Wildfire Update - 9/22

Our firefighters have not stopped during this unprecedented fire season. A huge thank you to each firefighter and first responder who has worked tirelessly to keep us safe and knowledgeable about fires in our areas. While the worst of the fire events were in progress, I used this newsletter to keep many people apprised of what was happening and where to find resources. With the continued successful efforts of our firefighters, these newsletters will become less frequent. Thank you to all who helped keep our communities safe and those who were resources within your communities!

Wildfire Resources

For the most up-to-date wildfire information I have access to at this time please check out: Wildfire Resources. Due to the constantly changing information, some of the social media, Facebook and Twitter, links are the most quickly updated. Additionally here is an interactive fire map. If you plan on traveling, please check here to view the status of roads before you leave.

If you have been impacted by the wildfires, please register with FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) in order to receive disaster assistance.

Find out more by calling at 1-800-621-3362 (TTY: 800-462-7585) or visit www.disasterassistance.gov.

Additional Resources:

Text your zip code to 888777 to automatically sign up for text alerts.

The Red Cross has made accommodations available. Folks needing a hotel/motel can access the map below. The Red Cross has offered wrap around services so the price of the hotel will be paid for as well as food services.  Those who are able to use an RV will also find safe places to park as well as wrap around services.

http://maps.redcross.org/website/maps/ARC_Shelters.html

Resources from HUD for those whose homes have been damaged or destroyed: https://www.hud.gov/states/oregon/library/disasterrelief/wildfires

How you can help victims: https://www.oregonlive.com/news/2020/09/oregon-wildfires-how-you-can-help-victims.html

Travel Oregon website to help Oregonians: https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/ways-to-help-during-oregon-wildfires/

Volunteer for American Red Cross: https://www.redcross.org/about-us/news-and-events/news/2020/red-cross-response-to-western-wildfires.html

 Listed below are active fires Klamath, Lake, and Jackson Counties. (Updated)

Two Four Two Fire (Klamath County)

• 14,400 acres
• 89 percent contained
• Last night an infrared flight flew over the fire to identify any areas of heat near the perimeter of the fire. Any identified hot spots will be taken care of today before crews are demobilized at the end of their shifts.
• There are videos by Operation Section Chief, John Pellissier, flying over the fire on the Two Four Two Fire Facebook page. These videos highlight the work that has been done on the fire. No account is required to view the videos.
• Today is the last day Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team #2 will be in command of the fire. Transition to a local Type 4 team will happen at 8:00am tomorrow morning. The objectives for the Type 4 team remain the same. The crews will continue mop up where it warrants and continue suppression repair. The local team will staff the fire with multiple engines, water tenders and dozers through the week. ODF and USFS are expecting the fire to be 100% contained by the end of shift on Friday.

South Obenchain Fire (Eagle Point and Shady Cove)

• 32,600 acres.
• 70 percent contained.
• Visible flames and smoke will persist within the fire perimeter until a season-ending rain or snow event. Only call 911 if flames are actively spreading and life or property are threatened. Please provide a specific address or location for firefighters to respond. 
• All perimeters around the South Obenchain Fire are in mop-up and/or patrol status. Resources are still making good progress mopping up into the interior up to 300 ft. to secure all containment lines.  The entire west, northeast and north perimeter are now in patrol status. Hose lays will remain in these locations in case smokes pop up and need to be cooled. Multiple types of infrared tools are being used to detect heat on the fire. Last night, an infrared flight recorded the areas of heat over the entire fire; the drone recorded heat on the east perimeter, and two handheld devices located areas on the south end. Firefighters will be using this information to locate the heat and secure the perimeter.
• Resource Advisors are working with the repair group and continue to make good progress cleaning up dozer lines, repairing fencing, installing water bars, and completing other suppression repairs.
• Reconnaissance flights occur twice a day scouting for visible smokes from above. Excess resources continue to be demobilized to return home for a well-deserved rest or reassigned to assist with other incidents.
• Please see the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office website for the most up to date information. https://jacksoncountyor.org/sheriff/News/evacuation-levels-issued
• An updated evacuation map can be found here: https://jcgis.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=3caa39804db54631a61007180d5ef415

Brattain Fire (Lake County)

• 50,500 acres.
• 55 percent contained.
• Active perimeter patrolling will remain a priority, and work will continue on contingency lines, hot spots and mopping up. Rehabilitation and repair planning will continue. Two graders will be maintaining roads that access the fire to allow safe access for fire equipment. Collaboration has begun between private landowners and agency land managers regarding future rehabilitation activities on private lands. Gusty winds out of the southwest are expected through Wednesday. However, higher dewpoints, cooler temps, and some clouds will help moderate any fire behavior. There may be visible fire activity in some of the interior unburned pockets of fuel. These areas are situated well inside the fire perimeter and should not pose any threat to any of the containment lines. The transition to a more localized incident management team will begin Wednesday evening.
• The Lake County Sheriff’s Office has issued the following evacuation notices: 
• Level 1 (Ready) –Highway 21 from Red House Lane (north of Paisley) north to Forest Road 29, also known as Government Harvey.

Active Fires Around the State (Updated)

Beachie Creek Fire (Also known as Santiam Fire)

• 192,700 acres.

• 38 percent contained.

Riverside Fire in Clackamas

• 138,000 acres
• 26 percent contained.

Lionshead Fire in Warm Springs

• 198,900 acres
• 13 percent contained.

Holiday Farm Fire in Lane County

• 173,000
• 22 percent contained

Archie Creek Fire in Douglas County

• 131,500 acres
• 44 percent contained.

Slater Fire SE of Cave Junction

• 42,200 acres
• 22 percent contained.

Thielsen Fire East of Diamond Lake

• 9,900 acres
• 26 percent contained.

 If you wish to help by donating or volunteering, please visit the link to the Office of Emergency Management’s Portal:

https://oregonrecovers.communityos.org/?fbclid=IwAR0ELvJx-rD5StXtgcr0ZMU2bMwRJd5WoeKs3go20QYbwzuw3njka0qafxg

Capitol Phone: 503-986-1455
Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-395, Salem, OR 97301
Email: Rep.VikkiBreeseIverson@oregonlegislature.gov
Website: http://www.oregonlegislature.gov/breese-iverson