Thursday’s Falls Fire updates–Level 3 evacuation zone expanded
By Logan Bagett on Thursday, July 18th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
HARNEY/GRANT COUNTIES – UPDATE – 7/18: The Grant County Court officially declared a local disaster due to wildfire activity impacting Grant County.
UPDATE – 7/18 at 2:32 p.m. (From Grant County Emergency Management)
-UPDATE: The area south of County Road 63, Southeast to northern Silvies Valley and south to FS 17 [is now under a Level 3 GO NOW! evacuation].
All areas previously in evacuation Level 1 are now in Level 2. See map below and posted on
the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook Page.
Click here for the full evacuation map:
UPDATE at 9:47 a.m. (From Falls Fire 2024)
The Falls Fire became very active yesterday afternoon in the northwest and northeast corners of the fire. The fire acreage is now estimated to be 110,674 with 5% containment. The fire is burning approximately 13.5 miles north of Burns, 11 miles southwest of Seneca, 7.5 miles south of Izee, and 3 miles west of Highway (Hwy) 395.
Yesterday, there was significant fire growth in the northwest and northeast areas of the fire. In the northwest corner, the fire crossed primary control lines and moved northerly down the Corral Creek drainage onto the ridge east of Donivan Mountain. Fire resources working in the area responded by building dozer line on the western flank of the fire and shifted engines and crews to protect values on private land. In the northeast corner, two spot fires started in an area north of Burnt Mountain and south of Myrtle Park Meadows just east of Forest Service Road (FSR) 31. Fire crews in the area responded and worked to line fire with dozers. Fire crews and equipment, both ground and air, continued to establish control line along the northern flank of the fire where conditions allowed for safe operations. At the southeastern area of the fire, firefighters tied in the dozer line that now connects the 3110 and 3120 roads from the Mosquito Flats area at Lone Pine Road in the south to the FSR 31 to the north near Van Zandt Meadows. Firefighters continued to be successful at keeping the fire from coming out of the Lake Creek drainage. Control lines along much of the south and west portions of the fire, along FSR 43, continue to hold firm as mop-up operations continue.
Aerial resources, including five helicopters, six single-engine air tankers (SEATs), two large air tankers (LATs), and two very large air tankers (VLATs) helped to slow the fires growth, and supported efforts to construct flanking control lines.
Today, fire behavior is predicted to be heavily influenced by very active, erratic, multi-directional winds similar to yesterday. In response to yesterday’s fire growth in the northwest and northeast corners of the fire, available resources will be shifted to these areas in an effort to protect the community of Izee and homes and ranches to the north of the fire. Fire crews and heavy equipment will be constructing control lines around where the fire grew near Donivan Mountain. In the northeast, crews and equipment will be constructing control lines around two spot fires that spotted over FSR 31 north of Burnt Mountain. Mop-up operations will continue on portions of the southern and western areas of the fire along FSR 43. Firefighters will continue to scout for future control lines.
Two Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSMF) task forces are assigned to the north and northeastern corner of the fire today. This includes the community of Izee, the Silvies Ranch area, and the City of Seneca. Two task forces will work along the 395 and 31 roads prepping structures. Structure protection is a priority for OSFM crews. Crews will continue triage assessment and fire protection efforts on the northern flank. One crew will continue to support wildland suppression efforts improving control line while moving forward with triaging efforts along the southern flanks of the fire in the Lodge Pine area. Community members with questions can contact the Non-Emergency County Information Line at 541-589-5579.
Today’s predicted weather includes very active, erratic, and shifting wind conditions. Temperature highs will be 90 – 98 degrees and with very low relative humidity levels.
Evacuation notices remain in effect in Grant and Harney Counties. For the most accurate evacuation information, please visit the Harney County Sheriff’s evacuation map here: https://tinyurl.com/3zst4sjy, or the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068819321423.
The Malheur National Forest issued a fire area closure. A detailed map and additional information about the fire area closure are available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/news-events/…. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) remains in place over the fire area.
UPDATE at 7:24 a.m. – (From Falls Fire 2024)
Falls Fire Morning Quick Facts:
Acreage: 110,674
Containment: 5%
Total Personnel: 1,559
Evacuation levels were updated yesterday. To see the new evacuation levels visit:
Crews made good progress securing the southern containment line of the fire last night. Firefighters were successful in controlling spot fires across the 31 road after the increase in fire activity yesterday. Resources will continue to find opportunities to build containment lines on the north side of the fire.
The easier to read ”Call Out Map” will be shared again this morning.
UPDATE 7/18 at 6 a.m. – In the latest news from the Falls Fire, officials report the fire has continued its growth to the northeast, approaching and spotting over FSR 31. This prompted an evacuation expansion for the Izee area. Those in a Level 3, GO status include areas south of County Road 63, west of the Burns-Izee Rd and East of the 4385 Rd by Snow Mountain. The fire is listed as 5% contained, and we’ll give you an acreage estimate once those new numbers come in.
Find the updated evacuation maps below:
**Photos provided by Sheriff Todd McKinley**
