News
Release: Graham Fire
Release: Graham Fire
Friday
June 21, 2018
June 21, 2018
12:00
a.m.
a.m.
Contact: Christie Shaw, Oregon Department of Forestry
541-263-0661
The Graham
Fire was reported Thursday afternoon, burning in brush, timber and grass south
of the Metolius River arm of Lake Billy Chinook near Culver, Oregon. The fire has burned private lands protected
by Oregon Department of Forestry and Lake Chinook Fire and Rescue, as well as
Bureau of Land Management ownership. Aerial
resources, including Single Engine Air Tankers and heavy air tankers assisted
on-the-ground firefighters to slow the spread of the fire. A Central Oregon Fire Management Service
(COFMS) local Type 3 Team, Incident Commander Caldwell, assumed command of the
fire at 11:00 p.m. Thursday night. The
fire is estimated to be approximately 2,000 acres at this time. Numerous
lightning caused fires in Central Oregon, including three large fires spread firefighting
resources thin today challenging firefighters in their suppression efforts.
Fire was reported Thursday afternoon, burning in brush, timber and grass south
of the Metolius River arm of Lake Billy Chinook near Culver, Oregon. The fire has burned private lands protected
by Oregon Department of Forestry and Lake Chinook Fire and Rescue, as well as
Bureau of Land Management ownership. Aerial
resources, including Single Engine Air Tankers and heavy air tankers assisted
on-the-ground firefighters to slow the spread of the fire. A Central Oregon Fire Management Service
(COFMS) local Type 3 Team, Incident Commander Caldwell, assumed command of the
fire at 11:00 p.m. Thursday night. The
fire is estimated to be approximately 2,000 acres at this time. Numerous
lightning caused fires in Central Oregon, including three large fires spread firefighting
resources thin today challenging firefighters in their suppression efforts.
Residents of
the Three Rivers subdivision were under a level three (GO!) evacuation
throughout most of the evening as extreme fire conditions and erratic winds
quickly pushed the fire northeast threatening homes. Reduced fire behavior has allowed Jefferson
County Sheriff Jim Adkins to reduce evacuation levels in some areas and allow
residents to return to their homes.
Residents and the public are reminded not to cross roadblocks into
evacuation areas. Two local Central
Oregon structural task forces worked to protect homes in the fire area
assisting Lake Chinook Fire and Rescue.
Three additional structural task forces from Washington and Clackamas
counties arrived on the fire this evening to continue work around the
threatened homes. Oregon State Fire
Marshall’s Green Team, Incident Commander Hallman assumed command of the
structural firefighting activities at midnight.
Some structures may have been damaged by the fire, but due to safety
concerns firefighters have not been able to investigate all areas of the fire.
the Three Rivers subdivision were under a level three (GO!) evacuation
throughout most of the evening as extreme fire conditions and erratic winds
quickly pushed the fire northeast threatening homes. Reduced fire behavior has allowed Jefferson
County Sheriff Jim Adkins to reduce evacuation levels in some areas and allow
residents to return to their homes.
Residents and the public are reminded not to cross roadblocks into
evacuation areas. Two local Central
Oregon structural task forces worked to protect homes in the fire area
assisting Lake Chinook Fire and Rescue.
Three additional structural task forces from Washington and Clackamas
counties arrived on the fire this evening to continue work around the
threatened homes. Oregon State Fire
Marshall’s Green Team, Incident Commander Hallman assumed command of the
structural firefighting activities at midnight.
Some structures may have been damaged by the fire, but due to safety
concerns firefighters have not been able to investigate all areas of the fire.
The COFMS
Type 3 Team will manage the fire overnight, working to take advantage of cooler
temperatures and increased moisture which will limit fire behavior. Firefighters will flank the edge of the fire,
building fireline to contain potential spread. Warm temperatures are anticipated in the next
few days along with the return of windy conditions which will continue to push
firefighters working on the fire. Additional
resources are arriving to work the day shift Friday, including dozers, hand
crews, helicopters, and fire engines.
Type 3 Team will manage the fire overnight, working to take advantage of cooler
temperatures and increased moisture which will limit fire behavior. Firefighters will flank the edge of the fire,
building fireline to contain potential spread. Warm temperatures are anticipated in the next
few days along with the return of windy conditions which will continue to push
firefighters working on the fire. Additional
resources are arriving to work the day shift Friday, including dozers, hand
crews, helicopters, and fire engines.
Updated
information for the Graham Fire is available on InciWeb-https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5855/
information for the Graham Fire is available on InciWeb-https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5855/