Fire articles

Fire season ends in ODF Central Oregon District

Prineville, Ore. — Due to cooler temperatures and significant rainfall, fire season ends today for the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District. This termination of fire season applies to all ODF-protected lands in the Central Oregon District. Though fire season is over for the district, Oregonians should still check local fire districts to obtain any necessary permits before debris burning. Wasco County’s burn ban is in effect until Oct. 16. “We saw a lot of successes this season thanks to the hard work of our firefighters, the strong...

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Wasco County debris burn ban being lifted on Oct. 16

With the recent and forecasted cool wet weather, local Fire Districts, Wasco County, and Oregon Department of Forestry have agreed to lift the seasonal burn ban on Monday, Oct. 16, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. This will allow for burning in barrels and of small debris piles. Larger slash pile burning is not included in this lifting of the ban. Escaped debris burns remain a leading cause of destructive fires on private lands. ODF Fire Managers and the Wasco County Fire Chiefs remind residents that they need to check with local fire districts to ensure that burning is...

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Central Oregon District moves down to moderate fire danger

Prineville, Ore. – Starting this Friday (September 22) at 12:01 a.m., the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will move down to a “Moderate” fire danger level and additional restrictions under Regulated Use Closure will be terminated for all lands protected by the district. In addition, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will change to I (one) for MH-4 in Hood River County (west of Hwy 35) and for MH-1 (east of Hwy 35 in Hood River and Wasco Counties). While conditions have dropped to Moderate fire danger, backyard debris burning...

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Juniper Creek Fire cause release; A reminder on wildfire prevention

Sisters, Ore. – Preliminary findings in the Juniper Creek Fire investigation indicate that the fire cause was consistent with target shooting. The Juniper Creek Fire started August 20, 2023, and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) contained it at 106 acres. The responsible party took several safety precautions while shooting on their property.  Nevertheless, a bullet fragment appears to have ignited the fire. With how dry the conditions were, the fuels were extremely receptive to ignition sources. As soon as the fire was noticed, it was reported to 911. “This is...

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IFPL reduced in ODF Central Oregon District

The Dalles, Ore. – As of Monday, September 4, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. ODF’s The Dalles Unit will be reducing industrial fire precaution level (IFPL) to an IFPL II (two) for MH-1 and MH-4 (Hood River and Wasco County). The Central Oregon District is in High Fire Danger and the burn ban and Regulated Use Closure on ODF-protected lands and all fire districts in Hood River and Wasco County remains in effect. Under IFPL II, the use of fire or power-driven machinery in any operation area is unlawful unless such use is in compliance with the following: Limited Shutdown: The...

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Crews achieve 75% containment on Juniper Creek Fire. County lifts all evacuations.

SISTERS, Ore. – Firefighters push containment to 75% as they enter the third day on the Juniper Creek Fire. Today, firefighters focused on securing the control line by finding and extinguishing all heat within 200 feet of the fire’s edge and patrolling for spots fires. Evacuations: Effective 1:00 pm today, Jefferson County Sherrif’s Office lifted all evacuation notices for the Juniper Creek Fire. Officials are asking the public to avoid the area for firefighters' safety with heavy equipment operating in the area through the week. See the Jefferson County Sheriff’s...

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Firefighters achieve 30% containment on 106-acre Juniper Creek Fire

SISTERS, Ore. – Firefighters on the Juniper Creek Fire pushed containment to 30% today. During today’s operations, crews successfully positioned hose lines around the fire’s perimeter to “plumb” the fire line. This water is crucial for building containment during mop-up operations. Mop-up operations consist of cooling the perimeter of the fire by extinguishing hotspots and removing unburnt materials to ensure the fire doesn’t reheat and cross the fire break. Mopup is especially crucial for fire around Juniper trees because the duff buildup under the trees can hold...

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Firefighters catch and line 105-acre Juiper Creek Fire northeast of Sisters

Sisters, Ore - Firefighters from the Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Lake Chinook Fire & Rescue, contractors, and local partners have significantly slowed the Juniper Creek Fire through an aggressive initial attack. Firefighters were able to establish a control line completely around the fire and will continue firefighting operations into the night. Control line is the term used to describe dozer and hand line used create a fire break. Containment is still at 0%. The Juniper Creek Fire is...

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Central Oregon District prepares for lightning

Prineville, Ore. – With lightning events forecasted through the weekend, the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District is preparing for potential fire activity. In certain parts of the state, the lightning has already begun. In John Day, the local unit responded to four lightning fires that were reported between 4:30 pm and 6pm.  Aggressive initial attack and helpful rain showers caught all four fires at less than 0.1 of an acre. In preparation for the weekend, the district has adjusted schedules and strategically moved engines to make sure there...

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Additional fire precautions in place for Central Oregon District

Prineville, Ore. – Starting this Thursday (July 20) at 12:01 a.m., additional fire precaution orders will be applied to all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Prineville and John Day Units. In addition, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will change to III (three) for MH-4 in Hood River County (west of Hwy 35). MH-1 went to an IFPL III (three) on July 10th. The district’s fire danger level will also be moving up to “Extreme”. “With high temperatures forecasted, the district is issuing extra fire prevention restrictions to counteract...

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Effective July 10 MH-1 area in Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3

STATE OF OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY INDUSTRIAL FIRE PRECAUTION LEVEL 3 CLOSEDOWN ORDER Number 03 Effective 12:01 a.m., PDT, July 10th, 2023 By virtue of the authority vested in me by ORS 477.625, ORS 477.670, and OAR 629-043-0070, I hereby issue notice the following subject area is susceptible to damage by fire and proclaim Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3 to be in effect: All lands protected by the Central Oregon Protection District, in regulated use area MH-1 and all forestland within one-eighth mile thereof. Under Industrial Fire Precaution Level 3, the use...

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Reports of fireworks during high fire danger

Sisters, Ore. - The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Central Oregon District has received reports of people setting off fireworks while the district is in high fire danger and in a red flag warning. There has been one confirmed fire caused by a firework as of today, July 1, that ODF firefighters responded to. During “High” fire danger level, fireworks are prohibited on all ODF-protected land in the Central Oregon District. With high temperatures and dry conditions, even a small ember could start a wildfire. The department would like to remind the public to be...

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Central Oregon District enters high fire danger Level July 1

Prineville, Ore. – Starting this Saturday (July 1) at 12:01 a.m. on all lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District, the district’s fire danger level will be “High,” and the Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will be II (two) in MH-4 and MH-1 (Hood River and Wasco counties). With high temperatures forecasted, the district is issuing public restrictions and regulated use closures in anticipation for the long holiday weekend to reduce the risk of human-caused fires. With that in mind, the Central Oregon District restricts...

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Debris Burning Closing to Reduce Risks of Wildfire

The Dalles, Ore. – Debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires across Oregon, already accounting for over 50 percent of the fires this year in the Central Oregon District. Escaped debris burns damage natural resources, threaten homes and communities, and can turn into a large wildfire. The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and all the fire districts in Hood River and Wasco County, will be implementing a coordinated burn ban effective 12:01 am on June 11, 2023. This ban includes open burning such as yard debris and burn barrels with the intent to prevent...

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ODF lifts additional restrictions for industrial operations

[Prineville, Ore.] As of 12:01 a.m., Friday, September 16,2022, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District will terminate the additional restrictions fire precaution order for industrial operations within the John Day and Prineville Units.  All other Fire Season restrictions remain in effect for industrial operations.  More information for these restrictions is available at www.oregon.gov/odf. These guidelines are intended to reduce the risk of fire ignition, quickly detect fires, and allow for a swift suppression response. In conjunction with the...

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Fire Danger Remains, Despite Cooler Fall Weather Across ODF’s Central Oregon District

[Prineville, Ore.] Recent cool weather across Oregon Department of Forestry’s Central Oregon District is not an indication that fire season is over. These cooler temperatures and improved humidity recovery will moderate fire behavior, but significant rain is needed to lessen wildfire risk and lift prevention restrictions or end fire season.  The risk of rapid fire spread in all fuel types remains despite the transition to seasonable fall weather.  Hot, dry conditions this summer fully cured dead and down fuels, and live vegetation had limited moisture, resulting in...

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Forestry department announces community information sessions about the statewide wildfire risk map

The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) is holding a series of community information sessions starting July 26 and 27 in southwest Oregon. Each session will include a presentation about the map’s function and purpose, how wildfire risk is assessed, and how property owners may appeal their assigned risk class. Time will be available to address questions from community members. The wildland-urban interface (WUI) and statewide wildfire risk map available through the Oregon Explorer is a tool to help inform decision making and planning related to mitigating wildfire risk...

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Fire Season Declared for ODF’s Central Oregon District:  Additional Wildfire Prevention Restrictions to be Implemented

  Fire Season Declared for ODF’s Central Oregon District: Additional Wildfire Prevention Restrictions to be Implemented [Prineville, Ore.] The Dalles and John Day units of Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will enter fire season at 12:01 a.m., June 27, 2022.  This declaration includes private and non-federal public lands in Hood River, Wasco, Grant, Wheeler, Gilliam, Harney, and Morrow counties protected by ODF; the Prineville-Sisters Unit (Crook, Jefferson, and Deschutes counties) declared fire season June 13, 2022. Activities prohibited...

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Debris Burning in Wasco and Hood River Counties Closing to Reduce Risks of Wildfire

[The Dalles, Ore.] Debris burning is the leading cause of wildfires across Oregon, already accounting for seventy percent of the fires this year in the Central Oregon District.  These fires damage natural resources and threaten homes and communities.  Oregon Department of Forestry’s The Dalles Unit closed burning of forest slash in April and burning of debris piles in Wasco County closed on May 15 to help reduce the risk of uncontrolled fires.  Wasco County and fire districts within, will be implementing a county wide burn ban effective June 15, 2022.  This ban...

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Fire Season Declared for Oregon Department of Forestry’s Prineville-Sisters Unit

[Prineville, Ore.] The Prineville-Sisters Unit of Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will enter fire season at 12:01 a.m., June 13, 2022. Lands protected by ODF in Jefferson, Crook, and Deschutes counties are affected by this declaration, this includes private and non-federal public lands.  ODF protected lands in The Dalles and John Day units are not included at this time. “We are monitoring conditions closely across the other units of the Central Oregon District so we can implement Fire Season and other restrictions to prevent wildfires...

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Public Reminded to Follow Debris Burning Restrictions to Reduce Wildfires

[Prineville, Ore.] Two wildfires reported Wednesday within Oregon Department of Forestry’s Prineville-Sisters Unit were related to uncontrolled debris burns. Burning of debris and other vegetation on lands protected by ODF require a permit and debris burning in Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties closed on May 31st for lands within many local fire districts.  Despite recent rain, fuels and vegetation in central Oregon continue to see the effects of long-term drought.  Warm temperatures and wind can quickly dry fine fuels, allowing them to readily catch fire. ...

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Oregon Department of Forestry—The Dalles Unit:  Debris Burning Closes May 15

[The Dalles, Ore.] Beginning May 15th burning yard debris, material from fuel reduction projects, and other commercial forest slash will be prohibited for lands protected by The Dalles Unit of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF).  This includes private, municipal, county, and state owned lands within ODF’s protection boundary in Wasco and Hood River counties.  Landowners whose property is within a local fire district may be able to obtain a permit from their fire district for yard debris and burn barrels.  Escaped debris burning is a leading cause of wildfires in...

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Fire Season Ends for ODF’s Central Oregon District

Fire Season Ends for ODF’s Central Oregon District [Prineville, Ore.]  Fire Season in Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District will terminate at 12:01 a.m. on Saturday, October 16, 2021.  Burning of slash piles or other debris from forest operations or fuels treatment projects will not be permitted until additional precipitation is received. Cooler fall temperatures and periodic moisture has reduced fire behavior and improved fuel conditions across the District. “Ending Fire Season doesn’t mean there isn’t a risk of wildfire,” emphasizes Frank...

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