UPDATED, 10:11AM, 6/6/19 to include maps of the area.

Chiloquin, Ore. – Firefighters are currently working on the Taylor Butte fire on the Fremont-Winema National Forest Chiloquin Ranger District. The fire, discovered Saturday afternoon is burning in a remote area of the District near the headwaters of the Williamson River, south of the Head of the River Campground. It is approximately 20 miles east of Chiloquin.

The Taylor Butte Fire was sparked by lightning from recent storms in the area. It is one of three confirmed lightning fires on the Forest this week.

Weather conditions, including the few days of warming and drying, with more cold wet weather late this week, have created an opportunity for fire managers to utilize this fire to achieve desired ecological conditions and contributing to a more resilient landscape.

“This fire is burning in an area that hasn’t seen forest treatments in more than 40 years,” said Chiloquin and Chemult District Ranger Judd Lehman. “It presents a great opportunity to ease fire back into a fire-adapted ecosystem and create a more resilient landscape that will make future fires safer to suppress when conditions might not be as ideal.”

The fire behavior is primarily a creeping ground fire burning in ponderosa pine stands with a bitterbrush understory.

As part of this opportunity to return fire to the landscape, fire managers have analyzed the area, potential resources at risk and current weather conditions to formulate a multi-phased plan. Similar to a prescribed burn, this is factoring in fuel moisture, temperature, winds and smoke.

Last night fire crews established lines around the fire, extending it to 293 acres, and conducted ignitions from those lines. Today firefighters are focusing on holding firelines due to wind gusts up to 10 miles per hour (mph) this afternoon and forecasts for 15-20 mph wind gusts this evening.

Fire crews are also doing some prep work and looking for opportunities to expand the fire area as long as conditions are favorable and the fire is beneficial to the resources.

Due to the location on fairly high ground, smoke from the fire is visible in the surrounding area, with reports of it being visible from areas near Silver Lake this afternoon.

There is some smoke from the Taylor Butte Fire settling into the Chiloquin and Sprague River areas south of the fire. But the smoke is expected to disperse as winds pick up and shift this evening.

“With a natural ignition from recent lightning, and the perfect conditions in place, we appreciate the opportunity to get some additional restoration work done and reduce the risk of wildfire in this area this summer and into the future.” Lehman said. “There is less smoke being produced through this mild to moderate fire compared to large fires at the height of fire season.”

Forest managers are working with partners and nearby landowners on this fire.

Work is being done to ensure the fire does not exceed what firefighters can efficiently manage under current conditions.

Current resources on the fire include seven engines, two interagency hotshot crews, two handcrews, a dozer and a water-tender.

Weather forecasts are indicating more thunderstorms and cold weather late this week and into the weekend, followed by warmer and drier weather next week. Firefighters are prepared to address any wildfires discovered in the coming weeks.

Area residents and visitors can report suspected wildfires by calling the Lakeview Interagency Fire Center at 541-947-6315.

Even though there is still snowpack and the weather has been cold and wet in recent weeks, fire season is rapidly approaching. Forest visitors are asked to be careful with fire and anything that can throw a spark.

Campfires should never be left unattended and should be dead out before leaving. This means drowned with water, stirred and be cold to the touch with no warm spots.

For more information on the Fremont-Winema National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov/fremont-winema, follow the Forest on Twitter @FremontWinemaNF or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/R6FWNF

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