BURNS — Firefighters extended containment lines on the Sand Mountain Fire and held the lines on other major wildfires burning in northern Harney and southern Grant counties, fire managers said in an update on Tuesday, Aug. 13.

The Sand Mountain Fire has burned an estimated 7,600 acres and is now 92% contained, up from 85% on Monday. The Falls Fire is holding at 151,000 acres and 87% containment, while the Telephone Fire remains at 54,000 acres and 64% containment.

A total of 1,135 personnel are assigned to battle the fires.  Available resources include 25 hand crews, 45 engines, 12 bulldozers, 31 water tenders, 1 masticator, 11 skidgines and one Type 1 helicopter.

A post-fire recovery meeting, hosted by the Oregon State University Extension Sevice, is scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday at the Harney County Chamber of Commerce, 484 N. Broadway Ave., Burns.

Information will be provided about resources available for residents, landowners, livestock, and agricultural operations impacted by the Falls and Telephone fires. This meeting will be recorded and shared on the Falls and Telephone Fires Facebook page.

Fire managers listed the following priorities for Tuesday:

1) Initial Attack (IA) is the highest priority to keep all new fires as small as possible.

2) Northeast portion of the Falls Fire; increasing mop up depth and spot containment.

3) Northwest portion of the Telephone Fire near Gobbler’s Knob and King Mountain; increasing mop-up depth and spot containment.

Fire summaries

Telephone Fire: On Monday, firefighters continued securing the fire edge along the 2820 Road east of Coffeepot Creek and worked aggressively to keep fire west of the 28 Road. Additionally, ranchers, firefighters and cooperators worked together to drive cattle south along the 28 Road to safer, unburned areas for grazing. Other portions of the fire were monitored and patrolled.

On Tuesday, work to construct a shaded fuel break on the 2830 and 28 Roads will be nearing completion. Firefighters in the southwest and west will be cleaning up pockets and conducting burn operations to remove unburned fuels that contribute to continued fire activity. The eastern side of the fire is being monitored and patrolled.

Falls/Sand Mountain Fires: On Monday, crews continued to contain fire near the 31 Road northeast of Crane Flats and worked to remove hazardous trees called snags in the northeast portion of the fire. Crews also strengthened containment lines and monitored earlier fire spread near Myrtle Creek.

On Tuesday, crews will work on backhaul on the west side of the fire. Backhaul—the process of returning equipment and supplies on a wildfire to a central point for redistribution—is an essential part of wildfire logistics and ensures that resources are efficiently managed and available for changing fire conditions or future incidents.

Firefighters in the northeast will focus on clearing out small pockets, conducting burn operations to remove unburned fuels that contribute to fire activity, and continuing felling operations to remove hazardous trees. With increased containment across the fire, more of the perimeter is in patrol and monitor status.

Weather: Overnight, most of the area received some rain and a large number of cloud-to-ground lightning strikes occurred east of Highway 395. On Tuesday, anticipate moderate and stable conditions, with breezy winds and low relative humidity. Temperatures are expected to be cooler than yesterday, accompanied by clear skies and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Looking ahead, moderate conditions will persist on Wednesday with calmer winds. Thunderstorm activity is likely to return on Thursday.

Evacuations: For the most accurate evacuation information, visit the Harney County Sheriff’s evacuation map: https://bit.ly/FallsFireEvac, or the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068819321423

Closures: A closure is in effect for portions of the Malheur National Forest west of Highway 395, north of Mt. Vernon and south of Long Creek, in the Fox Valley area, including all roads, trails, and camping. A closure map is available on the Malheur National Forest website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1198892) and in local U.S. Forest Service offices.

Investigation: The U.S. Forest Service is seeking the public’s assistance with any information pertinent to the start of the Falls Fire on the Malheur National Forest. Submit any relevant information to SM.FS.R6TipHotLine@usda.gov.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): TFRs in the area have been changing; pilots should check the latest information on the Federal Aviation Administration TFR website prior to flying: https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr_map_ims/html/index.html

More information:

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. Air quality information, searchable by ZIP code: https://fire.airnow.gov/

Smoke Outlooks: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook

Size: 53,989

Start Date: July 22, 2024

Location: 12 miles NE of Burns, OR

Containment: 64%

Cause: Lightning/Natural

Size: 151,399

Start Date: July 10, 2024

Location: 13 Miles NW of Burns, OR

Containment: 87%

Cause: Human-caused, under investigation

Structures Triaged: Residences: 386 / Commercial: 119 / Outbuildings: 760

Size: 7,582

Start Date: July 25, 2024

Location: 17 miles SW of Seneca, OR

Containment: 92%

Cause: Lightning/Natural