Lightning causes multiple fire starts in Grant County
By Logan Bagett on Thursday, June 24th, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
GRANT COUNTY – Several wildfire starts have occurred in the area due to recent lightning. Wildcad.net is reporting at least three small fires from yesterday are contained.
Storm activity near Moon Creek was reported into Grant County Emergency Communications yesterday evening. At around 8:46 p.m., the Grant County Sheriff’s Office was notified of a flash flood that occurred at a residence. At approximately 9:03 p.m., the Mt. Vernon Rural Fire Department responded to the report of a forest fire up Moon Creek. No further information has come in regarding that incident; stay tuned for updates.
Below is a press release issued by the Malheur National Forest:
(Press Release from the Malheur National Forest–June 23, 2021)
Malheur National Forest Fire crews are responding to new smoke reports following passing thunderstorms Monday and Tuesday. Significant lightning activity occurred across much of the Forest, with new incidents reported to Burns Interagency Communication Center (BICC) and John Day Interagency Dispatch Center (JDIDC).
Local initial attack resources have been busy responding to these incidents with support from fire lookouts with detection efforts.
For current up to date incident information please visit: http://www.wildcad.net/WildCADWeb.asp and go to OR-JDCC JOHN DAY INTERAGENCY DISPATCH CENTER or any one of the many dispatch centers listed to see current fire activity in your area.
Fire crews are engaging or in route to all reported fires across the forest. Resources will continue patrolling for additional starts.
More reported fires are expected, and existing incidents may produce additional smoke into the next week. To report wildfires, please call 911, John Day Interagency Dispatch at 541-575-1321 or Burns Interagency Communications Center at 541-573-1000.
