The Source For Comprehensive Fire, Health, And Air Quality Information In Central Oregon

[Condon, Oregon] Firefighters continued to make excellent progress on each of the four fires being managed under unified command by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Blue Team and Northwest Team 7.  The Stubblefield and Seale Fires have grown together and in the future will be reported as the Stubblefield Fire.  Structural firefighting crews from Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office have worked hard since Friday night, August 17, to assess, prepare and protect your homes in Gilliam County while working alongside our wildland firefighting partners to minimize the impact of the fires on your community. Because of that work, the risk has diminished to a level that enables us to send crews back to their home jurisdictions. Our mission to protect the community and the surrounding area remains the same. If conditions change, our structural resources are always a phone call away.

[Condon, Oregon] All of the fires listed below have been “full suppression” fires, meaning that the fires will be put out as soon as possible. The increased number of firefighting crews on day shift, working in conjunction with local fire crews and residents, made good progress on all of the fires today.

NW Team 7 joined the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office in Unified Command as of 6:00 am Tuesday morning.  NW Team 7 will also assume command of Jennie’s Peak Fire in Wheeler County and will be assigning resources to that fire. The Stubblefield, Seale, Lonerock, and Jennie’s Peak fires now total 77,500 acres burned with 27% containment. There are currently 443 total firefighters on the incident. Last night’s community meeting in the town of Lonerock was a success with 17 people in attendance.  A breakout of the individual fires are as follows:

Monday afternoon, the Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 3 Go Now! evacuation notice for areas 2 miles west of the Airbase on Richmond Road, all of Richmond Road and all of Pattee Road. This does not include the Airbase houses and residences east of the Airbase at this time. Also issued this evening was a Level 2 Be Set! evacuation notice for Buckhorn Lane, Armstrong Road and Butte Creek Road. Please avoid these roads for everyone’s safety as fire traffic will be heavy. The Red Cross has set up an evacuation information center at the Condon High School and it will be open from 10:00AM until 6:00PM tomorrow.

Jennie’s Peak Fire has been active today growing to approximately 36,000 acres moving primarily to the west. Winds are starting to pick up from the northeast making it more challenging this evening. Today, firefighters continued with indirect tactics to creating over nine miles of line along the south and southwest side of the fire on the John Day River from Twickenham Bridge to Juniper Canyon. As weather conditions allow, this work will continue on the John Day River from Juniper Canyon to Rhodes Canyon tonight. The east side of the fire is also active but the fire line is holding.

Firefighters are also actively working in coordination with Oregon Department of Forestry and landowners on the northeast section of the fire to protect private range and timberlands. Crews are continuing active protection for private homes and ranches near the fire.  Priest Hole Campground continues to be closed at a Level 3 evacuation and homes along the Burnt Ranch Road are under a Level 2 (Get Set) notice. Wheeler County Sheriff has also closed Pine Creek Lane and Bridge Creek Road to the general public. Please avoid these areas as fire personnel and equipment will be using them for fire suppression.