Beech Creek Fire–final update
By Logan Bagett on Tuesday, August 9th, 2022 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY & HINES – UPDATE (8/9, 10:02 a.m.) (Press Release from the Malheur National Forest)
This will be the final posted update unless a significant change in fire behavior occurs. Steady progress continues on the Beech Creek Fire, which now sits at 71% containment and remains at 155 acres. Hot and dry conditions are anticipated through the rest of the week. There is potential for thunderstorms with strong outflow winds in the afternoon.
This evening at 6:00 p.m. the High Desert Type 3 IMT will transition command of the fire back to the Malheur National Forest, Blue Mountain Ranger District. Resources remaining on the fire will continue mop up efforts south of Hwy 395 with the intent to target heat within 100 feet interior of containment lines. The fire area north of the highway, with a secured perimeter of 300 feet interior, will continue to have frequent patrols.
The Oregon Department of Transportation will reopen Hwy 395 to normal traffic flow by 8:00 p.m. Wednesday, August 10th. Travelers should still exercise caution when driving through the fire area as fire vehicles will continue to enter and exit the roadways. For updated information on delays or road closures statewide please visit: https://www.tripcheck.com.
The public are encouraged to be aware of the elevated fire danger on the Malheur National Forest. Current fire conditions and public use restrictions can be found on the Forest webpage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur.
The High Desert Type 3 IMT would like to thank the communities of Mt. Vernon and John Day for their continued support during the duration of the Beech Creek Fire.For continued fire updates, please visit:
Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8301Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MalheurNationalForestTwitter: https://twitter.com/MalheurNF
UPDATE (8/8, 8:57 a.m.): (Press Release from the Malheur National Forest)
Containment percentage continues to climb on the Beech Creek Fire, up to 69% and remaining within the same footprint at 155 acres. A heat advisory is in effect today with an increased potential for afternoon thunderstorms and strong outflow winds through Tuesday evening. Some of the resources assigned to the Beech Creek Fire will be made available locally to increase initial attack response in the event of new fire starts.
The fire continues to consume unburned fuels within established containment lines south of Hwy 395. Pockets of heat held in burning root systems and tree stumps can present a challenge to suppression efforts and slow containment progress. Firefighters are utilizing water tenders, engines, and extensive hose lays to target these areas within the fire interior.
With containment lines becoming more secure and fire behavior diminishing, the High Desert Type 3 Team will plan to transition the fire back to the local unit by end of shift Tuesday, August 9th. The Team will ensure the incoming incident commander has all the necessary resources to effectively continue suppression operations.
Those traveling along Hwy 395 between Long Creek and Mt. Vernon can expect some delays as fire personnel continue to work along the roadway. Flaggers and a pilot car are leading traffic through the fire area. Smoke may be visible from the road. For updated information on delays or road closures prior to traveling in the area please visit: https://www.tripcheck.com.
The public are encouraged to be aware of the elevated fire danger on the Malheur National Forest. Current fire conditions and public use restrictions can be found on the Forest webpage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur.
For additional fire information, please visit:Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8301Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MalheurNationalForestTwitter: https://twitter.com/MalheurNFEmail: 2022.beechcreek@firenet.gov
PREVIOUSLY POSTED: (Press Release from the Malheur National Forest)
Containment has increased to 66% on the 155-acre Beech Creek Fire. A few days of cooler temperatures and higher humidity recoveries at night have aided firefighter progress in anticipation of the dryer and warmer conditions expected Sunday through Thursday. Personnel are continuing to support both day and night suppression operations.
Fire suppression efforts are now concentrated on strengthening containment lines south of Hwy 395. Heavy equipment, such as feller bunchers, are working to mitigate hazard trees to allow fire crews safer access to secure the direct dozer lines. The unpredictability of fire-weakened trees poses a considerable risk to firefighter safety, so heavy equipment operators and felling teams are brought in to help mitigate those hazards. Resources along the northern section of the fire perimeter continue to reinforce and patrol containment lines having successfully mopped up, or extinguished pockets of heat, 300 feet interior from the fire’s edge.Those traveling along Hwy 395 between Long Creek and Mt. Vernon can expect some delays as fire personnel continue to work along the roadway. Flaggers and a pilot car are leading traffic through the fire area. For updated information on delays or road closures prior to traveling in the area please visit: https://www.tripcheck.com. Smoke and air quality impacts within the state can be monitored by visiting: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com.
Fire updates are aired on KJDY and are posted at Chester’s Market, the DinoMart in John Day, and the Chevron station in Mt. Vernon.
As temperatures warm up again, the public are encouraged to be aware of the elevated fire danger on the Malheur National Forest. Current fire conditions and public use restrictions can be found on the Forest webpage: https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur.
