Conflagration Act Invoked for Seventh Time This Season as Flat Fire Spreads in Central Oregon

Oregon Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Conflagration Act on Friday as the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) deployed Complex Management Team 3 (CIMT3) to the Flat Fire north of Sisters and near Lake Billy Chinook, which was then estimated to cover 9,000 acres and had affected residents of Jefferson and Deschutes counties.

The Flat Fire that started Thursday exceeded the span of control of the local Type 3 Team by Friday, after extreme heat and dry fuels made control efforts hard, so the larger CIMT3 was activated to take command of the fire.

Ron Graham, Deputy Chief of ODF’s Protection Division, said, “Given the lower number of current fires state-wide, there are a lot of resources available to send to the fire.”

To allow the Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to mobilize resources through the Oregon Fire Mutual Aid System that support local fire service agencies on scene,

Gov. Kotek invoked the Conflagration Act Friday for the Flat Fire, after determining that the fire created a threat to life, safety, and property that exceeds the firefighting capabilities of local firefighting personnel and equipment as required by ORS 476.510-476.610.

By invoking the conflagration act- for the seventh time this wildfire season, more resources can be deployed to the fires to protect life and property as the Flat Fire threatened structures in Jefferson and Deschutes counties. The state fire marshal concurred with that request.

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office is overseeing evacuations in the area affected. Information on the Flat Fire can be obtained from:

• The latest evacuation information: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office evacuation zones page and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Info page.
• Fire prevention guidelines: https://www.oregon.gov/odf/fire/pages/restrictions.aspx.

To help reduce the strain on firefighters by preventing new human-caused fires, follow fire prevention guidelines and know the local fire restrictions currently in place: