News releases articles

Lewis Rock Fire Update Mitchell, OR– Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 3, led by Incident Commander Tyler McCarty, assumed command of the Lewis Rock Fire Monday evening. The arrival of the team brings in additional overhead capacity and firefighting resources. The team’s presence also relieves local assets that have been battling the fire since June 30.  Persistent winds that have been challenging firefighters over the past several days finally calmed and allowed crews to hold the fire in check overnight. The fire is now estimated at...

 Oregon Department of ForestryCentral Oregon DistrictJohn Day Unit415 Patterson Bridge RoadJohn Day, OR  97845   NEWS RELEASE—Lewis Rock Fire July 5, 2021— 3:30 p.m.   Contact:  Tom Fields LewisRock.Information@gmail.com   John Day, Ore. – The Lewis Rock Fire has grown to an estimated 400 acres, since being sparked by lightning June 30th.  Firefighters have continued to be challenged by numerous spotfires outside containment lines, caused by flying embers from trees torching.  Wildland fuel conditions are incredibly dry and...

 Dixie Creek Fire UpdateOregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon District John Day Unit 415 Patterson Bridge Road John Day, OR  97845   NEWS RELEASE July 5, 2021—9 a.m.   Contact:  Christie Shaw (541)263-0661 Christie.shaw@oregon.gov www.odfcentraloregon.com   John Day, Ore. – The Dixie Creek Fire, burning approximately three miles northwest of Prairie City, has burned approximately 570 acres of grass, brush, and timber within Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District and Prairie City Rural Fire Department...

 Wildfire Update[John Day, Ore.]  Two new fires were reported on lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) John Day Unit on Saturday.  The Mitchell Spring Fire was reported mid-morning approximately eight miles east of Spray and was fully contained and controlled at less than a tenth of an acre by early afternoon.  The Dixie Creek Fire, burning two miles northwest of Prairie City, was reported late in the afternoon on ODF and Prairie City Rural Fire Department protection. Late Saturday evening the fire was estimated to be 570...

 Dixie Creek Fire[John Day, Ore.]  The Dixie Creek Fire was reported just before 2:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon burning 3 miles northwest of Prairie City in Grant County.  The fire was ignited by a lighting strike Thursday afternoon, and has been smoldering, unobserved until today. Wind and hot temperatures caused the fire to rapidly spread through timber, brush and grass on lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry’s John Day Unit and Prairie City Rural Fire Department.  The fire is visible from Prairie City and from Highway 26. Resources...

 ODF:  Wildfire Update[John Day, Ore.]  Firefighters continue to make progress on fires in Oregon Department of Forestry’s John Day Unit.  The Lewis Rock Fire and Bologna Fire were sparked by passing thunderstorms Wednesday.  Additional “holdover” fires are anticipated from these storms as fuels dry and temperatures remain warm.  Firefighters completed fireline on the Lewis Rock Fire Friday, and reached 29% containment for the fire.  Late in the day three Single Engine Air Tankers (SEATs) and a heavy airtanker were used to knock...

ODF Central Oregon District Implements Additional Restrictions for Industrial Operations[Prineville, Ore.]  Additional restrictions for industrial forest operations in Oregon Department of Forestry’s Prineville and John Day Units will begin at 12:01 a.m. on June 30, 2021.  These restrictions are intended to reduce potential fire ignitions resulting from logging and other forest operations. “We are seeing record fuel conditions daily,” says Prineville Unit Forester Gordon Foster.  “Right now, with the current fuel conditions and temperatures, the...

Regulated-Use Closure Implemented to Reduce Human Caused Wildfires[Prineville, Ore.]  Wildfires resulting from human activities continue to plague firefighters in Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District.  In an effort to reduce these fires the District will implement a 10 a.m. Regulated-Use Closure which restricts high risk activities linked to wildfire starts.  Beginning at 12:01 a.m. June 24, 2021, the following restrictions will be in effect:Possession of the following firefighting equipment is required while traveling in a...

 NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING   Pursuant to ORS 477.250, notice is hereby given that a public hearing will be held to receive from any interested persons suggestions, advice, objections or remonstrances to the proposed budget for the Central Oregon Forest Protection District.  A hearing will be held on Friday, April 30, 2021, at 1:00 P.M., at the Oregon Department of Forestry – District Office, 3501 NE 3rd Street, Prineville, OR. Copies of the tentative budget may be inspected during normal working hours.  To ensure the broadest range of services to individuals with...

ODF Urges Landowners Not to Burn Due to Weather and Fuel Conditions[Prineville, Ore.] Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District is seeing a significant increase in escaped debris and agricultural burns, rekindled slash burns, and fires spread from abandoned campfires across the Central Oregon District.  Limited moisture in recent weeks combined with strong winds has resulted in dry vegetation and fuels on the landscape.  Cool spring temperatures have reduced green-up of vegetation which typically slows fire growth in wildland fuels this...

Bull Springs Fire Final[Bend, Ore.] The Bull Springs Fire, west of Bend, was reported late Sunday afternoon burning in slash, Ponderosa Pine, juniper, and brush.  This wind driven fire grew quickly, burning 211 acres before fire fighters were able to stop the spread.  Two outbuildings were destroyed by the fire, and nearly 200 residences were placed in a Level 3 (GO) evacuation Sunday evening.  Coordination between Bend Fire Department, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon Department of Forestry, and federal resources from Central Oregon Fire...

[Prineville, Ore.] Spring is often the time when landowners work to clean up vegetation and yard debris around their property and is the perfect time for cleaning gutters and removing leaves and needles from rooftops to reduce risk of wildfire damage to homes and buildings.  However, Oregon Department of Forestry’s Prineville Unit reminds landowners to be cautious if they plan to burn that material.  Weather in the spring can often be erratic and winds can pick up suddenly, fanning flames and dispersing embers into dry vegetation nearby. Many communities...

Oregon Department of Forestry:  Now is the Time to Complete Spring Debris Burning[The Dalles, Ore.] Landowners planning to burn yard debris, material from fuel reduction projects, and other commercial forest slash this spring in Wasco and Hood River counties should contact the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) office in The Dalles for information on how to obtain a permit and when burning is allowed.   ODF is encouraging landowners to complete burning from fuel reduction projects or commercial forest slash prior to March 31st to reduce risks of...

[John Day, Ore.]  Oregon Department of Forestry will terminate Fire Season in the John Day Unit of the Central Oregon District at 12:01 a.m. Saturday October 24, 2020.  Cooling temperatures and increased humidity have reduced the fire danger and potential for rapid spread of fire due to fuel conditions.  Additional precipitation is needed before burn permits for logging slash will be issued in the Central Oregon District.     Yard debris, burn barrels, and other open burning should follow local and county fire restrictions.  Prior...

[PRINEVILLE, Ore.]  Fire Season for Oregon Department of Forestry’s Prineville and The Dalles units in the Central Oregon District will end at 12:01 a.m. Saturday October 17, 2020.  Industrial Fire Precautions in MH-1 and MH-4 of The Dalles Unit are also terminated.  Fuel conditions do not pose a significant risk of fire ignition and rapid spread in these areas.  Gordon Foster, Prineville Unit Forester, reminds the public, “Although conditions have minimized the threat of fire spread, people should take caution and monitor conditions prior to...