News releases articles

[PRINEVILLE, Ore.]  Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Regulated-Use Closure in the Central Oregon District will be terminated at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday October 14, 2020.  Fire managers have determined the recent cooler weather and widespread precipitation across ODF’s Central Oregon District have reduced the risk of rapid fire spread and these prevention measures are no longer necessary.  In addition to the removal of the Regulated-Use Closure for the District, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level for MH-1 (East of Hwy 35) will be reduced to Level...

[PRINEVILLE, Ore.]  Fire Season in Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District remains in effect across private ownership, as well as state and municipal lands.  Cooler recent temperatures may give a false sense that fire danger is no longer present.  However, vegetation conditions are well above average across the District, and in many places are near where they were in August.  This assessment is based on the ability of fuels to burn, fuel moisture content, the heat potential of the fire front, and the rate of spread. ...

Fire Restrictions Eased for Department of Forestry Protected Lands[PRINEVILLE, Ore.]  Recent cooler temperatures, increased humidity and precipitation within Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) Central Oregon District has reduced fuel hazards and the risk of rapid fire spread.  Lands protected by the Central Oregon District are at a high fire danger.  While the current fall weather trend, combined with shorter days has not eliminated the risk of wildfire the reduced risk allows fire managers to ease restrictions. The Regulated-Use Closure in effect...

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  Industrial Fire Precaution Levels for Oregon Department of Forestry lands in Hood River and Wasco counties (MH-1 and MH-4) will be reduced to Level 3 at 12:01 a.m. September 21, 2020.  This will allow industrial operations to resume, but operators must follow restrictions including suspension of most activities between 1 p.m. and 8 p.m. and conducting a firewatch following daily operations.  The full close down order is available at www.odfcentraloregon.com.  “The rain was a welcome sight, however fuel conditions remain dry,”...

Increased Restrictions for Industrial Operations on Private Lands in Hood River and Wasco Counties[THE DALLES, Ore.]  Industrial Fire Precaution Levels for Oregon Department of Forestry lands in Hood River and Wasco counties (MH-1 and MH-4) increased to Level 4 at 5:00 p.m. September 8, 2020.  This increase is a complete shut-down of all industrial activities without a valid waiver from the State Forester.  The intent of the shut-down is to reduce the risk of potential fires ignited from equipment or other industrial activities. Fuel conditions are...

White River Fire Update:  Thursday, Aug. 28, 2020 The White River Fire moved significantly yesterday, crossing control lines to the east and spotting across the river to the south. It moved from national forest land to state and private lands. The fire threatened structures in Pine Grove, leading to a Level 3 “GO” Evacuation Order from the Wasco County Sheriff. A Level 3 Order means EVACUATE NOW. Yesterday several crews on the ground and aircraft moved to initial attack, working spot fires lofted embers out to 2000 feet.  Fire managers used several...

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  The Mosier Creek Fire is now in patrol status as mop-up activities were completed over the weekend.  Firefighters have established a 300 foot “black” area adjacent to the fire edge and any homes within the fire area.  Fire personnel used a grid system to eliminate any smoke or heat adjacent to the fire edge.  Firefighters from the Oregon Department of Forestry and Mosier Fire regularly patrol the fire to look for smoke or fire within this edge area.  As fire consumes areas of un-burned fuel within the interior of the fire...

[JOHN DAY, Ore.]  Firefighters from Oregon Department of Forestry’s John Day Unit have responded to numerous wildfires ignited by passing thunderstorms since Sunday afternoon.  Most of these fires were caught during initial attack or a short extended attack.  On Wednesday fire activity increased in the area on both ODF protected lands and on adjacent federal lands.  These fires were primarily holdover fires from Tuesday’s thunderstorms which came with minimal rain.  Dry fuels combined with hot temperatures allowed fires to grow rapidly...

 [THE DALLES, Ore.]  Firefighters are continuing work today on the Sevenmile Hill Road Fire, which was reported just before 5 p.m. Wednesday evening.  The fire burned nearly 100 acres of grass, scrub oak, and brush before suppression efforts stopped the spread.  The fire is 50% contained.  Today resources from the Mosier Creek Fire will be staffing both incidents, with the goal to secure Sevenmile Hill Road and place it in patrol status at the end of shift today.  This will require gridding the fire for hot spots, with significant work...

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  The Fir Mountain Fire reached full containment this afternoon and has transitioned to patrol status with The Dalles Unit.  Resources on the fire were released to their home unit late this afternoon. Monday night crews used handheld infrared cameras across the fire to find any remaining heat sources.  Crews worked on these hot spots yesterday and will continue to identify heat and smoke today to secure the fire.  Hose and other supplies continue to be removed from the fire and returned to the fire cache for clean-up and...

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  Firefighting activities on the Fir Mountain Fire today will focus on mop-up and continuing to secure the fire in preparation to transfer the fire back to The Dalles Unit.  Extinguishing heat near the perimeter and any hot spots in the interior is needed so the fire can be placed into patrol status and monitored in the coming days by local fire resources.  The fire is 90% contained, with full containment expected Wednesday. A Red Flag Warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for the fire and surrounding area for...

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  The Oregon Department of Forestry is seeking information related to finding the individual responsible for starting the Fir Mountain Fire.  Investigators were able to locate the point of origin for the fire and have determined it to be human caused.  Fire danger in The Dalles Unit is EXTREME, and restrictions associated with public activities are in place. The Fir Mountain Fire was reported on August 1, 2020 on private lands in Hood River County along Fir Mountain Road.  Fire suppression activities continue on the fire with...

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  Sunday evening the Central Oregon Fire Management Service transferred command of the Fir Mountain Fire back to Oregon Department of Forestry’s (ODF) The Dalles Unit.  Approximately 130 firefighters continue to staff the Fir Mountain Fire as a Type 4 organization.  Operations continue to focus on mop-up of the interior of the fire and locating any hot spots near the perimeter.  Resources include local contract hand crews and engines from ODF’s Northwest Oregon Area.  Full containment of the fire is expected Wednesday....

THE DALLES, ORE. -  Work on the Fir Mountain Fire Saturday increased the containment to 80%.  Today firefighters will continue mop-up operations working from the perimeter into the interior of the fire.  Firefighters use a grid system to locate any areas of heat, then cool these spots with water and dirt as they pull the material apart.  Fire behavior on the fire Saturday was minimal.  Full containment of the fire is expected Wednesday.  The Central Oregon Fire Management Service Type 3 Team will transition command this evening back...

 Fir Mountain FireMorning UpdateTHE DALLES, ORE. -  Yesterday firefighters increased containment of the Fir Mountain Fire to 70%. The fire remains 313 acres and within its current footprint with a combination of dozer line, handline and roads around the perimeter.Fire resources continue to conduct mop-up operations utilizing hose lays to increase the depth of cold ground interior of the fireline to further secure the perimeter of the fire. Additionally, the incident management team continues to use aerial and ground infrared technology to detect interior...

 Fir Mountain Fire Morning Update   THE DALLES, ORE. -  The Fir Mountain Fire remains 313 acres with a combination of dozer line, handline and roads around the perimeter and is now 60% contained. Yesterday’s storm front produced minimal precipitation over the fire, but did bring significant winds. Firefighters maintained the fire within its current footprint.   Today firefighting resources continue mop-up operations utilizing hose lays. Resources are increasing the depth of cooled ground interior of the fireline to further secure the...

THE DALLES, ORE. -  Firefighters continue to make good progress on the Fir Mountain Fire. The fire remains 313 acres and is now 50% contained. By the end of yesterday’s day shift, the fire was lined around it’s perimeter by dozer line, handline and roads. Last night’s breezy conditions produced new interior consumption of previously unburned pockets within containment lines; however, firefighters held the fire within its existing footprint.Today fire resources will continue strengthening the perimeter by increasing the depth of cooled ground interior of the...

NOTE—THIS WILL BE THE LAST EVENING UPDATE UNLESS CONDITIONS CHANGE THE DALLES, ORE. -  Despite breezy afternoon winds Tuesday, firefighters on the Fir Mountain Fire held the fire within the perimeter and only saw activity from the consumption of unburned fuels within the interior.  Fire behavior moderated from the last few days and fire resources were able to focus on establishing and reinforcing firelines.  Containment for the fire has increased to 30% this evening.  The fire is 313 acres. Today operations used helicopters to drop water and cool...

FIR MOUNTAIN FIRE—MORNING UPDATE THE DALLES, ORE. -  Late Monday night an infrared camera was flown over the Fir Mountain Fire.  This flight provided valuable information to firefighters as to the location of spot fires and the intensity of heat in the fire perimeter.  Firefighters on the line can use this information to focus efforts and secure areas which pose the greatest risk for spotting outside the existing fireline.  The perimeter was mapped using this information and the acreage has been updated to 313 acres.  This includes areas of...

[THE DALLES, Ore]   Today firefighters on the Fir Mountain Fire battled winds and humidity similar to what they experienced Sunday.  Air resources were again used to slow the spread of the spotfires in area east of the main fire while crews and equipment were kept busy working to contain any additional spotfires.  Winds blowing embers outside the fireline rapidly ignited the dry fuels and challenged firefighters.     Initial mapping work today from helicopter platforms and ground truthing identified the perimeter...

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  Oregon Department of Forestry’s The Dalles Unit in-briefed a Type 3 Team from Central Oregon Fire Management Service (COFMS) Sunday evening, providing current situation and suppression objectives for the Fir Mountain Fire.  Overnight the COFMS Team worked with fire personnel, transitioning this morning to assume command.  The fire is estimated to be 250 acres, burning in logging slash (from an old logging operation), timber and younger reproduction. Sunday was a challenging day on the fire as wind pushed the smoke column over the...

[THE DALLES, Ore.]  Today firefighters on the Fir Mountain Fire were challenged with wind and dry vegetation as they used dozers and hand crews to construct fireline on the fire perimeter.  Air resources, including large air tankers and water scooping aircraft were used throughout the day to support ground resources in efforts to control the spread of the fire.  The fire has grown to approximately 250 acres this evening, burning on private forestland and Hood River County ownership. The fire is located eight miles southeast of Hood River, burning east...