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

Gilliam County has issued a Level 3, GO 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.

Good progress was made last night on the fires in South Gilliam County. The weather was cool with some associated precipitation, allowing the firefighters to get ahead of the fires in many areas. The fires now total 30,500 acres with 20% containment. There are 119 firefighters on the incident. There is a Community Meeting scheduled for tonight in Lonerock at 7:00PM in the Lonerock Community Hall. At last night’s community meeting in Condon, Emergency Manager Chris Fitzsimmons stated, “This is the first time the State Fire Marshal’s Office has been in our community under a Conflagration and we are very thankful for all the great work that has been accomplished in the past 2 days!”

CENTRAL OREGON – Last night on the Jennie’s Peak fire, firefighters conducted burn out operations on the north side of the John Day River from Dry Hollow Road and Twickenham to the west near Priest Hole. With the fire currently estimated at 18,000 acres, crews will continue using indirect tactics north and east of the John Day River today.  Fire crews are actively working on protection for dozens of private structures in the area. Priest Hole Campground is closed and over 50 people were evacuated under a Level 3 evacuation. In addition, homes along the Burnt Ranch Road are under a Level 2 (Get Set) notice. Resources on the fire include 18 smoke jumpers, hand crews, and engines.

A Type 2 Incident Management Team will be arriving tonight and assuming command of multiple fire burning on the east side of COFMS tomorrow morning. These incidents will include Jennie’s Peak, Stubblefield, Seale, Lonerock and Buckhorn fires that are burning within Gilliam and Wheeler Counties.

Evacuation levels changed today on the Lonerock Fire in the community of Lonerock. The Sheriff issued a Level 1 Be Ready! notification for the west side of Lonerock Road from Lost Valley Road south to the Gilliam/Wheeler County Line. A Level 1 Be Ready! notification was also issued for Buckhorn Lane due to increased fire activity south of Thirty Mile Canyon. The Sheriff urges everyone to avoid these areas. Please allow Fire Traffic only for the safety of the fire crews and public.

Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Blue Team ordered 3 more Task Forces which have arrived as of Sunday evening. These Task Forces will bolster the numbers of boots on the ground protecting homes in South Gilliam County. The new Task Forces are from Linn County, Polk County and Clatsop County.

The most significant fire activity came from the east side of COFMS protected lands today. The lightning storm that passed through the area last week started approximately 25 fires along the John Day River from Priest Holt to the south and Lower John Day WSA to the north —the largest of which is the Stubblefield Fire at 16,700 acres and 29% containment.