Oregon wildfires: Rain in forecast, but unlikely to bring much help with fires
There are more than 38 large wildfires burning across Oregon. Here's the latest notes and details about the blazes.
Rain coming, but unlikely to bring major help
Hopes for a decent amount of rain are looking increasingly unlikely in the areas that need it most to quell fires, forecasters said Sunday.
Earlier weekend forecasts indicated that as much as a quarter inch of rain could fall across northern Oregon, helping slow wildfires, particularly in the Cascade Range.
The amount forecast, however, keeps getting downgraded, said National Weather Service hydrologist Andy Bryant. While in the Mount Hood area could see some wetting rain, very little was expected in the central or southern Cascades, where most of the fires are burning, Bryant said.
"Most of the rain is sticking to the Washington Cascades, and south of Mount Hood, we're really not seeing much," he said. "I don't think it's going to bring much help and temperatures will be back well above average by the end of the week."
The amount of possible rain decreases the farther south you travel in the state.
Any rain and cooler temperatures will slow fire growth in the short term, but without significant precipitation, many of the fires will continue to become established and large enough to remain summer-long events.
Temperatures are forecast to return to the 90s and even 100s in parts of the state by the end of the week.
Forest Service approves heavy equipment, retardant for PNW wilderness areas
The U.S. Forest Service has approved the use of heavy equipment and fire retardant to fight wildfires burning in Pacific Northwest wilderness and roadless areas.
The Congressionally-designated areas typically are supposed to see fire crews take a lighter touch — using minimum suppression tactics or even letting fires burn in some cases. But the number of fires — and long duration left in the fire season — has spurred leaders to approve more aggressive tactics.
"These aggressive suppression actions are only used when they are the most effective firefighting tool available, and when they offer a high probability of success for protecting lives, property and valuable natural resources such as old-growth forests and habitat for threatened and endangered species," the federal agency said in a Sunday news release. "They also support firefighter safety."
Some have been highly critical of fire crews for not fighting fires more aggressively in wilderness areas and allowing them to blow up in recent years, including on the Chetco Bar Fire (2017, Kalmiopsis Wilderness) and Beachie Creek Fire (2020, Opal Creek Wilderness), among others.
More: Timber company sues Forest Service for not putting out 2020 Beachie Fire before blowup
“With the high intensity of wildfire activity across the Pacific Northwest, it’s essential that firefighters have access to every tool, including heavy equipment and fire retardant to suppress wildfires, even in some protected areas,” said Jacque Buchanan, Regional Forester for Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Region.
"Due to the current and a potential increase in wildfire activity, when we approve the use of heavy equipment and retardant in protected areas, it's because professional firefighters deem it an absolute necessity to protect lives, property, and irreplaceable natural resources like old growth,” Buchanan said.
Heavy equipment, such as bulldozers, however, can drastically impact sensitive areas and fire retardant can pollute waterways.
A Eugene-based environmental group filed a lawsuit to force the Forest Service to stop using retardant because of a history of dropping the chemicals into streams and killing fish.
“The Forest Service’s own research shows no evidence that retardant makes a meaningful difference,” said Andy Stahl, executive director of Forest Service Employees for Environmental Ethics. “Fires grow when the wind blows them up. Retardant does nothing except look good on CNN. In reality, it put pilots in danger and kills fish.”
Forest leaders said they would be careful "where and when to allow the use of heavy equipment and retardant," the agency said.
"Numerous protocols and procedures help prevent harmful effects to fish and wildlife. Out of an abundance of caution, aerial retardant drops are not allowed in mapped avoidance areas for threatened, endangered, proposed, and candidate species, identified cultural resources, or in waterways," the news release said.
These are the areas where where fire retardant or mechanized equipment have been approved for potential use as part of suppression efforts in roadless or wilderness areas currently.
Mt. Hood National Forest – in and along the boundary of the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness in response to the Whiskey Creek Fire
Areas where heavy equipment has been approved for potential use as part of suppression efforts on active fires:
Willamette National Forest – use of heavy equipment to create contingency line along the edges of the Middle Santiam Wilderness and nearby Inventoried Roadless Areas in response to the Pyramid Fire
"Additional approvals are likely as fire season progresses," the news release said.
Oakridge Lightning Fires: seven fires total 6,257 acres
The seven fires burning as part of the Oakridge Lightning Fires reached 6,257 acres, up from 5,184 acres on Saturday.
The fires, all located north of Oakridge/Westfir, include the Chalk, Coffeepot, McKinley, Moss Mountain, Tire Mountain, 208, and 217 fires.
Fire crews are looking for containment lines where they can find them.
"Fire management continues to identify areas with the highest probability of success while firefighters build and strengthen line," a morning report said. "Limited available resources have been, and continue to be, mobilized to these areas. The amount of dead and down heavy fuel in areas of steep, rugged terrain remains a challenge."
Ore Fire reaches 1,400 acres, 20% containment
The Ore Fire burning northeast of Blue River reached an estimated 1,400 acres, up just a little from 1,300 on Saturday. It is now 20% contained.
"Yesterday, firefighters successfully held the edge along the FS 15 and 1509 Roads as more fire backed down to the containment lines," a morning report said.
Whiskey Creek Fire reaches 891 acres, has best chance of rain Monday night
The Whiskey Creek Fire, burning near Cascade Locks and Hood River, reached 891 acres just south of the Columbia River Gorge. That's up from 856 acres on Saturday.
"Cloud cover helped keep temperatures lower than expected in the fire area yesterday, resulting in minimal fire spread and smoke production," a Sunday morning report said. "These conditions are expected to continue today as crews make progress on containment lines and refine contingency plans."
Of all the fires burning in Oregon, Whiskey Creek has the best chance of getting some rain Monday night.
A closure is in place on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) north of the junction with Indian Springs Trail to the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks. A detour is in place along the Eagle Creek Trail.
Seven fires in Homestead Complex grow to 1,466 acres
Burning in east Lane and Douglas Counties, The Homestead Complex has grown 205 acres and remained at 4% containment since Saturday.
Suppression tactics are being prioritized by threat to property, infrastructure, industry and areas with highest probability of success.
Fire activity is expected to be minimal as weather patterns from this weekend continue.
Diamond Fire Complex burns in Crater Lake National Park
The Diamond Complex consists of 26 fires, burning 4,990 acres and 7% containment.
Part of the complex, the Middle Fork Fire is inside Crater Lake National Park and has burnt 659 acres at 1% containment. The Park remains open, but visitors should use caution when traveling within the park, the news release said.
Pacific Power and Light infrastructure within in the complex will continue to be the be top priority for crews fighting the fires.
Lower humidity overnight is expected to result in more fire activity especially along ridgetops with drier fuel.
Zach Urness has been an outdoors reporter in Oregon for 16 years and is host of the Explore Oregon Podcast. To support his work, subscribe to the Statesman Journal. He can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon wildfires: Rain in forecast, but unlikely to bring much help
