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Firefighting efforts being coordinated to safely accomplish control and minimize acres burned Maupin, Oregon – Hundreds of lightning strikes on June 20 and 21 caused nearly 70 wildfires throughout central Oregon. The Boxcar and South Junction Fires are in Wasco County near Maupin. The Jack Knife Fire is in Sherman County, along the John Day River northeast of Kent. Initial attack resources from the Central Oregon Fire Management Service, the Rural Fire Protection District, Maupin Fire Department, Mt. Hood National Forest, The Dalles Fire Department, and local ranchers have been fighting these fires since their detection. Strategic use of retardant and heavy helicopters has protected values at risk. As the fires have grown to large sizes and complexity, a Type 2 Incident Management Team (Northwest Incident Management Team #13) has taken over command of these fires as of 6:00 a.m. today. Boxcar Fire Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5862/ Estimated Acreage: 23,000...

Firefighting efforts being coordinated to safely accomplish control and minimize acres burned Maupin, Oregon – Hundreds of lightning strikes on June 20 and 21 caused nearly 70 wildfires throughout central Oregon. The Boxcar and South Junction Fires are in Wasco County near Maupin. The Jack Knife Fire is in Sherman County, along the John Day River northeast of Kent. Initial attack resources from the Central Oregon Fire Management Service, the Rural Fire Protection District, Maupin Fire Department, Mt. Hood National Forest, The Dalles Fire Department, and local ranchers have been fighting these fires since their detection. Strategic use of retardant and heavy helicopters has protected values at risk. As the fires have grown to large sizes and complexity, a Type 2 Incident Management Team (Northwest Incident Management Team #13) has taken over command of these fires as of 6:00 a.m. today. Boxcar Fire Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5862/ Estimated Acreage: 23,000...

News ReleaseDate: June 23, 2018 at 10:00 A.M.Release: ImmediateContact: Ashley Lertora, 503-338-8442, Justin de Ruyter, 360-431-3869Graham Fire Daily UpdateThe Oregon Department of Forestry Type 1 Team and Oregon State Fire Marshall Green Team took unified command of the fire on Friday at 6:00pm. Fire crews have made good progress battling the Graham Fire. The fire is estimated at approximately 2,055 acres and is burning in brush, timber and grass south of the Metolius River arm of Lake Billy Chinook near Culver, Oregon. Fire crews completed a burnout operation yesterday and will began mop up operations on Saturday. Today’s firefighting resources include: 7 hand crews, 26 Engines, 2 dozers, 4 water tenders, approximately 375 personnel and containment is estimated at 50%. Aircraft resources assigned to this fire are available to all fires in the area as needed.Crews have set up fire camp at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds. Please use caution on Highway 20 near the rodeo grounds due to the...

With two large fires burning in Central Oregon at the start of the day firefighting resources were busy, but with continued initial attack activity and the addition of two new large fires during the day many additional resources were engaged in responding to incidents. A Type 2 federal team (Gales) has been assigned to manage the Boxcar, South Junction and Jack Knife fires. The team will take over management from the Type 3 and 4 teams managing the fires at 6 a.m. tomorrow morning. Fire Summaries Boxcar Fire:Fire began 3 miles south of Maupin, OR23,000 acres (10% containment)Deschutes River Access Road is closed and Highway 197 remains closed south of Maupin to the junction with Highway 97.86 personnel currently assigned to the incident. People have been asked to stay out of the Wapinita, Harpham Flat, Longbend and Devel's Canyon campgrounds.Burn out operations off of roads are helping to improve and hold lines around the fire.South Junction Fire:Located approximately 18 miles north...

News Release: Graham Fire Friday June 21, 2018 10:00 a.m. Contact: Christie Shaw, Oregon Department of Forestry 541-263-0661 Justin Deruyter, Oregon State Fire Marshal 360-431-3869 Residents of Three Rivers subdivision are still under evacuation due to the Graham Fire. ODF Team 2, a type 1 team, will be taking over command tonight at 1800 from the local Type 3 Team, Incident Commander Caldwell. Incident Command Post will be set up at the Sisters Rodeo Grounds. The Oregon State Fire Marshal Green Team will be handling structure protection. The fire is estimated to be approximately 2,000 acres at this time. The Graham Fire was reported late Thursday afternoon, a wind-driven fire burning in brush, timber and grass south of the Metolius River arm of Lake Billy Chinook near Culver, Oregon. The fire has burned private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry and Lake Chinook Fire and Rescue, as well as Bureau of Land Management ownership. It is estimated around 2,000 acres....

News Release: Graham Fire Friday June 21, 2018 12:00 a.m. Contact: Christie Shaw, Oregon Department of Forestry 541-263-0661 The Graham Fire was reported Thursday afternoon, burning in brush, timber and grass south of the Metolius River arm of Lake Billy Chinook near Culver, Oregon. The fire has burned private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry and Lake Chinook Fire and Rescue, as well as Bureau of Land Management ownership. Aerial resources, including Single Engine Air Tankers and heavy air tankers assisted on-the-ground firefighters to slow the spread of the fire. A Central Oregon Fire Management Service (COFMS) local Type 3 Team, Incident Commander Caldwell, assumed command of the fire at 11:00 p.m. Thursday night. The fire is estimated to be approximately 2,000 acres at this time. Numerous lightning caused fires in Central Oregon, including three large fires spread firefighting resources thin today challenging firefighters in their suppression efforts. ...

Before implementation of prescribed fire, the effects are analyzed through the NEPA process. During this process concerns and issues are identified and appropriate design criteria and mitigation are developed to minimize impacts to wildlife. For example, areas that are known to be regularly used for big game fawning and calving are identified on maps and measures to minimize impacts from the prescribed fire are discussed among an interdisciplinary team to ensure the measures and objectives are understood. After a Decision is signed for the NEPA document, preparation of the prescribed fire begins. This involves field reconnaissance to identify where to place hand lines and containments areas (roads, scabby flats, or other natural low fuels barriers). Following direction in the NEPA document, areas that were determined to be high value wildlife habitat are avoided or implemented with the previously identified mitigation or design criteria, which may also include timing restrictions....

Soap Lake Fire June 14, 2018 10:00 AM FINAL UPDATE Grant County – Thanks to the great work done by the local firefighters and the team work displayed by the mobilization resources the Soap Lake Fire is 100% contained. The fire will be transferred back to the local fire district at 12:00 PM today. “It was a great effort by everyone involved” said Richard Parrish, Northeast Washington Incident Management Team (NEWIMT) Incident Commander. The fire burned 2,063 acres and destroyed one small outbuilding. No injuries were reported during the multi-day operation. NEWIMT would like to thank the community for its support of the fire suppression efforts. The Soap Lake Fire started June 11, 2018, at 4:30 PM along State Route 17 four miles north of Soap Lake. Grant County Fire District 7 responded and quickly requested mutual aid from surrounding communities as the fire grew rapidly with the strong winds that were present at the time. Firefighters from numerous state, federal and local...

Soap Lake Fire Incident Update June 13, 2018 8:00 PM Grant County – Firefighters completed line construction and were successful today keeping the fire within its established perimeter. Strong gusty winds tested the fire lines this afternoon and despite the challenging conditions the fire line held up well. Crews continued to be demobilized throughout the day and the rest are scheduled leave tomorrow. The fire has burned 2,063 and is now 90% contained with no new growth. The Soap Lake Fire started June 11, 2018, at 4:30 PM along State Route 17 four miles north of Soap Lake. Grant County Fire District 7 responded and quickly requested mutual aid from surrounding communities as the fire grew rapidly with the strong winds that were present at the time. Firefighters from numerous state, federal and local agencies battled the fire through the night and into the early morning hours. Their efforts saved numerous homes and outbuildings that were threatened. Level 2 & 3 evacuation orders...

Soap Lake Fire Incident Update June 13, 2018 8:00 AM Grant County – Firefighters are back on the fire line this morning working to strengthen and hold containment lines. Night shift crews reported some smoke and hot spots inside the fire perimeter overnight. Day Shift resources will be working to cool those hot spots and respond to any other areas of concern. Firefighters will also be using GPS devices to more accurately map the fire perimeter. All evacuation orders have been lifted for residents in the area. The Soap Lake Fire started June 11, 2018, at 4:30 PM along State Route 17 four miles north of Soap Lake. Grant County Fire District 7 responded and quickly requested mutual aid from surrounding communities as the fire grew rapidly with the strong winds that were present at the time. Firefighters from numerous state, federal and local agencies battled the fire through the night and into the early morning hours. Their efforts saved numerous homes and outbuildings that were...

Soap Lake Fire Incident Update June 12, 2018 8:00 PM Grant County – The Soap Lake Fire started yesterday at 4:30 PM along State Route 17 four miles north of Soap Lake. Grant County Fire District 7 responded and quickly requested mutual aid from surrounding communities as the fire grew rapidly with the strong winds that were present at the time. Firefighters from numerous state, federal and local agencies battled the fire through the night and into the early morning hours. Their efforts saved numerous homes and outbuildings that were threatened. Level 2 & 3 evacuation orders were issued for approximately 50 residents in the area. Today at 12:45 AM, Washington State Patrol Chief John Batiste authorized state fire mobilization at the request of Fire Chief Kirk Sheppard, Grant County Fire District 7. State mobilization resources from around the state arrived early this morning and relieved the local firefighters. Crews continued to work to strengthen containment lines in moderate...

This week fire crews completed 20 acres of underburning in Face Thin Unit 3, marking another effective burn in reducing wildfire risk to the community of Westfir as part of the Oakridge/Westfir Thinning and Fuels Reduction Project. A two acre spotfire did develop on adjacent private land, which was aggressively suppressed. Additional firefighting resources that were brought in also helped with several hotspots that became active in Face Thin Unit 2, which was underburned a few weeks ago. Mop up work to cool remaining hot spots in the burn areas and monitoring of the burn sites will occur today and through the weekend; there will be no new ignitions. Some residents or visitors to the area may smell smoke or see lingering smoke over the weekend. Overall, smoke impacts are expected to be minimal. You can check the local air quality rating at http://www.lrapa.org/. Please continue to use caution if traveling on Aufderheide Road (Forest Road 19) as fire crews and equipment will be...

Crews from the Emigrant Creek Ranger District, Malheur National Forest, will conduct approximately 100 acres of prescribed fire operations on the Marshall Devine unit today. Crews will be applying prescribed fire in the area of the Highway 395 south and Forest Road 31 junction, located approximately 18 miles northeast of Burns.Smoke may temporarily reduce visibility on roadways near the burning operations. Signs will be posted notifying drivers they are entering an area of prescribed fire activity. Please exercise care when driving in smoky, lower-visibility conditions. When planning and carrying out prescribed fires, the most important consideration is for the safety of firefighters and public.Using low intensity prescribed fire, under specific and controlled conditions, fire management can recreate the beneficial effects of natural fire. After a prescribed fire, fire-dependent vegetation thrives, competition among species is reduced, destructive insect populations and diseases are...

As a follow up to the update that we sent out on Tuesday, we wanted to share that new ignitions will only occur through Friday morning in observance of graduation festivities. Mop up work to cool remaining hot spots in the burn areas and monitoring of the burn sites will occur Friday afternoon through Sunday. Prescribed burning may then begin again on Monday or Tuesday of next week. Some residents or visitors to the area may smell smoke or see lingering smoke over the weekend. Overall, smoke impacts are expected to be minimal. As always, feel free to let us know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you! Jennifer Velez Public Information Officer (541)222-9241

Crews from the Blue Mountain Ranger District on the northern half of the Malheur National Forest will begin approximately 100 acres of black-lining in the Galena project area, units 10 and 20, today and tomorrow, with anticipation of completing about 2,000 acres total by aerial ignitions in the later part of the week. Burning operations may have some short-term impacts on air quality levels to the Austin/Bates and Galena areas of Grant County. Fire personnel will work closely with the Oregon Department of Forestry in accordance with State Smoke Management Plans to insure that smoke impacts on the local communities are minimized. As compared to wildfires, prescribed fires are shorter in duration and are conducted under weather conditions to minimize the impacts of smoke on the public. Smoke may worsen symptoms for people who have pre-existing health conditions and those who are particularly sensitive to smoke. Those that fall into either category should limit their exposure to the...

The Newell Grade Fire is 19 miles east of Goldendale in Klickitat County, near Bickelton, WA. As of 1900 on the 28th, the fire is now being managed by the Southeast Washington All Hazard Type 3 Interagency Team.Tony Gilmore is the Team’s Incident Commander. The Incident Command Post (ICP) is located at the Bickelton Elementary and High School.The Newell Grade Fire started on June 28th at approximately 1800. The wildfire is at 228 acres and is burning in mainly grass and sage with scrub Oregon white oak in the draws. It is located about 40 minutes SSW of Bickelton.The home unit did a remarkable job with the initial fire suppression effort.The fire’s containment as of Saturday is at 95%. Saturday, the crews will be in mop up mode continuing to meet the established turn back standards. The crews will be returning to their respective home units beginning on the afternoon of the 30th.The fire incident is scheduled to be turned back to the local DNR unit on Sunday July

Blue Mountain Ranger District Fire Crews begun black-lining in the Galena Project Area in efforts to reduce fuels on the edges of the units. This supports secure conditions for prescribed aviation

Hood River, Ore. —May 29, 2018—Forest Service firefighters responded this morning to a small hotspot reported near Herman Creek. The glow from the flare-up was reported around 2:00 a.m. on May 29. Firefighters located the hotspot early this morning, about a half mile east of Herman Creek Trailhead, north of the Gorge 400 trail. Two engines and a hand crew from Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area are on scene suppressing the fire, which was found smoldering in heavy downed timber with few ground fuels. Eagle Creek Fire, contained in late November 2017, has not yet been declared out and the hotspot is not unexpected. Heavy fuels and organic material known as duff can hold heat underground over winter and flare back up after a period of warm dry weather. Hotspots are among the known post-fire hazards that have caused area trails to remain closed in the wake of Eagle Creek Fire. Other hazards include fire-weakened trees and loose boulders that can fall on trails at unpredictable...

Last week, fire crews completed underburning in Sidewalk Thin Unit 15, located near the Huckleberry OHV Area. It was another effective burn, reducing wildfire risk as part of the Oakridge and Westfir Thinning and Fuels Reduction Project. Fuels, particularly larger logs and branches, may continue to smolder and produce some lingering smoke through the weekend. Area residents and visitors may also, at times, smell smoke. You can check the local air quality rating at http://www.lrapa.org/. The District plans to continue burning near High Prairie after the holiday weekend. There are two units to complete in the project area by early July, Face Thin 1 which is 25 acres and Face Thin 3, a 20 acre unit, as part of the larger project to reduce wildfire risk to the communities of Oakridge and Westfir.

Over the past weekend, fire crews successfully underburned 125 acres within and near Face Thin Unit 2. Today, crews are underburning the 20 acre Sidewalk Unit further away from Westfir, near the Huckleberry OHV area. Crews will continue to mop up, and monitor the burns through the Memorial Day weekend. Fuels conditions have been optimal this week, leading to the effective consumption of surface fuels and logging debris left from recent thinnings in these areas, overall meeting the goal to reduce wildfire risk. No active ignitions will occur from Friday morning through Monday for the Memorial Day weekend. Based on weather conditions, burning could resume on Tuesday. Anyone traveling along Aufderheide Road, Forest Road 19 and Forest Road 1928, as well as the OHV trails at Huckleberry OHV Park should continue to use caution as firefighters and equipment will still be working in the