Single Publication

Falls and Telephone Fires Update for August 12, 2024 

Telephone Fire Quick Facts:

Size: 53,989 Start Date: July 22, 2024 Location: 12 miles NE of Burns, OR

Containment: 64% Cause: Lightning/Natural

Falls Fire Quick Facts:

Size: 150,941 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

Sand Mountain Fire Quick Facts:

Size: 7,582 Start Date: July 25, 2024 Location: 17 miles SW of Seneca, OR

Containment: 85% Cause: Lightning/Natural

Total Personnel Across all fires: 1135

Total Resources Assigned: 30 hand crews, 48 engines, 14 bulldozers, 31 water tenders, 1 masticator, 12 skidgines

Aerial resources assigned: One Type 1 helicopter

Priorities for Monday August 12

1. 1)  Initial Attack (IA) is the highest priority to keep all new fires as small as possible.
2. 2)  West side of the Telephone Fire/King Mountain area.
3. 3)  Northeast portion of the Falls Fire near Myrtle Creek.

Telephone Fire: Yesterday, firefighters continued to focus on the northwest corner of the fire, deepening the containment in the Gobbler’s Knob area and patrolled the eastern perimeter. Smoke from unburned fuel in a green pocket near East Cow Creek was visible from the roadway but did not impact containment. Today, firefighters will continue securing the fire edge along the 2820 Road east of Coffeepot Creek and working aggressively to keep fire west of the 28 Road. Additionally, ranchers, firefighters and cooperators will be working together to drive cows south along the 28 Road to safer, unburned areas for grazing. Other portions of the fire will continue to be monitored and patrolled.

Falls/Sand Mountain Fires: Yesterday, firefighters monitored and patrolled the south and west portions of the fire near Sand Mountain and Gilbert Ridge. Efforts were focused on preventing the fire from

impacting private property, rangelands, and livestock. Today, crews will continue to contain fire near the 31 Road northeast of Crane Flats. Removal of hazardous trees called snags in the northeast portion of the fire continues. Snags are dead, standing trees in the fire area without leaves or needles in the crowns. These trees are a significant hazard to wildland firefighters because they have lower fuel moistures. These trees burn more readily and topple easily in high winds. With the expected windy conditions later today, removing them is an important task. Crews will also be strengthening containment and monitoring earlier fire spread near Myrtle Creek. As containment increases and more of the fire is under patrol status, conditions remain challenging. Crews are staying vigilant, working to strengthen lines and secure problem areas.

Weather: Overnight, some portions of the fire area saw good relative humidity recoveries. Today’s elevated risk of thunderstorms could lead to increased weather instability. The atmosphere may be unsettled with rapid changes, and storms may bring lightning and gusty outflow winds up to 45mph. In the evening hours chances of thunderstorms could rise to 30%. Some portions of the area might see wetting rains. Looking ahead, temperatures are expected to trend cooler throughout the week.

Evacuations: There are no changes to the evacuation orders for Grant and Harney Counties. 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 395B, 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 

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