Saturday a Busy Day for Forestry Fire Crews

Forecasts through much of the state are calling for high temperatures, low humidity, instability in the atmosphere, low to moderate east winds and the possibility of lightning in eastern Oregon.

File photo of a Fire in Central Oregon

(BEND, Ore.) - Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) fire crews are responding to two regions of the state to battle wildfires that started Friday.

Kevin Weeks with the Oregon Dept. of Forestry, says in eastern Oregon, the McGinnis Creek fire, located near Kimberly in Grant County, began Friday afternoon and has spread to 1,200 acres.

"The fire is being actively suppressed from both the air and ground; two air tankers are being used Saturday on the fire. 15 fire crews, four bulldozers and 29 engines from ODF, the U.S. Forest Service and private contractor crews are seeking to limit the fire on the ground."

Weeks says the cause of the fire is under investigation.

"In western Oregon, the Tum Tum Central fire is burning two miles south of the Benton County community of Blodgett. The fire was brought under control Friday evening at 25 acres. Two ODF engines remain on the fire Saturday to assist the landowner with mop-up."

As in the case of the other fire, the cause is under investigation. Weeks said, "Fire forecasters are keeping an eye on weather conditions for the weekend, into the mid-point of next week, that conclude Oregon could experience conditions that contribute to large fire activity."

Forecasts through much of the state are calling for high temperatures, low humidity, instability in the atmosphere, low to moderate east winds and the possibility of lightning in eastern Oregon. The Oregon Department of Forestry provides fire protection on 15.8 million acres of forest within the state.