
August 6th fire update, PIO maps, and smoke outlooks.
MediaRelDalyUpdate20240806_00502
https://5il.co/2t2nm
calloutmap_piomap_08062024
https://5il.co/2t2nt
Smoke Outlook East-OR 08-06-7
https://5il.co/2t2nu
Smoke Outlook NE-OR 08-06-7
https://5il.co/2t2nv

Corrected map and containment on the Telephone Fire :
calloutmap_piomap_07302024
https://5il.co/2ske1

2024_July30_Falls Fire Information Update FINAL
https://5il.co/2sk3t
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https://5il.co/2sk3w
EasternOregon_SmokeOutlook_20240730_002502
https://5il.co/2sk3x
SmokeOutlook_NortheasternOR_20240730_002502
https://5il.co/2sk3y

Mid Afternoon Update: Acreage from IR Flight Telephone Fire 31,721 acres (increase of 9,000). At 1300 (1pm) The fire is expected to reach Pine Creek Road. Currently 3-4 miles away from road. Poison Creek 593 acres (increase of 400): most active in the NE corner of the Falls AOI, fire activity moderate along the S-SE side where there was burning activity No movement on Parasol Sand Fire (4,204 acres). Spot fire in the SE corner captured on IR (let resources know) of the fire within the planned perimeter. Texting groups have been established for Local elected officials RFPA Evacuation (Sheriff)

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SmokeOutlookNortheasternOR_20240729_002502:
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2024_July29_Falls Fire Information Update FINAL:
0 https://5il.co/2sfii

Telephone Fire
7/29/24
A community meeting will be held tonight at 7pm at the Harney County Chamber of Commerce, 484 N. Broadway, in Burns.

Approved City Council Minutes July 10, 2024: https://5il.co/2s976

Approved Work Session Minutes July 9, 2024: https://5il.co/2s94w

July 24, 2024, recorded City Council meeting :
https://zoom.us/j/9020143459?omn=98637087044
Meeting ID: 9020143459

Good morning, please see below and attached the Daily Update for the Falls Fire and Telephone Fire. Today is the last shift for Northwest Incident Management Team 8; it has been a pleasure serving you. Best regards, PIO Section.
Falls and Telephone Fires Update for July 25, 2024
Falls Fire Quick Facts:
Size: 140,422 Start Date: July 10, 2024 Location: 13 Miles NW of Burns, OR
Containment: 50% Total Personnel: 1,628 Cause: Human-caused, under investigation
Structures Triaged: Residences: 347; Commercial: 104; Outbuildings: 605
Resources Assigned: 49 hand crews, 93 engines, 23 bulldozers, 31 water tenders
Aerial resources available to the fire: two helicopters, and single-engine air tankers (SEATS)
Telephone Fire Quick Facts:
Size: 9,000 Start Date: July 22, 2024 Location: 12 miles NE of Burns, OR
Containment: 0% Total Personnel: Staffed by Falls Fire personnel Cause: Lightning/Natural
Despite high, multi-directional, outflow winds from thunderstorms, control lines on Falls and Telephone fire held firm yesterday. Oregon State Fire Marshall (OSFM) Task Forces and wildland firefighters responded to multiple new starts likely resulting from lightning strikes in the early afternoon. Oregon State Fire Marshal crews were in position to protect structures on both the east and west sides of the highway – including those to the North of the Telephone Fire. Additional crews staffed the structures along the southern edge of the Telephone Fire.
The coordinated efforts of structural and wildland resources have resulted in reducing the risk to structures, thanks to extensive prep work, the reinforcement of control lines and widespread mop up efforts. OSFM will begin to draw down resources accordingly, returning them to their home agencies and increasing availability for other Oregon fires. As a result, three OSFM task forces will be demobilized today. These crews are from Douglas, Tillamook, Clackamas, and Washington Counties. Five OSFM structure groups will remain on the fire, a combination of California and Washington Task Forces. Local resources also remain available to provide structural response should the need arise.
Northwest Incident Management Team will transition to Alaska Team 1 assuming command of both fires at 6:00 AM tomorrow.
Falls Fire: Yesterday, OSFM and wildland crews protected numerous structures along County Road 63, as well as the ranches near Blackhorse Butte and Greenspring Draw. Fortunately, surface prep had previously been completed on these structures by OSFM crews as part of a contingency plan for the Falls Fire. Containment lines held along southern portions of the fire perimeter and as well as much of the eastern and western flanks of the fire. The fire remained active in the northern perimeter of the fire as crews continued to complete construction of both direct and indirect control line.
Today, crews in the northwest corner of the fire will also continue to hold and mop-up below the western slopes of Burnt Mountain along FSR 4785 near Coral Creek south and east to FSR 47 near the junction with FSR 3150. Crews will work to connect fireline back into FSR 3150 in the northeast corner of the fire. Work will also continue further east on FSR 3150, preparing it to use as a control line, and for conducting tactical burnouts.
The northeast corner of the fire remains active. Firefighters will continue to hold and mop up areas adjacent to the FSR 31 south of Myrtle Park Meadows, and work on tying the fire back into the FSR 31. Structural and wildland crews are coordinating to protect structures and mitigate risk to the Gold Hill and Silvies Valley areas.
Patrol and mop-up operations will continue along the south half of the fire perimeter – the area spanning from the southwest perimeter of the fire to near the upper northwest perimeter. Further north, away from the fire perimeter, construction will continue on a planned secondary contingency line along FSR 37 just west of Hwy 395 in the Fisk Gulch area. This secondary contingency line is part of an alternate plan and will run east to west using portions of FSR 37 and FSR 31.
Telephone Fire: Yesterday, crews continued to construct and hold control lines around the fire, having good success despite the challenges of thunderstorms and high winds. Control lines have been established on the west flank, along FSR 2820, to the north, along FSR 480, and east along FSR 28. Firefighters caught a number of spots north of FSR 480. Firefighters also scouted for areas to construct control lines to the south.
Today, crews will continue to secure and hold established control lines along the northern, southern, and eastern perimeters, and work to establish control line on the southern end of the fire. Crews will also continue to mop-up spots north of FSR 480. Aerial resources will be available to help with suppression operations. Structural crews will be completing reassessments on previously prepped structures along the fire’s southern edge.
New Fire Activity: At least eight new fire starts have been located within the area that the Incident Management Team has been delegated authority to conduct initial attack and take suppression actions. Crews responded quickly and most of the new starts have been kept small. Wildland and OSFM resources will be working to protect values are risk and establish control lines around all of the new starts.
The largest of the new fires is the Whiskey Mountain Fire, which is located 2 ½ miles southwest of Whiskey Mountain and is approximately 1,300 acres. The Sand Fire is approximately 540 acres and located on the north side of the Falls Fire near Sand Mountain. Structural resources will complete full prep in the area impacted by the new fire starts north of Falls Fire. This includes areas from Officer’s Cabin, working east towards Lewis Creek Ranch and spanning along the northern edge of the fire to Highway 395, as well as down into Silvies Valley where the Falls Fire remains active. Resources will also be completing full prep on buildings along the 63 road, ensuring structural protection in the Sand Mountain area.
Southeast of the Telephone Fire OSFM brought night shift resources to the line early to assist local resources with initial attack on a new start off Cow Creek. Fortunately, resources were quickly able to get this fire under control and the threat to structures in the immediate area has been mitigated.
Weather: Cooler today with temperatures in the 80s. Skies will generally be clear. Diurnally-driven northwesterly winds will become westerly and breezier in the afternoon before returning to northeasterly. There is a 5 percent chance of thunder storms.
Evacuations: Evacuations remain in place in both Grant and Harney Counties due to the Falls and Telephone Fires. For the most accurate evacuation information, please visit the Harney County Sheriff’s evacuation map here: https://tinyurl.com/3zst4sjy, or the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068819321423.
Closures: Due to active wildfires compounded by extremely unfavorable weather conditions, limited firefighting resources and County Resources, Malheur National Forest officials have temporarily closed lands within the Malheur National Forest.
Investigation: U.S. Forest Service fire investigators are seeking the public’s assistance with any tips or information pertinent to the start of the Falls Fire on the Malheur National Forest. Please submit any information that could assist fire investigation efforts to SM.FS.R6TipHotLine@usda.gov.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Falls-Fire-2024-61562126623985/
Falls Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ormaf-falls-fire
Telephone Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ormaf-telephone-fire
Fire Information Line: 541-208-4370, staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Email: 2024.Falls@firenet.gov
Harney County non-emergency evacuation questions: 541-589-5579
Air quality questions: 541-573-2271
Smoke Outlooks: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook

Ever hear of NASA? We thought so! But guess what? They've heard of Burns too and came out for a visit this month!
Check out this amazing Scientific Balloon Project they doing in a handful of locations across the globe:
https://youtu.be/sPQ-tMoAHkY?si=2DLckLmrHKZNoUj4
https://www.nasa.gov/scientificballoons/





R3 Board Meeting Monday, July 29, 2024. Due to the fires the meeting will be virtual only. There will be no in person meeting.
https://5il.co/2s5qg

The Falls Fire 2024 Facebook page has now been restored and is back online for fire updates

Be advised that the FallsFire2024 Facebook page was removed by Facebook for unknown reasons. In addition the Harney County Sheriff's Office was also flagged for violent content. News updates now at US Forest Service-Malheur National Forest Facebook page

2nd Public Hearing Notice: https://5il.co/2rue5

Falls Fire Update July 22, 2024: https://5il.co/2rq9u

Fall Fire Map Update


Falls Fire Update for July 21, 2024
Size: 120,919 Start Date: July 10, 2024 Location: 13 Miles NW of Burns, Oregon
Containment: 15%
Total Personnel: 1,634 Cause: Human-caused, under investigation
Structures Triaged: Residences: 283; Commercial: 65; Outbuildings: 460 Resources Assigned: 46 hand crews, 103 engines, 25 bulldozers, 32 water tenders
Aerial resources available to the fire: two helicopters, and single-engine air tankers (SEATS).
Yesterday, for the third consecutive day, fire growth on the Falls Fire was moderated by a persistent heavy smoke layer keeping wind and temperatures lower over the fire. Night and day shift operations have been taking advantage of this opportunity to build
more direct and indirect containment lines, as well as holding and mopping up. The fire remains approximately 13 miles north of Burns, 11 miles southwest of Seneca, 7.5 miles south of Izee, and 3 miles west of Highway (Hwy) 395.
In the northwest corner of the fire, firefighters worked on securing line and mopping up small spots over FSR 47. Resources continued constructing direct line with dozers and hand crews on Forest Service Road (FSR) 4785 toward Burnt Mountain. Construction of
secondary contingency dozer line is nearly complete to the west near Snow Mountain along FSR 4781. Firefighters scouted for additional secondary line both north and south off FSR 4781. Structure crews continued to remove or minimize vegetation and other
fuel sources around homes and ranches in the Izee Valley. Along the northern flank, heading toward the northeast corner of the fire, crews and dozers continued to establish control line along FSR 3750 working easterly to connect into FSR 37 and FSR 31. Preparation
continues for a small tactical burnout operation east of FSR 31 south of Myrtle Park Meadows to strengthen control lines. Structure crews supported burnout operations and continued hardening surface prep at cabins and homes off FSR 37. Crews lined and controlled
some additional spots in the area with support from helicopter bucket drops. Control lines along much of the southern portions of FSR 31 and west to FSR 43, continued to hold firm as mop-up operations are ongoing. Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) crews positioned
along FSR 31 assisted with mop up and conducted patrols along existing lines.
Today, in the northwest corner, crews will continue constructing and securing direct dozer line along FSR 4785, as well building secondary contingency line on FSR 4781 out to Snow Mountain. Near FSR 3750 and FSR 47, firefighters will continue to extinguish
sources of heat along control lines and prepare for a small tactical burnout operation to secure a previous slop-over in that area. Crews are looking for opportunities to build control lines in the Donivan Mountain and Alsup Mountain areas. Going further
east along the northern flank, dozer and hand line construction will continue along FSR 3750 with the objective of connecting control lines into FSR 37 and FSR 31. Firefighters are preparing to conduct a series of tactical burnout operations along this road
system to secure control lines when conditions are favorable. On the northeastern corner of the fire, just south of Myrtle Park Meadows, mop-up work will continue on a 200 acre slop-over along the FSR 31 Road. Structure crews will support burnout operations
and continue hardening surface prep at cabins and homes off FSR 37.
Further north, away from the fire perimeter, crews are constructing a planned secondary contingency line along FSR 37 just west of Hwy 395 in the Fisk Gulch area. This secondary contingency line is part of an alternate plan and will run east to west using
portions of FSR 37 and FSR 31. In the southern and western sections of the fire, much of the established control line that extends from the southeast corner, over to the western flank of the fire, firefighters will continue to hold, improve, and mop-up control
lines. Firefighters and OSFM task force resources will be focusing on a concentration of hotspots in the Red Hill area. Today, OSFM crews will continue to reevaluate assessments and harden structures to ensure they are well protected should they become threatened.
A Red Flag warning remains in place for dry and unstable conditions. The fire weather forecast calls for clearer air and for a dry front to move in over the area which will cause winds to increase and bring a 10% chance for thunderstorms in the early afternoon.
Winds will be from the east and breezier than the last couple of days with the chance of gusty outflow winds should thunderstorms develop. A Heat Advisory remains in effect lasting into Monday with temperatures approaching 100 degrees. These conditions have
the potential to produce rapid fire growth.
Evacuation notices remain in effect in Grant and Harney Counties. For the most accurate evacuation information, please visit the Harney County Sheriff’s evacuation map here:
https://tinyurl.com/3zst4sjy,
or the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page at:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068819321423.
The Malheur National Forest issued a fire area closure. A detailed map and additional information about the fire area closure are available at:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1189259.
A temporary flight restriction (TFR) remains in place over the fire area.
U.S. Forest Service fire investigators are seeking the public’s assistance with any tips or information pertinent to the start of the Falls Fire on the Malheur National Forest. Please submit any information that could assist fire investigation efforts to SM.FS.R6TipHotLine@usda.gov.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Falls-Fire-2024-61562126623985/
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ormaf-falls-fire
Fire Information Line: 541-208-4370, staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Updated Fall Fire Map


Fire Update for July 20, 2024
Size: 114,236 Start Date: July 10, 2024 Location: 13 Miles NW of Burns, Oregon
Containment: 10% Total Personnel: 1,661 Cause: Human-caused, under investigation
Structures Triaged: Residences: 261; Commercial: 58; Outbuildings: 414
Resources Assigned: 47 hand crews, 105 engines, 27 bulldozers, 32 water tenders
Aerial resources available to the fire: two helicopters, and four single-engine air tankers (SEATs).
Yesterday, for the second consecutive day, fire growth on the aalls aire was moderated by a persistent heavy smoke layer
coming in from other fires in the region keeping wind and temperatures lower over the fire. Night shift and day shift
operations have been taking advantage of this opportunity to increase containment and establish direct control lines
ahead of the fire. The fire is burning approximately 13 miles north of Burns, 11 miles southwest of Seneca, 7.5 miles
south of Izee, and 3 miles west of Highway (Hwy) 395.
A community meeting will be held this afternoon, July 20 at 3 p.m. at the Grant County Regional Airport in John Day.
The meeting will be live-streamed on the Malheur National Forest and Falls Fire 2024 Facebook pages.
Yesterday evening, a successful tactical burnout operation was conducted in the northeast portion of the fire. The
objective was to protect private property to the north, including the Izee area, south of aorest Service Road (aSR) 68
between aSR 4790 road and aSR 47. Oregon State aire Marshal (OSaM) crews continued to provide point protection to
structures, enhance surface preparation, and extend structure surveys along Highway 395, throughout Seneca, Izee, and
surrounding areas. Resources continued constructing direct line with dozers and hand crews on aSR 4785 up to Burnt
Mountain. Dozers established a contingency (secondary) line along 4781 toward Snow Mountain. aire crews and
equipment also continued to establish control line along the northern flank of the fire extending along aSR 3750 and
connecting up with the northern portions of aSR 37 and aSR 31. In the northeast corner, Crews and dozers worked off
the east side of aSR 31 to build line around a 200 acre slop-over, just south of Myrtle Park Meadows, to tie it back into
aSR 31. The line is nearly complete and preparations are underway to conduct a small tactical burnout operation within
this slop-over area to help secure the control line.
Control lines along much of the south and west portions of the fire, along aSR 43, continue to hold firm as mop-up
operations continue. OSaM crews positioned along aSR 31 assisted with mop up and conducted patrols along existing
lines. airefighters also scouted for additional contingency line opportunities. OSaM crews faced active fire behavior and
supported efforts to complete fire line East of the 47 road, North of Sugarloaf Mountain and along the southeast edge of
the fire.
Today, crews will continue constructing and securing direct dozer line along aSR 4785, as well as an alternative
contingency line on aSR 4781 out to Snow Mountain. Along the eastern portion of the northern flank of the fire, dozer
and handline will be constructed with the objective of tying in line around Burnt Mountain. Crews and equipment will
continue establishing control line along the northern flank of the fire extending along aSR 3750 and connecting toward
aSR 37 and aSR 31. airefighters are preparing to conduct a series of tactical burnout operations along this road system to secure control lines when conditions are favorable. On the northeastern portion of the fire, just south of Myrtle Park
Meadows, work will continue on the two-day old 200 acre slop-over along the aSR 31 Road.
Firefighters will continue to hold, improve, and mop-up control lines along the westerly and southern areas of the fire. In
the southeast corner of the fire, work will continue on securing dozer line and mopping-up hotspots in the Red Hill area.
Today, a Red alag warning is in effect for dry and unstable conditions. aire weather is predicted to be similar to the past
two days – warm, with some terrain-driven (diurnal) wind, being moderated by a persistent heavy smoke layer. These
conditions may inhibit fire behavior and help firefighters to make progress on containing the fire. Winds on the fire today
will transition starting in the evening from terrain-driven to predominantly easterly (wind coming from the east) with
possible gusts up to 18 mph. Temperatures will be in the 90s and relative humidity will be very low. A Heat Advisory is in
effect for the area starting today and extending into Monday with temperatures possibly over 100 degrees.
Evacuation notices remain in effect in Grant and Harney Counties. For the most accurate evacuation information, please
visit the Harney County Sheriff’s evacuation map here: https://tinyurl.com/3zst4sjy, or the Grant County Emergency
Management Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068819321423.
The Malheur National Forest issued a fire area closure. A detailed map and additional information about the fire area
closure are available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/news-events/?cid=aSEPRD1189259.
A temporary flight restriction (TaR) remains in place over the fire area.
U.S. Forest Service fire investigators are seeking the public’s assistance with any tips or information pertinent to the
start of the Falls Fire on the Malheur National Forest. Please submit any information that could assist fire investigation efforts to SM.FS.R6TipHotLine@usda.gov.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/aalls-aire-2024-61562126623985/
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ormaf-falls-fire
Fire Information Line: 541-208-4370, staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Email: 2024.Falls@firenet.gov
Harney County non-emergency evacuation questions: 541-589-5579
Air quality questions: 541-573-2271
Malhuer National Forest