[PRINEVILLE, Ore.] Fire danger in Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF)
Central Oregon District moved to “extreme” Monday based on fuel conditions
and potential rate of spread of wildland fires. Additional fire prevention
measures were implemented to reduce potential human starts across ODF
protected lands. Red Flag Warnings issued by the National Weather Service
for lightning, wind, and high temperatures starting Monday heightened fire
manager’s concern for increased fire activity.
Today, ODF and federal partners have reconnaissance aircraft flying
throughout central Oregon to detect fires from lightning. Locating fires while
they are small and taking aggressive initial attack on the fires is critical for
reducing wildfire impacts to landowners and smoke effects. ODF’s multi-
mission aircraft, a Partenavia Observer, equipped with infra-red and Electro-
optical cameras, will also be flying areas across the District that have received
lightning the last few days.
ODF firefighters and partners have taken action on three lightning fires on
ODF protected lands since Monday. The largest was the four acre Little Grizzly
Fire on the Prineville Unit. All fires on ODF protected lands have been caught
during initial attack. Mop-up continues on Little Grizzly and Cat Mountain (1.5
acres) fires today. Air resources such as Single Engine Air Tankers and
helicopters were crucial in supporting ground resources in slowing the fire and
allowing firefighters to construct fireline.
The Black Mountain smoke detection camera was used to locate the Matlock
Fire on the Umatilla National Forest near Ukiah, Oregon Tuesday afternoon.
The ODF detection center for all cameras located in Central Oregon and
Northeast Oregon districts is located at Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch
Center in Redmond.
Firefighters across the Central Oregon District have also responded to escaped
debris burns in recent days. Debris burning is not allowed within the District
at this time. Fire season restrictions, regulated-use closure, and industrial
forestry operation requirements are in effect. Full details are available at
www.ODFcentraloregon.com.
ODF’s Central Oregon District continues to serve landowners and the public as
an essential service for Oregonians. Please call or email to talk with our staff
or schedule an appointment. For additional information on ODF’s Central
Oregon District, including contact information and unit offices, please visit
www.ODFcentraloregon.com.
