Single Publication

Falls and Telephone Fires Update for August 17, 2024

Telephone Fire Quick Facts: Containment 95%
Size: 54,034 acres  
Start Date: July 22, 2024   
Location: 12 miles NE of Burns, OR                               
Cause: Lightning/Natural

Falls Fire Quick Facts: Containment 95%
Size: 151,680 acres    
Start Date: July 10, 2024  
Location: 13 miles NW of Burns, OR                       
Cause: Human-caused

Telephone and Falls Fires: Yesterday, crews remained focused on being prepared for initial attack and increasing mop up depth on the northeast portion of the Falls Fire and the northwest portion of the Telephone Fire. They continued backhaul on both fires and removed the structural protection wrap from the Snow Mountain Lookout. Last night, the evening crews worked a short shift and will transition back to day shift; where they will aid in ongoing backhaul and patrol. 

Today’s critical fire weather favors active fire behavior in unburned pockets of vegetation. While large growth within the Falls and Telephone Fires footprints isn’t expected, firefighters will be vigilant and ready for aggressive initial attack if needed.

Weather: There is a red flag warning for today. Weather is expected to be ten degrees warmer with relative humidities dropping into the single digits, strong sustained winds out of the south this afternoon, and unstable air. Winds are likely to be 15-20 with the potential for 35mh gusts. 

Evacuations: For up-to-date 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 the southern area of the Malheur National Forest. A closure map is available on the Malheur National Forest website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1198892).

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: https://fire.airnow.gov/ 

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

Stay safe and informed, and thank you for your continued support.

Fire Information Line: 541-208-4370, staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Email: 2024.Falls@firenet.gov

#FallsFire2024 #TelephoneFire2024 #Oregonwildfires2024