PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (OR) Oregon Fires and Gages

Date: Wed, 24 Jul 2024 14:50:03 EDT

Summary: Oregon Wildfire Danger and Gages

The Northwest region and Oregon are drier than usual, and over a dozen fires have occurred throughout the state, many of which were caused by lighting activity last week. Temperatures last week and at the start of this week were higher than normal but are expected to cool some by the end of the week. The lack of moisture is expected to keep forests and grasslands at critical fire conditions. Many gages across the state are experiencing streamflow below average for this time of year
 
Ten gages are close to active fires, with six gages closer than a mile, although the threat level varies. Some of the basin areas have been previously burned in recent years, which should lower the risk for damage this year. No gages have been lost as of today.
 
The largest fires in the state are on the east side of the state. In John Day Basin, a gage is within one mile of the Boneyard fire, which crossed the highway yesterday. We also are monitoring fire conditions in the Willamette Basin, where active fires could affect gages, we operate for USACE. Several smaller fires are burning in the Umpqua Basin in SW Oregon and could affect gages critical to local FERC operations. Some field work and discrete data collection have been postponed in active fire areas and have affected several project plans and schedules
 
NWDI is the primary tool for tracking fires near gages.
 
USGS staff are in communication with cooperators through Silver Jackets regarding wildfires and direct them as needed. No emergency gages are currently planned, and no staff have been deployed for fire related work. Staff from OR, WA and ID WSC help with gages in eastern Oregon