Oregon State Fire Marshal Sends Crews to Protect Homes from Elk Fire Conflagration

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With at least 22 homes threatened by the Elk Fire burning four miles west of Madras, yesterday evening Governor Kitzhaber authorized the Oregon State Fire Marshal to implement the state's Conflagration Act. This allowed the Office of State Fire Marshal to activate two task forces from Clackamas and Marion counties to assist local resources with protecting the threatened homes.

The fire started around 2 p.m. yesterday, (August 22nd) on private property near Belmont and Elk Roads. A combination of hot, dry conditions and gusty afternoon winds caused the fire to quickly grow and exhaust local resources. By early Monday evening, Jefferson County Rural Fire District #1 had requested assistance from the Office of Oregon State Fire Marshal for additional resources. The fire is estimated at 1,000 acres, and burning mainly in grass and juniper.

Today's winds, forecasted to be more favorable at 5-10 MPH, along with an afternoon high temperature peaking at 90 degrees, should assist firefighters in containing the fire. The Marion and Clackamas county task forces are assigned to protect and mop up around structures located off of Elk Road and Deschutes Drive. The Bureau of Land Management is working on containing the main body of fire which is now burning just north of the threatened structures. Approximately 80 firefighters from the BLM and 44 from state resources are assigned to the fire.

The Incident Command Post is at Jefferson County Rural Fire District #1 located at 765 South Adams Drive in Madras, Oregon. Media who would like a tour of the fire are invited to report to the command post and contact Incident Information Officer Justin de Ruyter at 503-793-9652.



Author:Oregon State Fire Marshal Press Release