Wildfire — East Slopes of the Oregon Cascades, Oregon

2020-08-16 to 2020-08-31 · East Slopes of the Oregon Cascades, Oregon

Event narrative

Narrative was pulled from InciWEB site. Lightning sparked the Lionshead Fire, which began August 16, 2020, in Lionshead Canyon on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs Reservation approximately 14 miles west of the Warm Springs community. An historic windstorm arrived in the area on Monday, September 7, rapidly spreading the fire west onto the Willamette, Deschutes and Mt. Hood National Forests. The Lionshead Fire has heavily impacted several communities in the Santiam drainage and Breitenbush area, including the loss of 264 resident homes in Detroit. Highly valued natural and cultural resources were also threatened.

Wider weather episode

Numerous human and lightning caused wildfires started in August after prolonged heat at the very end of July and numerous rounds of thunderstorms in early to middle August. Another hot spell occurred in mid August increasing fire weather concerns.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 915320. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.