The Graham Fire was reported on Thursday, June 21, 2018 around 1:30 p.m. four miles south of the Metolius River arm of Lake Billy Chinook, near Culver, Oregon. The fire has burned private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry and Lake Chinook Fire and Rescue, as well as Bureau of Land Management ownership.
At last report, the fire is estimated over 2,000 acres and has already been declared a conflagration by Governor Kate Brown. “To ensure the safety of Jefferson County residents, and given the dry and windy conditions on the ground, I am invoking an emergency declaration to make additional state resources available to firefighters and local first responders,” Governor Kate Brown said.
According to state law, a conflagration order can be issued when the Governor deems that a threat to life, safety, and property exists due to a major fire—and the threat exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local fire crews and equipment. The Emergency Conflagration Act allows for the State Fire Marshal to intervene and bring in outside resources to assist local crews battling the fire.
The fire has burned private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry and Lake Chinook Fire and Rescue, as well as Bureau of Land Management ownership. It is estimated around 2,000 acres.
Residents of the Three Rivers subdivision are under a level three (GO!) evacuation. Residents and the public are reminded not to cross roadblocks into evacuation areas. Some structures may have been damaged by the fire, but due to safety concerns firefighters have not been able to investigate all areas of the fire. The Oregon State Fire Marshall is working on assessing properties within the fire boundary.
Multiple resources are on scene and firefighters will continue to mop up around structures, flank the edge of the fire and try to contain the fire that is pushing to the northeast through Big Canyon. Additional resources have been ordered and are arriving daily. Warm temperatures are anticipated in the next few days along with the return of windy conditions which will continue to push firefighters working on the fire.
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