Unified effort helps to stem Devil's Butte Fire thus far; Firefighters watching for flare-ups
By Tom Peterson / Photos provided by Katie Cook
July 11, 2023, The Dalles, Or - Farmers, ranchers, and firefighters appear to have the lightning-caused Devil’s Butte Fire under control this morning in Gilliam County about 8 miles south of Cottonwood Canyon State Park.
The fire burned through an estimated 3,500 acres in wheat and rangeland in the plateaus and rugged canyons near the John Day River 40 miles southeast of Biggs Junction. Fires such as these when pushed by heavy wind can last days if not weeks under hot dry conditions.
However, it appears locals have gained quick control of the blaze.
Katie Cook and Tom Rietmann reported this morning that crews are continuing to walk the firelines that were either hand-dug or turned with disc plows after the fire broke out at 10:35 a.m. on Monday, July 10th.
“The fire was not too bad and then before we knew it, the fire was huge and heading toward the (historic) school house,” said Katie Cook of the fire’s start.
Crews work to protect the historic school house on Ajax Road on Monday, July 10 on the Devil’s Butte Fire.
Flame retardent being dropped on the fire.
She and Tom live nearest the fire just beyond the mountain identifier on Highway 206.
Cook said higher humidity this morning was good news as the extra moisture helps to suppress the fire and crews are now on watch for flare-ups.
But they’re now on spotting duty.
Wildfires can easily get into the root structures of vegetation such as sagebrush and smolder and then reignite when fanned by the wind. So, it is important to keep eyes on the edges of the burned acreage to ensure the fire does not rekindle.
Forecasters are calling for wind in the 10 to 15 mph range, bringing some relief as crews are walking canyons and checking burn lines for fire outbreaks.
Cook said there is also a dozer on standby to cut fire line if necessary.
Bureau of Land Management crews are focused on the east end of the fire, she added.
Location of Devil’s Butte Fire in Gilliam County about 40 miles from Biggs Junction.
Fire crews along Highway 206 in the evening hours of Monday, July 10.
At 2 a.m. this morning, The Gilliam County Sheriff’s Office reopened Highway 206 from Condon to Wasco to through traffic.
“Firefighting efforts continue to operate in the area and apparatus may be moving on or across the highway, and there may be limited visibility due to smoke in the area. Please be diligent and drive with caution if you must travel that route,” the post stated on the Sheriff’s Facebook Page.
Cook reported that the fire took out power poles during the blaze, cutting the electricity to the town of Condon, population 700, 20 miles to the south.
In addition, the fire destroyed two fire trucks from South Gilliam Fire Department and North Gilliam Fire Department after they were overrun by wind-driven fire. Winds were gusting about 30 mph on Monday. Fortunately, no firefighters were injured.
Jacob Rietmann while working to stem the blaze on the Devil’s Butte Fire.
The rural county of 2000 people relies on local volunteer fire departments and the efforts of neighbors as much as government agencies when battling fires. The land is vast with canyons, rangeland and barley and wheat fields. In the heat of summer, most farmers and ranchers carry water tanks on their pickups to assist in fighting wildfires.
Locator map of fires burning in the Klickitat, Wasco and Gilliam counties. Click to enlarge.
Support Local News
Available to everyone; Funded by readers.
