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Matlock FireInciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6896 Size: 85 acres Cause: Lightning  Containment: 70% Personnel: 105 Resources Assigned: One Interagency Hotshot Crew, two Type 2IA crews, five Type 6 engines, five water tenders. Management: Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team, Incident Commander Gabe Hale UKIAH, Oregon – Firefighters are steadily progressing to complete containment of the 85-acre Matlock Fire, which is burning in timber on the Umatilla National Forest, 13.5 miles northwest of Ukiah, Oregon. The fire, which is now 70% contained, is only burning in isolated, smoldering hotspots inside the perimeter. Yesterday, hotshot crews put handline around several small spot fires which had burned at the northern edge of the fire, while engines patrolled and mopped up along roads on the east and west flank. Suppression efforts are directed by Incident Commander Gabe Hale, Deputy IC Joe Goebel, and the Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3...

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6896 Management: Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team, Incident Commander Gabe Hale Size: 85 acres Cause: Lightning Containment: 50% Resources Assigned: Three Interagency Hotshot Crews, two Type 2IA crews, eight Type 6 engines, seven water tenders, one dozer, one feller-buncher/skidder team, one processor, one Type 3 helicopter. UKIAH, Oregon – Firefighters are making significant progress containing the 85-acre Matlock Fire, which is burning in timber on the Umatilla National Forest, 13.5 miles northwest of Ukiah, Oregon. The fire did not grow yesterday and is now 50% contained, as crews cleaned up the head of the fire to the north. Some smoldering hotspots remain, but are mainly well within the fire perimeter. Suppression efforts are directed by Incident Commander Gabe Hale and the Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team. Today, hotshot crews are completing handline around small spot fires on...

 Matlock Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6896 Management: Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team, Incident Commander Gabe Hale Size: 85 acres Cause: Lightning  Containment: 40%  Resources Assigned: Three Interagency Hotshot Crews, two Type 2IA crews, twelve Type 6 engines, ten water tenders, three dozers, two feller-buncher/skidder teams, one processor, one Type 1 helicopter, one Type 2 helicopter, one Type 3 helicopter. UKIAH, Oregon – Firefighters continue working to contain the 85-acre Matlock Fire, which is burning in timber on the Umatilla National Forest, 13.5 miles northwest of Ukiah, Oregon. The fire, which is 40% contained, exhibited no growth yesterday as crews improved existing handlines and extinguished small spot fires. Single-tree torching was observed within the perimeter, but fire behavior was generally minimal. Suppression efforts are directed by Incident Commander Gabe Hale and the Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3...

Matlock Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6896 Management: Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team, Incident Commander Gabe Hale Size: 85 acres Cause: Lightning  Containment: 40%  Resources Assigned: Three Interagency Hotshot Crews, one Type 2 crew, seven Type 6 engines, seven water tenders, three dozers, two feller-buncher/skidder teams, two Type 1 helicopters, two Type 2 helicopters, one Type 3 helicopter. UKIAH, Oregon - This morning, the Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Gabe Hale, took charge of the 85-acre Matlock Fire, burning in timber on the Umatilla National Forest 13.5 miles northwest of Ukiah, Oregon. The fire was sparked by lightning on July 28; hot, dry conditions, along with gusty winds, initially pushed the fire northward along Matlock Hill. The fire was detected through an Oregon Department of Forestry camera on Black Mountain. Yesterday, with the aid of retardant-dropping...

PENDLETON, Ore. – Firefighters are actively suppressing a wildfire located near Matlock Hill, approximately 13 miles northwest of Ukiah, Oregon on the North Fork John Day Ranger District. The Matlock Fire, which is currently estimated at 60 acres, was reported on Tues., July 28 at 3:39 p.m. Fire managers located the wildfire with assistance from an Oregon Department of Forestry detection camera located on Black Mountain. The fire was caused by lightning and is burning in grass and timber with dead and down trees.  The fire actively burned yesterday to the southeast with crowning, torching, and spotting.  Gusty winds contributed to increased fire behavior and growth.  Numerous resources aided in initial attack efforts, including support from Oregon Department of Forestry.  The Forest will inbrief the local Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team today at 12 p.m. with plans for the team to take command of the fire tomorrow. An incident command post will be...

Today is the final daily update. Future updates will only be released if the situation changes significantly. Northwest Incident Management Team (IMT) 7 transitioned command of the Ben Young Fire to a local Type 4 IMT at 6 a.m. today.  NWIMT 7 would like to express its gratitude to the Fremont-Winema National Forest, the Klamath-Lake Unit of Oregon Department of Forestry, the Lakeview District Bureau of Land Management, the contractors that supported the effort, and the affected communities here in Lake County for their cooperation and support.   Yesterday’s Activity – There was a very light rain on portions of the fire area as crews focused on patrolling the fire’s perimeter and removing and returning unneeded equipment and supplies from the fire line.  Today’s Operations – Firefighters will continue to focus on mopping up the fire line and spot fires on the eastern flank on the ridge, just south of Myers Butte.   Repair of the effects of the suppression...

Firefighters continue to make progress toward full containment of the Ben Young Fire which is now 75% contained.  Yesterday’s Activity – Firefighters put in another solid day of work on Sunday patrolling and securing the fire’s perimeter.  Today’s Operations – Fire resources will continue to patrol and begin fire suppression repairs today.  Crews will also begin back hauling unneeded equipment and supplies from the fire. Helicopter support is available for today’s operations, if needed. Excess resources are being made available for other fires. Resources from multiple agencies are working on the fire, including Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  Weather and Fire Behavior:  The weather is forecast to be cloudy and hot with potential thunderstorms projected through the day. There is a Red Flag Warning issued for abundant lightning on dry fuels from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm. The fire will continue to smolder and...

Paisley, OR – Firefighters continue to hold the Ben Young Fire in place bringing containment up to 65%. Resources from multiple agencies and contractors are working on the fire, including Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Yesterday’s Activity – Minimal fire activity occurred throughout the day and crews were able to make excellent progress reinforcing the entire fireline with occasional helicopter use. Today’s Operations – Firefighters will continue with patrol and mopping up along the perimeter of the fire in all divisions. Crews are monitoring for remaining heat on steep slopes in smoldering heavy fuels within the interior on the NW corner. Crews are looking for opportunities for fire suppression repairs and bringing equipment off the fireline. Weather and Fire Behavior: Hot, dry weather with calm winds are expected with high temperature in the low 90s and 11% Relative Humidity. Smoldering heavy fuels will...

The success of yesterday’s operations has brought containment up to 55%.  Resources from multiple agencies and contractors are working on the fire, including Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Yesterday’s Activity – Minimal fire activity occurred throughout the day and hotshot crews were able to make progress on securing the fire perimeter. Helicopters supported ground crews with bucket drops over the eastern flank.  Today’s Operations – Firefighters will continue with direct suppression strategies focusing on the slopes with little vehicle access.   Air resources have been readily available and effective. Controlling the fire’s edge and mopping up will be today’s primary focus. Weather and Fire Behavior:  The weekend will bring warm and dry weather with calm winds. Smoldering heavy fuels within the interior continue to burn. Minimal smoke production is expected Saturday.  There is potential for isolated...

The emergency fire closure for the Ben Young Fire area on the Paisley Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest was modified this morning, reducing in size and opening some recreation areas. The closure area is now reduced, with the area bounded by Forest Road 33 in the west to the Forest Boundary to the east, and by the 33-122 and 3510-019 Roads on the northern end and the 3510 road on the southern end. Also closed are Forest Roads 3510-018 off Clover Flat Road, the 3510-019 and 33-122 roads in the northern part of the closure area, the 3510 Road between the Forest Boundary Forest Road 33, and Road 3509 between Forest Road 3510 and the 28 Road. Forest Road 33, also known as the River Road, remains open, but the area directly east of the road between Forest Roads 3510 and 33-122 is in the emergency fire closure area. This adjustment reopens recreation sites including Marster Spring Campground, Chewaucan Crossing Campground and Jones Crossing Forest Camp. Moss Meadow...

 FIRE AREA EMERGENCY CLOSURE  FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST  PAISLEY RANGER DISTRICT  Order Number 06-02-03-20-01-01  Pursuant to Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations §261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on National Forest System lands and roads within the following described area on the Paisley Ranger District, Fremont-Winema National Forest, as described in attached Exhibit A. This order supersedes Order Number 06-02-03-20-01 and these prohibitions are effective immediately upon the time and date of the signature on this Order and will remain in effect until December 1, 2020, unless rescinded earlier. PROHIBITION: (1) Going onto or being within an area closed for public health and safety. 36 CFR § 261.53 (e) (2) Being upon a closed road. 36 CFR § 261.54 (e) The area described below will be closed to public access/entry due to hazards and hazardous conditions created as a result of the Ben Young Fire. AFFECTED AREA / CLOSURE AREA: All legal...

Good progress was made yesterday to reinforce and secure the fireline.  The fire is now 35% contained and 1,249 acres.  The fire continues to threaten the Round Pass Communications Site, the Morgan Butte Fire Lookout, and one residence.   Resources from multiple agencies are working on the fire, including Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  Yesterday’s Activity – Helicopter bucket drops were used to check hotspots and support ground crews, especially on the northern perimeter of the fire. Dozers were able to better secure the southeastern perimeter.  Today’s Operations – With heavy fuels still burning inside the fireline, controlling the perimeter and mopping up will be the primary focus for today’s efforts. Ground resources will continue suppressing spot fires with ongoing aircraft support. Weather and Fire Behavior:  A drying trend expected through the weekend will bring low relative humidity. Moderate...

The Ben Young Fire is currently 1,200 acres and located 13 miles south of Paisley, OR.  The fire is burning on steep slopes with grass and brush on lower slopes and timbered ridges.  NW 7 Incident Command Team 7 (Incident Commander Eric Knerr) took over management of the Ben Young Fire today at 6 a.m.  The fire is threatening the communication site on Round Mountain, the Morgan Butte Fire Lookout, and one residence.  More residences could become threatened as the fire moves to the east.  Resources from multiple agencies are working on the fire, including Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  Yesterday’s Activity – Firefighters made good progress yesterday as thunderstorm activity was minimal, with a short period of precipitation and heavy downdrafts.  Steep slopes made fire access and egress initially difficult, but a combination of dozer and air support made good progress.   Today’s Operations - Continuation of...

FIRE AREA EMERGENCY CLOSUREFREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FORESTPAISLEY RANGER DISTRICTOrder Number 06-02-03-20-01 Pursuant to Title 36, Code of Federal Regulations §261.50 (a) and (b), the following act is prohibited on NationalForest System lands and roads within the following described area on the Paisley Ranger District, FremontWinema National Forest, as described in attached Exhibit A. This prohibition will become effective immediately on July 22, 2020 upon signature of this Order and will remainin effect until December 1, 2020, unless rescinded earlier. PROHIBITION:(1) Going onto or being within an area closed for public health and safety. 36 CFR § 261.53 (e)(2) Being upon a closed road. 36 CFR § 261.54 (e) The area described below will be closed to public access/entry due to hazards and hazardous conditionscreated as a result of the Ben Young Fire. AFFECTED AREA / CLOSURE AREA: All legal descriptions are located within the Willamette Meridianand described as follows: Point of...

An emergency fire closure is now in effect for the Ben Young Fire area on the Paisley Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest.The closure area is on the National Forest System land east of Forest Road 33 from Forest Road 3510 north towards Paisley.  Also closed are Forest Roads 3510-018 off Clover Flat Road, the 3510 Road between the Forest Boundary Forest Road 33, and Road 3509 between Forest Road 3510 and the 28 Road. Within the closure area are Marster Spring Campground, Chewaucan Crossing Campground, Jones Crossing Forest Camp, Moss Meadow Horse Camp, Moss Pass Trailhead and Campground, and the Fremont National Recreation Trail.  These recreation sites are all closed due to the emergency fire closure. The closure order is formally referenced as 06-02-03-20-01.  It went into effect this afternoon and is in effect until conditions allow or December 1, 2020, whichever occurs first.  There will be public notification when the closure order is lifted.Forest visitors...

The Ben Young Fire is currently burning on the Paisley Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest approximately 10 miles south of Paisley. The fire was discovered yesterday at 12:56 p.m. on private lands and moved onto the National Forest late yesterday afternoon.  The cause is under investigation. This morning it is estimated that the fire is between 1,200 and 1,500 acres and there is no containment.  One private cabin in the area is threatened.  Fire behavior is moderate with some torching.   Currently there is a local Type 3 Incident Management Team assigned to the Ben Young Fire.  A Type 2 Incident Management Team is scheduled to begin transitioning onto the fire today at 5 p.m. Resources from multiple agencies are working on the fire, including Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).  This includes multiple engines, a dozer, helicopters, air attack, a lead plane, three heavy air tankers and three single...

The Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Crater Lake National Park, and Bureau of Land Management Lakeview District announced today that all new ignitions for prescribed fire have been postponed until further notice.   Potential smoke impacts to the public are considered in all prescribed fire and wildfire management. As always, we will work in coordination with local and state health organizations and make any necessary changes should the need arise. This decision to temporarily postpone prescribed fire activities will prevent any effects from smoke that might further worsen conditions for those who are at risk in our communities while reducing exposure for employees who might not otherwise need to travel and creating social distancing for resources working on the fire.

The Bly Ranger District, USFS, plans to conduct a prescribed fire operation starting Tuesday, March 17, 2020, through Friday, March 20, 2020, to burn hand piles resulting from a fuel reduction and hazardous tree removal project. The prescribed fire activities will focus on burning approximately 79 acres of hand piles in the Horseglade Meadow, Camp 6, area. Hand piles are a result of using chainsaws to thin the forest. Much of the smaller cut material is piled for burning. Piles must be burned before the project is complete. Public and firefighter safety is always the number one priority in burning operations. Wind helps disperse smoke created during pile burning operations and snow helps keep the piles contained. Seeing flames and smoke, even after dark, is part of normal operations. This is one way that we can help reduce the buildup of fuel on the landscape under the safest conditions. Conditions are evaluated each day to determine if ignition will take place. Precipitation, wind,...

The Bly Ranger District, USFS, plans to conduct a prescribed fire operation starting Friday, March 13, 2020, inside the West Spodue Project Area.  The prescribed fire activities will focus on burning approximately 120 acres in Elde Flat Meadow. Fire managers plan to take advantage of tree line snowpack to focus on burning grasses within the meadow. Smoke will be visible from the community of Beatty and roadways and recreation areas in the general vicinity of this project. No road or trail closures are planned as part of the prescribed fire. However, during operations, fire personnel and vehicles will be visible to the public. Motorists are reminded to slow down and drive with heightened awareness when passing through active project areas. The Fremont-Winema National Forest is part of a fire-dependent ecosystem. Fire on the landscape is critical to overall ecosystem functioning and the sustainability of local communities, watersheds, and wildlife habitat.

Prescribed fire season has arrived in South Central Oregon, and fire managers on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, Lakeview District Bureau of Land Management, and Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex will be applying prescribed fire to the landscape. Prescribed fire is used by fire managers to improve forest health and wildlife habitat, and to reduce hazardous fuels to minimize the threat of high-intensity, severe wildfires in our area. Applying prescribed fire is a part of our continued commitment to protecting communities and natural resources from wildfires. Warmer temperatures, reduced snowpack, adequate humidity, and favorable winds are improving the conditions needed for firefighters to start applying fire to planned units. Area residents and visitors may notice smoke or fire on public lands in various areas during the next few months. Each prescribed fire can appear different visually depending on the forest type, fuel load, prescribed fire objectives, and...