Firefighters continue to make progress on Scott Canyon Fire

Firefighters spent the day improving the fireline on the Scott Canyon Fire and mopping up hotspots. They successfully held the line on the Scott Canyon Fire through the afternoon winds today. The fire is still 33,587 acres, and is now 75% contained. Fire officials expect full containment tomorrow.



Firefighters will continue mopping up for the next several days. The area also contains a lot of steep narrow canyons with unburned fuel. People in the area should expect to see smoke from the interior for quite awhile.

Firefighters spend a lot of time watching out for dangerous fire situations, and hiking up and down steep hills in rough, rocky terrain. On the Scott Canyon they're watching out for wildlife as well! This rattlesnake came out into the warm ash!



Scott Canyon Fire - morning update

Condon, Ore. – Yesterday crews made good progress on the Scott Canyon fire using engines, hand crews, dozers, air resources, and burn out operations.  It is currently 9 miles Northwest of Condon and burning on BLM and Gilliam County protected lands. Mapping late yesterday put the fire at 33,587 acres and 55% contained. It has come to within 200 feet of Highway 206. Fire crews will continue to monitor and secure all lines and begin mop up along the edges.  The public may see residual smoke and small columns within the fire perimeter in areas of unburned fuels.

 

Early last night Scott Canyon fire resources responded to a new start located in Cottonwood Canyon State Park.  Incident 369 was contained at five acres.  The State Park does remain open.

 

The cause of both Scott Canyon Fire and Incident 369 are still under investigation.

 

Enjoy your public lands but make sure to follow fire restrictions that are in effect for both Bureau of Land Management and Gilliam County. Campfires and charcoal fires are banned, and visitors should only use gas or propane stoves. 

The Scott Canyon Fire moved rapidly up the steep canyons of the John Day River, threatening wheat fields and other crops. Smoke will be visible from some of these interior canyons for awhile.

Scott Canyon Fire update

The Scott Canyon fire started on Thursday July 21, 2016.  It is currently burning about 9 miles Northwest of Condon and is approximately 31,000 acres.  It is burning on BLM and Gilliam County protected lands.  A unified command has been established and the fire has transitioned to a Type 3 Incident Management Team today.

 

Air and ground resources are actively working to stop the fire spread. Five Single Engine Air Tankers, and one Fire Boss (a small airtanker that scoops water from large lakes and rivers) have been assisting crews on the ground. In addition, a Type 1, and 2 Type 2 Helicopters have been providing bucket drops. Almost 100 personnel are working to control this incident.

The most active area of the fire is currently the Southwest section in the Tenmile and Hay Creek canyon areas, burning towards Highway 206. It is predominately burning in light grassy fuels in the canyons and threatening wheat fields on the flat ground above the canyons. No structures are threatened at this time. Cottonwood Canyon State Park is open.

 

It is anticipated that we will have a warming trend over the next few days, which will keep fuels dry and available for active burning and potential for increased fire behavior.

 

Fire restrictions are in effect for both Bureau of Land Management and Gilliam County. Campfires and charcoal fires are banned, and visitors should only use gas or propane stoves.  We also ask that people be cognizant of increased fire traffic and possibility of smoke impacts if driving Highway 206.

Fire Crews working Scott Canyon Fire near Condon, Oregon

Firefighters with Gilliam County and the Bureau of Land Management have been coordinating fire suppression efforts on the Scott Canyon Fire, which started Thursday afternoon near the John Day River north of Condon, Oregon. Winds yesterday afternoon caused the fire to grow rapidly in the steep canyons of the John Day River country. The fire was mapped this morning at 32, 850 acres.

The fire is burning in light grassy fuels in the canyons, and threatening wheat fields on the flat ground above the canyon rims. Gilliam County has been coordinating structure protection for the scattered ranches in the area, while wildland firefighting crews have been working with helicopters and Single Engine Air Tankers to stop the fire's progress.

A Type 3 Incident Management Team (Priest) will assume command of the fire today and will continue to operate under unified command with Gilliam County.


Crews will continue to be challenged by the steep slopes, light and dry fuels, and afternoon gusty winds. Central Oregon is in a drying and warming trend, which will add to the potential for increased fire behavior, particularly in the afternoons.

The John Day River and Cottonwood Canyon State Park remain open at this time.

Although the fire is believed to be human-caused, the specific cause has not been identified and is being investigated. Fire officials want to remind visitors that fire restrictions are in place along the John Day River. Campfires and charcoal fires are banned, and visitors should only use gas or propane stoves. In addition, people traveling through on Highway 206 or 19 should watch for increased traffic due to fire vehicles in the area.