Trail Don and I were out camping near Pasola last weekend right thru the middle of a really exciting thunderstorm, especially refreshing after the 95 deg. and billions of flies.  Apparently it lit things up, we did see some smoke down by the Hot Springs Fk:

Weekend Lightning Causes Several Fires on the Mt. Hood NF

Release Date: Jul 15, 2014  

Contact:               Laura Pramuk  503-668-1791                                                                                       

                Chris Bentley 503-668-1776                                        

Weekend lightning across the Mt. Hood National Forest resulted in 40 smoke reports and currently firefighting crews are staffing numerous fires across the forest.  Adjacent to the Forest, the White River Fire is the largest at 570 acres approximately 2 miles east of the Barlow Ranger District.  An Oregon Department of Forestry Type 2 Incident Management Team is managing the fire which is located across multiple ownerships in a very rugged and steep area of the White River drainage and is 45 % contained. 

 The area is designated as a Wilderness and the 380 firefighters managing the fire are using techniques to minimize impacts to natural resources. Aerial resources such as helicopters are being used to slow the fire in the canyon where hazardous conditions make it unsafe for firefighters to enter.  An advisory has been issued for the Keep’s Mill and White River Station put-ins along the White River due to firefighting equipment and smoke in the area.  Kayakers are being asked not to use these launch areas until further notice. The cause of this fire is under investigation.  Please check inciweb.org for more details about this incident.

 The Barlow Ranger District reports 8 confirmed small fires, the largest being about a half-acre.  Initial attack teams were dispatched to all of these fires. The Clackamas River Ranger District is responding to 29 smoke reports and is currently staffing 3 fires. Hood River Ranger District had one smoke report in the Shell Rock Mountain area while the Zigzag Ranger District had 2 reports of smoke.

The Forest requested assistance from neighboring forests and several crews arrived over the weekend from Washington and California to assist in checking out smoke reports and to aid in initial attack. Aerial detection flights and patrols will be taking place today and all week to confirm smoke reports, look for “sleepers”, slow moving fires that could be smoldering in the undergrowth but which could rapidly increase in size as temperatures rise and wind increases, and to aid in initial attack efforts.  Due to quick and efficient responses by Initial Attack Crews most fires are being held or contained while still small. 

 Fire restrictions are in place on the East side of the Mt. Hood NF that limit campfires to fire rings within developed campgrounds and restrict the use of OHVs in some areas. Please check the Mt. Hood’s website for additional details regarding these restrictions.  Fire season is upon us and we need the public’s help to prevent human caused fires during what is turning out to be a very busy summer for our firefighters.

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