Single Publication

Rail Ridge Fire Update

Monday, October 21, 2024

Central Oregon Wildfire Information: centraloregonfire.org

Email: 2024.railridge@firenet.gov  ~  Phone: 541-208-7111

Social Media, Evacuation and Closure Information: https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire
Acres: 176,619  ~  Containment: 92%  ~  Start Date: 09/02/24  ~  Cause: Lightning  ~  Personnel: 437

Special Notes: As fire behavior continues to moderate and seasonal weather patterns shift, Rail Ridge Fire resources are making good progress to complete suppression repair. As a result of this progress, fire information daily updates will transition to distribution every other day, unless fire behavior warrants otherwise. Additionally, as of today, the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) over the fire area has been lifted, though aircraft remain available in the area to respond to shifts in fire behavior as needed.

Fire closures remain in place for both firefighter and public safety, and public cooperation is appreciated as teams complete their work. For more information on closures as well as Wheeler County and Grant County evacuation information, visit https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire.

Are you a private land owner or contractor with projects within the fire perimeter or Malheur National Forest Rail Ridge #2 Fire Closure (06-04-01-24-30)? Contact our fire information line at 541-208-7111, or email us at: 2024.railridge.liaison@firenet.gov with questions about land access, fire suppression activities, or suppression repair efforts in your area. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: A cold front will bring cloudy skies and light rain today along with breezy southwest winds. Showers will end in the morning with a chance for hit or miss showers in the afternoon. Clearing skies and a drier air mass tonight will lead to chilly morning lows for Tuesday with temperatures near freezing. Valley temperatures will likely be around the mid 50s both in valleys and on ridgetops. Primary fire behavior characteristics continue to follow recent patterns of smoldering ground fuels and limited surface fire creeping. Heavy fuels such as stump holes and log ends will continue to burn and consume due to long-term seasonal drying.

Operations: Firefighters continue to focus efforts on building an indirect containment line in the northwest corner of the fire, in addition to mop up and repair work. Resources are continuously working to locate and repair areas impacted by dozer operations over the course of the fire. These efforts include using excavators to pull side berms back to natural contours, constructing water bars on sloped terrain, and naturally arrange duff, branches, and logs over fire lines in forested stands. Crews are hauling logs and materials from roads and shaded fuel break areas. Much of the operational work in the west, south and east has been completed as of yesterday evening.

USFS & BLM Closures / Evacuation Information / Fire Restrictions / Social Media for the Rail Ridge Fire area can be found at: https://linktr.ee/RailRidgeFire.