Oregon Department of Forestry

Tonight, the Department of Forestry mobilized ODF Incident Management Team 3 to respond to the Battle Mountain Complex burning on the Northeast Oregon District's Pendleton Unit. ODF Team 3 will in brief tomorrow, Thursday, July 18, at 4:00 p.m. and take command of the complex by 6:00 a.m. on Friday, July 19.

ODF's Incident Management Team 1 demobilizes today from the Salt Creek Fire and will transfer command back to the local district's Type 3 team. We want to thank our team members and the firefighters who dropped everything to answer the call for help and worked around the clock to manage and contain the fire. The Salt Creek Fire is 100% lined and 84% contained at at 4,102 acres.

ODF's Weekly Situation Report is to help create a snapshot of large fire information, weather and prevention information. To read the full report, visit https://ow.ly/SJXa50SCLwT

The Oregon Department of Forestry and The Oregon State Fire Marshal are bringing in out-of-state firefighters and equipment to fight several wildfires impacting communities and resources across the state. ODF has received more than 58 resources from New Mexico, Idaho, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas, Georgia, Colorado, and Florida to assist in the Salt Creek and Larch Creek Fire. The agency will receive 13 more firefighters from Florida in the coming days to assist the agency’s Incident Management Team 3 and other severity efforts. A total of 71 resources are coming to Oregon through state-to-state mutual aid agreements and the Northwest Compact.

People and pets aren't the only ones who can dehydrate in a heat wave. Soil around trees, shrubs and other garden plants can quickly dry out when temperatures soar. Don't wait for leaves to curl and brown before watering - the damage is already done then. Prevent that by deeply soaking soil around trees in advance of a heat wave. Watering in early morning or later at night reduces evaporation and ensures more of the water you provide soaks into the soil. Trees planted less than five years ago are most vulnerable to drying out because of their small root zones. But in dry summers even older trees, especially those native to summer-rainfall regions, benefit from a monthly or twice-a-month deep soaking. This can reduce drought stress and encourage better growth.

Tonight, the Department of Forestry mobilized ODF Incident Management Team 1 to respond to the Salt Creek Fire in Jackson County. The Salt Creek Fire is estimated to be between 800-1,000 acres. ODF IMT 1 will inbrief tomorrow at 1000 and take command of the complex by 1800.

The radiant heat from an exhaust can smolder the dry grass under a car. With one swift wind, that can then turn into a wildfire. Help prevent wildfire this summer by not parking over dry grass. If you see a roadside fire, call 911 immediately.

Enjoy a campfire responsibly this weekend. Prevent a wildfire by checking local restrictions before bring fire on the landscape, use and established fire pit or ring, never leave your fire unattended and DROWN, STIR, REPEAT until your fire is cold to the touch. Find local restrictions at https://ow.ly/cTNz50Sqws9

As we close out National Wildland Firefighter Week of Remembrance, we want to thank all of our firefighters, support staff, overhead, and partner agencies for everything they do to help protect Oregon against wildfire and remember those that have fallen.

Before hitting the road, make sure your tow chains are secure and don't drag. The chain can throw sparks when hitting the road and start a fire without you even knowing. If you see a roadside fire or a car throwing sparks, call 911 right away.