar Fire, some active fire between Highway 197 and Bakeoven Road was suppressed with helicopter water drops. Overall, smoke in the fire area was minimal in...

After three days with no additional perimeter growth and well-established control lines, the ODF Incident Management Team 2 will be handing management of the Graham Fire back to Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District Wednesday morning. Control lines around the fire’s perimeter have been mopped up to at least 50 feet. However, local residents may still expect to see occasional smoke from pockets of unburnt fuel smoldering in the fire’s interior. If residents see flames or spot fires they are advised to call 911. Resources on the fire today include: 10 hand crews, 2 helicopters, 17 engines, 1 dozer, 3 water tenders and 338 personnel. Containment is estimated at 85%. ODF’s Central Oregon District will continue the use of additional engines and fire crews to achieve 100% containment. The District strategies will include daily engine patrols and mop up operations. The Graham Fire was a hot, fast-moving wildfire driven by strong winds, dry conditions and...

Maupin, Oregon – Firefighters have accomplished significant containment on both the Boxcar and Jack Knife Fires, burning south and east of Maupin in Wasco and Sherman Counties. Estimated containment for the Boxcar Fire is 47% and for the Jack Knife Fire is 65%. The Boxcar Fire is now 95,850 acres. Yesterday heavy smoke lingered in the area due to an inversion holding warm air and smoke low to the ground. Smoke increased midafternoon due to fire activity on the Fire’s eastern flank between Highways 197 and 97. Fire crossed over the dozer line and an additional spot fire was detected in the area. Aerial resources assisted firefighters with water and retardant drops to suppress this burning. Those sites will be tied back into the main fire containment perimeter today. On the southern edge of the Boxcar Fire, firefighters burned out remaining fuels to increase containment along South Junction Road and the Deschutes River corridor. Night shift crews monitored the south and east...

Maupin, Oregon – Firefighters have accomplished significant containment on both the Boxcar and Jack Knife Fires, burning south and east of Maupin in Wasco and Sherman Counties. Estimated containment for the Boxcar Fire is 47% and for the Jack Knife Fire is 65%. The Boxcar Fire is now 95,850 acres. Yesterday heavy smoke lingered in the area due to an inversion holding warm air and smoke low to the ground. Smoke increased midafternoon due to fire activity on the Fire’s eastern flank between Highways 197 and 97. Fire crossed over the dozer line and an additional spot fire was detected in the area. Aerial resources assisted firefighters with water and retardant drops to suppress this burning. Those sites will be tied back into the main fire containment perimeter today. On the southern edge of the Boxcar Fire, firefighters burned out remaining fuels to increase containment along South Junction Road and the Deschutes River corridor. Night shift crews monitored the south and east...

CULVER, Ore. - Strong containment lines and diligent mop up operations have kept the perimeter of the Graham Fire in check. After two days with no new fire growth, the Jefferson County Sherriff has lowered the evacuation level to 1 (READY) and is allowing residents to return to their homes. The fire has burned 2,175 acres and is estimated at 65% containment. Fire managers are focused on strengthening control lines and continuing mop up operations. Mop-up involves firefighters digging out hot spots and extinguishing all remaining heat. Crews start on the fire perimeter and move toward the center. It’s hard, methodical and dirty work but technology makes it more efficient. Firefighters use heat seeking cameras with infra-red technology to identify where the heat is hiding below ground. “We will be judged by how well we leave this fire for the local district and residents. Mop up is hard dirty work. But it’s critically important to do it well. When we mop up right, we can hand the...

Fire officials to hold Graham Fire Community Meeting Sunday June 24th 6:00 pm June 24, 2018 CONTACTS: Marcus Kauffman 541-580-7480 marcus.kauffman@oregon.gov Ashley Lertora 503-338-8442 Ashley.M.Lertora@oregon.gov WHO: Oregon Incident Management Team 2, ODF Central Oregon, Lake Chinook Fire and Rescue and Jefferson County Sherriff WHAT: Graham Fire Community Meeting WHEN: SUNDAY JUNE 24, 2018 6:00-7:30 PM WHERE: CHINOOK VILLAGE STORE, 8241 SW JORDAN RD, CULVER OR WHY: The Graham Fire Incident Management Team will hold a community meeting to discuss current fire status. Residents are invited to hear from fire managers and local officials about the fire and learn what they can do to protect their homes and lands. Fire managers will be on hand to explain planned operations and describe what to expect. Media are welcome to attend. For more information visit: Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5855/ Central Oregon Fire Info :...

Effective fire suppression tactics have increased containment and lowered the risk to structures in the Three Rivers Subdivision. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s resources will be released around noon today. The Oregon Department of Forestry team will remain with local resources to continue mopping up and monitoring any remaining hot spots. Resources on the fire today are: 7 Hand crews, 6 Helicopters, 33 Engines, 1 Dozer, 8 Water tenders and 395 personnel. The estimated containment is 60% and 2,143 acres. Today’s warmer temperatures and lower relative humidity may cause the fire to show more activity. Fire fighters are seeing juniper trees torch in the interior of fire. Air attack resources are available today to drop water on those trees if needed. Lake Chinook Chief Don Colfels said, “Given the intensity of the fire and the strong winds driving it east, the fire had potential to leave dozens of families without a home today. Thanks to the work of our local crews, the...

Good progress being made to secure firelines on Boxcar and Jack Knife Fires Maupin, Oregon – Firefighters, with assistance from Rural Fire Protection Association (RFPA), local ranchers, and aerial resources, completed several burnout operations yesterday, halting fire spread in several areas. The Boxcar Fire is estimated to be 87,000 acres, including the previously referenced “South Junction Fire” that has merged into it. A burnout operation was completed along Bakeoven Road and fire line was constructed on the southeast edge of Maupin using bulldozers. Air tankers laid down retardant and helicopters dropped water on hot spots to help secure these lines. Fire backed down to the Deschutes River access road on the western flank of the fire, crossing the road and burning into the Harpham Flat campground and day use area. There was no infrastructure damage to Harpham, although visitors should use caution and avoid burned areas as there could be hot ashes left by burned stumps or...

Good progress being made to secure firelines on Boxcar and Jack Knife Fires Maupin, Oregon – Firefighters, with assistance from Rural Fire Protection Association (RFPA), local ranchers, and aerial resources, completed several burnout operations yesterday, halting fire spread in several areas. The Boxcar Fire is estimated to be 87,000 acres, including the previously referenced “South Junction Fire” that has merged into it. A burnout operation was completed along Bakeoven Road and fire line was constructed on the southeast edge of Maupin using bulldozers. Air tankers laid down retardant and helicopters dropped water on hot spots to help secure these lines. Fire backed down to the Deschutes River access road on the western flank of the fire, crossing the road and burning into the Harpham Flat campground and day use area. There was no infrastructure damage to Harpham, although visitors should use caution and avoid burned areas as there could be hot ashes left by burned stumps or...

The Wasco County Sheriff has implemented a Level 1 Notification to residents living in the area bounded by Hwy 97, Bakeoven Raod, the Deschutes River and the South River Road. This alerts residents to be aware that there is a fire burning (Boxcar and South Junction Fires, in this case) and to be attentive to potentially changing conditions. They are not being asked to evacuate. However, especially if people or animals require difficult, complex actions to evacuate, they should consider and make advance plans about what would be necessary if conditions were to

Bakeoven Road is closed east of Maupin due to firefighting activity. Firefighters have anchored fireline near Maupin and are burning out in order to remove fuel between the road (which is serving as a control line) and the Boxcar Fire. The duration of this closure is