Fires approaching record nationwide

Flames from the Pine Fire burn in the back of
trees on July 18, 2015, in Wrightwood, Calif. (Photo: David Pardo, AP)

Wildfires have burned a phenomenal 5.5 million acres across the U.S. so far this year, an area equal to the size of New Jersey.

This is the second-highest total in at least the past 25 years, according to data from the National Interagency Fire Center in Boise. Only 2011, which saw 5.8 million acres charred as of July 23 of that year, had more. On average, at this point in the year, 3.5 million acres would have burned.

As of Thursday afternoon, 18 wildfires were burning in seven states, mostly in the West. This includes one in California's wine country that has forced numerous evacuations and is being fought by hundreds of firefighters, CALFIRE, the state's firefighting agency, reported. Another one is charring Glacier National Park in Montana.

Summertime heat and ongoing drought conditions have left vegetation starved of moisture throughout the West, making it more susceptible to catching fire and starting a massive blaze, AccuWeather reports.

Alaska has seen the worst of the fires: A large percentage of the acres burned — 4.7 million acres, or 85% of the total — have been in Alaska.

"Alaska has had an unusually active year based on low snow packs over the winter, and unusually hot, dry weather in May and June into July," fire center spokesman Randall Eardley said.

Indeed, Alaska has had a freakishly warm year, the state's second-warmest ever recorded, the National Centers for Environmental Information reported earlier this month. In June alone, wildfires charred nearly 2 million acres.

The El Niño climate pattern (warmer-than-average ocean water in the Pacific) is one of the driving factors in the furious wildfire season, especially in Alaska, said Wally Covington, a forest ecologist at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff.

Overall, wildfires in Alaska appear to be worsening. Records on Alaska wildfires date all the way back to the late 1930s and show that three of the worst fire seasons have come in the last 12 years, including 2004, when more than 10,000 square miles — about 6.5 million acres, or the size of Delaware and Rhode Island combined — went up in flames, the Associated Press said.

In California, 12 of the state's 20 biggest fires on record have occurred since 2000, CAL FIRE said. Records there go back to 1932.

Covington said that there's been a clear link between man-made climate change and the increase in Western wildfires. "As air temperatures go up, and the fuels dry out faster, fire behavior increases. It's a double whammy," he said.

California's fire season also got off to an early start this year. The Golden State's fire season usually begins in late summer and goes into the fall, but several fires were reported even in the winter months, according to CAL FIRE. There have been more than 3,600 fires in California so far this year, almost 1,300 more than usual.

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Evening update

A new wildfire (Incident #318) was reported one mile west of Horse Butte, three miles southeast of Bend. At press time the fire is estimated to be one acre burning in brush and timber, and two 10-person hand crews, three engines and two water tenders have responded and put fire line and hoses around the fire perimeter. The cause is under investigation.

 

Firefighters increased containment to 80% on Incident #312 located five miles south of Clarno. The fire is now 2,150 acres after crews were able to complete a burnout operation and secure containment lines. The cause of the fire is believed to be human and is under investigation.

 

The Corner Creek Fire, 11 miles south of Dayville, remains the largest fire in the area and firefighters continue to be challenged by high temps, steep slopes, light fuels and afternoon winds. This morning, the fire was reported at 19,300 acres and no updated acreage has been released today. Due to the rapid growth of this fire, several closures are in order for public safety.Beginning July 2, 2015, the public is prohibited from accessing any of the lands that are closed for the protection of public health and safety. The closure includes all National Forest System roads and trails in the following area:

On the North, from the Ochoco Forest boundary at the North Fork of Birch Creek in Township 13S, Range 25E, Section 30, south to the Ochoco Forest Boundary near the junction of the 58 and 030 roads (including Sugar Creek Campground), and all roads, trails and Forest lands east to the Ochoco Forest Boundary (see Inciweb map).

In addition to the closure in place on the Ochoco National Forest, the South Fork Road/Co. Rd. 42 has been closed to the general public from near Dayville to south of the US Forest Service 58 Road junction due to fire activity. To read the entire closure order and view a map of the area closure, please visit the Corner Creek Inciweb webpage at:http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/4349/25521/

  

A Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity is in effect through 8 pm Saturday. This means that any new fire will have a very high potential to spread rapidly. Fire officials want to remind everyone that in the high temperatures and very dry conditions, small sparks can start a wildfire. Legal fireworks should only be used where they are allowed, and metal containers or buckets with water should be available for properly disposing used fireworks. Fireworks are NOT allowed on Forest Service or BLM land. Cigarettes should always be disposed of properly and never thrown on to roads or in vegetation.

Central Oregon Dispatch MORNING Update

Firefighters spent the night working on a wildfire, Incident #312, located five miles south of Clarno that is now 800 acres. As temperatures decreased after sundown, crews completed a burnout aimed at stopping the main fire. Burnouts are small fires set deliberately from a secure line such as a road, designed to remove fuel from an approaching wildfire. As of this morning, fire crews are reporting that fire behavior has decreased. Firefighters will have significant challenges today; however, holding this fire through the high temperatures and low relative humidity predicted for this afternoon. The fire was reported by a private party yesterday afternoon at 3:15. The cause of the fire is believed to be human and is under investigation.

 

The Corner Creek Fire, 11 miles south of Dayville, remains the largest fire in the area and high temps, steep slopes, light fuels and afternoon winds have helped push this fire to more than 19,000 acres. In addition to the closure in place on the Ochoco National Forest, the South Fork Road/Co. Rd. 42 has been closed to the general public from near Dayville to south of the US Forest Service 58 Road junction due to fire activity. To read the entire Ochoco closure order and view a map of the area closure, please visit the Ochoco National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ochoco/alerts-notices  

 

Information about the Sugarloaf and Corner Creek Fires, managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry Team 1, can be found at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ and on the Central Oregon Fire Information Blog at http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com/

 

 

A Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity is in effect through 8 pm Saturday. This means that any new fire will have a very high potential to spread rapidly. Fire officials want to remind everyone that in the high temperatures and very dry conditions, small sparks can start a wildfire. Legal fireworks should only be used where they are allowed, and metal containers or buckets with water should be available for properly disposing used fireworks. Fireworks are NOT allowed on Forest Service or BLM land. Cigarettes should always be disposed of properly and never thrown on to roads or in vegetation. 

Central Oregon Dispatch EVENING Update

Firefighters are responding to a new wildfire five miles south of Clarno that has been estimated at 300 acres. Several helicopters, engines and rappellers have responded in addition to two SEATs (Single Engine Air Tankers). It has been confirmed that one abandoned structure was consumed by the fire which is burning in light grasses and brush. The cause of the fire is undetermined.

The Corner Creek Fire is still the largest fire in the area and is currently 12,700 acres although winds on the fire area have increased fire activity today. Located 11 miles south of Dayville, the fire is burning on Prineville BLM, Ochoco National Forest and private lands and aerial resources continued their work on structure protection where the fire has threatened cabins and various outbuildings. Firefighters are challenged by steep terrain as the fire continues to push south and west in grass and brush. This fire is being managed by the Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1 which is also managing the Sugarloaf Fire. *See below for Corner Creek Fire area closure information.

The Sugarloaf Fire, 8 miles north of Dayville, is currently 5,057 acres with 65% containment. Most of the active fire is on the northeast edge, where burnout operations continue to secure the fire line. Heavier fuels in the forested areas are requiring extensive mop up. 

The only other start of the day was on the Deschutes National Forest. Smokejumpers responded to a ¼ acre fire at the base of Diamond Peak in the Diamond Peak Wilderness and will likely continue to work the fire into the evening.

  

Corner Creek Fire Closure Information

The Ochoco National Forest is putting a temporary closure in place on portions of the Ochoco affected by the Corner Creek Fire.  The closure is to protect the public and employees from the wildfire and related suppression activities. Beginning today, July 2, 2015, you may not go into or be on any of the lands, including any roads or trails, described in the closure order.

To read the entire closure order and view a map of the area closure, please visit the Ochoco National Forest website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ochoco/alerts-notices  

Fact Sheet for Corner Creek & Sugarloaf

FACT SHEET: Corner Creek Fire & Sugarloaf Fire      

July 2, 2015 11:00 a.m.

Corner Creek Fire

• Started: Saturday, June 27th 
• Cause: Lightning
• Current size: 12,750 acres
• Percent contained: 0%
• Total cost to date: $1,100,000
• Update: Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1 assumed command of this fire yesterday evening. 
• Fire has been burning actively, spreading to the south and southwest.
• Firefighters are protecting structures in the fire vicinity.
• Firefighters are looking for control opportunities and preparing for burnout operations.
• The South Fork Road/Hwy 42 has been closed to the general public from Dayville to the USFS 58 road junction due to fire activity.

Sugarloaf Fire 

• Started: Saturday, June 27th 
• Cause: Lightning
• Current size: 5,057 acres
• Percent contained: 65%
• Total cost to date: $1,300,000
• Update: Local fire resources initiated the attack saving 12 residences. 
• Firefighting resources have established control lines around large portions of the fire and have extinguished much of the heat.  
• Most of the fire is in patrol status.

Blue Basin Fire 

• Started: Monday, June 29th 
• Cause: Human-caused
• Current size: 317 acres
• Percent contained: 95%
• Total cost to date: $25,000
• Update: Firefighters and aircraft assigned to the Sugarloaf Fire initiated attack and arrested its spread. The fire burns in lighter fuels and is in patrol status. 
• Care has been taken not to damage resources within the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.

Update on Sugarloaf & Corner Creek Fires

NEWS RELEASE: Corner Creek Fire & Sugarloaf Fire      


July 2, 2015 11:00 a.m.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CENTRAL OREGON NEWS MEDIA

Oregon Department of Forestry
Incident Management Team 1
John Buckman, Incident Commander

Fire Information: (541) 987-2348


Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1 has assumed suppression responsibility for the Corner Creek Fire. It is burning on the west side of the South Fork John Day River, about 11 miles south of Dayville.  The Corner Creek Fire burned 12,750 acres on the Ochoco National Forest, Bureau of Land Management Prineville District, and private lands. Part of the fire is in the Black Canyon Wilderness.

Corner Creek Fire is growing rapidly, spreading to the south and southwest. A strong and very visible pyro-cumulus clouds formed over the fire in the afternoon, towering to more than 20,000 feet. Firefighters are protecting structures in the vicinity. Fire crews are looking for opportunities to control the fire spread, including clearing fuels near forest roads to the south and west of the fire. These may be used as fire lines for burnout operations.

The South Fork Road/Hwy 42 has been closed to the general public from Dayville to the US Forest Service 58 Road junction due to fire activity. Local traffic should drive with caution due to heavy fire-related traffic.

The Sugarloaf Fire is now at 5,057 acres and 65% contained. Most of the active fire is on the northeast edge, where burnout operations continue to secure the fire line. Heavier fuels in the forested areas are requiring extensive mop up. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop up around structures along Dick Creek Road. The western part of Sugarloaf Fire, Blue Basin Fire, and Schoolhouse Gulch Fire are being patrolled by firefighters.

The camp for firefighters assigned to these fires is on Highway 26 about 2.5 miles west of Dayville. Please drive with caution and watch for heavy fire traffic.

The forecast for the rest of the week is a concern for fire managers. The forecast calls for continuing hot weather with low humidity and northwest winds gusting 20 to 25 mph. A Fire Weather Watch has been issued for Friday and Saturday due to expected hot, dry weather with wind gusts to 30 mph.

7/1/15 Area Closure in place for Ochoco National Forest

The Ochoco National Forest is putting a temporary closure in place on portions of the Ochoco affected by the Corner Creek Fire.  The closure  is to protect the public and employees from the wildfire and related suppression activities. As of yesterday, July 1, 2015, you may not go into or be on any of the lands, including any roads or trails, described in the closure order (see map below).


There closure goes from the intersection of FS 5840/5830 road north to the NW corner of Township 14S, Range 26E, Section 19.  The closure then extends east to the Forest Boundary and follows the Forest Boundary south and east into the middle of Section 23. From here the closure extends south, through the Black Canyon East Trailhead, to the south side of Section 22 in T15S and R26E. The closure extends west to the middle of Section 19 and connects diagonally northwest to the junction of FS 5840/5830.

This order specifically closes FS Road 5850 and any spur roads, Black Canyon East Trailhead, and trails within the Black Canyon Wilderness. Mud Springs Campground and South Prong Trailhead Recreational Sites are also closed.

To read the entire closure order, please visit the Ochoco National Forest website athttp://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/ochoco/alerts-notices