Fire articles

Central Oregon District terminates regulated-use closure; fire season remains in effect

PRINEVILLE, Ore. – Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District will terminate regulated-use closure at 12:01 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. Fire season remains in effect across the Central Oregon District. “We caution the public to be mindful of activities which could start a fire as we continue to slowly ease into winter. Periods of dry windy weather are possible and can be a threat into November,” says Brandon Ferguson, Forest Resources Manager for the John Day Unit. “While fire danger has lessened with cooler nights and increased humidity, we can...

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Final update from the Fossil Complex

FOSSIL, Ore. – Because the Fossil Complex is at 100% containment and the focus will be on suppression repair, this will be the final update. The Service Fire repair on the north side is nearing completion. Work is expected to be done after today. The south side is also nearing completion, including the interior island. Work on the Two Cabin Fire should be completed today. As work is completed, crews will move to the Lonerock Fire and Battle Mountain Complex completing scouting and repair. Work on the Lonerock Fire will be on the northwestern edge as it nears...

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Fossil Complex at 100% containment

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com FOSSIL, Ore. – The Fossil Complex fires are now at 100% containment. This means there are no concerns of fire growth or escapement from the fires in the Fossil Complex. With this work being done, focus will now be fully on suppression repair. Fossil Complex suppression repair is...

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Fossil Complex suppression repair is mainly focused on the Service Fire

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com FOSSIL, Ore. – Suppression repair crews will continue work on all three fire areas - the Fossil Complex, the Lonerock Fire and the Battle Mountain Complex. Fossil Complex suppression repair is mainly focused on the Service Fire. The north side work will continue working from the...

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Suppression repair is the main focus for crews on Fossil Complex

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com FOSSIL, Ore. – On the Fossil Complex, crews are doing final gridding on the Service Fire. This fire has been consolidated into a single division. The fire perimeter will be patrolled throughout the day. Crews are available for initial attack of any new fire starts and responded...

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Fossil Complex crews turn corner from suppression action to suppression repair

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com FOSSIL, Ore. – With the increasing containment, work on the Service Fire continued with mop up and suppression repair. ODF IMT3 Operation Section Chief Justin Lauer said the efforts are “turning that corner focusing on suppression repair over suppression action on this fire.”...

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Fossil Complex crews divide work for mop up and repair

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com FOSSIL, Ore. – Crews on the Service Fire will divide work between mop up along containment lines and repairing damage from the fire suppression efforts. Crews on the north side of the Service Fire will work to complete mop up and hauling equipment off the fire line. Containment...

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Continued mop up on Fossil Complex while suppression repair begins

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com FOSSIL, Ore. – Mop up continues on the Service Fire in the Fossil Complex. From the southwest to the northwest corner chipping operations are continuing along with back haul of hose and equipment. The northeast side of the fire continues with mop up operations, but some fire...

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Mop up and suppression repair efforts continue as Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 assumes command

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com FOSSIL, Ore. – The Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 3 assumed command of the Fossil Complex this morning at 6:00 AM from ODF IMT 2. As mop up continues on the Service Fire, focus will shift to suppression repair of Fossil Complex, Battle Mountain, and Lone...

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Expect smoke inside the fire lines of Service Fire (Fossil Complex)

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com SPRAY, Ore. – Yesterday afternoon, as temperatures increased and humidities decreased, unburned fuels on the interior of the Service Fire sent up a few plumes of smoke. Over the coming days expect to see some remaining pockets of fuels burn within the fire’s interior. Aerial and...

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Wetting rain falls on the Service Fire (Fossil Complex)

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com SPRAY, Ore. – Night shift added depth through mop up, thickening the rind up to 200’ in some areas. Mop up is expected to continue over the next few days, and despite the wetting rains, heavy fuels continue to smolder underground and need to be uncovered and extinguished before...

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Heavy fuels continue to smolder on the Service Fire (Fossil Complex)

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com SPRAY, Ore. – Overnight, cool temperatures and higher humidity aided firefighters who were uncovering and extinguishing hot spots along the fire line. Night shift worked deeper into the fire’s interior in areas where mop up operations are already underway. Along the eastern flank...

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Good progress and effective night work on the Service Fire (Fossil Complex)

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com SPRAY, Ore. – Overnight crews were able to continue good work around the fire perimeter. Tactical burning operations during the late afternoon removed small pockets of fuel near indirect lines. Firefighters also capitalized on reduced fire behavior overnight to secure lines....

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 ODF Team 1 plans for transition on Shoe Fly Fire – Final update

Fire Information Links: https://linktr.ee/odfteam1 Phone: 541-362-4119 Email: imt1.fireinfo@odf.oregon.gov MITCHELL, Ore. – Crews are expected to complete mop up and suppression repair of the Shoe Fly Fire today. The remaining mop up work is near Baldy Mountain, where efforts will focus on gridding for any remaining heat. Suppression repair work near Baldy Mountain and in the Peggy Butte area will be completed today as well. Final backhaul of hose and equipment to the Incident Command Post to be returned to fire cache will occur today. As firefighters complete mop up...

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Drier conditions today on the Service Fire (Fossil Complex)

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com SPRAY, Ore. – As fuels began to dry out yesterday afternoon, two spot fires became established outside of the fire lines. Ground and aerial resources responded and have reported that the spot fires are fully lined this morning. Crews also completed a survey of the perimeter of...

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Firefighters push toward completion of mop up on Shoe Fly Fire

Fire Information Links: https://linktr.ee/odfteam1 Phone: 541-362-4119 Email: imt1.fireinfo@odf.oregon.gov MITCHELL, Ore. – Mop up on the Shoe Fly Fire is near completion. Firefighters have reached 300 feet of cold black adjacent to the perimeter on much of the 26,774 acre fire, resulting in an increase of containment to 77%. Today, firefighters will continue to mop up heavier fuels in the Gird’s Creek area on the southwest flank and around Baldy Mountain on the northeast corner of the fire. These areas have timber and larger fuels that hold heat longer and require...

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Warmer and drier weather returns over Fossil Complex

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com SPRAY, Ore. – Warmer and drier weather is returning to the fire areas which will increase fire activity. Crews have made a lot of progress with the cooler and wet weather in preparation to a return to these conditions. The west and northwest edge of the fire is plumbed with hose...

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Crews focus on mop up, return of warm weather on Shoe Fly Fire

Fire Information Links: https://linktr.ee/odfteam1 Phone: 541-362-4119 Email: imt1.fireinfo@odf.oregon.gov MITCHELL, Ore. – Crews on the Shoe Fly Fire continue to work into the interior of the fire from the perimeter, creating an area of cold black adjacent to the fireline. The fire has reached 65% containment with significant portions of the fire in patrol status and all areas with a minimum of 100 feet mopped up from the perimeter into the interior of the fire. Today, crews will focus on areas with larger fuels that may still be holding heat and fire. With the...

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Cooler weather will help in firefighting efforts on Fossil Complex

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com SPRAY, Ore. – Yesterday’s showers and the cooler weather has resulted in reduced fire behavior. For the Service Fire, this provided a good opportunity to build direct fire line with hand crews and dozers. Along the north side of the fire, the crews are continuing to build fire...

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Evacuation notices lifted, rain aids in mop up on Shoe Fly Fire

Fire Information Links: https://linktr.ee/odfteam1 Phone: 541-362-4119 Email: imt1.fireinfo@odf.oregon.gov MITCHELL, Ore. – All evacuation notices associated with the Shoe Fly Fire have been cancelled by Wheeler County Sheriff, Emergency Management and the Fire Defense Board Chief as of Wednesday morning. The fire continues to hold within containment lines. Rain and thunderstorms passed over the fire area on Wednesday and overnight into Thursday, dropping nearly a quarter inch of rain. This rain was beneficial in some parts of the fire but may not have penetrated the...

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Overnight growth dampened by precipitation over the Fossil Complex

YouTube for updates until Facebook page resumes: https://www.youtube.com/@FossilComplex Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com SPRAY, Ore. – Westerly winds continued yesterday and into the evening and pushed the Service Fire to grow to the east, increasing its size to 21,887 acres. Overnight, the Service Fire was actively growing until 4am, making it difficult to establish lines in front of the growth....

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Shoe Fly Fire holds within fireline, mop up continues

Fire Information Links: https://linktr.ee/odfteam1 Phone: 541-362-4119 Email: imt1.fireinfo@odf.oregon.gov MITCHELL, Ore. – Firefighters took a moment this morning during briefing to reflect on lives lost as a result of the tragic events of September 11, 2001. Firelines on the Shoe Fly Fire were tested Tuesday by steady winds. Lines held and the fire remained in the existing footprint. Increased acreage today is not due to perimeter growth, but is the result of better mapping, data collection and burning inside the fireline. Hard work put in by firefighters and...

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Night shift holds the fire east of ORE19 on the Fossil Complex

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or95s-fossil-complex Fire information: 541-903-5311 Email: 2024.fossilcomplex.info@gmail.com SPRAY, Ore. – Strong westerly winds coupled with low humidity and available fuels allowed the Service Fire to expand its footprint to the east, doubling in size. Last night’s efforts to hold the Service Fire east of ORE 19 was successful as ground crews re-engaged the fire along its flanks. Several dozers were able to push line along the southeastern flank of the...

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Firefighters secure Shoe Fly Fire perimeter

Fire Information Links: https://linktr.ee/odfteam1 Phone: 541-362-4119 Email: imt1.fireinfo@odf.oregon.gov MITCHELL, Ore. – Firefighters on the Shoe Fly Fire have completed perimeter control and are turning efforts to mop up and suppression repair work. The fire is 26,502 acres with 32% containment. Incident Commander Joe Hessel told firefighters and landowners at Tuesday morning’s briefing, “We have turned the corner on the fire, we aren’t trying to chase and catch it anymore. Now it’s time to focus on a thorough, coordinated, methodical mop up around the fire.”...

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