Central Oregon received widespread lightning storms with minimal rainfall over the Labor Day Weekend. Vegetation remains dry and susceptible to ignition due to the extended drought leading to an increase in ignitions from lightning strike fires over the last 24 hours.
These new fires ranged in size from several acres up to the largest at over 8000 acres. Some occurred in remote areas, but several occurred near homes, other structures, and campsites resulting in evacuations. The gusting winds today caused long-range spotting forcing two fires to jump across rivers. These wind-driven fires grew at a rapid rate of spread throughout the day resulting in very large acreage increases. The largest fires today include:
Wiley Flat Fire: 1200+ acres, located near Maurey Mountains with evacuations in place north of the Maury Mountains. Central Oregon Team 3 will assume command of this fire tomorrow at 7:00am.
Oak Canyon Fire: size – 4000+ acres, located near Deschutes River, north of White River Falls State Park in Tygh Valley.
Shoe Fly Fire: size – 8000 acres, located north of Hwy 26 in Baldy Block near Girds Creek. Oregon Department of Forestry Team 1 will assume command of this fire tomorrow at 10:00am.
Rail Ridge Fire: size – 8000+ acres, located on the south fork of the John Day River near Martin Creek, jumped John Day River, and is now in the Murderers Creek drainage with evacuations for all of Aldrich Mountain Proper. The Southern Area Grey Team 3 will take command of this fire tomorrow morning.
It is recommended that residents contact their local county Sheriff’s Office to ensure they are signed up for evacuation alerts in their area.
Weather predictions for the next several days are calling for a warming and drying trend which means that fuels will continue to dry out, further increasing the likelihood of new ignitions and active fire behavior. Fire officials urge everyone to do their part to avoid human-caused wildfires. Human-caused fires are avoidable whereas naturally occurring fires are not. Remember, one less spark means one less fire that could put our wildland firefighters and communities at risk.
Visit the official source for wildfire information in Central Oregon at centraloregonfire.org for wildfire updates and public use fire restrictions or follow fire information on X/Twitter @CentralORfire. Call 9-1-1 to report a wildfire. For smoke and air quality information visit fire.airnow.gov.
