Latest news with #CentralOregonFire
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
‘Hotter and drier' June may worsen wildfire outlook, Oregon Department of Forestry says
MOSIER, Ore. () — As the wildfire season continues to grow, Oregon state and federal officials provided an update Friday morning on what residents can expect heading into summer. Those talks come after the state saw a handful of brush fires this week, with some even sparking evacuations. In Mosier, following the Cherry Hill fire on Wednesday. Oregon Department of Forestry said crews will continue to monitor until there is no more heat or smoke. This comes as state and federal officials told lawmakers to brace for another hot and dry season. PNW falls back into drought, wildfire threat increases One crew member on the ground said the wildfire season is off to an early start. 'I want people just to be aware of the situation we're facing in the pre-season, and it's only going to get worse,' said ODF Wildland Fire Supervisor for The Dalles Phillip Raffely. U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley of Oregon received an update on the upcoming fire season. Fire officials said staff levels look strong but warn weather outlooks are potentially dangerous. 'We have hotter, drier summers, so this is not an issue that is going to go away,' Merkley said. At least three brushfires sparked this week in Oregon, sparking more than 2,000 acres combined. On Sunday, broke out in Wheeler County, north of Clarno. Central Oregon Fire said the 1,700-acre fire was about 20% contained on Wednesday. When the Cherry Hill fire broke out in Mosier on Wednesday, crews on the ground say it was caused by a burn that got out of control. 'I got on scene and it was already well underway, spreading into the wildland,' said ODF Forest Officer for the Dalles Kyle Albright. 'Plan ahead' for OR 217 SB lane closures this weekend Albright, one of the first people on the scene, said it was his fifth fire this year. 'The winds played a role in the evacuations due to fire history in the area,' Albright said. William Belser was previously under the evacuation order in Mosier. 'That's like the third or fourth one (fire). It's just now drying out so it doesn't take much for this stuff to take off,' Belser said. Due to the fast action of firefighters, the fire was contained and evacuations lifted just hours after it started. Days later, crews were still out Friday, mopping up hotspots. On Thursday, ODF was back out to help extinguish the Rowena Fire off of I-84, knocking down the blaze into a mop-up phase in less than 30 minutes. 'It's not unprecedented to have some pre-season fires, things like this. I'm just hoping that, moving forward, we don't have as many starts. You know, being May, kind of trying to forecast what June is going to look like, we just know it's going to be hotter and drier,' Raffely said. This weekend is expected to be particularly dry and windy. ODF said it may be best to avoid burning anything, especially as bans go into effect next week. If people do burn anything, ODF said they should make sure the fire is fully out before walking away. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Butte Creek wildfire reaches 40% containment in Central Oregon
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – The Butte Creek Fire burning in Wheeler County is , according to Central Oregon Fire. The and has since grown to nearly 2,000 acres. It has in the area while blazing through grass, brush and scattered timber. No evacuations or closures are in place as of Thursday morning, though fire officials say that minimal visible smoke has been detected in the past 24 hours. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now On Monday, Central Oregon Fire reported that the wildfire had reached around 3,000 acres total, but that estimate was later lowered to only 1,776 acres due to 'more accurate mapping.' Up-to-date information can be found on the Central Oregon Fire Info website. On Wednesday evening, for a brush fire; the evacuation orders have since been downgraded. Stay with KOIN 6 News as we continue our wildfire coverage. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Butte Creek Fire continues growing, no evacuations ordered as blaze threatens structures
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — The Butte Creek Fire in Wheeler County near Clarno continued growing into Monday evening as more crews responded to the area to help fight the blaze. According to Central Oregon Fire, as of 8:30 p.m. Monday, , burning on private lands and Bureau of Land Management land east of the John Day River. Some structures are currently threatened, officials said; however, no evacuations or closures are in place as of Tuesday morning. Construction nearly underway for new music venue in Portland's Lloyd District The fire, which is at zero percent containment, since it started on Sunday afternoon. The cause of the fire is under investigation. On Monday afternoon, to help fight the fire, cautioning boaters in the area to watch out for helicopters dipping in the water. Stay with KOIN 6 as we keep you up to date on the Butte Creek Fire. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Wildfire sparks in Central Oregon Sunday afternoon near Clarno
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A wildfire sprang up in Central Oregon Sunday afternoon, spurring local fire crews into action, authorities said. According to Central Oregon Fire, the fire started just after 2:30 p.m. about 9 miles north of Clarno and spread over 1,500 acres overnight, bringing it to nearly 2,000 acres total. Currently, crews said the number of structures threatened and evacuation levels are unknown, but Wheeler County Fire and Rescue is working to provide structure protection. 'An amazing service': AMR lifeguards back for 26th year The fire is burning through grass, brush and scattered timber in the area, and the cause is still under investigation. Officials shared on X that crews from other nearby departments, including Wheeler County and Gillham County, are coming to assist. Up-to-date information can be found on the Central Oregon Fire Info website. Stay with KOIN 6 as we bring you more on this developing story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
