Partner Feeds

  THIS WILL BE THE LAST UPDATE The fire is completely lined and firefighters are now focusing on holding and improving their lines and eliminating any remaining heat within 200 feet of the fire's edge or within 300 feet of structures. Breezy conditions yesterday (Friday) afternoon did not create any problems, giving firefighters confidence their existing lines are adequate for containment. A significant wind event is expected later today, which could raise the chances of new starts in the area. There will also be a Red Flag warning from 2:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The public is urged to use extreme caution and to be vigilant as this will bring elevated fire danger to Eastern Washington. Some members of the public have expressed uncertainty as to whether sifting through ashes is safe or prudent. Agitating dry ash can throw tiny particles of burned material into the air, which are easily inhaled. Any burned material, even organic material like wood and plants, contains carcinogens that are...

Indian Creek Fire update for Saturday, August 29, 2020     Brian Gales, Incident CommanderLonnie Click, Deputy Incident CommanderStart date: Aug. 16, 202Location: 9 miles east of Juntura, ORCause: Human/under investigationFire size: 48,128 acresContainment: 75%Total personnel: 117Northwest Incident Management Team 13, led by Incident Commander Brian Gales, will transfer the Indian Creek Fire suppression to High Desert Type 3 Incident Management Team under the command of Rob Gubser tomorrow.NWIMT13’s successful management and suppression efforts by firefighters over the past two weeks is due in large part to the tremendous support of the communities of Juntura, Harper, Westfall, and Vale.“We appreciate the support of the community,” said Incident Commander trainee Aaron Schuh. “Everyone has been very friendly and accepting of us being here.”Firefighters have been working out of remote camps and eating packaged meals. Home-cooked meals prepared by Westfall residents,...

Evacuation update from the Wasco County Sheriff's Office:White River Fire Update 8.  New changes in evacuation level.Level 3 for Pine Grove remains in effect.Level 3, GO: All residences on Smock Road west of the intersection of Smock Road and Ayres Road to include all residences on Barber Lane and Farlow Road have now been placed on Level 3 GO Evacuation Notice.Level 2, GET SET: Evacuation Notice for the area from Woodcock to Driver Rd to the intersection of Smock and Ayres Rd to include Muller Rd are now at Level 2 GET SET Evacuation Notice.Follow the Wasco County Sheriff's Office Facebook page for

Effective, Friday, August 28, at 6:00 p.m., the Umatilla National Forest expanded the road closures associated with the Rattlesnake Fire, due to safety concerns and heavy fire traffic.  The closure order includes the FSR4700, from the Tucannon Forest Service Campground to the road terminus, in addition to the FSR4712, FSR4713, and FSR4620 roads in their entireties.  However, the Tucannon Forest Service Campground is not included in this closure and is still accessible to the

White River Fire Trail and Recreation Site Closures:  The Following Trails Are Closed to Public Access: Crane Creek Crane Prairie Boulder Lake Forest Creek Hidden Meadows Bonney Meadows Threemile Camas Rimrock All of Rock Creek OHV Area All of McCubbins Gulch OHV Area   The Following Recreation Sites Are Closed to Public Access: White River Station Forest Creek Keeps Mill Boulder Lake Little Boulder Lake Post Camp Camp Windy Bonney Meadows Bonney Crossing Post Point OHV Staging Area Gate Creek OHV Staging Area Barlow Crossing Rock Creek Campground Rock Creek Day Use and Boat Launch Clear Creek Campground McCubbins Gulch Campground  

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...

Fire Update: Friday, Aug. 28, 2020 The White River Fire moved significantly yesterday, crossing control lines to the east and spotting across the river to the south. It moved from national forest land to state and private lands. The fire threatened structures in Pine Grove, leading to a Level 3 “GO” Evacuation Order from the Wasco County Sheriff. A Level 3 Order means EVACUATE NOW. Yesterday several crews on the ground and aircraft moved to initial attack, working spot fires lofted embers out to 2000 feet. Fire managers used several firefighting aircraft to help suppress fire where conditions allowed and were effective. Local firefighting resources assisted with structural protection near the community of Pine Grove. Because of the fire’s proximity to Pine Grove, the Governor declared a Conflagration Act enabling the State Fire Marshall to bring 15 structural protection engines to the fire. Also, the incoming Type 1 team (PNWIIMT 3) has added capacity ...

Wildfire evacuations are aimed at saving lives and protecting the safety of residents and firefighters alike, but who is responsible for issuing and enforcing these orders?

Local emergency managers and law enforcement officials ultimately make the final call on evacuations, but these officials do not work alone. Fire managers assess the weather, terrain, potential spread and other factors about a fire to help emergency officials decide whether to recommend or order evacuations – and when to lift them after the threat has passed.

Three fire evacuation alert levels that homeowners should be familiar with are:

• Level 1 (Get ready) – Residents are informed in person of the situation.
• Level 2 (Get set) – Residents are asked to consider leaving the area, or to be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. At this point, law enforcement officials may limit access back into the area.
• Level 3 (Go, evacuate now) – Fire is in the area. People are to leave immediately. Access to the area is restricted.

What do you do if you are unsure about evacuating and haven’t heard anything? The best thing you can do is to already be prepared, and call your local sheriff or law enforcement to ask.

Here are basic questions to prepare for a possible wildfire evacuation:

• Are you familiar with your community’s disaster-preparedness plans, and have you created a family emergency plan?

• Do you have plans to care for your pets in case of an evacuation?

• Do you know where the closest police, fire and emergency medical facilities are located?

• Have you planned different escape routes from your home and neighborhood?

• Have you designated an emergency meeting place for the family to congregate and an established contact point to communicate with concerned relatives?

• Do you have an emergency kit that includes: at least a three-day supply of drinking water and food that needs no refrigeration or cooking; a portable NOAA weather radio; first aid supplies and medications; basic tools, such as a wrench, a flashlight and gloves; portable lanterns and batteries; credit cards and cash?

To contact your county’s emergency management, go to https://www.dnr.wa.gov/Wildfires and scroll down to Local Emergency Management Contacts.

For basic steps on wildfire awareness, go to the Ready, Set, Go website.

The 3128 road is now OPEN.  Forest Closure Order #06-14-06-20-25 has been

        Size: 10 acres (no increase) 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: 2 20-person crews, 1 helicopter, 1 road grader, 1 water tender, 54 total personnel   Current Situation: Thursday, the Santiam River Crew, from the Detroit Ranger District, cleared the French Creek and Beachie trails so that crew members can access the Whetstone Mountain Trail and install a remote camera this weekend. The location provides an unobstructed downcanyon view of the fire. A solar-powered battery will keep the camera operating continuously, giving firefighters an early-warning system for monitoring fire activity. Firefighters on the McKenzie Crew will continue to assess Forest Roads 2207 and 2209 and identify areas where future brushing and clearing...

Wasco County Citizen AlertReceive alerts about emergencies and other important community messages by signing up for the Citizen Alert Emergency Notification System. This notification system enables Emergency Response Agencies to provide you with critical information quickly in a variety of situations, such as severe weather, wildfires, floods, street and road closures, missing persons, law enforcement activities and evacuation notifications. You will receive time-sensitive messages wherever you specify, such as your home, cell, or business phone, email, text messages, hearing impaired receiving devices, and more. You pick where, you pick how. Individuals with disabilities who need assistance can register by calling the Wasco County Communications Manager at 541-506-2760. Important: Once you provide your phone numbers and email in step #3, you MUST enter contact preferences in order to receive emergency and/or community

 Level 2 Evacuations have been lifted.  Level 3 Evacuations remain in

 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.Current Situation: The P-515 Fire is 4,609 acres and 70% contained.  The fire lines held again yesterday and crews continue to mop up hot spots.The Lionshead Fire is now 4,866 acres and 15% contained.  Yesterday, in a preemptive action, six loads of retardant were applied on the ridge just west of Lionshead Peak (NW corner of the fire).  This action was taken to reduce the intensity of the fire should it crest the canyon and reduce the potential for spotting over the ridge.  Containment lines on the north, east and south east flanks continue to hold.  All spot fires on the south flank (south of J-200) are now lined.  P-515 Fire:  Mop up continues along fire lines and crews will patrol for undetected spot fires.  As containment increases, crews are being shifted to support operations on the Lionshead...

 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.Current Situation: The P-515 Fire is 4,609 acres and 70% contained.  The fire lines held again yesterday and crews continue to mop up hot spots.The Lionshead Fire is now 4,866 acres and 15% contained.  Yesterday, in a preemptive action, six loads of retardant were applied on the ridge just west of Lionshead Peak (NW corner of the fire).  This action was taken to reduce the intensity of the fire should it crest the canyon and reduce the potential for spotting over the ridge.  Containment lines on the north, east and south east flanks continue to hold.  All spot fires on the south flank (south of J-200) are now lined.  P-515 Fire:  Mop up continues along fire lines and crews will patrol for undetected spot fires.  As containment increases, crews are being shifted to support operations on the Lionshead...