Oregon Wildfire Update

Fire Update for Tuesday, July 7, 2009‏

Salem-News.com file photo

(SALEM, Ore.) - Beginning Sunday, Oregon began to experience our first significant wildfire activity of the 2009 season. The John Day area received most of the activity with several lightning starts.

The lightning-caused Twelve Mile Fire burning in light fuels - grass, open pine and juniper - is located about 12 miles north of the town of Long Creek off Highway 395. The fire is estimated at 630 acres and 6 Type 2 handcrews along with 2 strike teams of engines were assigned to this fire. The fire is now 100 percent lined and mop up has started.

The lightning-caused Baldwin Gulch Fire is located approximately 3 miles from the Twelve Mile Fire, and is burning in grass and juniper. Two 20-person crews and 4 engines are assigned to this fire. Acreage is now estimated at 183 acres and the fire is now 50 percent contained.

The 1040 acre Muskrat Fire burning in grass and brush near Klamath Lake and Highway 97 was successfully backburned on Sunday and is now in monitor status. Cause is under investigation.

OTHER FIRE INFORMATION:

A fire is burning on U.S. Forest Service lands approximately 7 miles NW of Sisters on the southeast slope of Black Butte. The fire is currently reported at approximately 350 acres burning in mixed conifer and Ponderosa Pine. The Indian Ford Campground has been evacuated for public safety reasons. There are seven 20-person crews assigned to the fire which is 10 percent contained.

A Type 2 Team is being mobilized and will assume command from the Type 3 Team tomorrow. There will be a briefing at noon.

FIRE STATISTICS:

Fire statistics for the current year and the average over the past 10 years for the 15.8 million acres of private and public forestland protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry: January 1st 2009 through today:

• Lightning-caused fires: 89 fires burned approximately 1065 acres
• Human-caused fires: 172 fires burned approximately 411 acres
• Total: 261 fires have burned approximately 1,475 acres
• 10-year average (January 1 through the present date in the year)
• Lightning-caused fires: 47 fires burned approximately 333 acres
• Human-caused fires: 241 fires burned approximately 735 acres
• Total: 288 fires burned approximately 1069 acres

SAFETY TIPS For firefighter safety tips, go to: nifc.gov/sixminutes/dsp_sixminutes.php

FIRE WEATHER For current fire weather information, go to: oregon.gov/ODF/FIRE/fire.shtml#Weather_and_Fire_Danger_Info

WILDFIRE SMOKE FORECASTS For current smoke information, go to: odf.state.or.us/DIVISIONS/protection/fire_protection/Daily/wfsmoke.htm

FIRE INFORMATION Carelessness can destroy Oregon's beauty. Learn what you can do to prevent wildfires. Visit the Keep Oregon Green Association on the web at: keeporegongreen.org/.

Source: Oregon Department of Forestry