Royce Butte Fire
Governor Theodore Kulongoski has declared the Royce Butte fire 12 miles west of Crescent Lake as a conflagration. The declaration cleared the way for the state fire marshal to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire. The request to invoke the Oregon Conflagration Act was made by Klamath County Fire Defense Board Chief John Ketchum.
What is the Conflagration Act? The Office of State Fire Marshal assists and supports the Oregon fire services during major emergency operations through the Conflagration Act.
In accordance with the terms of Chapter 112, Oregon Laws of 1947, known as "The Emergency Conflagration Act", making it, " the duty of the State Fire Marshal to prepare plans for effective carrying out the provisions of this act..." The Emergency Conflagration Act can only be authorized by the Governor. The Conflagration Act is only used for fires that involve or threaten life and structures.
How is the Conflagration Act invoked?
The local fire chief and county fire defense chief assess the incident status with the following kinds of questions in mind.
Are there structure fires not controlled due to sheer size and/or speed of the fire?
Is a wildland fire threatening structures?
Have all local and mutual aid resources been depleted?
Would mobile support resources be effective?
If the answers are yes, then the county fire defense chief notifies the state fire marshal through the Oregon Emergency Response System. The state fire marshal decides, in discussion with the county fire defense chief, if the situation warrants Conflagration Act implementation. Once decided, the state fire marshal notifies the governor, who authorizes the act to be invoked. At this point, the Fire Service Mobilization Plan becomes effective.
What is the Fire Service Mobilization Plan?
The Fire Service Mobilization Plan is a guide for OSFM personnel and emergency responders to use during times of emergency. The plan establishes operating procedures for the most practical utilization of state resources for all hazard emergencies, which are beyond the capabilities of the local resources for all hazards. It assumes the prior existence of mutual aid agreements, which organize district and regional incident forces to cope with local emergencies.
2007 Conflagration Activity
GW Fire
Governor Theodore Kulongoski declared the GW Fire located near Black Butte as the state’s second conflagration of 2007. The declaration cleared the way for State Fire Marshal Nancy Orr to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire. The request to invoke the Oregon Conflagration Act was made by Deschutes County Fire Defense Board Chief Tay Robertson.
Black Crater Fire
Governor Theodore Kulongoski declared the Black Crater fire located just seven miles southwest of the Deschutes County town of Sisters the second conflagration in one week. By invoking Oregon’s Conflagration Act the Governor allows State Fire Marshal Nancy Orr to mobilize firefighters and equipment to assist local resources battling the fire.
Black Crater Conflagration Photos July 29, 2006:
All photos courtesy of Clackmas County Structural Task Force leader Canby Division Chief Troy Buzalsky. Click here to view the Black Crater Photo Gallery.
McLean Creek Fire
Governor Kulongoski declared the McLean Creek Fire a conflagration and approved resource response on July 24, 2006. The McLean Fire is in an unprotected area in eastern Baker county.
McLean Creek Conflagration Photos
July 26, 2006: Photos sent by Office of State Fire Marshal overhead team communication technician via satellite communication system. They illustrate the dramatic action of fire burning quickly downhill toward structures. At least a dozen homes would have been destroyed but for the mobilized structural firefighters.Click here for photos
