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Aug 18th Map of the Falls & Telephone Fires
Pumps and Hose Staged for Backhaul Falls & Telephone Fires. Credit PIO J Mike Johnson
Aug 18th Final Update of the Falls & Telephone Fires
The Falls Fire started on July 10, 2024, approximately 25 miles northwest of Burns, Oregon, on the Emigrant Creek Ranger District of the Malheur National Forest. The Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, Bureau of Land Management, and Oregon State Fire Marshal are working in partnership with Incident Management Teams.
Initial attack resources attempted direct tactics early on but were challenged by the terrain and accessibility to the eastern side of the fire. Full suppression efforts are being implemented utilizing a combination of direct, indirect, and point protection where the highest probability of success can be safely achieved.
A full-suppression strategy is being used for the fire, while insuring to minimize risks to responders and the public. The fire was human-caused and remains under investigation.
Evacuation Information
All evacuations for Harney and Grant Counties have been lifted as of 8/20/2024.
Closures
The Malheur National Forest has a closure order in place. To protect public health and safety, fire managers have closed the area around the fire due to fire activity and fire suppression operations.
Campground closures include:
- Emigrant Creek Campground
- Falls Campground
- Yellowjacket Campground
- Delintment Lake Campground
Malheur National Forest Detailed Closure Map. For more Forest-related information, visit the Malheur National Forest webpage.
For up to date Oregon Road Conditions.
Air Quality Fire and Smoke Map
Hunting Information
Hunting and Fire Danger in Oregon - Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) Webpage and ODFW Facebook Page.
Hunters, anglers, wildlife watchers: What to know about wildfires. Wildfire season is hitting Oregon hard. Here's what hunters and anglers should know:
"As early season hunters know, dry conditions and the associated wildfire danger can have a large impact on your hunting opportunity. Check below for resources for finding fire closures and restrictions, and for ODFW's policy on tag refunds and restoration of preference points."
You can check for the latest fire updates and closures using the links on the ODFW webpage. This page will also describe ODFW policies on refunding tags and reinstating preference points. You can also check out the ODFW Active Large Fires and Wildlife Management Units
| Current as of | Fri, 08/23/2024 - 00:13 |
|---|---|
| Incident Time Zone | America/Los_Angeles |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Human |
| Date of Origin | |
| Location | 20 miles NW of Burns |
| Incident Commander | IMT: Northwest Team 2 Incident Commander: Jason Loomis |
| Coordinates |
43° 51' 11'' Latitude
-119° 25' 36
'' Longitude
|
| Total Personnel: | 175 total for Falls, Sand, & Telephone fires |
|---|---|
| Size | 151,689 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 100% |
| Estimated Containment Date | 09/01/2024 |
| Fuels Involved | Timber (Grass and Understory) |
| Significant Events | Fire Behavior: Moderate Flanking Backing Isolated Torching Narrative: Majority of the fire behavior consists of smoldering and creeping as stumps, heavy fuels, and duff continue to consume. Division R/W along the 31 road has interior pockets of dirty burn that continue to actively burn in heavy jackpots of dead fuel, creeping, smoldering, isolated torching. |
| Planned Actions |
Crews and equipment will continue repair and backhaul operations. Resources have been identified for initial attack in support of the local units. |
|---|---|
| Projected Incident Activity |
Fire behavior will moderate overnight with good humidity recoveries in most areas. Winds will diminish and become light and variable overnight. Fire should mostly consist of smoldering and creeping as dead fuels continue to burn out overnight. |
| Remarks |
NW2 will transition with Idaho 1, Type 3 team on 8/23 at 0600. Increase in acres due to better mapping no new growth since reaching 100% containment. |
| Weather Concerns | Elevated fire weather conditions occurred over the Falls and Telephone fires today with minimum relative humidities dropping into the teens as high temperatures rose into the mid 70s to low 80s. Winds were from the south-southwest at 6 to 12 mph with gusts as high as 22 mph. Significant changes will begin tonight as the upper level area of low pressure that has been residing off the Oregon Coast will move inland. There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms overnight tonight, and a better chance late Friday morning into Friday afternoon. Any thunderstorms that do form will likely produce light rainfall and could produce outflow winds as high as 35 mph. High temperatures will also plummet with highs only in the 60s expected Friday through Sunday. Friday will also bring breezy southwest winds to the fire, though relative humidity will remain 35% or better. Temperatures may drop below freezing on Sunday morning. Weather conditions will return to near normal beginning Monday. |
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