Saturday, November 4, 2017

Pile Burning Continues Near La Pine, Sunriver and Deschutes River Woods


Central Oregon–With the cooler, wetter, weather, fire managers will continue pile burning on the Deschutes National Forest beginning Saturday. The piles are leftover accumulations of woody material associated with previous vegetation management activities near numerous subdivision and roads. Removing these dense accumulations of fuel near homes, facilities and roads will create defensible space around communities.

Beginning today and continuing through next week, fire managers will ignite 1,100 acres of slash piles around La Pine (Ponderosa Way), near: Huntington/Vandevert Road, Fall River Fish Hatchery, Big River Campground and Boundary Road; Sunriver area near: Sunriver Airport and along Highway 97 from Sunriver to State Recreation Road; and Bend area, near: Deschutes River Woods and Lava River Cave.

Piles may smolder, burn, and produce smoke for several days after ignition.  Removing this accumulation of fuel is one of the final steps to creating a restored and healthy ponderosa pine ecosystem and protecting communities from additional fuel loading in forested areas adjacent to private land.

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. 



Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Prescribed Burning Continues Near Hole in the Ground


BEND– Fuels specialists on the Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District will conduct a prescribed burn on two units approximately 22 miles southeast of La Pine on Wednesday.

If conditions remain favorable, ignitions on the approximately 800 acres (listed on the live map as Mx2J and Mx2G) is slated to begin at 11:00 a.m. and continue through daylight hours. The prescribed burn is expected to be completed in one day.
For all prescribed fires, signs will be posted on significant nearby Forest roads and state highways that could be impacted.  While there are no road closures anticipated with this burn, drivers may experience smoke impacts on nearby roads.  Motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with caution.
Residences near Fort Rock and Hole in the Ground may be impacted by smoke and are advised to keep their windows and doors closed during the night hours to minimize any potential smoke impacts.

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.

Keep up with prescribed burns in Central Oregon by visiting this live map: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/cofms-rxfire/

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



-End-

Thursday, October 26, 2017

Ochoco prescribed burns planned over the coming week

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Fire managers on the Ochoco National Forest plan to continue prescribed burns in the coming days in the McKay Creek area and near Spears Meadow along Highway 26, as weather conditions allow. Both planned burns are continuations of prescribed burning that the Forest Service has already started this fall.

Firefighters treated about 250 acres with prescribed fire in the McKay Creek area two weeks ago. Starting tomorrow, Friday October 27, fire managers plan to treat another 500 acres. The unit is located west of Forest Road 27 along Forest Road 2705, about 1 mile west of Salt Butte and 14 miles northeast of Prineville. View a map of current and proposed prescribed burn units in Central Oregon here: https://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/cofms-rxfire/

This prescribed burn is part of an ongoing series of treatments in the area to restore fire to a fire-adapted forest ecosystem, reduce hazardous fuel loading, and improve range conditions for livestock and big game. The project is funded in part by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Smoke may impact portions of Forest Roads 27, 33 and 2705 during periods of active burning, but predicted winds are expected to disperse smoke accumulations fairly quickly.

If weather conditions allow, fire managers will also burn a portion of the 1,200-acre Spears Meadow burn unit next Monday and Tuesday. This unit is located west of Highway 26 along Forest Road 3350, about 19 miles east of Prineville. This prescribed burn was scheduled to occur earlier this month, but it was cancelled last minute due to a forecast for strong winds.

If the burn takes place next week, smoke is likely to impact nearby Highway 26 during periods of active burning. Sign boards and flaggers will be present along the highway as needed. At night, due to cold night time temperatures, smoke will pool into low level areas and may come into Prineville. This smoke should be of short duration during the early morning hours until the inversion lifts and clear back out of the valleys.

Prescribed burning is part of a Forest Service program to remove hazardous fuels in order to reduce the potential for high-intensity uncharacteristic fire, while restoring low-intensity fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem and improving range and forest health.

Prescribed burning is a proactive approach to fire management, reintroducing fire in a planned, low-intensity manner that benefits the resources, instead of waiting for an unplanned ignition, such as lightning, to start a wildfire that requires an expensive suppression response and can burn with destructive intensity.


The Forest Service appreciates public tolerance of increased smoke and vehicle traffic in support of these restoration goals.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Ochoco will prescribed burn in the McKay Creek area this week

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Fire managers on the Ochoco National Forest plan to conduct a 200-acre under burn near McKay Creek this week, about 14 miles northeast of Prineville, as weather conditions permit.

This prescribed burn is part of an ongoing series of treatments in the area to restore fire to a fire-adapted forest ecosystem, reduce hazardous fuel loading, and improve range conditions for livestock and big game.

The project is funded in part by the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

The unit received ample moisture last week and conditions are still very wet in places so fire intensity is expected to be very low.

The unit is located west of Forest Road 27 along Forest Road 2705, about 1 mile west of Salt Butte. View a map of current and proposed prescribed burn units in Central Oregon here: https://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/cofms-rxfire/

Ignitions are planned to begin today and last for two to three days as needed to complete the unit. Smoke may impact portions of Forest Roads 27, 33 and 2705 during periods of active burning, but predicted winds are expected to disperse smoke accumulations fairly quickly.


All hunting camps in the area have been contacted and the unit has been signed.

Thursday, October 5, 2017

Crescent District Begins Prescribed Burning Friday

Additional Prescribed Burn Planned Near Indian Ford Campground Saturday

BEND–If conditions remain favorable, fuels specialists on the Crescent District are planning a prescribed burn tomorrow south of Crescent and 1 mile west of the Highway 97/Highway 58 junction.

The two units slated for ignition are Nina 8 and RP 3095 and ignitions on the combined 62 acres should only take on day. No closures are associated with these ignitions.

On Saturday, fuels specialists on the Sisters Ranger District are scheduled to conduct two prescribed burns adjacent to Indian Ford Campground on either side of Indian Ford Creek. IFR units 36 and 44 are both planned for ignition for a total of 123 acres, and if conditions are favorable, these two units should be completed in one day.

Due to the location of these units, the public could see smoke and drivers may experience smoke impacts on nearby highways and Forest roads. For all prescribed fires, signs will be posted on significant nearby Forest roads and state highways that could be impacted. While there are no road closures anticipated with either burn, drivers may experience smoke impacts on nearby roads. Motorists should slow down, turn on headlights, and proceed with caution.
Residences and businesses near these burn areas are advised to keep their windows and doors closed during the night hours to minimize any potential smoke impacts.

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.
Keep up with prescribed burns in Central Oregon by visiting this live map: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/cofms-rxfire/

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


-End-

Ochoco prescribed burn near Hwy 26 planned for next week

Oct. 10, 2017 UPDATE: The Spears prescribed burn has been postponed due to a forecast for high winds today.

Fire managers will continue looking for opportunities to reschedule the burn, possibly later this week depending on weather.


PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Fire managers on the Ochoco National Forest plan to conduct a 1,200-acre prescribed burn near Spears Meadow next week, along Highway 26 east of Prineville, if weather conditions permit.

This prescribed burn is part of an ongoing series of treatments in the area to restore fire to a fire-adapted forest ecosystem, reduce hazardous fuel loading, and improve range conditions for livestock and big game.

The unit is located west of Highway 26 along Forest Road 3350, about 19 miles east of Prineville. See accompanying map of the burn unit, or view a map of current and proposed prescribed burn units in Central Oregon here: https://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/cofms-rxfire/

Ignitions are planned to begin on Tuesday, October 10 and last for two to three days as needed to complete the unit. Smoke is likely to impact nearby Highway 26 during periods of active burning. Sign boards and flaggers will be present along the highway as needed.

At night, due to cold night time temperatures, smoke will pool into low level areas and may come into Prineville. This smoke should be of short duration during the early morning hours until the inversion lifts and clear back out of the valleys.

Prescribed burning is part of a Forest Service program to remove hazardous fuels in order to reduce the potential for high-intensity uncharacteristic fire, while restoring low-intensity fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem and improving range and forest health.

Prescribed burning is a proactive approach to fire management, reintroducing fire in a planned, low-intensity manner that benefits the resources, instead of waiting for an unplanned ignition, such as lightning, to start a wildfire that requires an expensive suppression response and can burn with destructive intensity.


The Forest Service appreciates public tolerance of increased smoke and vehicle traffic in support of these restoration goals.


Monday, October 2, 2017

10/2/2017 Sisters Ranger District to Conduct Prescribed Burn Tomorrow


 Contact:   Jean Nelson-Dean, Deschutes NF Public Affairs Officer, 541-383-5561

Date:  October 2, 2017

 

Sisters Ranger District to Conduct Prescribed Burn

Burn to be done near Lake Billy Chinook

SISTERS— Tomorrow fuel management specialists on the Sisters Ranger District of the Deschutes National Forest will be doing a prescribed burn on a 155-acre unit located 2 miles west of Lake Billy Chinook near the junction of Forest Service Road 11 and Forest Service Road 1170.
The unit, called Flymon, is expected to be completed in one day; however, depending on burning conditions it may take up to two days. Following the prescribed burn the area will be mopped up and patrolled.

The burn will create a greater mosaic of grasses and shrubs under the overstory of large trees to improve wildlife habitat in the area. Primarily the burn will improve deer winter range.
Communities to the east of the burn including Madras and Redmond may see smoke, but should not be impacted by smoke. Smoke may pool overnight in the Lake Billy Chinook area. No road closures are planned outside of areas immediately adjacent to the burn unit.

All prescribed burning is dependent on weather and planned in accordance with smoke management standards administered by the State of Oregon.
Keep up with prescribed burns in Central Oregon by visiting this live map: http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/webmaps/deschutes/cofms-rxfire/

For more information, follow us on twitter @CentralORFire.    

-USFS-

Thursday, September 28, 2017

Industrial Fire Precaution Level To Drop on Friday


Redmond, Oregon – With increased moisture and consistently cooler weather, the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management, the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and Crooked River National Grassland have dropped the Industrial Fire Precaution Level to 1. This change means that there are no longer precautionary restrictions in place for firewood cutting or for permitted and commercial activities on public lands. This change will go into effect at 12:01 a.m. September 29, (Friday) on public lands in Central Oregon.

Under this level, classified as “Closed Season- Fire precaution requirements are in effect” a fire watch/security is required at this and higher levels. Individuals with a valid firewood cutting permit can operate at any time of the day. Firewood cutters are still encouraged to check that spark arrestors are in good working order and all fire precaution measures are taken when cutting in dry fuels.

Officials want to remind the public that using explosive target material, such as Tannerite, explosives, and fireworks continue to be prohibited on all federal lands.

To keep up-to-date on prescribed fire and wildfire activity, following us on Twitter at @CentralORFire.


-End-

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

Desolation Fire closure area reduced

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – The Ochoco National Forest today has reduced the closure area surrounding the Desolation Fire, which is still burning within Mill Creek Wilderness.

Beginning today, the closure is restricted to Wildcat Trail #833, which transects Mill Creek Wilderness. The trail is closed to the public from its junction with Belknap Trail #833A on the south to its junction with Wildcat North Trailhead.

About 6 miles of Forest Road 27 also remain closed, from its junction with Forest Road 2745 on the west side to its junction with Forest Road 2730-250. (See the accompanying map and order here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd560264.pdf)

Crews with heavy equipment are still working along Forest Road 27, making it unsafe for the public to drive among working feller bunchers and log trucks. The work is expected to continue for at least another week.

The Desolation Fire is still burning, although at a low intensity and it has not grown or moved in more than a week. The fire remains 4,512 acres with 30 percent containment. Around 34 firefighters are still working on the fire under a Type 4 incident management team.

While only the specified road and trail are closed to the public, the National Forest would like to urge hunters and anyone else entering the wilderness to use caution around recently-burned areas. Pockets of heat may remain in places and dead trees could pose a threat of falling down.




Friday, September 22, 2017

9/22/2017 Horse Creek Complex Fire Update


September 22, 2017 - 9:00 a.m.


Fire Information: 541-719-8371 or email: WillametteWildfires2017@gmail.com


Rebel Fire:  8,653 acres
Horse Creek Complex: Olallie Lookout Fire, 1,572 acres; Roney Fire, 3,548 acres; Avenue Fire, 2,962 acres; Separation Fire, 17,747 acres; Nash Fire, 6,738 acres.
Total all fires: 41,220 acres (The last infrared flight was conducted on 9/15. No change in acreage has been measured since 9/15.)

Resources:  Personnel, 403; Crews, 7; Helicopters, 1; Engines, 24; Water Tenders, 4; Skidgen, 1.

Weather: Remote weather stations in the area of the Horse Creek Complex and Rebel fire measured precipitation from 4 to nearly 6 inches since Sunday night. Thursday brought fewer showers and diminished clouds with occasional sunshine. A warming and drying trend will continue through the weekend with each day gaining a few degrees until temperatures in the 70s return early next week. Fire spread is still not anticipated to occur even with a return of warmer and dryer weather.

Next Steps: Firefighter crews have transitioned from protecting the public from fire to removing equipment from the field and repairing fire lines and other disturbances left by suppression efforts. Fire managers use the term “suppression repair” to describe efforts taken after a fire to repair impacts to the land. Before leaving the fire, crews may construct berms and spread brush and rocks onto the cut lines and bare ground that were created during firefighting efforts. Water bars may be constructed on hand and dozer lines to divert water to reduce soil erosion and prevent gullies from forming. Also, crews will remove refuse, flagging, and other equipment as part of their efforts to restore the land to a more natural condition.

Current Situation: Crews are currently being limited by their ability to get into work areas due to snow, mud and soft roads. Where access was possible, crews pulled hose, flagging and excess equipment, scattered debris and repaired hand lines. Rocks and logs that had rolled out of burns were removed from roads. Equipment was removed from Camp Malakwa and structure protection is being lifted throughout the complex. Roads are currently too soft to support heavy equipment that is needed to repair fire lines. Complete access won’t be possible until roads are dryer.

Chipping equipment that has been ordered will arrive beginning Friday and crews will be trained on equipment operation. Some slash piles built during firefighting efforts will be chipped, others have been burned. Survey flights are planned for Friday if weather permits. Firefighter and public welfare and safety remains a priority. Slash removal is continuing along the Cascade Lakes Highway.

National Forest Closure Orders:  Fire restrictions have been lifted in Willamette and Deschutes National Forests, and campfires are now allowed. Current information about closures on the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/fire/?cid=fseprd552029
http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/Deschutes/alerts-notices.

Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place over the fires to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations. It is not legal to operate any aircraft (including drones) within a TFR. More information on the TFR is available at http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html

Upper Beaver prescribed burn planned for Ochocos this week

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, September 22, 2017
Upper Beaver prescribed burn planned for Ochocos this week

PRINEVILLE, Ore.— Fire managers on the Ochoco National Forest will take advantage of recent moisture to start working on the Upper Beaver prescribed burn next week on the Paulina Ranger District, a project to reduce hazardous fuels and improve habitat across 3,800 acres just south of Black Canyon Wilderness.

Ignitions are expected to begin around 11 am Tuesday and last 2 to 3 days with smoke lingering in the area for the rest of the week.

“We realize most people are just now breathing a sigh of relief that fire season is winding down,” said Paulina District Ranger Gary Asbridge. “But this is our opportunity to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health during a time of our choosing, rather than waiting for a lightning strike or an escaped campfire to burn those fuels during the summer.”

Objectives for the burn are to improve natural resources within the unit by reducing hazardous fuels and improving big game habitat while restoring fire to a fire-adapted ponderosa pine ecosystem. The unit is just west of the 2015 Corner Creek Fire that burned nearly 30,000 acres.
The prescribed burn is planned to fall in between archery and rifle deer hunting seasons, in order to impact hunters as little as possible. Smoke will be visible from Paulina, 13 miles to the southeast, and from Mud Springs and Frazier Campgrounds, but is not expected to close any roads to motorized traffic.

This is a continuation of a project started last year. Firefighters completed blacklines around the unit last October and then heavy precipitation prevented them from actually starting any interior ignitions. Next week, fire managers plan to use aerial ignitions delivered from a helicopter to create low-intensity interior burns while strengthening control lines around the burn to prevent it from moving outside the planned unit.

Prescribed burning is part of a Forest Service program to remove hazardous fuels in order to reduce the potential for high-intensity uncharacteristic fire, while restoring low-intensity fire to a fire-adapted ecosystem and improving range and forest health.

Prescribed burning is a proactive approach to fire management, reintroducing fire in a planned, low-intensity manner that benefits the resources, instead of waiting for an unplanned ignition, such as lightning, to start a wildfire that requires an expensive suppression response and can burn with destructive intensity.


The Forest Service appreciates public tolerance of increased smoke and vehicle traffic in support of these restoration goals.


Thursday, September 21, 2017

Desolation Fire Evacuation Level 1 Cancelled

Thursday, September 21, 2017

Re:         Press Release – For immediate distribution
From:    Crook County Sheriff’s Office

Desolation Fire Evacuation Level 1 Cancelled

The Crook County Sheriff’s office has cancelled all fire evacuation notices in the Marks Creek area based on reports from the Fire Service of normal conditions and no increase in fire behavior on the Desolation fire. 

A temporary road closure order remains in effect for all of Mill Creek Wilderness and Forest Service land north of the wilderness up to and including Forest Roads 27, 2730 and 2745.  The Forest Service indicated that the road closures will end in the next few days as well.

In the event of an actual EMERGENCY:  Please Dial 911

For more information please contact:
Crook County Public Information Officer
Crook County Health and Human Services / Emergency Preparedness Coordinator
541-233-8504 – Work Cell

9/21/2017 Horse Creek Complex Update


September 21, 2017 - 9:00 a.m.

Fire Information: 541-719-8371 or email: WillametteWildfires2017@gmail.com

Rebel Fire:  8,653 acres
Horse Creek Complex: Olallie Lookout Fire, 1,572 acres; Roney Fire, 3,548 acres; Avenue Fire, 2,962 acres; Separation Fire, 17,747 acres; Nash Fire, 6,738 acres.
Total all fires: 41,220 acres (The last infrared flight was conducted on 9/15. No change in acreage has been measured since 9/15.)

Resources:  Personnel, 449; Crews, 8; Helicopters, 2; Engines, 21; Dozers, 2; Water Tenders, 6.

Weather: Widespread rain and snow continued to fall on Wednesday, bringing the total amount of precipitation over the fire area to 4-5 inches in the past four days. Scattered rain and snow showers were expected to continue into Wednesday night, with skies beginning to clear after midnight. Temperatures were forecast to drop into the upper 20s overnight. Scattered rain and snow showers will continue Thursday before skies begin to clear in the afternoon and evening.

The precipitation and cold weather the last few days has severely dampened fire activity and presented a new set of challenges for firefighters and fire managers. The biggest concerns now are the increased potential for falling trees, hazardous driving conditions and rock fall caused by the snow and rain. The Oregon Department of Transportation has assisted firefighting efforts by clearing snow and rocks off roads, providing access for firefighters in several areas. As always, firefighter and public safety remains the primary concern.

Current Situation: Despite the severe weather, it was a productive day for firefighters on Wednesday. Crews spent much of the day pulling fire hose and retrieving pumps that had been strategically placed along firelines in the event they were needed. Firefighters have pulled approximately 15 miles of fire hose from the Avenue, Nash, Rebel and Separation fires and that work will continue today. Crews are also removing other equipment that is no longer needed and hauling it back to fire camps.

With the change in the weather, the emphasis is now on suppression repair and rehabilitation.  Agency Administrators, Resource Advisors and fire managers are collaborating on a plan that will guide those efforts over the next week. The main focus is repairing and rehabilitating hand and dozer lines that were constructed to contain and confine fires in the Horse Creek Complex. In other areas, crews are chipping slash that was cut and building water bars to prevent erosion due to runoff. In many areas the ground is too wet to run heavy equipment and will have to dry out before it can be worked on. In the meantime, fire managers are assessing work that needs to be done and placing orders for the equipment to do it. “The weather and availability of equipment are the limiting factors right now,” Operations Planning Chief Karen Scholl said.


Evacuations:  All evacuation orders in Lane County (Zones 1-10 and Camp Malakwa) and in Deschutes County have been lifted. All U.S. Forest Service closures remain in effect.

National Forest Closure Orders:  Fire restrictions have been lifted in Willamette and Deschutes National Forests, and campfires are now allowed. Current information about closures on the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/fire/?cid=fseprd552029
http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/Deschutes/alerts-notices.

Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) remains in place over the fires to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations. It is not legal to operate any aircraft (including drones) within a TFR. More information on the TFR is available at http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html

Tuesday, September 19, 2017

Public Use Restrictions and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level Will Drop on Wednesday

Redmond, Oregon – With consistently cooler nights and reduced fire activity around the Pacific Northwest, the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management, the Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests and the Crooked River National Grassland are lifting campfire restrictions effective 12:01 a.m. September 20, (Wednesday) on public lands in Central Oregon. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level will drop to Level 2, which means that personal firewood cutting is again allowed between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.

For the reduction in Public Use Restrictions, open fires, including charcoal fires, will be allowed. Be aware that some federal sites still have campfire restrictions such as Hosmer Lake, and that the seasonal restrictions on BLM-administered lands in the following areas remain in effect:

Until September 30, 2016:
On public lands within 1/4 mile of the river’s edge in the following locations:
Mainstem John Day River from Tumwater Falls (River Mile 10) upstream to Kimberly (River Mile 185);
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);
South Fork John Day River from Smokey Creek (River Mile 6) upstream to Malheur National Forest boundary (River Mile 47).

 Until October 15, 2016:
 Crooked River - Within ½ mile of the river’s edge along the Lower Crooked River from the Highway 97 Bridge to Lake Billy Chinook.
Deschutes River - Within ½ 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 ½ 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 ½ mile of Lake Billy Chinook; including BLM Beach dispersed recreation site located approximately ½ mile east of the Three Rivers Recreation Area on the south shore of the Metolius River Arm of the lake.
White River - Within ½ mile of the river’s edge from its confluence with the Deschutes River upstream to the eastern boundary of the Mount Hood National Forest.

At the same time, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL), which regulates permitted and commercial activities on federal lands, will drop to a Level II (called a Partial Hootowl). Under this level, commercial and personal woodcutting, welding, cable yarding and blasting is allowed, where authorized, between the hours of 8:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. with a minimum of a one-hour fire watch following activity.

Officials want to remind the public that using explosive target material, such as Tannerite, explosives, and fireworks continue to be prohibited on all federal lands.

Officials carefully consider the current fire situation, fuel moisture and predicted weather before making the decision to lift fire restrictions. Fire Officials want to remind people recreating on public lands to continue to use caution even though fall is approaching and temperatures are cooling down; wildfires are still possible. All campfires, including warming fires used by hunters, should be cold to the touch when not being watched. Every fire that’s prevented protects our communities and helps our firefighters remain available, rested, and safe.

For Central Oregon Fire Information Fire hotline, please call 541-316-7711 or keep up-to-date on fire activity by following us on Twitter at @CentralORFire.


-End-

Nash Fire Update, September 19

Crews removed wildfire shelter wrap from the Forest Service guard station along Cascade Lakes Highway. Crews also pulled sprinklers, hoses, and pumps that were protecting cabins at Elk Lake. Crews are removing and cleaning up slash along the Cascade Lakes Highway.  Drivers are cautioned to drive safely in areas where firefighters and heavy equipment are working.

Monday, September 18, 2017

9/18/2017 All Evacuation Levels Dropped for the Nash Fire


ALL NASH FIRE EVACUATION NOTICES DROPPED
 

News Release from Deschutes Co. Sheriff's Office Posted on FlashAlert: September 18th, 2017 2:40 PM Released by: Sgt. Nathan Garibay, Emergency Services Manager
 

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office has continued to coordinate with fire managers on the Nash Fire, which is part of the Horse Creek Complex. After discussion with the incident management team and the Deschutes National Forest; the Sheriff's Office will drop all pre-evacuation notices around Elk Lake due to the Nash fire at 3 PM today (Monday, September 18th).

This includes the following areas: Elk Lake Resort, Elk Lake CG, Point CG, Little Fawn CG, Mallard Marsh CG, Sunset View Day Use Area, Beach Day Use Area, and Quinn Meadows Horse Camp.

This does not affect any area closures implemented by the United States Forest Service. Please check the following links for more information on trail and area closures.
 
Deschutes National Forest Trail Closures:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd557599.pdf

 Willamette National Forest Trail Closures:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/fire/?cid=fseprd552029#ave
 
The Sheriff's Office will continue to coordinate with the United States Forest Service and the incident management team assigned to the fire.

Contact Info:
SheriffPIO@deschutes.org<mailto:SheriffPIO@deschutes.org>

9/18/2017 Horse Creek Complex Map


 

9/18/2017 Horse Creek Complex (Nash Fire) and Rebel Fire Update

Horse Creek Complex and Rebel Fire
Update for Monday, Sept. 18, 2017, 9 a.m. Fire Information: (541) 719-8371


Online: inciweb.nwcg.gov/unit/3860
https//facebook.com/WillametteWildfires2017

Willamettewildfires2017@gmail.com
Rebel Fire: 8,653 acres

Horse Creek Complex: Olallie Lookout Fire, 1,572 acres; Roney Fire, 3,548 acres; Avenue Fire, 2,962 acres; Separation Fire, 17,747 acres; Nash Fire, 6,738 acres.

Total all fires: 41,220 acres (An IR flight was unable to be conducted last night so no change in acreage could be measured.)

Current Resources: Personnel, 375; Crews, 10; Helicopters, 4; Engines, 19; Dozers, 2; Water Tenders, 3; Skidgens, 2.

Current Situation:
Weather: A definite change of weather pattern is underway today. The forecast calls for southwest winds gusting up to 35 mph along ridges. A prolonged wetting rain event continues with accumulation of up to 1” by Tuesday morning. Weather will be the deciding factor on field operations today.

Avenue Fire: The fire continues to advance downslope and to the west towards containment lines. Crews are beginning to inventory and remove pumps and hose that are not needed from along roads. Crews will monitor fire lines. Smoldering fuels will continue to produce some smoke.

Separation Fire: The fire continues to move north toward the Mount Washington Wilderness. A burn out completed the fireline on the western edge of the fire north of Hwy 242. Site protection is in place at the Melakwa Boy Scout camp and fuels around the camp have been burned out by handcrews. Crews will continue mop-up and removing hazard trees at Melakwa Boy Scout Camp as weather today permits.

Nash Fire: Crews will pull structure protection in the Elk Lake area and remove unused equipment along the Cascade Lakes Highway as well as signs and flagging marking drop points. Crews are cleaning up brush and removing slash from the fuel break along the highway. Travelers are advised to use caution when passing fire crews and heavy equipment operating in the area.

Rebel Fire: As weather allows, crews will continue direct control efforts on the southwest side of the Rebel fire to protect values within the Green Mountain Timber Sale. They will also remove unused hose and downed logs along the 19 Road.

Roney and Olallie Lookout Fires: Crews are monitoring both fires.

Evacuations: No change was noted in evacuation levels in the McKenzie areas. Lane County information and

maps are available at http://bit.ly/2gPHzAn. Deschutes County information is available from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, (541) 693-6911 or www.deschutes.org/emergency.

Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fires to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations. It is not legal to operate any aircraft (including drones) within a TFR. More information on the TFR is available at http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html

National Forest Closure Orders: Current information about closures on the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/fire/?cid=fseprd552029
 
http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/Deschutes/alerts-notices.

9/18/2017 Milli Fire Closure Area Changes


Contact: Jean Nelson-Dean, Public Affairs Officer, 541-383-5561

For Release:    September 18, 2017

 
Milli Fire Closure Area Changes

 
SISTERS- The fire closure for the Milli Fire has reduced as of 7 a.m. this morning.
The Whychus Overlook and parking lot as well as the access trail are reopened.

The Whychus River Trail and all other sites within the Milli Closure Area remain closed.
Closed Trails and Sites are:

·         Camp Lake Trail #4074
·         Dearis Lake Trail #4074.1
·         Park Meadow Trail #4075
·         Metolius Windigo Trail #99 from the Graham Corral Horse Camp to the trail junction with Park Meadow Trail #4075
·         Green Lakes Trail #17 is closed from Park Meadow Trail #4075 to Lava Camp Lake at Hwy 242
·         Black Crater Trail #4058
·         Millican Crater Trail #4066
·         Scott Pass Trail #4068
·         North Matthieu Lake Trail #4062
·         Trout Creek Tie Trail #4067
·         Chush Falls Trail #4080
·         Pole Creek Trail #4072
·         Whychus Creek Trail
·         Millian Crater Trailhead
·         Scott Pass Trailhead
·         Whispering Pines Campground
·         Sisters Cow Camp
·         Lava Camp Lake Campground 

For additional information, the public can contact the Sisters Ranger District at 541-549-7700.

-USFS-

Sunday, September 17, 2017

9/17/2017 Map of the Desolation Fire


9/16/2017 Horse Creek Complex and Rebel Fire Update

Horse Creek Complex and Rebel Fire
Update for Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, 9 a.m.
Fire Information: (541) 719-8371

Online: inciweb.nwcg.gov/unit/3860
https//facebook.com/WillametteWildfires2017
Willamettewildfires2017@gmail.com

Rebel Fire: 8,653 acres

Horse Creek Complex: Olallie Lookout Fire, 1,572 acres; Roney Fire, 3,548 acres; Avenue Fire, 2,962 acres; Separation Fire, 17,747 acres; Nash Fire, 6,738 acres.

Total all fires: 41,220 acres (The team was unable to conduct IR flights last night so no change in acreage could be measured.)

Current Resources: Personnel, 496; Crews, 12; Helicopters, 2; Engines, 25; Dozers, 3; Water Tenders, 5; Masticators, 2; Skidgens, 2. 

Current Situation:
Weather: The Horse Creek Complex and Rebel Fire crews are bracing for a significant weather event beginning Sunday. Southwest winds gusting up to 30 mph are forecast to be followed by several days of rain which could bring up to 3.48”. Snow is possible at elevations above 6000 feet. Still, dry fuels could see fire growth in drainages that align with the wind. During this event, firefighter welfare becomes a priority. Incident managers will use judgement to adjust how crews approach the fires.

Avenue Fire: The Avenue fire is the top priority. Crews have successfully held the fire to the 300 Road on the north. Crews with the Structure Protection Group are assessing areas at McKenzie Bridge and are prepared in the event that wind causes fire to threaten structures. Smoke will continue as dry fuels smolder and burn.

Separation Fire: Structures at Melakwa Boy Scout Camp, Scott Lake Campground and Frog Camp are secure, and firefighters remain on scene ready to act if needed due to the anticipated change in weather. 


Nash Fire: Firefighters again hiked the seven miles to monitor the fire. Little movement of the fire has been noted along the southeast edge toward the Cascade Lakes Highway. Crews are cleaning up brush and removing slash from the fuel break along the highway. Travel delays, limited visibility due to smoke, and heavy equipment traffic are expected. Pilot car activity is not expected to continue beyond Sunday. 


Rebel Fire: Crews will hold and improve their control lines, as impending weather may push the fire to challenge their work.

Roney and Olallie Lookout Fires: Crews are monitoring both fires.

Evacuations: No change was noted in evacuation levels in the McKenzie areas. Lane County information and maps is available at http://bit.ly/2gPHzAn. Deschutes County information is available from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, (541) 693-6911 or www.deschutes.org/emergency.

Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fires to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations. It is not legal to operate any aircraft (including drones) within a TFR. More information on the TFR is available at http://tfr.faa.gov/tfr2/list.html

National Forest Closure Orders: Current information about closures on the Willamette and Deschutes National Forests is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/fire/?cid=fseprd552029 http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/Deschutes/alerts-notices.

9/16/2017 Central Oregon Fire Update

 
Contact:  Media Desk:  541-316-7711           Email:  Centralorfireinfo@gmail.com
Twitter:  @CentralORfire                              Blog: CentralORfireinfo.blogspot.com

 
FIRE NEWS--Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center

For Immediate Release:  September 16, 2017

Central Oregon Fire Update

CENTRAL, ORE – Fire crews, engines and air tankers responded quickly to a fire that broke near Boyd Cave south of Bend, Ore (#1174) late yesterday afternoon.

The Boyd Cave fire showed moderate fire behavior in timber and juniper. Six engines, 2 crews, 5 air tankers, a dozer and a water tender responded to the fire and by evening had the fire contained to 26 acres. Firefighters will mop-up and patrol the fire today.

The closure on the Milli Fire of the Whychus Overlook Trailhead and trail will be lifted at 7:00 a.m. tomorrow morning.  All areas west of Forest Road 16 on the Sisters Ranger District will remain closed and all other closures for the fire will remain.

The Desolation Fire did experience some growth yesterday and is now at 3,428 acres. All growth was within planned containment lines with most of it was from planned burnout operations being done along Forest Road 27 to contain the fire. There was some growth on the north end of the fire toward Whistler Point.

The public will see smoke coming from the Desolation Fire today as burnout operations on the fire continue. A temporary closure order remains in effect for all of Mill Creek Wilderness and national forest lands north of the wilderness up to and including Forest Roads 27, 2730 and 2745.

Central Oregon is expected to see wetting rain beginning the evening and through Monday. This rain should help clear smoke from the air and reduce fire activity on the larger fires in the area, including Milli, Desolation and Nash.

An open fire ban remains in effect for all federal lands in Central Oregon.

-END-