ODF: Prevent Wildfires - Consider alternative to debris burning

ODF: Prevent Wildfires - Consider alternative to debris burning

SALEM, OR – The Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) and other fire prevention experts urge the public to exercise caution when disposing of yard debris this spring. With fires already occurring in the state, particularly in the Southwest and Central Oregon District, Oregonians need to keep fire prevention at the top of their mind. 

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Fire season ending for Klamath and Lake Counties

Fire season ending for Klamath and Lake Counties

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - The 2022 Fire Season will officially end for Klamath and Lake counties. Fire management personnel from the Oregon Department of Forestry, Klamath-Lake District, in cooperation with other local fire agencies and departments will declare the termination of the 2022 fire season as of 12:01 a.m. Wednesday, October 26, 2022. “Fire Season” for the area has been effective since June 6, 2022.

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BLM reduces emergency fire closures for the Van Meter Fire

BLM reduces emergency fire closures for the Van Meter Fire

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. -The emergency closure area for the Van Meter Fire has been reduced this week to the fire perimeter. Members of the public may not enter closed areas, and all uses—including hiking, hunting, and dispersed camping—are prohibited.

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Van Meter Fire now 60% contained

Van Meter Fire now 60% contained

Containment has grown to 60 percent on the Van Meter Fire 13 miles southeast of Klamath Falls. Operations Section Chief Matt Flock shared with nightshift crews that there will be less resources assigned to night shift which means that things are ramping down. He then reminded them that there was still work to be done in the southern section of the fire. The fire is in a good position on the northern divisions and crews are being moved to other priority areas around the fire.

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Van Meter Fire PM Update for September 8, 2022

Van Meter Fire PM Update for September 8, 2022

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. – Oregon Department of Forestry’s Incident Management Team 3, led by Incident Commander Tyler McCarty, took command of the Van Meter Fire earlier this evening. The IMT was brought in to relieve local resources and add capacity as the firefighting organization continues to increase from resources throughout the region.

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Van Meter Fire currently burning on Stukel Mountain [UPDATED]

Van Meter Fire currently burning on Stukel Mountain [UPDATED]

“[At this time] the fire looks like it is moving toward the Dodds Hollow area,” said KCFD1 Fire Chief Greg Davis. “We are going to continue to have structure protection here until the threat is gone. It could last a few days, the weather is going to have a lot to do with that.”

A total of 260 structures are threatened by the Van Meter Fire. Five structures have been confirmed lost to the blaze; one of which is a residence. All structures damaged are located on S. Poe Valley Road south of Beta Lane.

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Firefighter fatally injured on Big Swamp Fire

Firefighter fatally injured on Big Swamp Fire

DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. – The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, jointly with the United States Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, is saddened to announce the passing of a wildland firefighter assigned to the Big Swamp Fire near Oakridge, Oregon.

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O'Connor Fire burns 2 acres on the Klamath Hills; 20 new fires reported

O'Connor Fire burns 2 acres on the Klamath Hills; 20 new fires reported

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Late yesterday evening a fast-moving thunderstorm left its mark on the Klamath Basin. Sparking the O’Connor Fire on Klamath Hills and numerous additional holdover fires that were discovered this morning.

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McKinney Fire & Yeti Complex incident update for August 2, 2022

McKinney Fire & Yeti Complex incident update for August 2, 2022

Lower temperatures and higher relative humidity, including rain over some areas of the fire, moderated fire behavior allowed firefighters to make good progress on the fire yesterday. In the absence of the explosive fire behavior observed previously, firefighters were able to take a more direct posture and engage directly on the McKinney, China 2, and Alex fires.

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McKinney and China 2 Fire Update for August 1, 2022

McKinney and China 2 Fire Update for August 1, 2022

Much of the McKinney Fire saw rainfall overnight, keeping fire growth minimal. The fire continues to actively back toward structures in the Walker Creek area, and night crews were on hand to do structure protection there. The southern and eastern edges of the fire, closest to Fort Jones and Yreka, showed very little growth.

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OSFM Mobilizes task forces to McKinney Fire in NorCal

OSFM Mobilizes task forces to McKinney Fire in NorCal

SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) has mobilized three structural task forces at the request of California to the McKinney Fire. The fire is burning in near Klamath, California. The task forces are from Marion, Linn, & Clackamas County. They will be tasked with protecting communities.

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McKinney and China 2 Fire Update for July 31, 2022

McKinney and China 2 Fire Update for July 31, 2022

YREKA, Calif. - Activity on both fires moderated into the evening as a heavy smoke inversion settled over the fire. The fire became active again at about midnight. Crews were actively engaged in structure protection overnight, especially in the Klamath River area. Little progression was observed on the fire’s edge closest to Yreka City.

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OSFM to pre-position firefighting resources in Klamath County ahead of elevated fire risk

OSFM to pre-position firefighting resources in Klamath County ahead of elevated fire risk

SALEM, Ore. – The combination of hot weather and lightning in the forecast in Southern Oregon has prompted the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to pre-position a structural taskforce of firefighters and equipment in Klamath County over the coming weekend.

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Crater Lake NP implements fire ban

Crater Lake NP implements fire ban

CRATER LAKE, Ore. – With the continued fire danger in southern Oregon, Crater Lake National Park will go into a full fire ban. The outlook is for above normal significant wildland fire potential for the next several months. To ensure public safety and to provide the highest degree of protection to park resources, the following fire ban will be implemented effectively at 12:01 AM on Thursday, July 28, 2022.

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Fire Managers increase fire danger level and IFPL

Fire Managers increase fire danger level and IFPL

LAKEVIEW, Ore. - Beginning Thursday, July 28, 2022, at 12:01 a.m., the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Sheldon-Hart Mountain National Wildlife Refuge Complex, Klamath Basin National Wildlife Refuge Complex, and all private, county, and state wildlands protected by the Klamath-Lake District, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) will be raising the Fire Danger Level to EXTREME.

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Fire restrictions initiated on Modoc National Forest

Fire restrictions initiated on Modoc National Forest

ALTURAS, Calif. - The Modoc National Forest will impose fire restrictions beginning at 12 a.m. on July 25th and continuing until November 30th. It is imperative that these precautions be taken in light of the increase in wildfires throughout the western United States. In accordance with this order, campfires will no longer be permitted in forest areas except in Designated Recreation Sites.

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New fire detection camera on Bryant Mountain [VIDEO]

New fire detection camera on Bryant Mountain [VIDEO]

LAKEVIEW, Ore. - The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Lakeview District, along with help from its partners at the University of Oregon and the University of Nevada, have installed a new fire detection camera. The Bryant Mountain camera is part of a 700-camera network managed by ALERTWildfire.

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Brush fire in Midland scorches 60 acres

Brush fire in Midland scorches 60 acres

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - At approximately 2:30 PM on Saturday, July 2, 2022, a fire ignited in Midland, Ore. near a residence on Cross Road. Strong winds quickly fanned the fire to the east, rapidly growing up the hill toward a communications tower. Winds also pushed the flames toward additional homes north of the fire.

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