LA GRANDE — Fire season is well underway, and as smoke-filled thunderhead clouds loom, residents in Northeastern Oregon may see cause for concern.

According to Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Public Affairs Officer Matthew Burks, portions of the region’s forest fires are doing what they need to be doing.

“They’re wildfires that are being used for resource benefit,” Burks asserted. “They’ve started naturally and they’re in an area that has an overabundance of trees, so we need them to help clean up the forest and put some fire breaks in.”

Due to this year’s long, wet spring and minimal fire activity in the area, Burks said letting these fires burn will help prepare for the next hotter, drier season — and also create a more natural habitat. He emphasized that they are continuing to burn as expected.

Fire management

The Sturgill Fire, in the North Minam Drainage, is burning through mixed conifer forests. This naturally occurring blaze, started by lightning on Monday, Aug. 22, around noon, covered around 4,815 acres as of midday Sept. 1.

The Nebo Fire, 21 miles southeast of Enterprise near Mount Nebo, is estimated to have started on Aug. 25 from lightning strikes earlier in the week. With a size estimated as 3,086 acres on Sept. 1, the fire has reached the Upper Lick Creek Drainage and is burning in subalpine fir and grass.

Burks noted that both the Nebo and Sturgill fires are “doing a lot of good in terms of cleaning up fuels.”

According to the national forest’s leadership team, they are closely monitoring the conditions of the Nebo Fire, and firefighters are preparing containment features on nearby road and trail systems to protect adjacent structures, including Big Sheep Camp, Lick Creek Guard Station and Indian Crossing Campground.

Total containment of both fires is expected to occur in late October.

“Keeping them in the wilderness is the main objective at this point,” Burks said.

Burks understands the concern that arises when it comes to wildfires, but there’s a public education component to acknowledge as well. Putting out every forest fire would lead to an unhealthy ecosystem, he said.

“These are fire-adaptive ecosystems, and if we suppress every fire, we’re just going to have bigger and worse fires,” he said. “We’re just kicking the can down the road.”

Burks explained that a healthy forest contains mature, tall trees without much ground fuel — lower layer growth such as roots, downed trees, branches, logs and undergrowth. This healthy condition would normally be a result of yearly fires that keep forests “actively clean.”

Due to continued suppression efforts, Burks said, small trees and undergrowth have gotten out of control, making it hard to see through the forest and providing ample fuel for fires. This is where naturally occurring wildfires — like the Sturgill and Nebo fires — can come in handy. By allowing these blazes to burn, “fire breaks” are created that can help mitigate future fires.

“You’ll see some intense burning out of these two fires, but afterward you have this area that is more free and open from all that fuel,” he said.

Firefighters are working to maintain adjacent private property and inholdings within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest — including Red’s Horse Ranch and Minam River Lodge. The expected fire increase has prompted several trail closures until further notice.

Fire suppression

The Double Creek Fire, Burks noted, is a different story. He called the blaze an “active fire suppression incident” and noted that full suppression efforts are underway, including air tankers, helicopters, rappel crews and firefighters.

This fire was first detected on Aug. 30 along Hat Point Road near Grizzly Ridge. The 1,500-acre blaze, which was also likely sparked by lightning, carries more concern because of its proximity to residences.

As of Thursday, Sept. 1, the fire was at zero percent containment. Almost 130 personnel are working to protect private property and resources threatened by the fire.

“It is growing and it’ll probably grow today,” Burkes noted during a Sept. 1 interview. “But we’re working with our partners to put that one out.”

• The Minam River Trail (1673) from the junction of Bear Mountain Trail (1655) heading south to the junction with the Rock Creek Trail (1905).

• The North Minam Trail (1675) from the junction of the Minam Trail (1673) and North Minam Trail (1675) to the junction with the Bowman Trail (1651).

• Green Lakes Trail (1666) from the junction of the North Minam Trail (1673) to the terminus of the trail at Green Lake.

• Tenderfoot Trail (1819) from the trailhead to the 1828 and 1812 trail junctions.

• Lick Creek Trail (1809) from the trailhead to the junction of the South Fork Imnaha Trail (1816).

• Forest Service Road 3900100 from the junction of 39 Road to Tenderfoot Trailhead.

• Forest Service Road 3925015 from the junction of Forest Service Road 3925 to Lick Creek Trailhead.

• Forest Service Road 3900200 from the junction of 39 Road to Forest Service Road 3925015.

The Wallowa County Sheriff issued a change in the evacuation levels for the Double Creek Fire area beginning Thursday, Sept. 1. The new levels are:

• Level 3, “Go Now” evacuation for the Hat Point Road. The Hat Point Road is also closed due to the fire activity.

• Level 2, “Get Set” for the Imnaha River Road, from Rippleton Creek to the Imnaha Grange, including Freezeout Road.

• Level 1, “Be Ready” for the Imnaha River Road, from the town of Imnaha to Rippleton Creek.

• Level 1, “Be Ready” for the Imnaha River Road, from the Imnaha Grange to the Pallette Ranch, including Imnaha River Woods.