A 33 hundred acre fire near The Dalles is threatening the "Harris Ranch Historic Site". Lisa Clark with the Bureau of Land Management says the wildfire started this weekend and moved very fast.
"(LORI/KBND) WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING SO FAR FROM THIS FIRE? (LISA/BLM) YOU KNOW IT SHOWS THAT OUR CONDITIONS ON THE RIVER EVEN WITH A LITTLE BIT OF RAIN WE HAD A FEW WEEKS AGO - THINGS HAVE REALLY DRIED OUT - THE STEEP SLOPES- THE FIRES ARE REALLY READY TO BURN THERE - AND THIS IS A REALLY RECREATED RIVER AND WE DO HAVE A CAMPFIRE RESTRICTION IN PLACE AND THIS SHOWS IT'S A NEEDED RESTRICTION. "
Here is the full news release below:
FIRE NEWS--Central Oregon Interagency Dispatch Center
For Immediate Release: June 3, 2013- 12:00 p.m.
Contact: Media Desk, 541/416-6811 www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/fire
Firefighters Work to Contain Lower Deschutes River Fire
Central Oregon – Firefighters with the Prineville BLM and the North Sherman County Rural Fire Protection District responded a new wildfire that ignited along the Lower Deschutes River this weekend. The Gordon Butte Fire is estimated at 3,300 acres and is burning between river miles 10 – 4, south of the Columbia River. High winds challenged firefighters yesterday and caused the fire to jump from the east to the west side of the river. The river remains open; however, dispersed camping is not available within the fire perimeter and boaters should be aware of the helicopter dipping for water in the river. Although no structures have been lost, the fire is threatening the Harris Ranch historic site.
The fire is staffed with 4 engines, one type 3 helicopter, one 6-person hand crew and two hotshot crews. North Sherman RFPD is also providing suppression resources. The fire is burning in light, grassy fuels and is active to the north and south along the river corridor. Firefighters will focus on putting containment lines on the fire today while temperatures are lower and the afternoon winds have not arrived. The cause of this fire is under investigation.
The fast moving behavior of these fires demonstrates the dry conditions along the river. As of June 1, annual campfire and barbeque bans have gone into place on BLM-lands along the Lower Deschutes and John Day Rivers and portions of the Crooked River. Visitors to the rivers should plan on using white gas or propane stoves. These restrictions also prohibit smoking unless you are on the water or in a closed vehicle.
