Contact: Tara Martinak (541) 573-4400
Release No. OR-020-11-21
August 25, 2011
WEDNESDAY THUNDERSTORM BRINGS DOZENS OF WILDFIRES TO HARNEY COUNTY HINES, Ore. – The spectacular thunderstorm that swept through Harney County late Wednesday
afternoon recorded over 6,700 total lightning strikes. Though a healthy dose of moisture came with the
storm, it wasn’t enough to squelch the 25 new wildfires that have been discovered as a result.
The new fires are spread all across Harney County – north toward Allison Guard Station and Snow
Mountain and northeast to Frazier Lookout; east and southeast toward Folley Farm just off Highway 78;
south and west of Frenchglen 16-18 miles; and west toward Wagontire country. The largest fire is located
south of Burns, approximately 12 miles northeast of Rock Creek Reservoir. At last report, this fire was
200-300 acres in size and had received support from 4 Single Engine Air Tankers on Wednesday evening.
Temperatures are expected to be hot and dry today and tomorrow, elevating the potential for holdover starts
from Wednesday’s storm to pop up throughout the week. Lightning is again predicted Friday. Engine and
ground crews will work today to secure containment lines around the fires and respond to new incidents as
they are reported. Air support will be utilized as necessary.
The Theimer 2 wildfire, located 14-15 miles north of Burns and just east of Highway 395, was controlled
on August 24 at 276 acres. Firefighters will continue mop-up operations on the Theimer 2 fire until
gridding and hand-checking finds no hot spots or areas with burning potential 150 feet in from the fire
perimeter. The Theimer 2 wildfire was discovered on Sunday, August 21 around 2:00 p.m. After
investigation by local and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) law enforcement, the cause of the fire was
determined as arson. If you have any information about this crime or the person(s) involved, please contact
the BLM, U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, or the Harney County Sheriff’s office as
soon as possible.
Highway 395 north has been completely reopened without pilot car escorts. Visitors are encouraged to
drive slowly and with caution in this area, and throughout Harney County, as increased firefighting
equipment will be on the roadways.
Fire danger remains VERY HIGH within the Burns Interagency Fire Zone and the Industrial Fire Precaution
Level is a level three, partial shutdown. A regulated fire closure is in effect for the east side of Steens
Mountain. Visitors should use extreme caution when traveling through and recreating in the outdoors this
time of year.
To report a wildfire, call 573-1000.
For more information on current wildfire activity, call 573-4519.