Deer Creek and Deep Canyon

Deer Creek

Firefighters worked through the night on this fire and have spread stopped at approximately 50 acres.  Today they plan on using aircraft and crews on loan from the 5 Mile fire to continue to deal with hot spots and get line around the fire.  This fire is on the lower 1/3 of the slope burning on rugged slopes in grass, brush and timber stringers in the Deer Creek drainage.  Crews hiked about a mile in last night along a narrow ridge to reach the fire.

Deep Canyon

The Deep Canyon Fire is located one drainage to the east of the Deer Creek Fire.  The fire is approximately 150-200 acres with active fire on half of the perimeter.  It is burning in brush and grass, backing down the slopes and making short runs with 4-8' flame lengths.  Firefighters battled this blaze through the night.  This morning additional crews and resources will arrive on the fire.  Fire fighters are using Single Engine Air Tankers and helicopters to slow the spread of the fire and allow firefighters to dig fireline.

ODF is working in cooperation with Washington Department of Natural Resources, US Forest Service, and local landowner cooperators to contain these fires.

Firefighters work through the night

ODF Wallowa fire fighters are currently working in cooperation with Washington Department of Natural Resources and the US Forest Service on two fires in the Rye Ridge area along the Washington/Oregon border.  Initial attack for fires along this border area is provided through a cooperative agreement between ODF’s Northeast Oregon District, WA DNR and the Forest Service.  Last size up for these fires is estimated at 40 acres and approximately 150 acres.  Current resources on scene include fire engines and dozers.  Fire fighters worked through the night to contain the fires in this rugged terrain.  Additional firefighting resources will be arriving this morning.  Information will be posted as it becomes available.

Resources Work Together to Stop Wildfire

Crews from Elgin Rural Fire, Imbler Fire, La Grande Rural Fire, City of La Grande Fire, US Forest Service and Oregon Department of Forestry banded together to stop a fire East of Elgin Friday afternoon.  The fire scorched 113 acres.  The exact cause of the fire is currently under investigation, but the fire was caused by human activity.  

“Conditions are ripe for large fires out here now.” Mitch Williams, Wildland Fire Supervisor with ODF said. “All these agencies really came together to work well and to keep this fire from becoming the next catastrophic fire.”

Weeks of hot and dry weather have increased fire danger levels to extreme.  Due to the number of large fires in the region, firefighting resources are depleted.

Weather conditions are expected to remain warm and dry this week with an increased potential for thunderstorms.  Fire managers are asking for the public cooperation and vigilance to prevent wildfires.    

ODF Increases Regulated Use Closure Restrictions

Additional Public Use Restrictions Implemented on Lands Protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry in Northeast Oregon

Effective 12:01 am August 9, 2014

Effective at 12:01 a.m. August 9, 2014 the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) added additional regulations to the Regulated Use Closure for lands within the Northeast Oregon District.  The Regulated Use Closure affects private, state, county, municipal, and tribal lands in seven counties: Union, Baker, Wallowa, Umatilla, and small portions of Malheur, Morrow and Grant Counties.  The Regulated Use Closure is intended to protect natural resources and public health and safety.

Persistent hot, dry weather over the last several weeks has raised fire danger to extreme levels.  The current weather pattern is expected to continue, with the possibility of more thunderstorms by this weekend or early next week.  “These additional restrictions are being implemented to help reduce the threat of human caused fires,” explains Dennis Perilli, Pendleton Unit Forester.  Numerous large fires throughout the region have diminished the number of resources that are available to respond to new fire starts.

The Regulated Use Closure includes the following activities:

·         Open fires are prohibited, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking and warming fires, except at designated locations. Designated locations within the Regulated Use Closure area can be found at the following State Parks:  Emigrant Springs, Ukiah Dale, Catherine Creek, Hilgard Junction, Red Bridge, Wallowa Lake, Minam, and Unity Lake.  Additional designated locations can be verified by calling local unit offices.  Make sure campfires in these designated locations are DEAD OUT before leaving. 

·         Debris burning is prohibited, including the use of burn barrels.

·         Non-industrial chain saw use is prohibited.

·         Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, or at a cleared area free of flammable vegetation.

·         Use of motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all terrain vehicles (ATVs), is prohibited except on improved roads, except for the commercial culture and harvest of agricultural crops.

·         Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited unless specifically waived by the State Forester.

·         Mowing of dried and cured grass with power driven equipment is prohibited. 

·         Use of fireworks is prohibited.

·         The use of exploding targets is prohibited.

·         Use of tracer ammunition or any bullet with a pyrotechnic charge in its base is prohibited.

·         Any electric fence controller in use shall be: 1) Listed  by a nationally recognized testing laboratory or be certified by the Department of Consumer and Business Services; and 2 ) Operated in compliance with manufacturer’s instructions.

• Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling, except on state highways, county roads and driveways: one shovel and one gallon of water or one 2½ pound or larger fire extinguisher.

The Regulated Use Closure for private forest lands is designed to help fire managers reduce the threat of human caused fires during hot and dry periods.  While many fires on forestland are ignited by lightning, a significant number of wildfires each year are caused by human activities. Preventing fire starts from human activities reduces impacts to our natural resources, enhances our public safety and preserves the natural beauty of northeast Oregon.   

5 Mile Fire Community Meeting Tonight in Joseph

A Community Meeting is scheduled for tonight at the Community Center in Joseph at 6 pm. The public is invited to hear an update on the fires and ask questions.

5 Mile Fire

A Community Meeting is scheduled for tonight at the Community Center in Joseph at 6 pm. The public is invited to hear an update on the fires and ask questions.

5 Mile Fire-4,700 acres

The southeast flank of the 5 Mile Fire became very active yesterday and last night. Fire became established in Dunlap Creek and burned aggressively uphill throwing embers across the Hat Point Road.  The spots totaled approximately 1 acre in size.  Two hotshot crews were working to secure those spots last night.  Idaho Power crews grounded the deactivated high voltage transmission lines transecting the area. The operational priority remains to secure the town of Imnaha and keep the fire from the Oregon Department of Forestry protected private lands, ranches and homes along the Imnaha River Road. The northern flank near Imnaha and west flank along the river continue to hold.  Firefighters continue to mop-up hot spots to secure those lines and structure protection remains in place.

Today will be a critical operational day to hold this fire.  Firefighters will be assessing if Thorn Ridge is still a viable option for a containment line. A contingency containment line further south will be scouted. If Thorn Ridge is still an option, a burnout operation will occur today.  Timber fallers will begin to fall snags along Hat Point Road. Structure protection efforts will begin at College Creek Guard Station and at Cayuse Flats.

5 Mile Fire Community Meeting Tonight

A Community Meeting is scheduled for tomorrow evening at the Imnaha Christian Fellowship Church at 5 pm. The public is invited to hear an update on the fires and ask questions.

A Level 1 Evacuation Notice was issued by the Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office for the town of Imnaha and for residents along the Imnaha River Road 5 miles south of Imnaha near Freeze Out Creek to 10 miles north of Imnaha near Fence Creek this morning.  This is an advisory warning that current or projected threats associated with the approaching fire are severe and this is the time for preparations and precautionary movement of persons with special needs and livestock.