SALEM, Ore. – The Oregon State Fire Marshal has mobilized a helicopter through an agreement with the Oregon Department of Forestry to help stop a fast-moving wildfire near Hat Rock in Umatilla County.
Umatilla County Fire District #1 firefighters say they were dispatched to the fire along Highway 730 just before 11 a.m. today. A section of Highway 730 is closed. As of 2:30 p.m., the fire was estimated to be 1,200 acres.
The fire district is reporting Hat Rock State Park is under a level 2 evacuation notice, which means to have go bags ready in your vehicle.
Firefighters are being challenged by gusty winds and low relative humidity. The National Weather Service in Pendleton has a Red Flag Warning in place for the Lower Columbia River Basin until 9:00 p.m. The OSFM asks everyone to pay attention to these conditions and take the necessary precautions to avoid sparking a fire.
The OSFM is in contact with the local fire agencies and continues to evaluate the need for additional support.
For more information, please monitor the Umatilla County Fire District #1 social media channels.
ABOUT RESPONSE READY OREGON
The use of this helicopter was made possible through the OSFM’s Response Ready Oregon initiative. It was launched through Immediate Response, a tool developed with funding from Senate Bill 762 (2021). The goal is to boost response to wildfires and keep fires small and away from communities.