Spot fires exacerbate 250-acre Fir Mountain Fire near Odell

Photo from Columbia Gorge Wildland & Fire Information Page/ Facebook

By Tom Peterson

Firefighters were able to get a dozer line around the main Fir Mountain Fire, burning several miles southeast of Odell during the past 24 hours. But spot fires brought on by wind are creating new challenges in stemming the blaze.  

Revised estimates for the blaze put the fire at some 250 acres, said Christie Shaw,Oregon Department of Forestry Central Oregon District Public Information Officer. Previous estimates were at 400 acres because smoke pushed by high winds obscured the area. 

More than 175 firefighters and equipment operators were battling the conflagration on Sunday. And Shaw said those numbers are expected to increase to more than 200 today with wind expected to spot flames farther east of the original fire. 

The cause of the fire is yet undetermined, but it started around 10 p.m. on Saturday night.

Shaw was reluctant to say the fire had been contained whatsoever. That’s because strong winds, gusting up to 25 mph yesterday sent embers flying far east of the original fire and lit off spot fires that are as large as 10 acres. She said more spot fires could be discovered today. 

As the fire is pushed farther east it is going into more heavily treed and rugged terrain that cannot be easily surrounded by the 4 bulldozer operators on site. 

Rather, 120 hand crews and the Zigzag Hotshots are cutting hand lines through those areas to stem the blaze.

“It’s difficult terrain to access,” Shaw said. “It’s more difficult in heavier timber areas. It’s harder to knock the fire down.

ODF is utilizing helicopters today to douse the fire with water, hoping to contain the spot fires.

Shaw said they were hopeful to get the fire under control in the next few days. But forecasts are calling for strong winds today, Monday Aug. 3. Gusts of 25 mph are expected again.  

Several tenders and scoop planes operating out of Dallesport, have also been working to control the fire.

Some staging has been set up at the Hood River County Fairgrounds in Odell for those not living locally. 

Shaw said they are taking extra precaution to distance firefighters due to COVID-19 social distancing rules.