SALEM, Ore. – The following Saturday fire update is issued by the Oregon Department of Forestry:
The El Dorado Fire reported Friday morning 5 miles southeast of Unity, Oregon is burning on Oregon Department of Forestry private lands, Vale BLM and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest lands. The fire burning primarily in grass, brush and timber is exhibiting extreme fire behavior including wind-driven runs and is approximately 12,000 acres at this time. Significant spread to the east and northeast is expected. Fire officials are recommending that people avoid driving near the fire due to increased firefighting traffic.
Canyon Creek Complex
This lightning-caused complex of fires located south of John Day Oregon and reported Wednesday afternoon is now estimated at 34,143 acres.
The fire has exhibited extreme behaviors including crowning, wind-driven runs and long-range spotting up to two miles. Strong winds pushed the Berry Creek and Mason Springs Fires to the north toward Canyon City and John Day on Friday.
The fires merged together creating a fast moving fire forcing residents to evacuate and fire fighters to retreat from the fire line. Air resources were grounded in the late afternoon because of the heavy winds. Today the fire is being managed by a local Type 3 Team, including ODF resources, with support from the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Red Team.
Structural task forces are in place, working to protect homes in the path of the fire. Crews working to assess structures are challenged by access due to damage to road infrastructure such as burned wooden bridges and fallen trees.
There are currently 26 primary residences confirmed destroyed. This number may rise as crews make assessments.
The fire is estimated to be approximately 34,000 acres based on an IR flight from Friday night. Fire fighters will face calmer winds and increased humidity today.
Resources
Throughout the night dozers worked to put in line south of Canyon City. Available resources continue to be limited; approximately 225 people are currently assigned to this fire including 5 crews and 1 helicopter.
Today at 4pm the Great Basin Team (Type 1) will be in-briefed, with plans to take command of the fire on Sunday.
Firefighting resources are depleted at a national level in the west.
Multiple evacuations have been issued by the Grant County Sheriff’s Department across the area. Due to the severity of the situation of the Canyon Creek Complex, the Conflagration Act has been enacted.
Evacuations
Level 2 evacuation notices have been issued for:
Laycock Creek Road, Nance Rock Road, West Bench Road, Dog Creek
Level 3 evacuation notices have been issued for: South of Canyon City to the J-Bar-L Ranch, Marysville Road, Adams Drive, South side of Marysville Road, Pine Creek
Those under a Level 1 evacuation notice need to be aware of the situation
Level 2 – prepare to leave on short notice
Level 3 – evacuate immediately
Closures and shelters
Highway 395 south is expected to remain closed for potential three more days at least due to active fire, hazard trees and heavy fire fighter traffic. A Red Cross shelter has been set up at the Mount Vernon Community Hall. Multiple churches are also providing assistance.
Multiple landowners are offering space for livestock as well as the Grant County Fairgrounds.
Cornet Fire
The lightning-caused Cornet Fire (EOA) near Hereford, Oregon on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Vale BLM District and on private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry is approximately 26,000 acres. It is 5 percent contained and now threatens approximately 146 residences.
On Thursday Governor Kate Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act in response to the Cornet Fire. This declaration authorizes the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal to mobilize structural firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire.
The fire is exhibiting extreme behavior with crowning, wind-driven runs and spotting.
Resources: Approximately 457 people are assigned to this fire including 14 crews, 4 helicopters and 19 fire engines.
Evacuations:
Level 1 (READY) – Elk Creek Lane to Griffin Gulch Lane
Level 2 (GET SET) -Bridgeport
Level 3 (GO) -Beaver Creek -Black Mountain -Denny Creek -French Gulch -Greater Gowen Valley Rural Fire to French Gulch -Old Auburn Ln
Closures: Baker County Sheriff’ Office has issued a Level 3 Evacuation Order for Stices Gulch and a level 2 Evacuation Order for Rancheria Creek, Black Mountain and Denny Creek.
The lightning-caused Windy Ridge Fire (BLM) located 4 miles west of Durkee first reported August 11 has moved to the northeast toward Interstate-84. 41 residences are threatened.
The fire is burning in brush, grass and timber and size is estimated to be 22,862 acres.
The terrain on the fire is rugged and steep and ground crews have trouble accessing certain areas. This has necessitated aggressive air suppression including single engine air tankers (SEATs), helicopters and heavy air tankers, though increasingly scarce resources are straining air support.
The Eagle Complex (USFS) reported Tuesday afternoon burning approximately 16 miles northeast of Baker City and 10 miles east of Medical Springs, Oregon, is now approximately 1,700 acres. Three fires comprise the complex and are burning on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest as well as private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry.
Strong winds and continued hot, dry conditions caused additional growth of the Eagle Fire Complex on Friday. The fire spotted over Forest Service Road 77 road in the southwest corner of the fire. Firefighters were able to successfully catch all of the spot fires and no structures were burned.
Today’s operations include continued structure protection and fire suppression.
Evacuations
Level 2 evacuation notices remain in effect. A Level 2 evacuation notice means residents should be SET (Ready, Set, Go) to evacuate, and continue to closely monitor local media and incident information. Questions regarding evacuation notices and the evacuation process can be directed to the Baker County Emergency Management at 541-523-8200.
An area closure has been implemented for public and firefighter safety and can be viewed at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4481/
The Chambers Mill fire located approximately 2 miles south of Lorane is now 100 percent lined with a combination of dozer and hand lines.
Initial attack was strongly supported by air attack; three residences were threatened.
Friday’s resources: 4 Hand Crews, 2 helicopters, 4 engines, 4 bulldozers, 6 water tenders.
Crews have been mopping up and Territorial Highway is now open both ways.
Cooperators on the incident include Weyerhaeuser Co. and the Bureau of Land Management. The fire size was 180 acres.
The Stouts Creek Fire (Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) approximately16 miles east of Canyonville near Milo on forestlands protected by DFPA, is currently estimated at approximately 24,181 acres and 65 percent containment.
Night crews on the Stouts Creek Fire continued to be vigilant, holding and widening control lines while working toward securing the south end of the fire. Overnight fire activity was low as firefighters patrolled the northern portions of the 24,181-acre fire looking for hot spots and flare ups.
There are 1,645 personnel assigned to the fire with 49 crews, 46 engines, 27 water tenders, 20 bulldozers and 11 helicopters. Numbers of personnel and equipment will continue to shrink as objectives are met and these resources move on to fires with greater needs. The Stouts Creek Fire costs to date are $25.5 million. The Incident Management Team leading the effort under unified command is protecting lands that are about 48% on state protected lands, which include BLM and private lands, and 52% on the Umpqua National Forest. Twenty-three states and three Canadian provinces have provided staff for this effort.
The Cable Crossing Fire, (Douglas Forest Protective Association (DFPA) burning on DFPA-protected private and public forestlands six miles east of Glide, is currently estimated at 85 percent containment.
The cause of this fire remains under investigation.
The Phillips Creek Fire (Northeast Oregon District – La Grande Unit) located 7 miles northwest of Elgin in northeast Oregon in brush, grass, slash, and heavy timber predominantly on the Umatilla National Forest, has burned 2,601 acres including approximately 435 acres of ODF-protected private forestland. It is now approximately 89 percent contained and crews continue to do mop up.
Planned actions include holding and mopping up along the fire perimeter, and continuing repair work on contingency lines. The tentative plan is to transition management of the fire back to the local district in the next three to six days.
FIRE PREVENTION
Oregonians are reminded to continue to treat fire season with respect. Everyone is encouraged to follow current fire season restrictions to prevent human caused fires.
In addition, residents who live in the wildland urban interface, where communities border forests and grazing lands, should always be prepared before fire threatens. Have a plan that includes making arrangements for persons with special needs, livestock, and pets. Learn more about the Ready Set Go Program at www.wildlandfirersg.org/.
WILDFIRE SMOKE
Smoke may persist where wildfires are burning in in Oregon, including times when burn-out firefighting operations are taking place. Stay up-to-date on smoke density and public health advisories, or view and monitor Oregon’s air quality index. Wildfires and severe smoke can create dangerous conditions for people, especially those with chronic health conditions. Learn what you can do to reduce the risk of health effects of wildfire smoke.