Temporary area closures still in effect on Umatilla National Forest
By Logan Bagett on Friday, August 23rd, 2024 in Columbia Basin News Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – (Press Release from the Umatilla National Forest)
Multiple fire related temporary area closures are in effect for the Umatilla National Forest. Forest Closure descriptions and maps are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5286768.
Forest and fire managers are continually assessing conditions and are planning on taking a phased approach to reducing the closure areas over the coming days.
Work still needs to be completed in some areas, repairs to roads, removal of hazardous trees, and assessment of the amount of damage to the forest. All of this work is to increase the public’s safety from existing hazards that are a result of the recent large fires.
Fire update
Several new fires across the Umatilla National Forest have been identified due to the lightning strikes that occurred the evening of August 20, 2024. The initial attack has been successful in staffing all the known fires with local fire crews and rappelers. Currently, these are the new fires on the Umatilla National Forest.
North Fork John Day Ranger Districts
- The French Corral Fire in the Rancheria Creek Area, 11 miles northeast of Ukiah, OR is currently at .2 acres and
is CONTAINED.
Walla Walla Ranger District
- The Thimbleberry Fire in the Thimbleberry Mountain Area, 16 miles northeast of La Grande, OR is
currently at .1 acre - The Horseshoe Fire in the Gibbon Ridge area, 15 miles northwest of La Grande, OR is currently at .11 acres and
is CONTROLLED. - The Huckleberry Fire in the Thimbleberry Mountain Area, 16 miles north of La Grande, OR is
currently at .1 acre
Pomeroy Ranger District
- The Boundary Fire in the Wenaha River Area, 24 miles southeast of Walla Walla, WA is currently at 2 acres.
- The Hole Fire in the Milk Creek Area, 20 miles southeast of Walla Walla, WA is currently at .5 acre.
- The Jim Creek Fire in the Jim Creek Rd. Area, 18 miles southwest of Pomeroy, WA currently is currently at .25 acre and is CONTAINED.
Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist, and officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at EXTREME and Public Use Restrictions involving chainsaw use and campfires are in effect.
In addition, the following large fire incidents are in progress of repair and fuels reduction on or near the Umatilla National Forest.
· Battle Mountain Complex: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or97s-battle-mountain-complex
· Cougar Creek Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-cougar-creek-fire
· Lone Rock Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orprd-lone-rock-fire
More information regarding restrictions, please contact:
Umatilla National Forest:
Information Hotline: Toll-Free (877) 958-9663
X: @UmatillaNF
The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog.
To receive updates on fires in the Blue Mountains, follow our blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.
Additional information about the Umatilla National Forest is available at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla.
