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  Windigo and Potter Fires Update – August 05, 2022  Fire Information Phone Line: 206-473-8645 (8am - 7pm) Email: 2022.Windigo@firenet.gov Potter Fire InciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8291/ Windigo Fire InciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8292/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Windigo-Fire-and-Potter-Fire-Information-109233838550715   Moderate temperatures kept fire growth to a minimum on the Windigo and Potter Fires yesterday. Crews achieved 5% containment on the Windigo Fire and made progress connecting roads around the Potter Fire. Air resources were used heavily with two Type 1 Helicopters dropping water and retardant on hot spots. The Shelter Fire is now 5 acres, fully lined, and 75% contained. Resources continued to work on a lightning strike fire, now named Big Swamp Fire, a few miles west of Opal Lake. It’s 30% contained. The Windigo Fire continues to push east towards the Pacific Crest Trail. Today,...

 JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY, and HINES, OR – (Wednesday, August 4, 2022) The Beech Creek fire spread minimally within existing containment lines overnight and held at 254 acres; containment remains at 15%. Power was fully restored Tuesday evening and there are no evacuations in

Cow Canyon Fire UpdateNORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar August 5, 2022FIRE INFORMATION:509-557-00632022.cowcanyon@firenet.govFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwafireinfoINCIWEB:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8305/   COW CANYON FIRESIZE: 5,600 acresCONTAINMENT: 0%CAUSE: Under InvestigationPERSONNEL: Approx. 300RESOURCES: Hand Crews: 6 Engines: 6Dozers: 5Water Tenders: 6Helicopter: 1TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTIONA Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Cow Canyon Fire. Please consult the Notice to Airman for specifics. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.  Northwest Incident Team 12 took command of the Cow Canyon Fire at 6 AM today. The fire is currently burning approximately 11 miles north of Naches, WA through the Manastash border of Yakima and Kittitas Counties. The Incident Command Post at the Kittitas Fairgrounds in Ellensburg is closed to all but essential personnel to help ensure the health and safety of...

Vantage Highway Fire UpdateNORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar August 5, 2022509-557-00632022.vantagehighway@firenet.govFACEBOOK:https://www.facebook.com/cwafireinfoINCIWEB:https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8303/ SIZE: 26,490 acresCONTAINMENT: 35%CAUSE: Under InvestigationPERSONNEL: 269RESOURCES: Hand Crews: 6Engines: 31Dozers: 3Water Tenders: 6Northwest Incident Team 12 took command of the Vantage Highway Fire at 6 AM today.The is fire currently burning approximately 5 miles west of Vantage, WA. The Incident Command Post at the Kittitas Fairgrounds in Ellensburg is closed to all but essential personnel to help ensure the health and safety of community members and firefighters.Weather The next several days will be warmer, with temperatures in the upper 70s and lower 80s today, increasing to the mid-80s tomorrow. Winds will be on the decrease after the passing of the cold front yesterday with relative humidity in the 20% percent...

The entire Waldo Lake Wilderness area is closed due to the Cedar Creek Fire.  This includes all trailheads and dispersed camping west and north of Waldo Lake.  The lake itself remains open as well as campgrounds on the east side.  However, the closure may include the east side in a few days so remain aware and prepared.  The official closure order and the map will be posted here when

Washington state agencies collaborate on first-of-its-kind economic study

In 2021, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Parks and Washington Recreation and Conservation Office partnered with Earth Economics to determine public visitation and the economic contribution of outdoor recreation on state-managed public lands and measure how spending circulates within the state’s economy. The study, among the first of its kind outside academia, resulted in a final report “Outdoor Recreation on State Lands in Washington.”

Researchers conducted an economic contribution analysis that used mobile device data to estimate visitation and average visitor spending to determine the economic contribution of state lands, including value added to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), full- and part-time jobs supported, labor income, and tax revenue generated.

Visitation increases on Washington state-managed public lands

As many who spend time outdoors likely know, tracking visitation on state-managed lands is difficult. Many state-managed properties have multiple access points, and agencies have limited resources to track visitation over long periods of time. To address this issue, Earth Economics gathered anonymized, aggregated mobile device data from more than 150 million mobile device apps. People using these apps were included in the dataset if they opted in for data sharing. These mobile data were added to a data model that incorporated control variables such as time of year, weather, and air quality to produce a more accurate visitation estimate.

According to the report, state-managed public lands supported 78 million unique visitor days* in 2019 and 87 million unique visitor days in 2020, a 12% increase. These data align with observations from state employees that recreation activity increased on public lands in 2020. This increased visitation includes a dramatic rise in day use in 2020, and a decline in overnight use. The public land closures in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the ongoing pandemic itself, likely impacted visitation, though the magnitude of this impact is unknown.

*Each visitor day represents one person present at a state recreation land area for one day. Multi-day or multi-member trips translate to a higher number of visitor days. For example, two people visiting a wildlife area for two days is counted as four visitor days.

Agency Visitor Days 2019 Visitor Days 2020 Change Department of Fish and Wildlife 27,230,000 29,069,000 +7% Department of Natural Resources 16,572,000 20,080,000 +21% State Parks 34,239,000 37,991,000 +11% All State-Managed Lands 78,041,000 87,139,000 +12%

Estimated visitor days to state recreation lands, 2019 to 2020

State-managed public lands support local economies

Visitation estimates provide the foundation for calculating visitor spending. Visitors to state-managed recreation lands supported $5.9 billion in spending on goods and services (direct and indirect). This means that for every $1 spent by recreational users, $1.80 in economic activity is generated within the state economy. This spending supports more than 37,000 full- and part-time jobs, $1.65 billion in labor income (wages), and more than $435 million in local and state tax revenue.

New tools allow state land managers to see on a unit-by-unit basis what counties and states people are traveling from—the below image highlights visitors to Lake Sammamish.

The anonymized mobile device data also give state land managers a better understanding of where visitors are coming from at county, national, and international levels. Washington’s state public lands had visitors from all over the United States, as well as from more than 150 countries, making it very clear that Washington’s state-managed lands are a major draw for outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

Washington’s state-managed public lands host visitors from all over the world.

Using data to better serve the public

The information and tools provided by the report mark a huge improvement in state agency collaboration and understanding of visitation. State land managers will be able to work together in ways not realized before, improving recreational experiences for people and prioritizing resources to monitor recreational impacts, manage wildlife species, and identify areas for growth.

Land managers will also be able to use new economic development tools that allow them to work closely with local leaders to determine economic contributions from local public lands and measure how spending circulates within local economies.

The study and resulting report mark an exciting leap forward in how Washington’s natural resource agencies manage state public lands in Washington. Using these new adaptive management tools, agencies will be able to further enhance outdoor recreational experiences for Washington’s residents and visitors, while also protecting the state’s natural places so people can enjoy them for generations to come.

Washington state agencies collaborate on first-of-its-kind economic study

In 2021, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Parks and Washington Recreation and Conservation Office partnered with Earth Economics to determine public visitation and the economic contribution of outdoor recreation on state-managed public lands and measure how spending circulates within the state’s economy. The study, among the first of its kind outside academia, resulted in a final report “Outdoor Recreation on State Lands in Washington.”

Researchers conducted an economic contribution analysis that used mobile device data to estimate visitation and average visitor spending to determine the economic contribution of state lands, including value added to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), full- and part-time jobs supported, labor income, and tax revenue generated.

Visitation increases on Washington state-managed public lands

As many who spend time outdoors likely know, tracking visitation on state-managed lands is difficult. Many state-managed properties have multiple access points, and agencies have limited resources to track visitation over long periods of time. To address this issue, Earth Economics gathered anonymized, aggregated mobile device data from more than 150 million mobile device apps. People using these apps were included in the dataset if they opted in for data sharing. These mobile data were added to a data model that incorporated control variables such as time of year, weather, and air quality to produce a more accurate visitation estimate.

According to the report, state-managed public lands supported 78 million unique visitor days* in 2019 and 87 million unique visitor days in 2020, a 12% increase. These data align with observations from state employees that recreation activity increased on public lands in 2020. This increased visitation includes a dramatic rise in day use in 2020, and a decline in overnight use. The public land closures in early 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the ongoing pandemic itself, likely impacted visitation, though the magnitude of this impact is unknown.

*Each visitor day represents one person present at a state recreation land area for one day. Multi-day or multi-member trips translate to a higher number of visitor days. For example, two people visiting a wildlife area for two days is counted as four visitor days.

Agency Visitor Days 2019 Visitor Days 2020 Change Department of Fish and Wildlife 27,230,000 29,069,000 +7% Department of Natural Resources 16,572,000 20,080,000 +21% State Parks 34,239,000 37,991,000 +11% All State-Managed Lands 78,041,000 87,139,000 +12%

Estimated visitor days to state recreation lands, 2019 to 2020

State-managed public lands support local economies

Visitation estimates provide the foundation for calculating visitor spending. Visitors to state-managed recreation lands supported $5.9 billion in spending on goods and services (direct and indirect). This means that for every $1 spent by recreational users, $1.80 in economic activity is generated within the state economy. This spending supports more than 37,000 full- and part-time jobs, $1.65 billion in labor income (wages), and more than $435 million in local and state tax revenue.

New tools allow state land managers to see on a unit-by-unit basis what counties and states people are traveling from—the below image highlights visitors to Lake Sammamish.

The anonymized mobile device data also give state land managers a better understanding of where visitors are coming from at county, national, and international levels. Washington’s state public lands had visitors from all over the United States, as well as from more than 150 countries, making it very clear that Washington’s state-managed lands are a major draw for outdoor recreation enthusiasts.

Washington’s state-managed public lands host visitors from all over the world. Using data to better serve the public

The information and tools provided by the report mark a huge improvement in state agency collaboration and understanding of visitation. State land managers will be able to work together in ways not realized before, improving recreational experiences for people and prioritizing resources to monitor recreational impacts, manage wildlife species, and identify areas for growth.

Land managers will also be able to use new economic development tools that allow them to work closely with local leaders to determine economic contributions from local public lands and measure how spending circulates within local economies.

The study and resulting report mark an exciting leap forward in how Washington’s natural resource agencies manage state public lands in Washington. Using these new adaptive management tools, agencies will be able to further enhance outdoor recreational experiences for Washington’s residents and visitors, while also protecting the state’s natural places so people can enjoy them for generations to come.

The Cedar Creek Fire, which was detected Monday about 3.5 miles west of Waldo Lake on the Willamette National Forest after a lightning storm, made a significant move north and east last night.  The fire is now around 1200 acres burning in heavy timber. The forest is closing the entire Waldo Lake Wilderness area as a precaution as the fire is headed in that direction, away from the community of Oakridge. While there is no need to panic, local engines patrolled the area last night to get campers and other recreationists out of the area and are continuing that effort this morning.  In addition, the public can expect a reverse 911 call at some point.  Anyone with friends or family recreating in that area or headed that way, are asked to try to contact them, and inform them of the closure and the need to leave the area. The two fires in the Three Sister Wilderness area reported last night are being staffed this morning by smokejumpers.  One is 5 acres and one is 1/10th of an acre. As...

 #VantageHighwayFire Update:Email: publicfireinformation@gmail.comFacebook: facebook.com/sewaimtPhone number: ‪(509) 557-0063‬Incident website: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8303/Incident Commander: Leonard JohnsonPublic Information: Grace DeBusschere9:00 a.m., August 4, 2022Estimated size: 17,000 acresContainment: 25%Start Date/Time: August 1, 12:05 p.m.Area of Origin: Vantage HighwayCause: Under investigationStructures Lost: 1 Cabin, 3 outbuildingsResources: 6 Hand crews31 Engines3 Dozers6 Water TendersAir ResourcesYesterday: Fireline resources established anchor points that allow firefighters to start working through several drainages. Aircraft and ground resources worked hard throughout the day to establish a north border on the fire near Box Canyon. Several aircraft from the Vantage Highway fire were redirected to nearby new fire starts in critical need of aerial resources. Today: Firefighters continue to improve and install control lines along the west perimeter of the...

   Fire Information Phone Line: 206-473-8645 (8am - 7pm) Email: 2022.Windigo@firenet.gov Potter Fire InciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8291/ Windigo Fire InciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8292/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Windigo-Fire-and-Potter-Fire-Information-109233838550715   Fire growth on the Windigo and Potter Fires was minimal yesterday. Air and ground resources continued to work on initial attack addressing 14 lightning strikes and multiple spot fires outside of the fire perimeters. The start near Little Dome Rock is now being referred to as the Shelter Fire. It is currently three acres and 80% lined around the perimeter. The La Grande Hot Shot crew was able to fully contain an additional small fire. The Windigo Fire is currently pushing east around the butte. Water hose was put along the southeast corner as well as one load of fire retardant. Eastside resources such as the Zig Zag and Baker River Hot...

  Fire Information Phone Line: 206-473-8645 (8am - 7pm) Email: 2022.Windigo@firenet.gov Potter Fire InciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8291/ Windigo Fire InciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8292/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Windigo-Fire-and-Potter-Fire-Information-109233838550715   Fire growth on the Windigo and Potter Fires was minimal yesterday. Air and ground resources continued to work on initial attack addressing 14 lightning strikes and multiple spot fires outside of the fire perimeters. The start near Little Dome Rock is now being referred to as the Shelter Fire. It is currently three acres and 80% lined around the perimeter. The La Grande Hot Shot crew was able to fully contain an additional small fire. The Windigo Fire is currently pushing east around the butte. Water hose was put along the southeast corner as well as one load of fire retardant. Eastside resources such as the Zig Zag and Baker River Hot...

 JOHN DAY, PRAIRIE CITY, and HINES, OR – (Wednesday, August 3, 2022) There were no significant changes to the Beech Creek Fire overnight, with a slight increase in area burned - now up to 248 acres, as the fire continued to spread toward the north, south and west. Firefighters continue active suppression and work with local landowners and permittees to share information and address concerns. Highway 395 is open with a pilot car from milepost 103 to milepost 106.5, approximately three miles. Expects delays and heavy fire traffic. The fire is 15%

 John Day, Hines and Prairie City, OR. — (August 02, 2022) Multiple resources from the Malheur National Forest, Grayback Forestry, Inc., and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) responded to a reported wildfire on Monday afternoon. Crews worked into the night concentrating on structure protection.  The Beech Creek fire has burned approximately 75 acres and is zero percent contained. U.S. Highway 395 is closed northbound and southbound between Long Creek at milepost 90 and Mt. Vernon at mile post 120 due to the fire on both sides of the road. The cause of the fire is undetermined and is under investigation.   "The safety of our firefighters and the public is our top priority" said Ron Simpson, Fire & Aviation Staff Officer. The Forest Service is continuing to work with it's partners, ODF and Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) to re-establish power lost to downed power lines, open the highway, keep the fire from spreading on to private land and to protect private...

   Cow Canyon Fire Update August 4, 2021 4:00 a.m.   Fire Information Line: 360-706-3121 (Daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)   Size: 1,500 acresTotal Personnel: 100Containment: 0%Cause: Under investigationStructures Threatened: Apx. 50 single residencesStructures Lost: 0  The Cow Canyon Fire was first reported on August 3 at approximately 2:45 p.m. The fire is burning in grass, brush and timber in moderately difficult terrain. A high level of resources were ordered and multiple crews and aircraft responded.    The fire is burning in brush, grass and timber. It was first assessed at 5 acres and grew to approximately 1500 acres. Multiple engine crews, air resources and heavy equipment are on scene. Evacuation orders are currently impacting approximately 50 homes or structures. No major injuries have been reported to residents or firefighting personnel. Air resources provided heavy attack on the fire throughout August 3. Aircraft are using local bodies of water,...

    Pacific Crest Trail from OR Highway 138 (south end; PCT mile 1848) to OR Highway 58 (north end; PCT mile 1908) The east half of Diamond Peak Wilderness (only the Deschutes portion of Diamond Peak; the Willamette portion remains open) Timpanogas Lake Campground Forest Service Road (FSR) 2610 from Lemolo Dam to Calapooya Mt Forest Service Road (FSR) 60 from the junction with FSR 6020 in Deschutes National Forest to FSR 2612 in the Umpqua National Forest Temporary Flight Restriction over the two fires

    Pacific Crest Trail from OR Highway 138 (south end; PCT mile 1848) to OR Highway 58 (north end; PCT mile 1908) The east half of Diamond Peak Wilderness (only the Deschutes portion of Diamond Peak; the Willamette portion remains open) Timpanogas Lake Campground Forest Service Road (FSR) 2610 from Lemolo Dam to Calapooya Mt Forest Service Road (FSR) 60 from the junction with FSR 6020 in Deschutes National Forest to FSR 2612 in the Umpqua National Forest Temporary Flight Restriction over the two fires

 A new fire called the Cedar Creek Fire, a holdover caused by the lightning over the area in the last few days, is about 500 acres and approximately one mile west of the Black Creek Trailhead on the 2421 road, about 18 miles due east of Oakridge, Oregon and 3.5 miles west of Waldo Lake, and about 6 miles north of Highway 58. An emergency closure is in place in the area. Hikers and other forest users are asked not to use trails off the Forest Service roads 2421 or 2424. The fire is continuing to be very active, moving north, spotting in all directions and putting up a large plume. The Cedar Creek Fire was reported as a single smoke late on Monday, August 1st, as local crews were scrambling to respond to 20 or 30 fire reports.  A load of helicopter rappelers were sent in Tuesday, August 2nd, but turned down the assignment, reporting the terrain was too hazardous for safe access. As other options were considered, two other firefighters were sent in along the 2421 road to find an access...

 Windigo and Potter Fires Update – August 03, 2022   Fire Information Phone Line: 425-324-1267 (8am - 7pm) Email: 2022.Windigo@firenet.gov Potter Fire InciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8291/ Windigo Fire InciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8292/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Windigo-Fire-and-Potter-Fire-Information-109233838550715   Yesterday, crews and dozers continued to build line around the Windigo and Potter Fires. Road systems are being cleared to be utilized as defensible containment lines. Air and ground resources also worked on initial attack addressing new fire starts in response to Monday night’s lightning storm. One start was located near Little Dome Rock northwest of the Potter Fire. Today, with the arrival of more equipment and staff, crews will continue to prepare primary and alternative fire lines. On the Windigo Fire, dozer line creation will continue at the base of the butte. Handline...

 Windigo and Potter Fires Update – August 03, 2022   Fire Information Phone Line: 425-324-1267 (8am - 7pm) Email: 2022.Windigo@firenet.gov Potter Fire InciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8291/ Windigo Fire InciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8292/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Windigo-Fire-and-Potter-Fire-Information-109233838550715   Yesterday, crews and dozers continued to build line around the Windigo and Potter Fires. Road systems are being cleared to be utilized as defensible containment lines. Air and ground resources also worked on initial attack addressing new fire starts in response to Monday night’s lightning storm. One start was located near Little Dome Rock northwest of the Potter Fire. Today, with the arrival of more equipment and staff, crews will continue to prepare primary and alternative fire lines. On the Windigo Fire, dozer line creation will continue at the base of the butte. Handline...

 Windigo and Potter Fires Update – August 02, 2022   Fire Information Phone Line: 425-324-1267 (8am - 7pm) Email: 2022.Windigo@firenet.gov Potter Fire InciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8291/ Windigo Fire InciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8292/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Windigo-Fire-and-Potter-Fire-Information-109233838550715   The Windigo and Potter fires began between July 30 and July 31. The fires are burning on lands managed by the USDA Forest Service, on the Umpqua National Forest and the Willamette National Forest, and adjacent to the Deschutes National Forest.   These three forests have delegated responsibility for fighting these fires to Northwest Incident Management Team 6, a Type 2 team led by Incident Commander Shawn Sheldon. The Team assumed responsibility Tuesday morning, August 2, 2022, at 6:00am. The fires are burning primarily in a mix of timber with heavy dead and down trees....