ben harrison fire map

PENDLETON — Firefighters made progress Monday on the 95-acre Ben Harrison Fire, which is burning in the North Fork John Day Wilderness approximately 2 miles south of Olive Lake in northern Grant County. The fire remains 0% contained.

The campground at Olive Lake has been closed indefinitely due to the fire, Umatilla National Forest officials announced Monday.

Fire behavior was minimal on Sunday, Aug. 13, primarily consisting of creeping and smoldering with larger fuels burning on the interior, according to the latest update from Umatilla National Forest officials. The reduced fire behavior allowed firefighters to continue to establish control lines along the flanks of the fire. Despite being tested by high daytime temperatures and increased afternoon winds, the current fire footprint held overnight.

On Monday, Aug. 14, firefighters continued to build and strengthen control lines around the perimeter of the fire. Crews will also prepare to install hose lays, which will be used to cool areas along the perimeter of the fire once control lines are complete. Current resources assigned to the fire include 20 smokejumpers, three hand crews, four rappellers, and local district personnel. Aircraft are available as needed.

Based on the moderated fire behavior and suppression progress completed Sunday, the North Fork John Day Ranger District will retain command of the Ben Harrison Fire to manage under a Type 3 organization using local fire management personnel.

Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist throughout the week. Fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at high and public use restrictions involving chainsaw use, smoking and off-road travel are in effect.

The Ben Harrison Fire, which was reported on Friday, Aug. 11, is burning generally toward the north and northeast in steep and rocky terrain with heavy timber within the North Fork John Day Wilderness.

Fire behavior was moderate on Saturday, Aug. 12, and the blaze did not expand outside the previously estimated perimeter. Firefighters, aided by aircraft, focused suppression efforts on establishing containment lines along both sides of the fire. The cause of the fire is being investigated.

On Sunday, firefighters continued to build containment lines where terrain and fuels allowed crews to safely engage. Firefighters also utilized aircraft to limit the spread of the fire outside of the current perimeter. Crews continue to scout alternate containment lines where natural features bolster potential containment lines and provide for firefighter safety.

Natural features utilized by fire managers to establish containment lines include roads, ridges and rivers. About 80 personnel were assigned to the fire on Sunday.

Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist throughout the week.

For more information regarding public use restrictions, call 877-958-9663 or visit facebook.com/UmatillaNF or Twitter: @UmatillaNF.

The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog. To receive updates on fires in the Blue Mountains, follow http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.