Big Meadow Fire
By Mindy Gould on Monday, September 13th, 2021 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News Eastern/Southeast Oregon Top Stories
Riley, Or- Work continues toward containing the Big Meadow fire north of Riley, near Dry Mountain. Acreage is mapped at 2,642.
Yesterday, the fire was most active on the western flank, but air resources have been instrumental in suppression efforts. We even have help from a Type 1 Blackhawk helicopter (photo)! Type 1 helicopters are the largest, fastest flying helicopters used on wildland fires. They can typically carry between 700 and 3,000 gallons of water or retardant via a bucket or a snorkel that fills an internal tank, and can strategically drop with pinpoint accuracy.
In case you missed it, U.S. Forest Service-administered public lands in the fire area are also now closed to the public. We are working on a single map showing both the BLM and USFS closures. Stay tuned.
Other maps now available include a vicinity map, and a larger-scale perimeter map. The Big Meadow fire is in the Silvies Hunting Unit and we know many of you are curious about your regular camps and favorite places to hunt.
Please follow the closures and stay out of the area until further notice. And…Stay safe! Fire danger was reduced from EXTREME to HIGH, but significant opportunity for wildfire still exists. Public use restrictions are still in place (no campfires, no driving/parking off road).
To report a wildfire, call (541) 573-1000.
