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Wildfire jumps lines, burns cattle ranch
Wednesday, August 20, 2008 | No comments posted.
PORTLAND (AP) — A prominent Oregon family says it will file a claim against the U.S. Forest Service over a wildfire that was being managed rather than suppressed and jumped containment lines.
About a fifth of the 5,500-acre Central Oregon cattle ranch owned by the Pape family was burned in the Bridge Creek fire, said Ryan Pape, general manager of Pape Kenworth, part of The Pape Group, the Eugene-based heavy machinery supplier.
“This happens all the time, of course. You burn up somebody’s fence post or range during a fire and they file a claim,” Tom Knappenberger, regional spokes-man for the Forest Service, said.
Last week the Bridge Creek fire south of Mitchell in Wheeler county was among a handful that were being managed for their benefits to forests. It was a first for the Ochoco National Forest.
But Saturday, high temperatures, low humidity and an unusual wind shift pushed the fire out of control. Firefighters then changed strategies and worked to suppress the fire.
“I totally understand and appreciate what they were trying to do, but here was not planning for the worst case scenario, or that planning was limited,” Pape told The Oregonian newspaper.
Pape said fire managers apologized to him and other affected landowners.
“I was impressed by that, but now we also need to focus on how we are going to fix it,” he said.
As of Tuesday the Bridge Creek fire stood at just under 5,000 acres, and it was 35 percent contained.
Farther west in Oregon, rain slowed a stubborn fire on Mount Hood, giving firefighters a break.
Lightning touched off the Gnarl Fire on Aug. 8 in a remote area studded with dead fir trees that could fall and crush firefighters.
As the rains came Tuesday, crews hiked out to a school building at nearby Odell. Fire managers said they would be back within an hour if the flames started up.
Lines have been dug around less than half the area of the fire, which has held steady at just more than 500 acres.
Crews don’t expect the rain to put it out. Dry debris on the forest floor as deep as 10 inches is smoldering. About 500 people are working the fire.
In Southern Oregon, strong winds whipped a fire at Lava Beds National Monument. The Jack Fire was burning within a perimeter of about 6,900 acres.
Acting Superintendent David Larson said access to the monument is restricted, and parts are closed. But the visitors center remained open, he said.
About a fifth of the 5,500-acre Central Oregon cattle ranch owned by the Pape family was burned in the Bridge Creek fire, said Ryan Pape, general manager of Pape Kenworth, part of The Pape Group, the Eugene-based heavy machinery supplier.
“This happens all the time, of course. You burn up somebody’s fence post or range during a fire and they file a claim,” Tom Knappenberger, regional spokes-man for the Forest Service, said.
Last week the Bridge Creek fire south of Mitchell in Wheeler county was among a handful that were being managed for their benefits to forests. It was a first for the Ochoco National Forest.
But Saturday, high temperatures, low humidity and an unusual wind shift pushed the fire out of control. Firefighters then changed strategies and worked to suppress the fire.
“I totally understand and appreciate what they were trying to do, but here was not planning for the worst case scenario, or that planning was limited,” Pape told The Oregonian newspaper.
Pape said fire managers apologized to him and other affected landowners.
“I was impressed by that, but now we also need to focus on how we are going to fix it,” he said.
As of Tuesday the Bridge Creek fire stood at just under 5,000 acres, and it was 35 percent contained.
Farther west in Oregon, rain slowed a stubborn fire on Mount Hood, giving firefighters a break.
Lightning touched off the Gnarl Fire on Aug. 8 in a remote area studded with dead fir trees that could fall and crush firefighters.
As the rains came Tuesday, crews hiked out to a school building at nearby Odell. Fire managers said they would be back within an hour if the flames started up.
Lines have been dug around less than half the area of the fire, which has held steady at just more than 500 acres.
Crews don’t expect the rain to put it out. Dry debris on the forest floor as deep as 10 inches is smoldering. About 500 people are working the fire.
In Southern Oregon, strong winds whipped a fire at Lava Beds National Monument. The Jack Fire was burning within a perimeter of about 6,900 acres.
Acting Superintendent David Larson said access to the monument is restricted, and parts are closed. But the visitors center remained open, he said.
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