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 Windigo and Potter Fires Update – August 02, 2022   Fire Information Phone Line: 425-324-1267 (8am - 7pm) Email: 2022.Windigo@firenet.gov Potter Fire InciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8291/ Windigo Fire InciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8292/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Windigo-Fire-and-Potter-Fire-Information-109233838550715   The Windigo and Potter fires began between July 30 and July 31. The fires are burning on lands managed by the USDA Forest Service, on the Umpqua National Forest and the Willamette National Forest, and adjacent to the Deschutes National Forest.   These three forests have delegated responsibility for fighting these fires to Northwest Incident Management Team 6, a Type 2 team led by Incident Commander Shawn Sheldon. The Team assumed responsibility Tuesday morning, August 2, 2022, at 6:00am. The fires are burning primarily in a mix of timber with heavy dead and down trees....

   Stayman Flats Fire Update July 22, 2022 12:00 p.m.   Fire Information Line: 360-706-3121 (Daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) Size: 1,200 acres Total Personnel: (Patrol Status)                                                                  Containment: 100% Cause: Lightning Structures Threatened: 0 Structures Lost: 0   The Stayman Flats Fire is 100% contained as of 12:00 p.m. on July 22, 2022. Local crews will continue to monitor the fire area and evaluate for any hotspots. ·This will be the final written update unless conditions change.   Evacuations and Closures: All evacuation orders have been lifted. Weather: Sunny with temperatures in the high 80’s. Westerly winds 5-10 mph Smoke Information: Visit https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ for local air quality information. Fire Restrictions: An outdoor burn ban is in place for most of Central and Eastern Washington....

   Stayman Flats Fire Update July 20, 2021 9:00 a.m.   Fire Information Line: 360-706-3121 (Daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) Size: 1,200 acres Total Personnel: 125                                                                  Containment: 30% Cause: Lightning/Under investigation Structures Threatened: 37 single residences Structures Lost: 0   The Stayman Flats Fire was first reported on July 18 at approximately 2:35 p.m. The fire is burning in grass and brush in difficult terrain. High resources were ordered and multiple crews and aircraft responded. A Type 3 Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Escobar took command of the firefighting response at 7:00 a.m. on July 19. Additional resources were ordered and received. The fire is burning in brush and grass. It was first assessed at 35 acres and grew to approximately 1200 acres. Multiple engine crews, air resources and heavy...

Eelgrass in the San Juan Islands is declining, according to a newly-published DNR report and story map, prompting concern for the health of one of Washington’s most diverse and pristine marine areas.

Widespread local declines

Based on a random sample, DNR documented 4 times more sites with long-term declines than increases in eelgrass cover in the San Juan Islands over the last 2 decades. In recent years, eelgrass losses have been even more pronounced. One third of all eelgrass beds sampled near the San Juan Islands between 2015 and 2020 showed signs of declines, and there were no increases. Additional sites sampled as part of targeted studies confirm this pattern. The long-term losses in the San Juan Islands contrast starkly with monitoring results from the rest of greater Puget Sound, where long-term site trends are more balanced between increases and declines.

Trends in eelgrass area at randomly selected sites in the San Juan Islands and Cypress Island. Losses, shown in red, greatly outnumber gains. Long-term trends span the period between 2000 and 2020, short term trends are based on data collected between 2015 and 2020.

Eelgrass losses occurred in a wide variety of habitat types, spread throughout the San Juan Islands. Spatial patterns of loss varied at sites; along the shallow edge, the deep edge or throughout the entire eelgrass bed. The timing of losses also varied among sites. At some sites, eelgrass was lost relatively early in the monitoring period, while at other sites declines occurred later on.

Change in eelgrass area at all sites sampled in the San Juan Islands, both on longer term (left) or in recent years (right).

Potential Causes

The pattern of eelgrass declines in the San Juan Islands is surprising because this location is often seen as one of the pristine areas within greater Puget Sound. While we are not sure what caused these declines, there are some indications to what may have happened.

One potential stressor is eelgrass wasting disease. This disease causes dark lesions on the leaves, and lowers how much carbon is stored in the rhizomes of the plants, which limits plant growth and survival. Dr. Drew Harvell and other researchers from the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories have found high levels of eelgrass wasting disease near the San Juan Islands. After the 2015-2016 marine heat wave, an increase in prevalence and severity of disease coincided with declines in eelgrass shoot density at their study sites.

Losses could be due in part to human activities. DNR documented declines at several embayments that are popular destinations for recreation. Eelgrass can be damaged through trampling, anchoring, prop scars or water quality degradation. Recent efforts by local resource managers to create voluntary no-anchor zones in sensitive embayments may reduce some of the impact on eelgrass at these locations.

Environmental conditions could have exacerbated the loss of eelgrass in recent years. Puget Sound experienced two marine heat waves in 2015-16 and 2019. Warmer water temperatures can change the metabolic balance in seagrasses, increasing their light requirements. This could have contributed to loss inside embayments, which are often warmer than the surrounding waters.

Ongoing decline of eelgrass in Shallow Bay on Sucia Island. The map on the left shows transects sampled in 2016 and 2019. Blue colors indicate where eelgrass was present in both years, red indicates where it was lost. The plot on the right shows the decline in eelgrass area over time at this location.

Eelgrass in greater Puget Sound

Eelgrass meadows grow along many of Washington State’s shorelines, where they provide essential food, nursery and shelter for a rich community of animals, including forage fish, Dungeness crab, and salmon. In addition to providing critical habitat, these meadows are a good indicator of the health of Puget Sound.

Since 2000, DNR has monitored eelgrass populations in greater Puget Sound as part of its stewardship responsibilities. Every year, a research vessel collects hundreds of hours of underwater footage at sites throughout the region to see how eelgrass meadows are changing. This footage is scored at one second intervals for presence of eelgrass, and combined with location and depth data to estimate how much eelgrass was present at each of these sites. Over time, this dataset has grown to almost 40,000 transects, spread over 867 sites in greater Puget Sound. A subset of 214 randomly selected sites is sampled regularly to assess regional changes in eelgrass area. Other sites were visited as part of targeted studies, often in collaboration with local governments and Tribes.

Monitoring results are used to calculate soundwide eelgrass area, which is one of the indicators for the health of nearshore ecosystems by the Puget Sound Partnership. Soundwide eelgrass area has remained relatively stable between 2000 and 2020. This suggests that eelgrass populations in greater Puget Sound are in good condition.

Eelgrass beds are dynamic on smaller spatial scales, and often change in response to local and regional stressors. Some changes are likely due to human activities, while others are driven by natural processes. One dramatic example is the recent decline in Skagit Bay. In recent years, the North Fork of the Skagit River diverted from its established channel, and formed a major new outflow channel into the bay. The new channel is progressively eroding a large eelgrass bed in the center of the bay, causing a loss of more than 200 hectares since 2004.

Eelgrass beds provide habitat for Dungeness crabs and many other animals.

DNR will further explore losses in the San Juans and compare results to other areas

DNR’s findings raise a red flag – widespread eelgrass losses have occurred in the San Juan Islands, raising concerns about both the causes of decline and the ramifications for species that rely on this critical habitat. The study also reports good news – soundwide eelgrass area did not change significantly between 2000 and 2020. To further explore these findings, DNR is seeking to expand its surveys in the San Juan Islands. DNR will also continue to monitor eelgrass throughout greater Puget Sound in order to track this critical resource.

For more information: see our story map or download the report

Eelgrass in the San Juan Islands is declining, according to a newly-published DNR report and story map, prompting concern for the health of one of Washington’s most diverse and pristine marine areas.

Widespread local declines

Based on a random sample, DNR documented 4 times more sites with long-term declines than increases in eelgrass cover in the San Juan Islands over the last 2 decades. In recent years, eelgrass losses have been even more pronounced. One third of all eelgrass beds sampled near the San Juan Islands between 2015 and 2020 showed signs of declines, and there were no increases. Additional sites sampled as part of targeted studies confirm this pattern. The long-term losses in the San Juan Islands contrast starkly with monitoring results from the rest of greater Puget Sound, where long-term site trends are more balanced between increases and declines.

Trends in eelgrass area at randomly selected sites in the San Juan Islands and Cypress Island. Losses, shown in red, greatly outnumber gains. Long-term trends span the period between 2000 and 2020, short term trends are based on data collected between 2015 and 2020.

Eelgrass losses occurred in a wide variety of habitat types, spread throughout the San Juan Islands. Spatial patterns of loss varied at sites; along the shallow edge, the deep edge or throughout the entire eelgrass bed. The timing of losses also varied among sites. At some sites, eelgrass was lost relatively early in the monitoring period, while at other sites declines occurred later on.

Change in eelgrass area at all sites sampled in the San Juan Islands, both on longer term (left) or in recent years (right).

Potential Causes

The pattern of eelgrass declines in the San Juan Islands is surprising because this location is often seen as one of the pristine areas within greater Puget Sound. While we are not sure what caused these declines, there are some indications to what may have happened.

One potential stressor is eelgrass wasting disease. This disease causes dark lesions on the leaves, and lowers how much carbon is stored in the rhizomes of the plants, which limits plant growth and survival. Dr. Drew Harvell and other researchers from the University of Washington’s Friday Harbor Laboratories have found high levels of eelgrass wasting disease near the San Juan Islands. After the 2015-2016 marine heat wave, an increase in prevalence and severity of disease coincided with declines in eelgrass shoot density at their study sites.

Losses could be due in part to human activities. DNR documented declines at several embayments that are popular destinations for recreation. Eelgrass can be damaged through trampling, anchoring, prop scars or water quality degradation. Recent efforts by local resource managers to create voluntary no-anchor zones in sensitive embayments may reduce some of the impact on eelgrass at these locations.

Environmental conditions could have exacerbated the loss of eelgrass in recent years. Puget Sound experienced two marine heat waves in 2015-16 and 2019. Warmer water temperatures can change the metabolic balance in seagrasses, increasing their light requirements. This could have contributed to loss inside embayments, which are often warmer than the surrounding waters.

Ongoing decline of eelgrass in Shallow Bay on Sucia Island. The map on the left shows transects sampled in 2016 and 2019. Blue colors indicate where eelgrass was present in both years, red indicates where it was lost. The plot on the right shows the decline in eelgrass area over time at this location.

Eelgrass in greater Puget Sound

Eelgrass meadows grow along many of Washington State’s shorelines, where they provide essential food, nursery and shelter for a rich community of animals, including forage fish, Dungeness crab, and salmon. In addition to providing critical habitat, these meadows are a good indicator of the health of Puget Sound.

Since 2000, DNR has monitored eelgrass populations in greater Puget Sound as part of its stewardship responsibilities. Every year, a research vessel collects hundreds of hours of underwater footage at sites throughout the region to see how eelgrass meadows are changing. This footage is scored at one second intervals for presence of eelgrass, and combined with location and depth data to estimate how much eelgrass was present at each of these sites. Over time, this dataset has grown to almost 40,000 transects, spread over 867 sites in greater Puget Sound. A subset of 214 randomly selected sites is sampled regularly to assess regional changes in eelgrass area. Other sites were visited as part of targeted studies, often in collaboration with local governments and Tribes.

Monitoring results are used to calculate soundwide eelgrass area, which is one of the indicators for the health of nearshore ecosystems by the Puget Sound Partnership. Soundwide eelgrass area has remained relatively stable between 2000 and 2020. This suggests that eelgrass populations in greater Puget Sound are in good condition.

Eelgrass beds are dynamic on smaller spatial scales, and often change in response to local and regional stressors. Some changes are likely due to human activities, while others are driven by natural processes. One dramatic example is the recent decline in Skagit Bay. In recent years, the North Fork of the Skagit River diverted from its established channel, and formed a major new outflow channel into the bay. The new channel is progressively eroding a large eelgrass bed in the center of the bay, causing a loss of more than 200 hectares since 2004.

Eelgrass beds provide habitat for Dungeness crabs and many other animals.

DNR will further explore losses in the San Juans and compare results to other areas

DNR’s findings raise a red flag – widespread eelgrass losses have occurred in the San Juan Islands, raising concerns about both the causes of decline and the ramifications for species that rely on this critical habitat. The study also reports good news – soundwide eelgrass area did not change significantly between 2000 and 2020. To further explore these findings, DNR is seeking to expand its surveys in the San Juan Islands. DNR will also continue to monitor eelgrass throughout greater Puget Sound in order to track this critical resource.

For more information: see our story map or download the report

Cub Creek 2 Fire Updated Closure Order on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

Fire closure order page on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest

John Day, Prairie City and Hines, OR. – (November 30, 2021) Fire officials continue to monitor conditions for prescribed fire operations daily. All prescribed burn activity is weather and condition dependent.   Wednesday, December 1, Blue Mountain fire crews will be burning hand piles along Highway 395 that were part of the Oregon Department of Transportation hazard tree removal.  Smoke will be visible near milepost 15.5.  Crews will continue to monitor the piles after ignitions for multiple days.  Please use caution when traveling in the area, watch for increased vehicle traffic.  Slow down in areas of smoke for safety.     For the safety of firefighters and the public, roads and areas of prescribed fire activity will be signed. Please avoid these areas so as not to interfere with ongoing operations. For safety, roads, trails and areas may need to close temporarily as firefighter operations are taking place. Smoky conditions may also reduce visibility to a level that...

John Day, Prairie City and Hines, OR. – (November 19, 2021) Fire officials continue to monitor conditions for prescribed fire operations daily. All prescribed burn activity is weather and condition dependent.  Emigrant Creek Ranger District has completed approximately 3850 acres of grapple piles.  Work was completed on a few landing piles in the Soldier project area this week.  Crews will be burning landing piles in the Soldier, TC, Fly and Wolf project areas for the remainder of this week and into next week.     Prairie City Ranger District has completed approximately 2800 acres of landing piles in Byar’s units. Work will continue for the remainder of the week in the Byar’s and Black Butte Fire areas.  Crews will be monitoring conditions in Elk 16 and Summit Project areas for continuation of pile burning in the upcoming weeks.  Blue Mountain Ranger District have completed 636 acres of hand piles, 398 acres of grapple piles and 4036.7 acres of landing piles for a...

With the arrival of fall, many Washington climbers curse the rain that settles over the crags west of the Cascade Crest — but good climbing can still be had on the odd dry day or two. The cooler temperatures and beautiful autumn foliage make for good friction and a scenic day out.

If you’re looking to sneak in some days on the rock this fall and winter, there are many places to climb on DNR land, including some of the best bouldering western Washington has to offer.

The basics

For those who are brand new to climbing, first things first: what the heck is bouldering, anyway?

Bouldering is a distinct form of climbing. Boulderers don’t use a rope, relying on crash pads to break their falls, and they climb large boulders (shocking, I know) instead of cliffs. Most routes — which boulderers call “problems” — are between 10 ­­­­and 20 feet high.

Every boulder problem has a rating that tells you how difficult it is. In North America, the most common rating system is the V scale, which gets its name from boulderer John Sherman, one of the people who created the scale in the 1980s. Sherman’s friends nicknamed him “Vermin,” and the moniker was immortalized as the “V” that comes before each number grade on the scale. This scale starts at VB (for beginner), then goes from V0 to V17 — the grade for what is currently the hardest problem in the world. 

Bouldering is one of the fastest growing styles of climbing, and if you’re just getting into bouldering outdoors, these five simple tips should help you enjoy a fun and safe day out.

1) Know before you go

Doing a little bit of research before going to a new area will save you from many potential headaches.

Know where to park your vehicle and how to access the boulders, and download a map of the area before you leave home. The Avenza app gives you offline access to maps of DNR land, and the Mountain Project app can provide information on specific boulder problems.

It’s also worth doing some googling to see if where you’re going has cell reception, but when in doubt, it’s safer to assume you won’t have service. Not being able to find the crag because you didn’t do enough research and have no reception to figure out where to go is a real bummer (ask me how I know).

If you’re new to bouldering outdoors, consider going with someone more experienced who can give you pointers on things like pad placement, spotting, how to move on the rock and how to fall safely. There are also many classes and climb nights out there (including programs that are geared towards women and people of color) if you don’t know anyone who could mentor you.

2) Be prepared

While bouldering is one of the most casual kinds of climbing you can do outdoors, you should still be prepared in case things don’t go to plan.

Always bring the 10 essentials and anything else you would pack for a day in the woods.

One vital essential is a first-aid kit and knowing how to use it. Lower limb injuries are the most common way boulderers get hurt, so at the very least it’s a good idea to have the materials and knowledge to deal with a sprained ankle or broken bone.

Tell someone where you’re going and what time you’ll be back so first responders can find you more easily if you have an accident and aren’t able to call for help (a personal locator beacon like an InReach can let you get in touch with authorities in areas with no service).

The 10 essentials will prepare you well for any outdoor activity. 3) Boulder with a buddy

Some problems require a spotter — someone who can help direct your body to a crash pad — to keep you from hitting a rock or anything else that’d hurt to fall on.

Other problems might require multiple crash pads for a safe landing. When you go out with partners, everyone can bring one to create bigger landing zones.

Partners can also call for help, give you first aid if you’re injured and help you get back to your vehicle or the hospital if you need it. Plus, unless they’re total jerks, spending the day outside with your friends is just plain fun.  

Bouldering with a buddy keeps you safe and having fun. 4) Climb with the conditions you find

No one likes having their plans rained out, but given that we live in the Pacific Northwest, you can probably guess what I’m going to say next.

Keep an eye on the forecast and remember that the rock can take time to dry out after a storm. Many boulders are in wooded areas, and the lack of direct sunlight combined with dripping trees can keep things slippery well after the rain has stopped falling.

Overhanging problems may have stayed dry, but if the rock is still damp, use your best judgement in deciding whether to climb or not. Sometimes it’s just too slippery for bouldering to be fun or safe, so it’s good to have some nearby backup activities in mind so you can still enjoy a day outdoors.

5) Minimize your impact

As with any outdoor activity, take care to respect the land and other people’s ability to recreate on it.

Familiarize yourself with the Leave No Trace principles if you haven’t already, keep to established trails, and pack out everything you pack in. Be aware of where you park so you’re not blocking roads or gates.

With the increasing popularity of climbing, more and more people are getting outside, so expect to make some new friends, especially on a nice day. Many bouldering areas are also near other outdoor recreation opportunities, and being courteous with other land users will go a long way toward improving everyone’s experiences.

Remember to pack out all your trash. Get out there

If you like to climb, bouldering can be a great way to take advantage of some dry weather during the fall and winter, and with the right know-how, you can be confident that you’ll enjoy a great day out on the rock.

With the arrival of fall, many Washington climbers curse the rain that settles over the crags west of the Cascade Crest — but good climbing can still be had on the odd dry day or two. The cooler temperatures and beautiful autumn foliage make for good friction and a scenic day out.

If you’re looking to sneak in some days on the rock this fall and winter, there are many places to climb on DNR land, including some of the best bouldering western Washington has to offer.

The basics

For those who are brand new to climbing, first things first: what the heck is bouldering, anyway?

Bouldering is a distinct form of climbing. Boulderers don’t use a rope, relying on crash pads to break their falls, and they climb large boulders (shocking, I know) instead of cliffs. Most routes — which boulderers call “problems” — are between 10 ­­­­and 20 feet high.

Every boulder problem has a rating that tells you how difficult it is. In North America, the most common rating system is the V scale, which gets its name from boulderer John Sherman, one of the people who created the scale in the 1980s. Sherman’s friends nicknamed him “Vermin,” and the moniker was immortalized as the “V” that comes before each number grade on the scale. This scale starts at VB (for beginner), then goes from V0 to V17 — the grade for what is currently the hardest problem in the world. 

Bouldering is one of the fastest growing styles of climbing, and if you’re just getting into bouldering outdoors, these five simple tips should help you enjoy a fun and safe day out.

1) Know before you go

Doing a little bit of research before going to a new area will save you from many potential headaches.

Know where to park your vehicle and how to access the boulders, and download a map of the area before you leave home. The Avenza app gives you offline access to maps of DNR land, and the Mountain Project app can provide information on specific boulder problems.

It’s also worth doing some googling to see if where you’re going has cell reception, but when in doubt, it’s safer to assume you won’t have service. Not being able to find the crag because you didn’t do enough research and have no reception to figure out where to go is a real bummer (ask me how I know).

If you’re new to bouldering outdoors, consider going with someone more experienced who can give you pointers on things like pad placement, spotting, how to move on the rock and how to fall safely. There are also many classes and climb nights out there (including programs that are geared towards women and people of color) if you don’t know anyone who could mentor you.

2) Be prepared

While bouldering is one of the most casual kinds of climbing you can do outdoors, you should still be prepared in case things don’t go to plan.

Always bring the 10 essentials and anything else you would pack for a day in the woods.

One vital essential is a first-aid kit and knowing how to use it. Lower limb injuries are the most common way boulderers get hurt, so at the very least it’s a good idea to have the materials and knowledge to deal with a sprained ankle or broken bone.

Tell someone where you’re going and what time you’ll be back so first responders can find you more easily if you have an accident and aren’t able to call for help (a personal locator beacon like an InReach can let you get in touch with authorities in areas with no service).

The 10 essentials will prepare you well for any outdoor activity. 3) Boulder with a buddy

Some problems require a spotter — someone who can help direct your body to a crash pad — to keep you from hitting a rock or anything else that’d hurt to fall on.

Other problems might require multiple crash pads for a safe landing. When you go out with partners, everyone can bring one to create bigger landing zones.

Partners can also call for help, give you first aid if you’re injured and help you get back to your vehicle or the hospital if you need it. Plus, unless they’re total jerks, spending the day outside with your friends is just plain fun.  

Bouldering with a buddy keeps you safe and having fun. 4) Climb with the conditions you find

No one likes having their plans rained out, but given that we live in the Pacific Northwest, you can probably guess what I’m going to say next.

Keep an eye on the forecast and remember that the rock can take time to dry out after a storm. Many boulders are in wooded areas, and the lack of direct sunlight combined with dripping trees can keep things slippery well after the rain has stopped falling.

Overhanging problems may have stayed dry, but if the rock is still damp, use your best judgement in deciding whether to climb or not. Sometimes it’s just too slippery for bouldering to be fun or safe, so it’s good to have some nearby backup activities in mind so you can still enjoy a day outdoors.

5) Minimize your impact

As with any outdoor activity, take care to respect the land and other people’s ability to recreate on it.

Familiarize yourself with the Leave No Trace principles if you haven’t already, keep to established trails, and pack out everything you pack in. Be aware of where you park so you’re not blocking roads or gates.

With the increasing popularity of climbing, more and more people are getting outside, so expect to make some new friends, especially on a nice day. Many bouldering areas are also near other outdoor recreation opportunities, and being courteous with other land users will go a long way toward improving everyone’s experiences.

Remember to pack out all your trash. Get out there

If you like to climb, bouldering can be a great way to take advantage of some dry weather during the fall and winter, and with the right know-how, you can be confident that you’ll enjoy a great day out on the rock.

Wildfire-Associated Landslide Emergency Response Team ReportSee link below

Wildfire-Associated Landslide Emergency Response Team ReportSee link

 John Day, Prairie City and Hines, OR. – (November 8, 2021) Fire officials continue to monitor conditions for prescribed fire operations daily. All prescribed burn activity is weather and condition dependent.  Emigrant Creek Ranger District has completed over 3000 acres of grapple and hand pile burning in the MD, Mud, Tarzan, Wolf, Upper Pine and Dove units.  Approximately 2000 acres of landing piles have been completed in the Wolf and W2_URU units. This week crews will continue work on hand and grapple piles in MD, Wolf, Upper Pine, Dove and Flat units and landing piles in Wolf, Fly, Soldier and TC units. Prairie City Ranger District has completed 981 acres of grapple and hand piles in the Summit project area (Summit Prairie) and 346 acres of grapple and hand piles in the Elk 16 (Crane Prairie) project area.  Pile burning will continue this week in both project areas, along with landing piles and pile clean up in the Black Butte Fire.   Blue Mountain Ranger District has...

John Day, Prairie City and Hines, OR. – (November 2, 2021) Fire officials continue to monitor conditions for prescribed fire operations daily. All prescribed burn activity is weather and condition dependent.  Emigrant Creek Ranger District will continue pile and landing pile burning through this week in Wolf, Upper Pine, Dove, Marshall Devine and Flat project areas. Prairie City Ranger District will be burning hand piles in the Elk 16 project area (Crane Prairie) and Summit project area (Summit Prairie) this week. Blue Mountain Ranger District will be burning grapple and landing piles in the Big Creek Mosquito project area in the Big Creek area for the remainder of the week.   For the safety of firefighters and the public, roads and areas of prescribed fire activity will be signed. Please avoid these areas so as not to interfere with ongoing operations. For safety, roads, trails and areas may need to close temporarily as firefighter operations are taking place. Smoky conditions...

 John Day, Prairie City and Hines, OR. – (October 29, 2021) Fire officials continue to monitor conditions for prescribed fire operations daily. All prescribed burn activity is weather and condition dependent.   Emigrant Creek Ranger District completed approximately 1000 acres of hand and grapple piles in the Wolf and Tarzan Project areas with an estimated total of 1500 acres by the end of the week.  Approximately 1800 acres of landing piles completed in Wolf and W2_URU project areas with an estimated total 2400 acres completed by the end of the week.  Crews will be burning both grapple and landing piles in the Wolf, Mud, Dry, Upper Pine, Flat and possibly Marshal Devine units for the remainder of this week and into the coming week.     Prairie City Ranger District has completed about 200 acres of hand piles in the Dad’s Project Area and will continue to finish the remaining 40 acres before moving into the Summit Project area (Summit Prairie) and Elk 16 project area (Crane...

KMZ Data File Available for TwentyFive Mile Fire Soil Burn Severity: http://www.centralwashingtonfirerecovery.info/2021/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/TwentyFiveMile_BurnSeverity-kmz-1.zip Reports Twentyfive Mile Fire Burned Area Summary [8-page PDF] Maps TwentyFive Mile Soil Burn Severity Map: Map available in JPG and PDF format   A KMZ file is also available to view the map in greater detail in Google Earth (and many other mapping programs). Download the KMZ zip file, then double-click it to extract the KMZ file and save to your computer. Open the Google Earth program. [If you don’t already have Google Earth, you can download and install it for free HERE.]  Drag the KMZ file onto the Google Earth program icon or main screen (or in Google Earth, click File, Import and select the KMZ file). After the KMZ file loads,  you can zoom way in for more detail, change the angle of view, show or hide each burn severity level, and adjust transparency of levels. ...

KMZ Data File Available for Schneider Springs Fire Soil Burn Severity: ·       http://www.centralwashingtonfirerecovery.info/2021/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/SchneiderSprings-SoilBurnSeverity-kmz.zip Map: Available in JPG and PDF format. A KMZ file is also available to view the map in greater detail in Google Earth  (and many other mapping programs):  Download the KMZ zip file, then double-click it to extract the KMZ file and save to your computer. Open the Google Earth program. [If you don’t already have Google Earth, you can download and install it for free HERE.]  Drag the KMZ file onto the Google Earth program icon or main screen (or in Google Earth, click File, Import and select the KMZ file). After the KMZ file loads, you can zoom way in for more detail, change the angle of view, show, or hide each burn severity level, and adjust transparency of levels.  Additional Information on Soil Burn Severity Levels: Low severity- These zones where...

SCHNEIDER SPRINGS POST-FIRE BAER SOIL BURN SEVERITY MAP RELEASED       USDA Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) is a multi-disciplinary team that assesses post-fire impacts on federal lands following significant wildfires. The role of the assessment team is to characterize fire effects within the burned area to identify imminent post-fire threats to human life, safety, property, infrastructure, and critical natural and cultural resources on National Forest System (NFS) lands and recommend emergency response actions designed to mitigate identified risks. After the assessment, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest land managers establish an organization to implement protective and stabilization treatments that will be approved by the Forest Service Regional and National offices.   The BAER team began their assessment immediately after the fire threat passed. Their focus was on direct effects to the burned landscape caused by the fire, rather than from fire...

Fire management officials on the North Fork John Day Ranger District are implementing a 300-acre prescribed burn within the Meadowbrook FTQ burn unit, located approximately 2 miles southeast from Dale, Oregon and 6 miles east of Meadowbrook Summit.   The Meadowbrook prescribed burn is anticipated to take 1-2 days to complete and primarily consists of grass and mixed pine. The objective of the burn is to improve foraging habitat for big game, reduce long-term wildfire risk through reductions in existing fuel loading, to restore the ecological functions of a fire adapted ecosystem to the area, and to kill germinated invasive annual grasses. Hunters and forest visitors are encouraged to plan ahead and avoid the area during prescribed burning activities.   Additional information about this prescribed burn is available by visiting the Umatilla National Forest’s prescribed fire interactive map. This map displays burning activities and the interactive map allows the...