living with fire for more than a month; smoke, loss, and fear have all affected
the community, making “normal” seem unachievable. Fall rains will eventually extinguish the
interior fire within the Canyon Creek Complex Fire, but in the meantime some
residents within the fire perimeter are working with the local Oregon
Department of Forestry (ODF) Unit in John Day to remove hazards and clean-up
fire damaged vegetation. This is the
first step for these landowners to move toward their new “normal”. Fire may be used to burn debris piles from these
activities. Smoke and flames may be
visible from these fires, however the public should not be concerned as piles
are well within the black perimeter and have no chance for escape. ODF personnel is working closely with
landowners to ensure there is no risk of fire growth.
ODF’s Central Oregon District remains in fire season with a
regulated closure in effect. Open fires,
including debris burns, warming and campfires are allowed by permit only. Permits will only be issued inside the Canyon
Creek Complex Fire perimeter until there is widespread moisture in the area,
and regulated closure is terminated. The
John Day Unit is issuing these permits to homeowners as they prepare to
rebuild. Removing fuels near new
building sites will provide for defensible space in future years and allow
residents to return home sooner. For
more information about the burn permits please contact ODF’s John Day Office at
(541-575-1139).
Fall conditions can provide the perfect opportunity for
prescribed burns to remove fuels and unwanted vegetation. Fuels remain dry enough to carry a lower intensity
fire with limited risk of fire spreading outside pre-constructed containment
lines. Several prescribed fires are
planned this fall to eradicate juniper on the landscape. Smoke from these prescribed burns will also
be visible.
Interagency Dispatch Center (541-575-1321), or 911. Reports will be verified to determine whether
permits have been issued, and that landowners are following all permit
requirements. The John Day Unit
continues to staff fire engines and air resources to suppress fires. Fire managers monitor fuel conditions and
weather forecasts to determine fire danger and determine necessary restrictions
to limit risk of human caused fires.
Additional information
and guidance for fire restrictions is available on ODF’s Central Oregon
District website: www.odfcentraloregon.com/