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Falls Fire Update for July 13, 2024  

Falls Fire 2024 | Facebook 

(541) 208-4370 Staffed 8 am to 8 pm 

2024.falls@firenet.gov 

The Falls Fire grew to an estimated 4,500 acres yesterday due to hot, dry, and windy conditions. The fire remains 0% contained. The fire started July 10, 2024, and is burning 25 miles northwest of Burns, Oregon, on the Emigrant Creek Ranger District. The fire was human-caused and remains under investigation.  

Firefighters worked yesterday to establish an anchor point on the southwestern and southern flanks of the fire. Crews, bulldozers, and aircraft continued to use FSR 43 and constructed line on the western side of the fire, working their way to the north. The fire activity increased yesterday afternoon on the northern and eastern flanks, causing crews to withdraw from direct line construction efforts along the fire’s edge. Firefighters worked through the night and successfully contained several spot fires across FSR 4310 on the fire’s eastern edge. Aircraft will continue to support suppression efforts today.  

There are 182 personnel assigned to the incident, including seven hand crews, ten fire engines, two bulldozers, and one helicopter. Two additional helicopters worked on the fire Friday and remain available to the incident as needed. Four single-engine air tankers (SEATs) and two very large air tankers (VLATs) supported firefighters and heavy equipment as they worked to secure portions of the fire’s north flank on Friday. Additional firefighting resources have been ordered. 

A Red Flag Warning remains in effect over the fire area and a heat advisory is in place for the region. Today’s weather will be hot and dry, with temperatures in the upper 90’s. Relative humidity is low with winds from the west and southwest from 9-14 mph with gusts to 25 mph. There is a chance of afternoon thunderstorms producing gusty outflow winds with little to no precipitation predicted.  

The Malheur National Forest has issued a fire area closure. Emigrant Creek Campground, Falls Campground, and several Forest Service Roads are closed for public and firefighter safety.  

A detailed map and additional information about the fire area closure are available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1188914. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is also in place over the fire area. 

Know Before You Go! Fire restrictions are in place on public and private lands across Oregon. Nine out of 10 wildfires nationally are started by a human. Tow chains dragging, parking, and driving over dry grass, barbeques, campfires, smoking, and target shooting are all common accidental human starts. Please do your part and remember, it only takes one spark. Prepare yourself for hot and dry conditions, carry a shovel, water, and fire extinguisher when recreating in the outdoors.