Single Publication

Falls and Telephone Fires Update for August 18, 2024

Given the current containment levels, this will be the final written update for the Falls and Telephone Fires unless conditions change. Firefighters will continue with mop-up operations, patrols, and hot spotting efforts to ensure the fire remains contained. Any potential flare-ups will be addressed promptly, and interior pockets may still produce smoke as they burn out. We will continue to share pictures and videos of activities into this week.

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

General Fire updates will continue on InciWeb at:

Falls Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident.../ormaf-falls-fire

Telephone Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/inciden.../ormaf-telephone-fire

Telephone and Falls Fires: Yesterday crews remained diligent as challenging weather conditions tested containment lines. Despite the red flag warning, there were no major changes to the fires. Today crews will monitor containment lines, improve mop-up depth, and continue to backhaul equipment from the fire area.

Interior unburned pockets of fuels continue to burn and produce smoke on Falls, Telephone and Poison Fires. The public is reminded that smoke and flames may be visible; as is common on fires of this size at this stage, and fire crews are monitoring these areas. No large fire growth is expected.

Weather: Winds will decrease today as cooler weather enters the area. The fire area remains dry, with low relative humidities. Moisture should increase by mid-week, with a small chance of wetting rains Wednesday through Friday.

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/...).

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

Burns Interagency Fire Zone
Burns Paiute Tribe
U.S. Forest Service-Malheur National Forest
Harney County Emergency Management
Burns Fire Department
Hines VFD
Harney County Sheriff's Office
Grant County Emergency Management

#FallsFire2024 #TelephoneFire2024 #Oregonwildfires2024