OSFM mobilizes task force to help stop wildfire in Gilliam County

News Release from Oregon State Fire Marshal

SALEM – The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has mobilized a task force to Gilliam County to provide added capacity and help local resources on the Devil’s Butte Fire. The task force from Clackamas County is being sent through Immediate Response, a tool the OSFM uses to send additional firefighters and equipment outside of a conflagration.

According to the Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office, the lightning-sparked fire was reported yesterday morning, July 10 around 10:30 near Ajax Lane and Highway 206 west of Condon. As of this morning, the fire was mapped at 2,859 acres in size and zero percent contained. The fire is burning in tall grass and brush. 

Firefighters from North Gilliam Fire Department, South Gilliam Fire Department, Sherman County Rural Fire Protection District, Morrow County Fire Department, Umatilla County Fire Department, Wheeler County Fire Department, Gilliam County Road Department, U.S. Forest Service, Oregon State Fire Marshal, Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office, Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Land Management, Prineville Hotshots, and air assets are involved in the firefighting efforts.

Highway 206 was closed on Monday but has since reopened. Those in the area should be aware of the wildfire and check highway information before traveling at www.tripcheck.com.

Questions about the fire can be directed to the Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center Media Line:  541-316-7711 or email 2023.devilsbutte@firenet.gov.

ABOUT IMMEDIATE RESPONSE

Immediate response is made possible through the OSFM’s Response Ready Oregon initiative, created through Oregon’s wildfire omnibus bill, Senate Bill 762, which was signed into law in 2021. 

LEARN MORE: Response Ready Oregon

Photo via Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office

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Elkhorn Media Group

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