Umatilla National Forest issues July 22 fire update
By Dan Thesman on Monday, July 22nd, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – [News release from Umatilla National Forest] Multiple fire related area closures are in effect for the Umatilla National Forest including areas on the Heppner, North Fork John Day, and Pomeroy Ranger District. Closure descriptions and maps are available at https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5286768.
Fire updates
[3:00 p.m.] Firefighting resources continue to actively suppress the following fires across the Umatilla National Forest while providing for firefighter and public safety.
Heppner Ranger District Closure: Due to active wildfires on Heppner Ranger District, compounded by extremely unfavorable weather conditions, limited firefighting resources and concern for public safety, forest officials on the Umatilla National Forest are Temporarily closing the Heppner Ranger District. Read the full closure at Umatilla National Forest – News & Events (usda.gov)
The 100-acre Double Snag Fire in the Winom Creek area, 11 miles southeast of Ukiah, Oregon is burning in the 1996 Tower Fire burn scar in a dense, even aged stand of lodgepole pine interspersed with small open areas. The fire is located on the north side of Forest Service Road 52. A Northeast Oregon Type 3 Incident Management team is managing this fire. Today, three 20-person hand crews, two feller bunchers, two masticators and one dozer supported by one helicopter will construct containment line, improve existing line, and evaluate various suppression activities based on expected fire weather and resource availability. Structure protection preparation will take place in the Pearson Summer Home tract west of the fire.
The 15-acre Big Creek Fire is located 12 miles southeast of Ukiah, Oregon is now contained. Firefighters will monitor and patrol the fire today while continuing mop up and will be available for initial attack should new fires be detected.
Weather: Red flag warning in effect until 11:00 p.m. tonight for hot, dry and unstable conditions. Hot, dry and unstable conditions will continue to influence fire behavior today. Isolated to widely scattered thunderstorms will develop with the passage of an upper weather system across central Oregon this afternoon and evening that may have strong, gusty erratic winds in the vicinity of thunderstorms.
In addition, the following incidents are burning on or near the Umatilla National Forest and are being managed by Complex Incident Management Teams.
· Battle Mountain Complex: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or97s-battle-mountain-complex
· Bone Yard Fire: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-boneyard-fire
· 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
As a reminder the current fire danger rating is EXTREME and public use restrictions phase C will be now in effect for Umatilla National Forest. To view complete information visit Umatilla National Forest – Alerts & Closures (usda.gov)
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.
