UPDATE Bensel Fire put at 699 acres
By Terry Murry on Sunday, September 3rd, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
From the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office:
Firefighters from Oregon State Fire Marshal task forces are working alongside fire crews from Oregon Department of Corrections Two Rivers Correctional Institution on the Bensel Fire. Work is being done to mop up any hot spots that could potentially throw an ember into the unburned side and start another fire. Crews will continue to work around the perimeter using hand tools and hoses to make sure that no hotspots are within 100′ from the fires edge.
The current size of the fire is estimated at 699 acres.
A total of 78 personnel responded through the State mutual aid system with 4 task forces and the Green Incident Management Team from the following agencies.
Alfalfa Fire, Bend Fire, Clackamas Fire, Cloverdale Fire, Coburg Fire, Coburg Fire, Coburg Fire, Corvallis Fire, Crooked River Ranch Fire, Gresham Fire, Harrisburg Fire, Hillsboro Fire, Hubbard Fire, Idanha-Detroit Fire, Jackson Co #5, Jefferson Co Fire, Jefferson Fire, Junction City Fire, Keizer Fire, Lake Oswego Fire, Lane Fire Authority, Lebanon Fire, Lyons Fire, Marion Co Fire, McKenzie Fire, Mohawk Valley Fire, Monroe Fire, Oregon State Fire Marshal, Philomath Fire, Portland Fire, Redmond Fire, South Lane Fire, Stayton Fire, Sunriver Fire and Woodburn Fire
POSTED EARLIER:
From the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office:
EVACUATIONS LEVELS Downgraded (see map and information below)
Evacuation Levels have been downgraded for the BENSEL FIRE. All previously Level 3 areas have been downgraded to Level 2 (see below).
NO road closures are in effect at this time.
As always, a fire is an active incident and conditions can change. If you feel unsafe, leave the area.
YELLOW: Level 2 – BE SET – GET READY
Hat Rock Community and Yacht Club
McNary Area (North of Highway 730 to the River between Willamette Ave and Bud Draper Rd
North of Bensel and Progress Rd across Highway 730 to the river. East of Bud Draper Rd all the way to and including Salmon Point. (downgraded to Level 2)
GREEN: Level 1 – BE READY
McNary Area (North of Highway 730 (6th St) to the River Between Devore Rd and Willamette Ave)
SHELTER INFORMATION:
EOTEC, 1705 E Airport Rd, Hermiston, OR 97838, remains available if needed.
POSTED EARLIER: The Bensel Fire is now under a state incident command team. Out of an abundance of caution, the team has decided to keep evacuation levels the same at least until this afternoon. Here is their statement:
A briefing was held beginning at 8am this morning as the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Incident Management Team arrived and assumed unified command. As a result of that briefing the Evacuation Levels will remain in place with no changes. Another briefing is scheduled at approximately 1pm today and evacuation levels will be re-evaluated.
As always, a fire is an active incident and conditions can change. If you feel unsafe, leave the area.
POSTED EARLIER:
RED: Level 3- GO NOW – LEAVE IMMEDIATELY
North of Bensel and Progress Rd across Highway 730 to the river. East of Bud Draper Rd all the way to and including Salmon Point.
YELLOW: Level 2 – BE SET – GET READY
Hat Rock Community and Yacht Club
Increased to include: McNary Area (North of Highway 730 to the River between Willamette Ave and Bud Draper Rd
GREEN: Level 1 – BE READY
Increased to include: McNary Area (North of Highway 730 (6th St) to the River Between Devore Rd and Willamette Ave)
SHELTER INFORMATION:
EOTEC, 1705 E Airport Rd, Hermiston, OR 97838, has been opened up for those needing shelter due to evacuations.
From the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office:
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Bensel Fire to allow the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to mobilize additional resources to protect life and property. Earlier Sunday, OSFM mobilized fire boss air tankers and a helicopter to support firefighting efforts. The OSFM resources will provide structure protection for homes near the Bensel Fire. Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation orders are in place through the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office for homes threatened by the Bensel Fire. With the declared conflagration, OSFM will mobilize structural firefighters, equipment, and the Green Incident Management Team.
“Although portions of Oregon are receiving rain, this is a stark reminder that we are not out of wildfire season yet,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “We are asking the people of Oregon to help prevent human-caused fires by remaining wildfire aware.”
In accordance with ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Kotek determined that the fire poses a threat to life, safety, and property, and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment. The governor’s declaration cleared the way for the state fire marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources in battling the fire and further support a coordinated response. The OSFM’s Green Incident Management Team will be briefed and assume unified command of the Bensel Fire at 8 a.m. on September 4, 2023. The structural task forces are coming from counties throughout Oregon through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System.
