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There will be a Virtual Community Meeting on the Evans Canyon Fire hosted via Facebook Live on the Southeast Washington Interagency Management Team Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/sewaimt/ at 5 PM today, September 4. The Evans Canyon Fire is currently burning approximately 8 miles north of Naches.  Fire information from members of the Type 2 Incident Management Team will be shared, including weather, fire behavior, and operations.  The meeting content will be available, both live and recorded, the Facebook page without logging onto Facebook or having a Facebook account. The Virtual Community Meeting will also be recorded and will be available on the Facebook page after the live

STAY SAFE THIS LABOR DAY WEEKEND! The White River Fire remains active and firefighters and equipment continue to work near and around roadways.  A few things to consider before you head out for the weekend...Be sure to check current road conditions:  https://www.tripcheck.com/ To ensure public and firefighter safety, areas of the Mt. Hood National Forest near the fire are closed. Visit www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mthood/alerts-notices for further information. You can find air quality and updated smoke conditions at https://fires.airfire.org/outlooks/columbia_river_gorge_or_wa If you travel to an area with fire activity, please drive with caution and lights on for visibility.  Enjoy your weekend and make sure we all get home safely.

MAPLETON, Ore.—Day crews on the Sweet Creek Milepost 2 Fire pushed mop up 150 to 200 feet into thefire’s interior today. Aided by handheld infrared thermal imaging cameras, night crews plan to re-checkcontainment lines and extend mop up another 25 to 50 feet into the interior. Their work should be aided byovernight humidity levels predicted to reach 90% on some parts of the fire. Last night’s burn out operationon the northwest corner of the fire was successful. Helicopters dropped water on that portion of the firetoday, cooling remaining hot spots. Crews found no spots outside the line. Containment has reached 45%.At this evening’s briefing, the incident fire behavior specialist described very favorable conditions forovernight suppression work on the fire. Low temperatures and high relative humidity, combined withpredicted low wind speeds, will significantly decrease fire activity. Crews were again commended on theincident’s excellent safety record, though fire managers...

Firefighters have been making progress on the Evans Canyon fire, and the fire is now 10% contained. Fire crews on the Evans Canyon Fire will begin a burnout operation this afternoon on the east side of Clemens Mountain. This burnout operation will remove remaining fuels between the wildfire and a dozer control line. This firing operation will be highly visible from many locations along the Old Naches Highway and beyond. The community should be aware that this is an intentional burning operation to starve the wildfire of flammable vegetation in this area.

Warm Springs, Oregon - This update is for the P-515 Fire and Lionshead Fire burning on the Warm Springs Reservation.  Both fires are being managed for full suppression.At 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, an Interagency Incident Management Team (NW Team 10) from the Pacific Northwest (Alan Lawson, Incident Commander) assumed management of the fire. Current Status:  The P-515 Fire is 95% contained and mop-up continues. The Lionshead Fire is now 8,785 acres and 30% contained.  The fire continues to burn to the west and southwest, moving up the Whitewater River and Milk Creek drainages.  Firefighters were able to establish dozer line further out on the Northwest flank of the fire yesterday. Spotting occurred on the southwest flank of the fire, crossing an established dozer line. Air resources have been supporting crews, containing spots to the southwest when visibility permits. Lionshead: The Lionshead Fire continues to push on the NW and SW corners. Air resources will continue to support ground...

After a fire goes through an area, resources “hold, patrol and mop up;” but what does that mean exactly?    Mop up is a term used to describe extinguishing residual fire to make sure it doesn’t continue to spread outside of an established containment area.   Mop up includes actions like breaking apart smoldering debris, ensuring embers are completely extinguished, or moving burned debris so it cannot roll downhill and ignite previously unburned fuels.  The amount of area that is mopped up depends on terrain, vegetation type and proximity to homes.   Firefighters mop up along the fire perimeter to ensure the fire line is cooled down enough that it cannot re-ignite, even during high wind events.   When you practice campfire safety by drowning, stirring and drowning again, you are essentially “mopping up.”  

Warm Springs, Oregon - This update is for the P-515 Fire and Lionshead Fire burning on the Warm Springs Reservation.  Both fires are being managed for full suppression.At 6:00 p.m. Wednesday, an Interagency Incident Management Team (NW Team 10) from the Pacific Northwest (Alan Lawson, Incident Commander) assumed management of the fire. Current Status:  The P-515 Fire is 95% contained and mop-up continues. The Lionshead Fire is now 8,785 acres and 30% contained.  The fire continues to burn to the west and southwest, moving up the Whitewater River and Milk Creek drainages.  Firefighters were able to establish dozer line further out on the Northwest flank of the fire yesterday. Spotting occurred on the southwest flank of the fire, crossing an established dozer line. Air resources have been supporting crews, containing spots to the southwest when visibility permits.Lionshead: The Lionshead Fire continues to push on the NW and SW corners. Air resources will continue to support ground...

Tune in to www.facebook/WhiteRiverFire today at approximately 4 p.m. for a LIVE update from our Air Quality Advisor.  You do not need a Facebook account to

Tune in at noon today for a LIVE update from our Air Advisor!Smoke summary: With lighter winds, smoke will mostly hang around the fire area today. The Columbia River may get smoke overnight from the Evans Creek fire NW of Yakima.Find the complete smoke outlook -

  Size: 150 acres Location: Opal Creek Wilderness, Willamette National Forest, 6 mi. north of Detroit, OR Containment: 0 percent Suppression Strategy: full suppression Date Detected: August 16, 2020, 11:18 a.m. Cause: unknown Resources: 1 crew, 1 road grader, 1 water tender, 1 backhoe, 43 total personnel, 1 Type 2 helicopter. 1 Type 1 helicopter and 1 Rappel ship Current Situation: Wednesday the fire tripled in size and is now estimated to be 150-160 acres.  The fire burns actively at night and starts off in the morning with a lot of heat.  Yesterday the fire was most active from 11:00 a.m. to noon and moderated in the afternoon due to its position on the slope, the smoke column shading the fire and the aviation support dropping water.  There were some short runs and spotting with most of the fire growth to the south, along the top of the ridge away from the Opal Creek drainage. The increased smoke seen on...

MAPLETON, Ore.—Overnight, firefighters successfully completed a burnout operation in the northwest corner of the Sweet Creek Milepost 2 Fire. The operation helped secure that corner of the fire by removing about 10 acres of unburned fuels between the fire perimeter and established fire line. Elsewhere on the fire, crews kept water flowing as they continued to grid for hot spots and complete mop up operations. As of this morning, the fire is 30% contained. Today, crews will be looking for and responding to spots outside of the line as they continue mopping up interior portions of the fire. Two type 1 helicopters will also join the effort, increasing capacity to deliver water from the air. Speaking at the morning briefing, Operations Section Chief Mike Carlson asked crews to be “slow, productive, and safe” as they complete the methodical work of locating and extinguishing hot spots. Fallers have removed hazard trees near the fire line, but rolling debris and steep terrain continue...

Evans Canyon Fire UpdateNorthwest Incident Management Team 12, Incident Commander, Jeff DimkeSeptember 3, 2020Evans Canyon Fire is burning actively about 8 miles north of Naches in Yakima County, Washington, with the northeastern point stretching into Kittitas County. Results of an infrared flight conducted last night estimate the fire is approximately 52,000 acres. Today’s temperatures will be in the mid-80s to 93˚ F. Winds are predicted to be light at 7 to 10 mph, with ridgetop gusts of 20 to 25 mph. Yesterday’s Operations: Firefighters stopped the spread of the fire on the southeastern edge, near Longmire and Wenas Valley, tying into roads and securing it with dozer lines. Retardant and water drops were focused on the west side of the fire in the vicinity of Clemans Ridge. Dozer lines were constructed in the Umtanum Creek area. Crews continued working to establish control lines around the fire perimeter. Today’s Operations: Crews will continue mopping up around structures...

Quick Facts - Fire Summary Start Date: 8/17/2020 Cause: Lightning Incident Commander: Noel Livingston, Pacific Northwest Team 3 Approximate Size: 16,952 acres Containment: 40% Total Personnel: 1,229Approximate Distance:  8 miles from Maupin/7 miles from Tygh Valley Resources on the Fire:  32 crews89 engines 8 dozers 17 water tenders9 helicopters Cooperating Agencies:Wasco County SheriffWasco County Emergency ManagementNTSB/FAA Weather and Fire Behavior:  Hot and dry weather conditions with temperatures in the 90’s and lower humidity will continue to impact fuels along the fire perimeters and unburned islands in the fire interior. Terrain driven light winds will keep fire active into early evening. Extreme drought and higher temperatures will drive active fire behavior across the fire throughout the day. Last 24 hours: Along the northwestern perimeter crews and dozers continue to secure containment lines and mop up activities have started. On the eastern side of the...

MAPLETON, Ore.—Firefighters continued mop up operations around the Sweet Creek Milepost 2 Fire today, working as much as 75 to 100 feet into some portions of the fire. The fire was less active, despite warm temperatures and low relative humidity. Helicopters continued to make bucket drops on hot spots, as crews used hand tools and hose lays for mop up. Following careful planning, firefighters conducted a burnout operation in the northwest corner of the fire this evening. The operation helped secure that corner of the fire by removing unburned fuels between the fire perimeter and established fire line. Smoke from the burnout could be seen over the fire late into the evening. Tonight, a specially equipped aircraft will overfly the fire to better map the perimeter and identify hotspots. Containment has increased to 30%.The Incident Management Team held a virtual community meeting at 7 pm tonight, which was livestreamed on the incident’s Facebook page @sweetcreekmp2fire. The meeting...

White River Fire perimeter continues to hold and look good while firefighters manage hotspots within the burn out area from last night. In the Canyon, the Redmond Hotshots were able to complete fireline down to the White River.No LIVE update is planned for this evening.  Stay tuned for tomorrow morning's update from our Incident

PENDLETON, Ore. – The Umatilla National Forest has reopened some access within the Tucannon watershed following reduced firefighter activity along Forest Service Road (FSR) 47.  Effective Wednesday, Sept. 2, FSR 47 and FSR 4620 will both be open to the Little Tucannon Bridge. FSR 47 will remain closed from the bridge up to the intersection with FSR 4712 and FSR 4713, which also both remain closed. The area closure is also still in effect for both firefighter and public safety.  Forest officials will continually review the area and road closure needs based on fire activity, hazards and continued repairs on Forest Service Road (FSR) 47 above the Little Tucannon Bridge. Detailed closure maps are available on the Forest website and at any Forest office. Closure signs will also be posted on the ground. Local fire managers from the Pomeroy Ranger District took command of the Rattlesnake Fire today from the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3. The fire is 497 acres in size and...

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE Barlow and Hood River Ranger Districts, Mt Hood National Forest FOREST ORDER NO. 06-06-06-20-06 Barlow and Hood River Ranger District Fire Closure Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public and firefighter safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Barlow and Hood River Ranger Districts of the Mt Hood National Forest, as shown on the attached map (Exhibit A). This order supersedes order 06-06-06-20-05, signed August 25, 2020. This Order is effective beginning 1200 August 27, 2020 and will remain in effect until October 31, 2020 or until rescinded. PROHIBITIONS: Going into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Fire Closure Area. 1. Going into or being upon an area closed for the protection of public health or safety. (36 CFR 261.53(e)) 2. Being on a road. ( 36 CFR § 261.54(e)) 3. Being on a trail. (36 CFR § 261.55(a)) CLOSURE AREA DESCRIPTION: As depicted on...

Press Release  Evans Canyon Fire  September 2, 2020 1:00 P.M.  Officials will hold a media conference at the “old” Naches Valley Primary School in Yakima County, Wash., at 2 p.m., to update media on the current conditions of the Evans Canyon Fire that started Monday 8 miles northeast of Naches. The conference site at 2700 old Naches Road is currently being used as the incident command center for firefighting efforts. Officials that will be on hand  include Yakima County Commissioner Vicki Baker, Selah Fire Department Chief Gary Hanna, Yakama Valley Emergency Management Operations (EMO) Manager Horace Ward and Northwest Incident Management Team 12 Incident Commanders Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar   The conference will highlight ongoing firefighting efforts and plans for community healing following the loss of five primary residences to the fire – the greatest loss of property to fire in Yakima County in nearly five years, according to officials. “Today is the first day...

White River Fire Update 29NEW EVACUATION LEVELSFirefighters made great progress on the hotspot in the northwest quadrant right above Pine Hollow. As per Sheriff Magill directions Evacuation level will be lowered and lifted in certain areas. There are no remaining level 3 areas. Please use caution when transiting the area due to Fire Teams still actively fighting fires in the area.White River Fire Evacuation Area Updates are as follows:Level 2 GET READY: for Pine Grove from the area east from Bear Springs Ranger Station along Hwy 216 through Pine Grove to the intersection of Endersby Rd and 216, also included are all of Endersby Rd, Linns Mill Rd and Kelly Springs Rd has been lowered to Level 2 GET READY.Level 1 GET READY: All residences east side of Endersby Rd and East Side of Kelly Springs Rd to Hwy 197 have been lowered to Level 1 Get Ready.LEVEL 1 GET SET: for the area from Woodcock Rd to Driver Rd to White River Crossing to include Muller Rd, Smock Rd, Ayres Rd, Barber Lane and...

Size: 50 acres Location: Opal Creek Wilderness, Willamette National Forest, 6 mi. north of Detroit, OR Containment: 0 percent Suppression Strategy: full suppression Date Detected: August 16, 2020, 11:18 a.m. Cause: unknown Resources: 1 crew, 1 road grader, 1 water tender, 1 backhoe, 43 total personnel, 1 Type 2 helicopter. 1 Type 1 helicopter and 1 Rappel ship Current Situation: Yesterday the fire increased in size from 25 acres to 50 acres. The fire continues to be active throughout the night. Fire fighters have seen an increase in fire activity in the morning producing smoke early in the day. There has been a visible increase in smoke from the fire.  In addition smoke from the Lionshead fire on the Warm Springs Reservation is producing smoke and nighttime temperature inversion may push the smoke down Beachie Creek and French Creek and may impact the town of Detroit, Jawbone Flats and communities in the...