Pile Burning Continues in West Bend

BEND– Beginning today and continuing through the week, fuels specialists plan to burn 167 acres of piles near Dillion Falls west of Bend.

The units to be burned are approximately five miles west of Dillion Falls and are concentrations of leftover woody debris associated with previous vegetation management activities intended to remove hazardous fuels that can burn during summer wildfires. No road or trail closures are anticipated with this burning.

Open flames may be present for up to a day and smoke and steam could remain in the area for over a week. The public is reminded to not attempt to extinguish these piles if they see smoke or flame. Fuels specialists will be monitoring these sites until all piles are declared out.  

The units west of Bend can be viewed via the West Bend Interactive map here: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/west-bend/

 

However, if smoke drifts on to roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care. 

Fuels specialists follow policies outlined in the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan, which governs prescribed fires (including pile burning) and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.

For more information, visit the Deschutes website at www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes and follow us on twitter @CentralORFire.  

Pile Burning Planned for Next Week Outside of Sisters

SISTERS– Taking advantage of the cooler weather, fuels specialists plan to burn nearly 200 acres of slash piles next week within approximately one mile of Camp Sherman and within the Glaze Forest Restoration area.

Beginning as early as Monday and continuing through the week, fuels specialists are planning to burn three units of piles totaling 44 acres within the Glaze Forest Restoration project area south of Highway 20 and west of Cold Springs Cutoff/Forest Road 1012. An additional five units totaling 153 acres are slated for burning in the Metolius area within approximately one mile of Camp Sherman. 

Piles may smolder, burn, and produce smoke for several days after ignition.  While smoke may linger in the area, there is a real benefit to burning this type of vegetation.  The piles are concentrations of leftover materials associated with previous vegetation management activities intended to remove hazardous fuels that can burn during summer wildfires. 

No closures are anticipated with these operations.  However, if smoke drifts on to roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care.  Once ignited, units are monitored by firefighters until they are declared out.

Fuels specialists follow policies outlined in the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan, which governs prescribed fires (including pile burning) and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.

For more information, visit the Deschutes website at www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes and follow us on twitter @CentralORFire.  

Pile Burning Begins on the Deschutes National Forest

Central Oregon–As fall weather brings more moisture, shorter days, and cooler temperatures, fuels specialists are beginning to burn piles across the Deschutes National Forest. 

Starting today and continuing through the next several weeks and months depending on conditions, specialists will begin burning a variety of units across the forest.

Piles may smolder, burn, and produce smoke for several days after ignition.  While smoke may linger in the area, there is a real benefit to burning this type of vegetation.  The piles are concentrations of leftover materials associated with previous vegetation management activities intended to remove hazardous fuels that can burn during summer wildfires. 

No closures are anticipated with these operations.  However, if smoke drifts on to roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care.  Once ignited, units are monitored by firefighters until they are declared out.

Fuels specialists follow policies outlined in the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan, which governs prescribed fires (including pile burning) and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.

For more information, visit the Deschutes website at www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes and follow us on twitter @CentralORFire. 

-End-

Ochoco prescribed burns cancelled; pile burning instead

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Due to the precipitation received over the weekend, fire managers on the Ochoco National Forest have cancelled plans for prescribed burning near Spears Meadow and near Black Canyon Wilderness. They will resume burning hand piles along Forest Road 22 near Walton Lake instead.

Firefighters were able to accomplish about 600 acres of prescribed burning last week in the Willow Pine burn units, located in the southeast corner of the National Forest, about five miles south of Frazier campground near Porcupine and Sunflower creeks.

 This week they will resume burning hand piles along Forest Road 22, between Ochoco Ranger Station and Walton Lake.

The piles are left over from a mechanical thinning project to reduce hazardous fuels and fire danger along the popular route. Piles created from this type of treatment are allowed to dry for one to two years to reduce smoke emissions and increase consumption of piled material.

Light smoke will be visible during ignition periods but will be short in duration. Prescribed fire signs will be placed along the road. Burning will continue as long as weather and fuel conditions allow.

All prescribed burning is proposed, analyzed, and planned ahead of time by the Forest Service as part of restoration and fuels management projects. Fuels specialists follow policies outlined in the Oregon Smoke Management Plan, which governs prescribed fires (including pile burning) and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.

For more information, visit the Ochoco National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/ochoco and follow us on Twitter @CentralORFire, or visit our interactive prescribed fire map online at http://go.usa.gov/3hkwJ

Prescribed burn planned for Monday on Ochoco NF

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Fire managers on the Ochoco National Forest plan to take advantage of favorable weather on Monday to ignite another prescribed burn, the location of which depends on the amount of precipitation that arrives this weekend.

Predictions call for varying amounts of rain in the Ochocos this weekend. If conditions are dry enough on Monday, fire managers will pursue the Spears 1 prescribed burn near Spears Meadow, just west of Highway 26 and east of Rocky Butte along Forest Road 3300500, about 17 miles east of Prineville.

The Spears 1 burn unit is about 1,200 acres and will be accomplished over several days. Smoke is expected to drift north into Mill Creek Valley, but signs will be placed along Highway 26. There are no road closures expected.

An attempted prescribed burn near Spears Meadow earlier this week was too wet to burn with desired intensity and that burn is now in patrol status.

If conditions near Spears Meadow remain too wet to burn on Monday, fire managers will pursue the Upper Beaver prescribed burn unit. That burn unit is approximately 1,000 acres located immediately south of Black Canyon Wilderness and just west of Mud Springs campground.

Firefighters successfully burned this week within the Willow Pine burn units located on the drier eastern side of the National Forest, about five miles south of Frazier campground near Porcupine and Sunflower creeks.

Objectives for both the Spears 1 and Upper Beaver prescribed burns include improvement of wildlife habitat and range conditions, and removing hazardous fuels to reduce the future potential for high-intensity wildfire. 

All prescribed burning is proposed, analyzed, and planned ahead of time by the Forest Service as part of restoration and fuels management projects. Fuels specialists follow policies outlined in the Oregon Smoke Management Plan, which governs prescribed fires (including pile burning) and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.

For more information, visit the Ochoco National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/ochoco and follow us on Twitter @CentralORFire, or visit our interactive prescribed fire map online at http://go.usa.gov/3hkwJ

Two prescribed burns planned on Ochoco NF this week

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Fire managers on the Ochoco National Forest plan to conduct prescribed burning within two project areas this week pending favorable weather conditions.

Fire managers will burn 50 and 100-acre blocks at a time, and continue as long as weather and fuel conditions allow.

The Spears prescribed burn unit is a total of 116 acres, located about 25 miles east of Prineville near Clay Spring, about two miles southeast of Highway 26 and the Mark’s Creek residential development.

The Willow Pine prescribed burn units total 600 acres, located on the southeast corner of the National Forest, about 20 miles south of Dayville, Ore. and about five miles south of Frazier campground near Sunflower and Porcupine creeks.

The goals for both projects include improvement of wildlife habitat and range conditions, and removing hazardous fuels to reduce the future potential for high-intensity wildfire. 

Light smoke will be visible during ignition periods but will be short in duration. Prescribed fire signs will be placed along adjacent forest roads.

All prescribed burning is proposed, analyzed, and planned ahead of time by the Forest Service as part of restoration and fuels management projects. Fuels specialists follow policies outlined in the Oregon Smoke Management Plan, which governs prescribed fires (including pile burning) and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.

For more information, visit the Ochoco National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/ochoco and follow us on Twitter @CentralORFire, or visit our interactive prescribed fire map online at http://go.usa.gov/3hkwJ

Fuels Specialists Plan to Ignite Prescribed Burn in Experimental Forest

BEND – On Thursday, fuels specialists plan to ignite a 127 acre prescribed burn within the Pringle Falls Experimental Forest, approximately 25 miles southwest of Bend.

The Pringle Falls Experimental Forest is a diverse field laboratory within the Deschutes National Forest. This is the third consecutive year fuels specialists will be putting fire on the ground in the experimental forest which continues the research of the Pacific Northwest Research Station on fuels management and forest insect and disease issues within ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests. The objective of the burn is to reduce stand densities, which should lower the susceptibility to catastrophic loss to insects, disease and fire. 

There are no road closures anticipated with this burn. Residences and businesses in the areas of the prescribed burn are advised to keep their windows and doors closed during the night hours to avoid any potential smoke impacts. If smoke drifts on to local roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care. 

Fuels specialists will follow policies outlined in the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan, which governs prescribed fires, and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.  Once ignited, units are monitored and patrolled until they are declared out. 

For more information, visit the Deschutes National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes and follow us on Twitter @CentralORFire. 

-End-

Pile burning this week near Walton Lake on Ochoco NF

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Fire managers on the Ochoco National Forest will take advantage of recent precipitation to burn hand piles this week along Forest Road 22 between Ochoco Ranger Station and Walton Lake, about 25 miles east of Prineville.

Light smoke will be visible during ignition periods but will be short in duration. Prescribed fire signs will be placed along the road. Burning will continue as long as weather and fuel conditions allow.

This weekend’s rain showers brought up to a half-inch of precipitation across the forest, creating wet enough conditions to safely ignite the piles of brush and branches.

The piles are left over from a mechanical thinning project to reduce hazardous fuels and fire danger along the popular route. Piles created from this type of treatment are allowed to dry for one to two years to reduce smoke emissions and increase consumption of piled material.

Fuels specialists follow policies outlined in the Oregon Smoke Management Plan, which governs prescribed fires (including pile burning) and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health. 

Fall Prescribed Burning to Begin This Week Across the Deschutes National Forest

Fall Prescribed Burning to Begin This Week Across the Deschutes National Forest

Ignitions planned South and West of Bend and outside of Sisters

CENTRAL OREGON – Starting as early as Thursday, fuels specialists on the Deschutes National Forest intend to ignite several prescribed burns across the forest beginning east of Highway 97, 1 mile west of Horse Butte along the south side of Bend, and 3 miles west of Sisters, adjacent to Black Butte Ranch. If conditions remain favorable fuels specialists will continue burning a unit 3 miles northwest of Wickiup Reservoir on either Friday or Saturday and will move west of Bend at the beginning of next week with two additional prescribed burns.

The prescribed burns scheduled for Thursday include an 80-acre unit south of Bend is located within the congressionally designated Deschutes Skyline Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration boundary which receives funding towards accelerated forest restoration and a 51 acre prescribed burn outside of Sisters that is part of the Glaze Meadow Forest Restoration Project. The project objectives for the burn south of Bend include reducing hazardous fuels and creating defensible space within the wildland urban interface. The burn objectives for the Glaze Meadow unit outside of Sisters include improving and invigorating aspen growing conditions to address the declining health of aspen habitats.

On Friday or Saturday, fuels specialists are planning to burn a 281 acre unit 3 miles northwest of Wickiup Reservoir. There is a possibility of continuing to burn in the South Bend area west of Horse Butte if conditions remain favorable.

Finally, additional prescribed burns are scheduled west of Bend beginning on Monday. The first is COD 9, a 78 acre unit within the West Bend Project area about 3 miles southwest of Bend, across from Widgi Creek Golf Course. Next up could be “Wet Unit 3,” an 85 acre unit south of Skyliner’s road on the east side of the Skyliner subdivision.

All prescribed burns have been scheduled to take advantage of the cooler and more humid fall season, which minimizes the detrimental impacts of a summer wildfire by consuming surface fuels and reducing shrub and small tree densities. These prescribed fire projects are being conducted to reduce the threat of large scale wildfire to the community of Bend.

No road closures are anticipated with any of the projects although drivers can expect road flaggers on Skyliner’s Road during periods of time where dense smoke may limit visibility. Smoke from the South Bend unit will likely impact Woodside Ranch residences, particularly those located along Ridgeview Drive.  Smoke from the West Bend COD burn could impact the Highlands subdivision and the golf course in Tetherow as well as Widgi Creek, Entrada, and Inn of the 7th Mountain, which are also nearby. Smoke from the Wet Unit 3 burn will impact Skyliner residents.

Residences and businesses in the areas of all of these prescribed burns are advised to keep their windows and doors closed during the night hours to avoid any potential smoke impacts.  If smoke drifts on to local roads, motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with care.  Residences and businesses in the area are advised to keep their windows and doors closed during the night hours to avoid any potential smoke impacts. 

Fuels specialists will follow policies outlined in the Oregon Department of Forestry smoke management plan, which governs prescribed fires, and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.  Once ignited, units are monitored and patrolled until they are declared out. 

For more information, visit the Deschutes National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/deschutes and follow us on Twitter @CentralORFire.  

Two recent fires are a reminder of fire danger

As hunting season gets underway, fire managers want to remind everyone that fire danger is still a concern in Central Oregon, even though campfires are allowed in most places on federal public lands.

On Friday afternoon, firefighters responded to a small, human-caused fire on the Ochoco National Forest. An investigation determined the fire was caused by an exploding Tannerite target.

Yesterday, firefighters responded to another fire on the Ochoco National Forest, determined to have started sometime over the weekend from a campfire that was not properly extinguished.

The campers had since left and it was apparent they had put some water on the fire and mixed in dirt. Covering the fire in dirt allowed the unextinguished embers to smolder and later creep out into nearby duff and pine litter igniting a fire.

“Nighttime temperatures are dropping, but we still haven’t received much precipitation in Central Oregon since early July,” said Fire Prevention Specialist Stacy Lacey. “We’re asking everyone spending time out in the woods this fall to be vigilant with fire. That includes minding your campfire, being careful where you shoot, and following the prohibition on exploding targets.” 

Fire managers want to remind everyone that exploding targets, tracer ammo and incendiary ammo are illegal on public lands in Oregon and Washington. See attached flyer for some simple, easy precautions to take when shooting on public land.

Also, campfires are still prohibited on private and state-administered lands in Central Oregon, so check with the local Rural Fire Protection Districts on current restrictions.

For current restrictions on federal land, go here: http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com/2015/09/fire-restrictions-reduced-on-federal.html

Or stop by the Hunter’s Information Booth today through Friday in front of Ray’s Market, 1535 NE Third Street, in Prineville to get the answers to all of your questions about hunting, camping, campfires, and driving on federal, state, county and private lands across central and eastern Oregon.

Prescribed burn planned near Mill Creek this week

Fire managers on the Ochoco National Forest plan to conduct the 400-acre Squirrel Ridge prescribed burn near Mill Creek Wilderness later this week, pending favorable weather conditions.

Last week’s wave of precipitation across Central Oregon, combined with cooler daytime temperatures, provides a window of opportunity this week to successfully complete this fuels treatment before another predicted rain event arrives this weekend.

If predicted rain arrives early, fire managers may try to complete this treatment early next week as conditions allow.

Objectives for the Squirrel Ridge prescribed burn include improving upland forage conditions for both livestock and big game animals, and reducing hazardous fuels in accordance with the Crook County Community Wildfire Protection Plan.

This prescribed burn will complete a 736-acre fuels treatment project that fire managers began working on in 2013.

Ignitions are expected to last one or two days, with smoke being visible in the area for several days following. Light smoke will be visible from Highway 26 and along Forest Road 33, and other nearby forest roads, during active burn periods.

Fuels specialists follow policies outlined in the Oregon Smoke Management Plan, which governs prescribed fires (including pile burning) and attempts to minimize impacts to visibility and public health.

The Forest appreciates public tolerance of temporary smoke conditions in support of these restoration goals.

Fire restrictions reduced on federal lands in Central Oregon

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Due to the recent pulse of moisture across Central Oregon,  MOST public use restrictions have been dropped on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, the Prineville BLM District, and the Crooked River National Grassland, effective immediately.

The Industrial Fire Precaution Level has been reduced to Level 2 “Partial Hootowl,” meaning chainsaws must still shut down between 1 pm and 8 pm.

On federal lands, the public can once again enjoy campfires in most designated campgrounds and at dispersed camping sites, including in wilderness. All restrictions on smoking, or the use of portable stoves and grills, have been lifted.

On the Prineville BLM District, seasonal campfire restrictions remain in effect along the John Day River until September 30, and along portions of the Crooked and White River and all of the Lower Deschutes until October 15. (See below).

Long-standing restrictions on campfires at Hosmer Lake on Deschutes National Forest also remain in effect, due to the dry cattails and rushes, and the boat-in only access.

Effective today, personal use firewood cutting can resume within the hours designated under IFPL 2.

Recent moisture has reduced the fire danger level to “Moderate,” but fire danger still exists.

Please ensure campfires are attended at all times, and make sure your fire is DEAD OUT before leaving your camp site.

Under IFPL 2, a one-hour fire watch is required following shutdown of the last power-driven equipment for the day.

Read more about IFPL here: http://go.usa.gov/3eAkC

For updated information on fire restrictions, call the fire restriction hotline at Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center:  1-800-523-4737

Officials also want to remind the public that fireworks, explosives and exploding targets are banned on FS and BLM lands in Oregon and Washington.

Campfire bans remain in effect on private and state-administered lands across Central Oregon. Check with your local Rural Fire Protection District for the status of local fire restrictions.

More info on Prineville BLM seasonal restrictions can be found here: http://www.blm.gov/or/districts/prineville/fire/alerts.php

Fire restrictions remain in place until October 15, 2015 on public lands:

Crooked River

Within 1/2 mile of the river's edge along the Lower Crooked River from the Highway 97 bridge to Lake Billy Chinook.

Deschutes River

Within 1/2 mile of the river's edge from the Highway 20 bridge to Lake  Billy Chinook; including  all BLM-administered lands north of the Jefferson county line and between the Deschutes River  and Crooked River.

Within 1/2 mile of Lake Simtustus (between Round Butte Dam and Pelton Dam),

Within the Lower Deschutes National Wild and Scenic River  corridor (Pelton Dam to the Columbia

River).

Lake Billy Chinook

Those public lands located within 1/2 mile of Lake Billy Chinook; including BLM Beach dispersed recreation site located approximately 1/2 mile east of the Three Rivers Recreation Area on the south shore of the Metolius River Arm of the lake.

White River

Within 1/2 mile of the river's edge from its confluence with the Deschutes River upstream to the

eastern boundary of the Mount Hood National Forest.

Fire restrictions remain in place until September 30, 2015 on public lands within 1/4 mile of the river's edge in the following locations:

The mainstem John Day River from Tumwater Falls (River Mile 1 0) upstream to Kimberly (River Mile 185);

The North Fork John Day River, from the confluence with the mainstem at Kimberly (River Mile 0) upstream to the Umatilla National Forest boundary (River Mile 62);

The South Fork John Day River from Smokey Creek (River Mile 6) upstream to Malheur National Forest boundary (River Mile 47).

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Cove Fire Evening Upate

Cove Fire:  Firefighters work together to stop spread; evacuees allowed to return

Approximately forty campers from the E Loop of Cove Palisades State Park Campground and sixty residents from a nearby subdivision were evacuated earlier today as fire pushed by strong winds quickly burned through sagebrush, juniper and grass.  Local farmers spotted the fire around 10:30 am and took action to suppress it until fire personnel arrived.  Firefighters from Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), and Ochoco and Deschutes National Forests joined firefighters from Jefferson County Rural Fire Department #1 to check the spread of the fire.  Emergency personnel from Oregon State Police and Warm Springs Police Department assisted Sheriff Jim Adkins and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office in notifying residents and campers to evacuate the area.  The evacuation order has been lifted and evacuees have returned to their homes and camps.  Two vacant homes and several outbuildings were destroyed by the fire, but no injuries to the public or emergency personnel were reported.  Investigators from Oregon State Police and Oregon Department of Forestry determined the cause to be bbq briquettes which were improperly disposed of.  Fuel conditions throughout central Oregon remain extreme; fire managers urge Oregonians to be vigilant about prevention and limit the risk of starting a wildfire by continuing to practice fire safety awareness.  The public is also reminded that campfires are banned on Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Prineville BLM, Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands, and Oregon State Parks.

While firefighting resources are stretched during these extreme conditions state, federal and county resources worked together to stop the fire at approximately 200 acres.  Unified Command was established to manage the 11 engines, 1 water tender, 2 crews, 2 heavy air tankers with a lead plane, a heli-tanker and air attack to catch the fire and provide structure protection for the evacuated area.  Additional overhead personnel worked to direct resources during this challenging fire.  Firefighters will continue to work this evening to mop-up hot spots and keep the fire inside containment lines.  Tomorrow crews from Dear Ridge Correctional Institution will join engines to continue mop-up.  The fire burned in a mix of steep terrain near Cove Palisades State Park, and more gentle ground near the residential area.  While winds have moderated, firefighters continue to watch for any sparks which could quickly take off in the light fuels outside the fire lines.

-End-

Central Oregon Firefighters Respond to New Wildfire

A new wildfire (Incident #568) was reported south of Cove Palisades State Park, two miles northwest of Culver. The Cove Fire has grown quickly to 200 acres, and has burned two homes, and several outbuildings. The fire is burning in sagebrush, grass and juniper. The cause is human, and remains under investigation, although the fire started in the campground at Cove Palisades. Oregon State Police will be providing a fire investigator to determine the specific cause.

The fire is being jointly managed by Oregon Department of Forestry and Jefferson County, with additional assistance from Prineville BLM and Deschutes and Ochoco National Forest. Resources responding include 10 engines, 2 airtankers, 2 helicopters (including one loaned from Warm Springs), 2 handcrews and a water tender. In addition, Jefferson County Rural Fire District #1 and neighboring counties have provided structure engines to protect homes. The Jefferson County Sheriff Department has evacuated about 60 people in a small subdivision west of Culver. Red Cross is providing assistance as needed at Culver High School.

Fire fighters are making progress on the fire; however, there is no containment at this time. Firefighters are challenged by steep slopes out of the park, dry conditions, and light flashy fuels. This area received little or no rain today, and winds remain a main factor in fire spread.

This fire indicates that fire conditions in Central Oregon remain extreme. Even in areas that received rain from the storm that passed through the area remain dry. With hunting season beginning, and many people still out camping, fire officials want to remind everyone that campfires are prohibited on lands protected by the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, Prineville BLM, Oregon Department of Forestry, and Oregon State Parks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

FIRE RESTRICTIONS INCREASE IN CENTRAL OREGON - ALL CAMPFIRES BANNED

 

With dry conditions expected to continue in Central Oregon and fire suppression resources limited due to numerous wildfires in Oregon and Washington, the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management, the Deschutes National Forest and the Ochoco National Forest, including the Crooked River National Grassland, are implementing a total campfire restriction. Effective 12:01 a.m. August 18, 2015 (Tuesday), all open fires, including charcoal fires, will be prohibited on all lands administered by the Deschutes National Forest, the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, and the Prineville District, BLM.  There are no exceptions for developed or hosted campgrounds. 

In addition to campfire restrictions, smoking remains restricted to an enclosed vehicle or building, in a designated campground, in boats on lakes and rivers, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of all flammable material. Portable cooking stoves or lanterns using liquefied or bottled fuel may still be used in all areas. Officials also want to remind the public that using explosive target material, such as Tannerite, explosives, and fireworks continue to be prohibited on all federal lands.  

At this time there are no restrictions on motorized travel on BLM or FS roads in Central Oregon; however, fire officials want to remind visitors about the dangers of driving through or parking on vegetation. The hot undercarriage of a vehicle can easily ignite, not only burning the vehicle but also spreading to nearby vegetation. At this time, visitors are asked to avoid driving on two-track roads with vegetation down the center, and to park in areas clear of vegetation. Make sure vehicles carry a container of water or a fire extinguisher. 

Before putting public use restrictions in place officials carefully consider the current fire situation, fuel moisture and predicted weather before making the decision to implement fire restrictions. Every year lightning-caused fires place a heavy demand on our firefighting resources, and put our wildlands, our firefighters, and our communities at risk. Fires caused through carelessness or negligence only increase the threat to life and livelihood, and place an even greater burden on already busy firefighters.  Every fire that’s prevented protects our communities and helps our firefighters remain available, rested, and safe.

 

 

Central Oregon smoke is coming from outside the area

Hazy skies over Central Oregon are due to wildfires within the state, but there are currently no large fires in the Central Oregon Fire Management Service area.

A heavy smoke moved across Central Oregon today, leading to a flurry of inquiries about wildfire activity.

Local firefighters continue to respond to small, human-caused fires, but there are no large incidents putting up smoke right now on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, the Prineville BLM or the Crooked River National Grassland.

According to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center in Portland, a 900-acre wildfire was reported yesterday about 12 miles east of Warm Springs.

The Stouts Fire, about 16 miles east of Canyonville, Ore., is 22,501 acres and 35 percent contained, according to the fire’s information office.

Smoke from these and other fires can drift into Central Oregon when driven by wind.

More information about fires in Oregon can be found online from InciWeb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

Or from the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center at http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/information/fire_info.aspx

REMINDER: Fire danger across public lands in Central Oregon remains extremely high.

Campfires are only allowed within fire rings at designated campgrounds and chainsaw use is prohibited until conditions moderate.

Help us stay fire safe this year by knowing the rules and helping to prevent human-caused fires.

More info on restrictions here: http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/ochoco/news-events/?cid=STELPRD3844498

Getting Ready

Central Oregon rappellers performed proficiency tests this morning, rappelling outside the Prineville airport. Each rappeller must perform either a proficiency or operational rappel every two weeks to remain current in their qualifications.

Central Oregon Fire Update, 7/25

Central Oregon Fire Update

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Crews are working to contain a fire that was started last night nine miles southeast of Dufur,Oregon,  north of Maupin. The Oak Canyon Fire 60% contained at 930 acres and is burning in light grasses, brush and some juniper on private lands.

Two 20-person crews are working the fire in addition to five rappellers, six engines, four helicopters and two Single Engine Air Tankers. Aerial resources supported the crews on the ground in addition to helping to keep the fire out of the Deschutes River basin. Fire line has nearly been completed around the fire area and crews will continue to work into the evening and tomorrow securing those lines. The fire is human caused and was ignited approximately 6:00 p.m. on July 24.

Additionally, fire officials and law enforcement officials extinguished three unauthorized campfires throughout the day. As a reminder, Central Oregon is currently in Public Use Restrictions, which means that campfires are prohibited outside of designated campgrounds in established fire rings. For more information on these restrictions, including a list of designated campgrounds visit this website.

 -END-

Forest Service Increases Patrol After Surge in Human Caused Fires

Forest Service Increases Patrol After Surge in Human Caused Fires

BEND –  Fire officials have seen an increase in human caused fires since implementing Public Use Restrictions on July 10. While the majority of the offenses have been abandoned or escaped campfires, a few of the fires are still under investigation.

To date, Central Oregon has seen 208 wildfires in the 2015 wildfire season and of that number, 119 have been human caused starts, which is an increase from the past few years. Due to this surge, Forest Service law enforcement officers will be increasing patrols on the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland.

Public Use Restrictions are in place across Central Oregon.  Campfires, warming fires and cooking fires, including charcoal fires, portable propane campfires, biomass or particle wood-burning stoves, and wood pellet grills or smokers, are prohibited on Forest Service and BLM lands except in established fire rings at designated campgrounds. For more information on these restrictions, including a list of designated campgrounds visit this website.

The Central Oregon public is reminded that we are still in EXTREME fire danger. Based on monitoring conducted by OSU-Cascades, Central Oregon fuel moistures in ceanothus and manzanita are currently 1-2 months ahead of their normal moisture levels and sagebrush, in some areas, is currently at its lowest level of moisture in 7 years of study.

In addition to Public Use Restrictions, the Prineville BLM, Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland are currently in Industrial Fire Precaution Level III (IFPL). The IFPL applies to permitted and industrial operations, including woodcutting, on federal lands.

-End-

Crews successfully completed burnouts on Corner Creek fire

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Fire crews successfully completed about 250 acres of burnout operations just south of Black Canyon Wilderness this weekend, which finalized the effort to establish a solid line around the wildfire that started by lightning June 29.

Favorable weather conditions assisted fire managers in completing this critical piece of ground just east of Mud Springs campground, which will prevent the fire from moving northwest into more difficult terrain within the wilderness.

Light winds dispersed the smoke, instead of pushing a large column southward into the communities of Paulina or Burns.

The fire sits at about 29,657 acres and is currently about 90 percent contained. Firefighting efforts will focus on patrolling and securing containment lines, mopping up and monitoring. The fire continues to burn internally, creeping and smoldering at a low to moderate intensity.

Command of the fire will transition to a local Type 4 team this week, and as of Thursday the incident command post at Dayville School will be demobilized. Fire camp just west of Dayville is also being demobilized.

A local Burned Area Emergency Response team has assembled and has begun working on an assessment of the burned area for immediate post-fire threats to human life, property, and natural resources.

The South Fork Road/County Road 42 reopened for public use last week, but an area closure remains in effect on the Ochoco National Forest, covering all National Forest lands west of Forest Service Road 5820.

For a detailed map of the closure area on Ochoco National Forest and a copy of the closure order, visit the forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/ochoco/

Crews working to complete containment on Corner Creek fire

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – The Corner Creek fire continues to hold steady at 29,407 acres as crews work to finalize containment around the lightning-caused wildfire.

This weekend, firefighters plan to conduct burn out operations on between 400 and 600 acres along the southern boundary of Black Canyon Wilderness, just east of Mud Springs campground, in order to secure containment lines and prevent the fire’s spread northwest through the wilderness.

Smoke will be visible during periods of active burning and especially during ignitions, but no impacts to major travel routes are expected.

The fire area, about 11 miles south of Dayville, Ore., received substantial rainfall over the last week, which moderated fire behavior and helped firefighters to stop the forward spread of the fire. The fire continues burning internally, creeping and smoldering with low to moderate intensity.

The firefighting effort scaled back in the wake of the rainfall, from around 1,100 personnel at its peak to a current force of nearly 200 firefighters. A Type 3 incident management team took command of the fire on Tuesday.

The fire is currently about 90 percent contained with the remainder of line to be completed on the fire’s northwest flank along the southern portion of Black Canyon Wilderness.

Due to the steep topography of the wilderness and the difficulty of building containment lines there, firefighters plan to use burn outs to remove fuel around the fire and contain it.

The South Fork Road/County Road 42 reopened for public use on Tuesday, but an area closure remains in effect on the Ochoco National Forest, covering all National Forest lands west of Forest Service Road 5820.

For a detailed map of the closure area on Ochoco National Forest and a copy of the closure order, visit the forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/ochoco/

Corner Creek Fire Update Tuesday, July 14

Corner Creek Fire Update

Tuesday, July 14, 2015, 8:00 a.m.

Fire Information: (541) 416-6811

The management of the Corner Creek Fire was transferred to Albuquerque Zone Type 3 Incident Management team (Incident Commander Ryan Romero) at 6 a.m. today.

The South Fork Road/County Road 42 has been reopened for public use.  An area closure remains in effect around the fire on National Forest land.

The Corner Creek fire is 85% contained and remains at 29,407 acres.  Wide spread significant precipitation has occurred over most of the fire area in the past couple of days.  On the western flank, firefighters continued to mop-up and patrol along the containment lines, extinguishing any burning and smoldering materials.  The repair of all fire suppression efforts, including heavy equipment lines, hand lines, and spike camps continues. Fire personnel will continue to patrol the fire on the eastern flank along the South Fork John Day River and road. 

Isolated to scattered showers and thunderstorms will be possible again this afternoon and evening.  Thunderstorms could produce cloud-to ground lightning, gusty outflow winds, and moderate rainfall.  The extended forecast calls for a warming and drying trend through the end of the week.  Fire managers expect reduced fire behavior potential for the next several days. 

Crews and other firefighting resources will be reduced awaiting the arrival of favorable conditions to complete the suppression activity and secure a portion of the indirect fireline on the northwest corner of the fire. 

For additional Information, please visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4349 and http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com/

Closure Information

Area Closure:  On the North, from the Ochoco National Forest (N.F.) boundary at the North Fork of Birch Creek in Township 13S, Range 25E, Section 30, south to the Ochoco N.F. Boundary near the junction of  Forest Roads 58 and 030 and all roads, trails and Forest lands east to the Ochoco N. F. Boundary (see Inciweb map). See closure details at: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/maps/4349/10/.

Corner Creek Fire Update Monday, July 13

Monday, July 13, 2015, 9:00 a.m.

Fire Information: (541) 987-2348

The Corner Creek Fire remains at 29,407 acres. The fire received at least a 1/2 inch of rain yesterday dropping fire activity to minimal levels and helping firefighters reach 80% containment. Crews and other resources continued to mop-up along containment lines extinguishing any burning and smoldering materials.

Although fireline construction is now completed around the entire perimeter of the fire there is a difficult section of indirect fireline within the Black Canyon Wilderness that needs to be secured. To ensure this steep and rugged section of the fire is contained, a burnout operation likely needs to occur when the weather and fuel conditions allow. Crew and resource numbers will be reduced awaiting the arrival of favorable burning conditions anticipated later in the week.

Firefighters will continue to improve and secure constructed line in the meantime.

Today, weather permitting, firefighters will concentrate on the southern and western portions of the fireline for continued mop-up and repair of all fire suppression efforts, including heavy equipment lines, hand lines, spike camps, etc. Resource advisors are working closely with Oregon IMT2 to address these impacts and are implementing suppression repair strategies. The east side of the fire remains in patrol status.

Today's weather forecast is for partly cloudy weather with a chance of afternoon showers and thunderstorms. Temperatures will remain mild today with relative humidity between 30 – 40%.

A Type 3 Incident Management team (Incident Commander Romero) will take command of the Corner Creek Fire on Tuesday, July 14 at 6 a.m.

For additional Information, please visit: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4349 and http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com/

Closure Information

Road Closure: South Fork Road/County Road 42 remains closed to the general public from near Dayville to south of Forest Road 58 junction due to fire activity.

Area Closure: On the North, from the Ochoco National Forest (N.F.) boundary at the North Fork of Birch Creek in Township 13S, Range 25E, Section 30, south to the Ochoco N.F. Boundary near the junction of Forest Roads 58 and 030 and all roads, trails and Forest lands east to the Ochoco N. F. Boundary (see Inciweb map). See closure details at: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/maps/4349/10/.