Updates on Hat Rock Fire along US-730 East of Umatilla and Mt. Hebron Fire in Pendleton
By Shannon McKone on Tuesday, June 13th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
UPDATE at 9 p.m. from UMATILLA EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT regarding the Mt. Hebron Fire in Pendleton:
UPDATE – MT HEBRON FIRE -99% contained. 06/13/2023 8:39 p.m.
Pendleton Fire Department reports the fire is considered 99% contained. A fire tender and type 6 engine will remain on scene overnight to watch for flare ups.
UPDATE AT 7 P.M. FROM UMATILLA COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT ON THE MT. HEBRON FIRE IN PENDLETON:
Pendleton Fire Department is still actively working on this fire with mutual aid, however it is 70% contained.
Estimated at about 500 acres.
They are still working some hot spots in the fire, but mostly focusing on the NW Corners and down in a coupe of canyon areas.
Those that left their homes can return back. Not homes were damaged, approximately two vehicles and a couple of outbuildings, including a hay shed was burned.
UPDATE for the Hat Rock Fire EMERGENCY EVACUATIONS FOR JUNIPER CANYON:
UPDATED AT 8 P.M. TO DEFINE THE EVACUATION NOTICE BELOW:
**Correction** Level 3 Fire – This is not a MANDATORY evacuation, but a NOTICE of Immediate Evacuation, where occupants are being requested and instructed to leave the area now for their own safety.
UPDATE for the Hat Rock Fire at 6:40 p.m.: EMERGENCY EVACUATION FOR JUNIPER CANYON
An Evacuation Notice has been issued for the following areas in Juniper Canyon, Hartle Rd, Wallula Rd and Hatgrade Rd areas. Residents on these roads are being told to evacuate immediately. Umatilla County Deputies and Search and Rescue members are going door to door to notify occupants. EOTC, 1705 E Airport Rd in Hermiston is being opened up for those that have evacuated if they need shelter.
UPDATE at 5:55 p.m. from the Oregon State Fire Marshals Office:
SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is mobilizing six task forces and an incident management team to Umatilla County as firefighters battle two fast-moving wildfires. Tuesday evening, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Hat Rock fire and Mount Hebron fire to provide these additional resources.
Level 2 evacuation orders are in place through the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office for the Hat Rock fire, and some residents self-evacuated due to the fire activity on the Mount Hebron fire. Local fire officials have confirmed some outbuildings were lost in the Mount Hebron fire.
“The Hat Rock and Mount Hebron fires have been growing rapidly due to the dry, windy conditions in Umatilla County. The local firefighting resources from three counties have been battling both fires since they began mid-day June 13,” said Oregon State Fire Marshal Mariana Ruiz-Temple. “With the red flag warning in place, the OSFM is mobilizing additional resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System (OFMAS) to help the local fire service agencies on scene.”
In accordance with ORS 476.510-476.610, Governor Kotek determined 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 command. The six task forces are coming from other counties around the state through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System.
UPDATE at 5:25 p.m. from Umatilla County Fire District No. 1:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is currently on its way with two aircrafts to help contain the fire.
Walla Walla Fire Department has just arrived on scene to provide mutual aid.
This fire has officially been named as the Hat Rock Fire.
The K-MAX helicopter out of La Grande is currently on scene dropping water to contain the fire.
The total area burned is currently over 3,000 acres and is in Juniper Canyon heading towards the Washington state line.
Update as of 4:55pm from the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office
Emergency Operation Center Activated for Fire Monitoring in Umatilla County
UPDATE FROM UMATILLA COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT AT 5:25 p.m.: Hatrock Area Residents Permitted to Return Home; Mount Hebron Fire Self-Evacuation Reported. These are two separate fires. The fire at Mt. Hebron in Pendleton is still impacting the area with smoke and residents who evacuated there are asked to stay away as are others who might want to check out the scene.
Pendleton, Oregon – June 13, 2023 – The Emergency Operation Center (EOC) for Umatilla County was activated at 12:00 PM to assist in monitoring the ongoing fires in the region and coordinate response efforts. We provide the following update on the fire situation and self-evacuation information.
The incident commander in the Hatrock area has officially stated that residents who had self-evacuated from the area are now permitted to return to their homes, should they choose to do so. It is important to note that this directive pertains specifically to the Hatrock area and the Mount Hebron fire, as these are two separate incidents.
According to the incident commander, a total of four homes in the Mount Hebron fire vicinity have self-evacuated. We commend their proactive actions in prioritizing their safety during this challenging situation.
For those individuals who self-evacuated and require assistance or support, the Pendleton Convention Center is available as a temporary location. At this time, we have not received any requests for overnight shelter or identified a need for prolonged sheltering.
Key Points:
- Returning to Your Homes:
- Residents who self-evacuated from the Hatrock area may now return to their homes.
- Please exercise caution and remain vigilant, as conditions may change rapidly.
- Separate Fires:
- It is essential to understand that the Hatrock area and the Mount Hebron fire are distinct incidents.
- Stay informed and follow updates and instructions specific to your location.
- Assistance and Support:
- If immediate assistance is required or specific needs arise, please contact the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office at 541-310-0369 or email Sterrin Ward at sterrin.ward@umatillacounty.gov.
We will continue to closely monitor the fire situation and provide further updates as necessary. Ensuring your safety remains our highest priority, and we appreciate your cooperation and proactive measures during this challenging time.
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Update as of 3:40pm: According to the Umatilla County Fire District #1, The total area burned is currently at an estimated 2,000 acres.
Update from Umatilla Electric Coop
Emergency personnel have been dispatched to a brush fire on Highway 730 near Highway 37. For the safety of those battling the blaze, UEC has de-energized facilities in the area. We will provide updates as they come.
From the Oregon State Fire Marshalls Office (June 13, 2023 as of 3:02pm)
The Oregon State Fire Marshal has mobilized a helicopter through an agreement with the Oregon Department of Forestry to help stop a fast-moving wildfire near Hat Rock in Umatilla County.
Umatilla County Fire District #1 firefighters say they were dispatched to the fire along Highway 730 just before 11 a.m. today. A section of Highway 730 is closed. As of 2:30 p.m., the fire was estimated to be 1,200 acres.
The fire district is reporting Hat Rock State Park is under a level 2 evacuation notice, which means to have go bags ready in your vehicle.
Firefighters are being challenged by gusty winds and low relative humidity. The National Weather Service in Pendleton has a Red Flag Warning in place for the Lower Columbia River Basin until 9:00 p.m. The OSFM asks everyone to pay attention to these conditions and take the necessary precautions to avoid sparking a fire.
The OSFM is in contact with the local fire agencies and continues to evaluate the need for additional support.
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*****UPDATE*****
According to the Umatilla County Fire District #1 Firefighters Association A K-MAX helicopter out of La Grande is currently on its way to help contain the fire.
The total area burned is currently at an estimated 1,200 acres.
Updates are being added at https://www.facebook.com/firedistrictone
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As of 12:30pm, June 13, 2023
ODOT reports the following
Lanes Affected: (Eastbound) Median, All Lanes, Shoulder
(Westbound) Median, All Lanes, Shoulder
The highway is closed due to a wildfire. Use an alternate route.
The following is information from the Umatilla County Fire District #1
Today at 10:59 a.m. Umatilla County Fire District #1 was dispatched a brush fire on Highway 730 near Highway 37. Highway 730 is currently shut down from Highway 207 to US 12 (mile post 6) in Wallula Junction. Hat Rock State Park is now being activated to a LEVEL 2 Evacuation. LEVEL 2 means have your go bags ready in your vehicle. Right now our crews are battling the fire alongside Umatilla Rural Fire Protection District, Echo Fire Department, Irrigon Fire Department and Boardman Fire Rescue District. Please monitor this post as we will continue to update it with more information.
