Preparing for Evacuation & Fire Season

As we enter fire season, the Sheriffs and Emergency Managers of Crook, Deschutes, and Jefferson counties and our partner agencies want to insure you understand the three level evacuation system and where to get current information regarding fire activity.

Level 1: Be Ready

There is an incident in your area and residents should be aware of potential evacuation. Be aware of the danger, monitor emergency services sources and local media for information. Those persons who will need additional time to exit an area or have health conditions (especially respiratory conditions that could be made worse by smoke) should consider leaving. You are encouraged to prepare or even move livestock and pets out of the area. Be prepared to leave if conditions worsen.

Level 2: Get Set

There is significant danger in your area and residents should be prepared to leave at a moment's notice. You are encouraged to leave and should do so as soon as possible. If you choose to stay, you should be able to leave immediately if conditions worsen. You MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at your own risk. Entry to evacuated areas may be denied until the hazard subsides.

This may be the only notice you receive. Emergency services cannot guarantee we will be able to notify you if conditions rapidly deteriorate.

Level 3: Go Now!

There is immediate and imminent danger and you should evacuate immediately. DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or make efforts to protect your home. Leave immediately and as quickly as possible. Drive carefully, turn on your headlights, and follow any directions from emergency services personnel. Entry to evacuated areas will be denied until the hazard subsides.

Residents are encouraged to follow local media as well as the below sources of information to stay current on fire activity.

Current maps including evacuation areas in Deschutes County can be found at:

www.deschutes.org/emergency

For more information, you can visit the Central Oregon Fire Information site at:

http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com/

With this in mind, we urge you to take a look around your property in the "home ignition zone" where glowing embers can ignite spot fires and vulnerable areas like decks, patios and fences that can spread flames to your home. You can improve your home chance of survival by taking action before there's smoke on the horizon:

* Create defensible space around your home
* Are your gutters and roof valleys free from debris like pine needles and leaves? Clean them out. Despite a metal or asphalt shingle roof, the buildup of gutter debris provides necessary fuel for the glowing embers to ignite adjacent fascia boards or siding -- most often made of wood.
* Do your shrubs and weeds provide a path of fuel for fire to reach your trees or home? Reduce shrubs and other "ladder fuels" for at least 30 ft around your home to reduce the threat of ground fires igniting nearby trees, or your home.
* What can catch fire on your deck or patio or near your fence? Remove weeds, shrubs or any combustible materials from around, under or on top of your deck, patio or wood fence. This includes toys, planters, construction materials, patio furniture and cushions along with even small piles of pine needles or leaves.
* Is your woodpile near your home or other combustible vegetation? Move woodpiles at least 20 feet away from your home or other combustibles.

For more information go to: www.firefree.org

We further encourage you and your family to have a plan, get a kit, and stay informed regarding known or potential hazards in your area.

For more information go to: www.redcross.org
Or email questions to: SheriffPIO@deschutes.org

More than Just another Fire Truck

Thank you Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network for the glowing write up on our first of 3 learning exchanges in the Pacific Northwest. The focus on partnerships with Deschutes County, all our local fire districts, federal partners and countless community members make Project Wildfire the success it is today.

Looking forward to part 2 & 3 for more learning and sharing

http://fireadaptednetwork.org/more-than-just-another-fire-truck/

Spring FireFree Dates

Please see the following dates for the Spring FireFree event coming up this May in all 4 counties in the central Oregon area. Please pass these dates along to interested parties.

Reduce the risk of losing your home to wildfire and take advantage of FREE yard debris disposal at local collection sites.

Create and maintain defensible space around your home and recycle your needles, branches, brush, shrubs and limbs for FREE!

Bend

Knott Landfill 7AM - 5PM

May 7 THROUGH 15, 2016

61050 SE 27th Street, Bend

Westside Collection Site 8AM-4PM

May 6-7 & 13-14, 2016

19755 SW Simpson Avenue, Bend (Between Century Drive & Mt. Washington on Simpson Ave.)

Redmond

Negus Transfer Station 8AM-4PM

May 20-21, 2016

2400 NE Maple Way, Redmond

Sisters

Northwest Transfer Station 8AM-4PM

May 20-21, 2016

68200 Fryrear Road, Cloverdale (Sisters)

La Pine

Southwest Transfer Station 8AM-4PM

May 20-21,2016

54580 Highway 97, La Pine

Sunriver

Sunriver Compost Site 8AM-4PM

May 13-14, 2016

Cottonwood Road, Sunriver

Madras

Box Canyon Transfer Station 8AM-4PM

April 30-May 1 & May 7-8, 2016

1778 NW Mill Street, Madras

Prineville

Crook County Landfill 8AM-4PM

April 23, 2016

110 SW Landfill Rd, Prineville

Crescent

Crescent Transfer Station 8AM-4PM

June 3-4, 2016

Crescent Cutoff Road, Crescent

Preparing for After the Fire

Vimeo-After the Fire

What a powerful video about how to prepare yourself for After the Fire. Defensible Space and home construction are two pieces of the puzzle. Preparing for the outcomes of large fires is the final piece in ensuring your and your neighbor's resiliency to large wildfires.

New Fire Adapted Communities Network Website

A new and improved website, fireadaptednetwork.org, is up and running for everyone who is working towards Fire Adapted Communities. An overview of the site is below.

This new website has basic information about the FAC Learning Network, as well as Network resources and hundreds of blog posts related to community wildfire adaptation. We're especially excited about a new section that facilitates FAC practitioners connecting with their peers. 

Some things you can do:

· Visit our member map and create a profile (for yourself and/or your organization) to join our online group of community wildfire resilience practitioners.
·  Follow us on Twitter and "Like Us" on Facebook .
·  Subscribe to our blog and newsletter to receive updates and helpful resources right in your inbox.
·  Check out our new Fire Adapted Communities Self-Assessment Tool (FAC SAT), created to help communities assess and track their level of adaptation, and create an action plan.

Wildfire Experts’ Paper Informs Effective Policy

Ten wildfire experts outline seven key science insights important to inform future policy discussions and development.

For the full study click here: Headwater Economics

Love this video about defensible space. Your home CAN survive a wildfire!

With today and tomorrow being the last days of FireFree, take a moment to look at the small things around your home that could ignite your home in a wildfire event.

Only you...On Wildfire Today

Fire in the Lake San Antonio area of Monterey County,
California, August, 2009. Photo by Vern Fisher.  

Only You...Smokey Bear does have it right

Such a interesting take on Smokey's tag line as it applies to our "new normal". This article highlights what it is to live in the wildland urban interface in a thoughtful way. My favorite quote "Living with fire is not an option for those who live in the Red Zone (WUI)." Check out the full story at the link below.

http://wildfiretoday.com/2015/11/08/only-you/

3 homes destroyed in wildfire northeast of Boise

3 homes destroyed in wildfire northeast of Boise serve as a reminder that we are not yet out of fire season. Now is the time to prepare for the end of our current fire season and next summer with the upcoming FireFree events. For defensible space tips and the ten FireFree steps go to firefree.org

City Edition

Thanks to our partners at the City of Bend for highlighting our federal partners. Great video on treatment in our local watershed.

http://youtu.be/vu1s4_vTnJ0

FIRE RESTRICTIONS INCREASE IN CENTRAL OREGON

ALL CAMPFIRES BANNED 

Central Oregon – With dry conditions expected to continue in Central Oregon and fire suppression resources limited due to numerous wildfires in Oregon and Washington, the Prineville District Bureau of Land Management, the Deschutes National Forest and the Ochoco National Forest, including the Crooked River National Grassland, are implementing a total campfire restriction. Effective 12:01 a.m. August 18, 2015 (Tuesday), all open fires, including charcoal fires, will be prohibited on all lands administered by the Deschutes National Forest, the Ochoco National Forest and Crooked River National Grassland, and the Prineville District, BLM. There are no exceptions for developed or hosted campgrounds.

 

In addition to campfire restrictions, smoking remains restricted to an enclosed vehicle or building, in a designated campground, in boats on lakes and rivers, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is clear of all flammable material. Portable cooking stoves or lanterns using liquefied or bottled fuel may still be used in all areas. Officials also want to remind the public that using explosive target material, such as Tannerite, explosives, and fireworks continue to be prohibited on all federal lands. 

 

At this time there are no restrictions on motorized travel on BLM or FS roads in Central Oregon; however, fire officials want to remind visitors about the dangers of driving through or parking on vegetation. The hot undercarriage of a vehicle can easily ignite, not only burning the vehicle but also spreading to nearby vegetation. At this time, visitors are asked to avoid driving on two-track roads with vegetation down the center, and to park in areas clear of vegetation. Make sure vehicles carry a container of water or a fire extinguisher.

 

Before putting public use restrictions in place officials carefully consider the current fire situation, fuel moisture and predicted weather before making the decision to implement fire restrictions. Every year lightning-caused fires place a heavy demand on our firefighting resources, and put our wildlands, our firefighters, and our communities at risk. Fires caused through carelessness or negligence only increase the threat to life and livelihood, and place an even greater burden on already busy firefighters.  Every fire that’s prevented protects our communities and helps our firefighters remain available, rested, and safe. 

 

About the BLM:  The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM's mission is to manage and conserve the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations under our mandate of multiple-use and sustained yield. In Fiscal Year 2014, the BLM generated $5.2 billion in receipts from public lands.

 

The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world. The USDA is an equal opportunity employer.

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.

USA Today for Full Story

Firewise Webinar to explore wildland "Urban Legends"

August virtual workshop to explore wildland “Urban Legends”

Join the Firewise Program at 1:00pm ET on Thursday, August 6, as wildfire and home safety myths and beliefs are put to the test.
Wildfire expert Pat Durland will determine truth or hooey to questions we all have, drawing upon his long career as a smokejumper, wildland firefighter, policy maker, insurance consultant, and wildland fire planner and educator.

Can you protect your home with pool water, gels, foam?  Will exterior heat ignite interior curtains?? Do native plants have a lower fire risk???  Is a stucco roof good protection from embers???? 

Recent research and findings have cast doubt upon and dispelled many of our beliefs about how homes are ignited by wildfires.

Do you have a question or theory you’ve heard of and always wanted to “Ask an Expert” about its validity? Submit yours to LDeaton@nfpa.org and they will be put to the test!

Registration is now open.  

In case of wildfire, have “go kit” ready.

In case of wildfire, have “go kit” ready; Central Oregon experts suggest what to pack in an emergency kit

Being prepared for evacuation is #10 in the FireFree steps. Central Oregon is a fire-adapted ecosystem. For all that live here, it's not if but when we will face a wildfire. We all need to be prepared!

Have you registered you cell phone for emergency notifications? Follow this link to ensure you are receiving emergency information on your cell phone. SIGN UP HERE for Emergency Notifications!

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