Not cool: Some individuals broke into our lookout tower in NE Jackson Co. & stole our fire detection camera equipment. These cameras monitor rural areas & help us catch fires small.
If you recognize these people or see our gear for sale, notify Jackson Co. Sheriff's Office.
The generosity we're seeing is amazing! Firefighters have the support and resources they need, and fire camps cannot accept donations of any kind. But a lot of Oregonians could use your help! Here's a guide by region where you can donate. Thank you!!
Firefighting has its dramatic moments, like when this Fire Boss dropped water on the Chenowith Rim Fire in The Dalles last August. Erick Castaneda with the USDA Forest Service took this snapshot, voted best fire photo of 2021 in a recent contest held by ODF.
Today we remember the Prineville Hotshots. On 7-6-94 14 wildland firefighters - 9 from a Hot Shots crew based in Prineville - perished in a flareup of the South Canyon Fire in Colorado. Two years after the tragedy, the Wildland Firefighters Monument was dedicated in Prineville.
Help firefighters and other responders stay safe by not flying your drone over wildfires or burned areas while active firefighting and search and rescue operations are happening.
#OregonIsBurning
#ODF
#Oregonfire
#ORFire
IF YOU FLY, FIREFIGHTERS CAN'T: At least 13 aerial firefighting operations nationwide have been shut down in 2020 due to public drones in the area. Please keep your drone away from wildfires. Interfering with firefighting activities is illegal & can result in a significant fine.
This awesome group of volunteers recently took action and hauled out about 500 pounds of trash out of the Tillamook State Forest. Thanks to Ben, Lena, Bill, Traci, Drew and Molly for taking pride in your state forests and stepping up to provide a better nature experience!
Flags across the state are at half-mast in honor of St. Paul volunteer firefighter Austin Smith, who died yesterday from injuries sustained while responding to a 3-alarm fire. We join all Oregonians in mourning his passing and honoring his service to his community.
One year ago, devastating wildfires swept through Oregon communities. Nine people lost their lives, thousands of homes were destroyed, and more than a million acres burned.
Forest Park Fire UPDATE: The fire is approximately 30-35 acres and 50-60% lined. Three Coffee Creek crews worked overnight, and this morning we have three South Fork crews taking their place to continue the work on the fire line. Two engines and one water tender are on site.
When it rains, it pours: Rain in western Oregon is forecasted to continue through today into Saturday, with possible blue skies (!!!) later in the weekend.
Spared from the fire that destroyed ODF's Lyons office last summer, this cooler is packed with native seedlings to be planted in the Santiam State Forest! 🌲
🐟! For the 1st time in over 100 years, threatened bull trout were found in a rebuilt creek channel on the Sun Pass State Forest - a hopeful sign that decades of work to restore & expand habitat for this ESA-listed fish is paying off:
#justfishthings
Two years ago, 9 people lost their lives, thousands of homes were destroyed, more than 1M acres burned & smoke filled skies during some of the worst wildfires in Oregon history. We're pausing to honor those lost & are inspired by communities rebuilding to be stronger than ever.
Flags across Oregon are at half-staff today for National Fallen Firefighters Memorial Day, recognizing those who laid down their lives in the service of protecting others. Today – and every day – we honor their bravery and sacrifice.
You'll likely see smoky skies for the next few days, especially west of the Cascades and parts of C. Oregon. The Oregon Smoke Blog has real-time monitoring for areas around the state: -- protect your health by following their tips!
The coho are running! If you are lucky enough to observe these creatures during your visit to the Tillamook and Clatsop State Forests, keep your distance and try not to disturb them. They’ve made a long journey from the ocean and have important work to do!
An anonymous tip helped the Jackson County Sheriff's office nab a suspect in the recent theft of fire detection camera and power equipment from an ODF lookout tower in SW Oregon. We greatly appreciate the help!
You never know what might pop up on a game camera. Although not native to the Tillamook State Forest, this alpaca still put a smile on our faces. This one was spotted in the TSF's Wildcat basin. And no, we don't know how it got there.
#ItsAMystery
Like 2018, the summer of 1933 was exceptionally hot & dry. 85 years ago today, a spark from a logging operation started a catastrophic 240,000-ac fire, known as the first Tillamook Burn. Most forest fires are human-caused – let’s learn from history and avoid preventable fires.
Hi, I’m Sherri Pugh – ODF’s newest weather forecaster. I'm here for a
#SocialMediaTakeover
, letting you know what I do during spring and fall prescribed burning. I forecast tomorrow's weather every day around 2:30 pm, so burning crews can minimize smoke impacts on communities.
How to thank a firefighter for their service?
Just say "thank you!"
Our firefighters have the supplies they need, and our camps are not set up to accept donations. But messages like this are a real morale boost when firefighters are coming off a long shift.
Firefighters sacrifice so much and proudly take on the difficult task of protecting Oregon and Oregonians from fire. Today and every day, we are grateful to current and past firefighters for their dedication to protecting our beautiful state.
Stay 💪 this weekend:
Enjoy the☀️but please stay close to 🏡.
Take a 🚶🏃♂️🚴♀️ around the neighborhood, enjoy a 🧺in the yard with your👩👩👦👦, or tend to your 🌹🌷🌺.
If you need a 🚗 to get there it's likely too far.
The 🌄🌊🌲 will still be there.
You're doing great! 👏👏👏👏
Here's how vehicles can start a fire:
*Car or RV fire spreads
*Parking or idling over tall dry grass
*Car accidents
*Brakes overheating/malfunctioning
*Car emits carbon sparks
*Loss of tire/wheels/rims casts sparks
*Dragging tow chains casts sparks
via
@KeepOregonGreen
Juniper Creek Fire Update: Firefighters catch and establish control line on 105-acre Juniper Creek Fire northeast of Sisters. Containment is at 0%. firefighting operations into the night. Thank you to all partners supporting this operations. Media release:
Fallen firefighter Logan Taylor’s public memorial service is 10 am Monday 8/29 in Medford. If you can’t be there in person, the service will be live-streamed at
@swofire
’s Facebook page:
Over 50 fire starts across western Oregon following +1,500 lightning strikes recorded between N. Cali and S. Wash in the past 24 hours. If you haven’t already, sign up for your county’s emergency alerts at .
Just nature doing its thing: This baby Douglas-fir is springing from a cone in a burned portion of the Santiam State Forest.
This area had enough cones available to support a natural regeneration reforestation strategy.
Today marks the summer solstice and the longest day of 2022!
The sun peeked in on Oregon at the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area at 4:58 a.m. (PDT) and set at 9:11 p.m. over Fort Stevens State Park in Clatsop County.
What are you going to do with all that sunshine?
Dispersed camping in OR state forests will close temporarily on Monday 5/11. Trash & human waste problems have become insurmountable, and we want to keep the forest & its visitors safe and healthy. We expect the closure to last several weeks, although no re-opening date is set.
This brilliant shot won the hearts of our contest judges, deeming this shot by Spencer Mitchell as the winner of our Winter Wonderland Employee Photo Contest! Spencer took this photo in the Santiam State Forest's south block.
To follow rapidly-changing evacuation information in Clackamas County, visit -- and no matter where you live, sign up for emergency alerts in your area!
ODF staff have been busy collecting seeds of Oregon ash trees statewide. The seeds are being sent to the US Forest Service for long-term storage. This will preserve the species genes before the newly arrived emerald ash borer devastates ash populations in Oregon.
#invasivespecies
Lots of western redcedars are dying in the Northwest. ODF forest scientist Christine Buhl ruled out pests and diseases as a cause. She and other forest researchers think droughts and heatwaves may be playing a role. They discussed the issue on OPB's Think Out Loud Sept. 6.
Sadly, this is the state of many popular state forest destinations after high-use weekends. Most people do the right thing and try to
#LeaveNoTrace
but we need your help. Let's make sure your forests are clean and ready for future visits from nature lovers!
Starting Labor Day 2020, Oregon experienced one of the worst fire events in its history. We honor those affected by the fires, the first responders and the Oregonians who supported one another.
"But it was the wettest spring ever!"
True - for part of the state. Much of Oregon is still in moderate to exceptional drought, as this U.S. Drought Monitor map shows.
When it comes to fire prevention, we can't let our guard down.
#WildfireAwarenessMonth
#DontBeTheSpark
Here's the 2022 ODF Fire Photo Contest winner!
This was taken on the Rogue River at Ennis Riffle County Park during the Rum Creek Fire, backing down through steep mature timber to the river, near Galice.
📸: Marcus Kauffman
See more pics on our Instagram
@oregonforestry
!
Thank you to ODF and partner firefighters for your service. This special day is to recognize the brave women and men who dedicate themselves to protecting and saving lives, property, and precious natural and cultural resources, and we are sincerely thankful for them.
If burning now is the only way to dispose of yard debris, follow safe burning practices.
KNOW YOUR WEATHER. Never burn on dry or windy days. When done, recheck your burn pile. They can retain heat for several weeks and restart when the weather warms up and winds blow.
#WAM2022
Drone owners who ignore temporary flight restrictions over wildfire perimeters are causing real consequences: This week Riverside & Beachie Creek crews had to temporarily ground aircraft due to drones illegally flying over the area. Do the right thing: If you fly, we can’t!
The radiant heat from an exhaust can smolder the dry grass under a car. With one swift wind, that can then turn into a wildfire. Help prevent wildfire this summer by not parking over dry grass.
If you see a roadside fire, call 911 immediately.
Looking for a 🛒🛍️ alternative? Fishing is free in Oregon today and tomorrow - no fishing or shellfish licenses required. It's a great time to
#OptOutside
with family! Check with
@MyODFW
for details and great places to go fish.
All ODF-protected lands are now in Extreme Fire Danger. The next couple of days are critical. Please:
- Avoid open flames or any activity creating sparks
- Never park on dry grass, and ensure tow chains aren't dragging
- Respect public use restrictions.
Thank you!
ODF is providing initial attack to the Juniper Creek Fire near the Three River area west of Lake Billy Chinook. Fire is on ODF-protected lands & 100 acres. ODF has dozers, engines & the ODF NW area strike team on scene, w/ more resources, helicopters, and a Type-3 team enroute.
Starting yesterday and going into this morning, Central and Eastern Oregon experienced an immense amount of lightning and 50-70 mph winds. ODF firefighters will be using every tool available to detect, assess and suppress new fire starts early.
Fireworks & forests don't mix! As you're planning your
#4thofJuly
celebrations, please remember to leave the fireworks shows to the professionals and out of Oregon's forests.
Thanks for doing your part to help
#KeepOregonGreen
!
Due to extreme fire danger, starting Thu campfires are temporarily banned in all state parks & forests EAST of Interstate 5.
This includes designated fire rings and pits in campgrounds.
Other parks & public lands may also have fire restrictions. Info:
This fall, 30 AICs from South Fork Forest Camp helped build a bridge on the newest section of the Wilson River Trail in the Tillamook State Forest. Once opened, this will create a hiking experience for trail users that connects over 30 miles of non-motorized trails in the forest.
It's very dry & hot & about to get hotter. Dry, hot, windy weather creates critical conditions that form fast-spreading wildfires. Keep our firefighters safe by understanding weather alerts to prevent fires.
Find weather watches, warnings & advisories at
The Sisters lookout tower has been a fire detection method for decades and is one piece in ODF's early detection efforts. The lookout is back in service starting today for the season.
FIRE DANGER REMINDER: There are still multiple red flag warnings throughout the state. Firefighting resources are stretched to the limits. Please do not be the spark that starts another fire.
This means that conditions favorable for rapid fire spread which may threaten life & property. Use extra caution with potential ignition sources, specially in grassy areas. Most up to date forecast: & (2/2)
Did you know Oregon was the first state to make Labor Day a holiday?
Today we honor the struggle for workers' rights & thank the first responders, health care professionals, food service workers & everyone hard at work to make sure we are safe, healthy & able to enjoy the day!
ODF deployed 12 Incident Management Team (IMT) members and single resources to Alberta today to give additional support to the province as they deal with high fire activity. We will be teaming up with Washington DNR to create a full team through the NW Compact.
Nothing quite relaxes like a quaking aspen shimmering in the wind. Besides their beauty, Oregon's aspens provide browse and habitat for wildlife. Enjoy this video postcard filmed by ODF staff of a Klamath County aspen in autumn. Music: Gently Does It by Ketsa.
Even people fortunate enough not to be directly impacted by wildfires still may have fire ash on their property. Here's how to clean it up, and what NOT to do:
Heading out this weekend to celebrate Independence Day?
Reminder: Fireworks are illegal in all state and national forestland, parks and most other public lands.
It's Labor Day weekend - and while lots of us will be going out to the forests, remember conditions are still very dry! 80% of fires on ODF-protected lands in 2021 were human-caused, so we need your help!
With
@wadnr_fire
facing several incidents, a Type 1 team from ODF (IMT2) is headed to the
#NakiaCreekFire
in Clark Co, Wa. 9 mi N of Washougal. It's approx. 400 acres and growing, moving W and SW with ~1,000 homes under evacuation orders. Team in-briefs tomorrow.
📸
@wadnr_fire
The Tillamook, Clatsop and Santiam state forests are closed to all public entry and use effective immediately, as are scattered state forestlands in Polk, Lincoln and Benton counties. Anyone currently in these areas needs to leave right away.
We're often asked by grateful Oregonians how they can thank a firefighter.
Just say "thank you!"
Signs, cards, & drawings like this one dropped off at our Klamath Falls office (& shared by the Van Meter Fire team) really help bolster firefighters' spirits after a tough shift.
Fire danger is real and playing in the forest is fun, but delaying favorite activities like OHV trail riding or campfires in restricted areas isn't real fun. Thank you for doing your part to prevent human-caused wildfires.️
Reports that extremists are setting wildfires in Oregon are untrue. Help us stop the spread of misinformation by only sharing information from trusted, official sources.
In the face of such loss, we’re inspired by the bravery of first responders and everyday Oregonians who looked out for each other, by the grit those who lost their homes show as they rebuild, and by communities working to be better prepared and more fire resilient.
Did you know?
ODF replanted 3.5 million trees on state-owned forests in this year's planting season. That's a lot of future forest!
Pic from Milepost 97 fire scar in Douglas County.
Shellburg Falls and the Santiam State Forest are closed! There are still smoldering trees and other hazards in the Fern Ridge trailhead area, which is why it is posted closed. You are putting your safety at serious risk by visiting right now. It's just not worth it!
With 13 large fires across
#Oregon
today & extreme fire conditions in the forecast - we need your help to prevent additional
#wildfires
& allow firefighter resources to focus on the current fires at hand.
For more info on Oregon's wildfires:
Target shooting likely caused a tree stump fire in the Tillamook State Forest yesterday morning, which fortunately was caught fast and small by a vigilant forest operator. With extremely dry conditions, please think twice about fire risk when planning your outdoor activities!
Fire season isn't over til it's over - and typically you need a season-ending event like prolonged rain, but continued dry conditions and unseasonably warm weather is keeping firefighters busy. Please continue to be careful out there. Your forests (and firefighters) thank you!
Red Flag Warning Sunday due to a dry humidities & gusty winds for Jackson County, the Shasta Valley and from the Cascades east. These conditions may allow new or existing fires to spread rapidly. Follow all local fire restrictions.
#OregonFires2020
#ORwx
#CAwx
Help prevent wildfires by recreating responsibly. Ensure your campfire is safe by creating a 'circle of safety' around it, keeping it small, keeping water and a shovel nearby, and NEVER leaving your campfire unattended.
#WAM2023
#keeporegongreen
#preventwildfire
Some 2,106 personnel are engaged on the Bootleg Fire, which has grown to more than 281,000 acres. The fire is reported as 22 percent contained. For more information on the fire, which is burning NE of Klamath Falls, visit
Restoring a forest starts with 1 little tree. This is 1 of 80,000 seedlings already planted by ODF on the Santiam State Forest. We’ve seeded 800 acres through the air, with another 4,000 to go. Post-fire restoration takes generations, but we’re not waiting.
Some happy Monday news!
The Tillamook Forest Center is re-opening to the public starting March 17! Initial hours will be Fri-Sun 10 a.m.-4 p.m., with a five-day schedule resuming May 3.
Make sure your vehicle is in good working condition (exhaust systems, catalytic converters, coolant, etc) and never idle over dry grass or drive off road through dry vegetation. If towing, make sure chains aren't dragging on the ground to prevent throwing sparks.
It's tempting to get out in the snow, but wintry weather makes for tricky driving on forest roads. Most are not plowed, and folks get stuck every year - not what you want in a remote area where cell service can be hard to come by. Come prepared and stay safe!
"A friend in case you get lonely:" The sweet story of a Scappoose boy who sent Baby Yoda as a friend to firefighters - and Baby Yoda's travels since then - is getting love from across the nation.