1,500-acre fire at Malheur NWR

Above:  The Voltage Fire, undated photo, credit: U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

Firefighters are making progress on a wildfire that started April 27 in Malheur National Wildlife Refuge in Oregon, but it sounds like there will be extensive mopup since it is burning in heavy tule marsh vegetation. Firefighters are using roads, canals, open water, and nonburnable vegetation for control opportunities.

Voltage Fire
Voltage Fire. Photo credit: Peter Pearsall, Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Here is the latest information about the Voltage Fire issued Thursday by the Refuge:

The fire started April 27 from a lightning strike, and burned approximately 1,500 acres. Firefighters are continuing to suppress the wildfire in organic soils, and will be conducting interior burn out operations today to remove the immediate threat to control lines. Photo credit: Peter Pearsall, Friends of Malheur National Wildlife Refuge.

Voltage Fire Malheur National Wildlife Refuge
Photo by Kay Steele