InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

 Inchelium, WA – The Summit Trail Fire was started by lightning on July 12, and is burning on the Colville Reservation approximately 17 miles west of Inchelium.  The Upper Lime Creek Fire was also burning on the Colville Reservation approximately 6 miles north of Keller. The 376-acre fire is 75 percent contained. Northwest Incident Management Team 10 has been managing both the Upper Lime Creek Fire and the Summit Trail Fire with 421 personnel engaged in fighting the fires in terrain that is steep, rough and often difficult to access.Southwesterly winds from Sunday and overnight into early Monday carried embers that ignited large spot fires on Brush and Tungsten Mountains. Winds pushed the Summit Trail Fire to the northeast, east and southeast.  Using ground and air reconnaissance, fire managers were able to determine the extent of the perimeter’s growth. Due to this fire growth, Colville Tribal Police issued additional Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation notices (see below). Fire...

Bull Complex Fire Update August 17, 2021 Fire Information Line: 503-668-1437 For Immediate Release   Overview: Infra-red (IR) sensing technology mapping has shown that the Janus/Ridge and Kola Fires have merged. Moving forward we will be updating as one fire, the Bull Complex. Lower humidity, and wind gusts up to 15 mph across the ridge tops increased fire activity. A Type 2 initial attack helicopter, assigned from the Willamette National Forest, dropped water along the southern border to keep fire away from the cities of Detroit and Breitenbush, while monitoring for any areas of concern.   Current Situation: Fire activity continued to be primarily in the north and northwest side of the fire. The fire entered the area of the 2010 Bull of the Woods Fire. High numbers of large dead trees and grassy fuels in the burn scar increased fire activity and created dangerous hazards for firefighters.   Afternoon winds out of the west and southwest shifted the fire to the northeast. A spot...

  Middle Fork Complex Fire Update – Tuesday, August 17, 2021 – 9:00 am Clear skies on Monday allowed aviation resources to support crews on the Kwis, Gales and Ninemile Fires as they checked fire spread with bucket drops and performed reconnaissance flights. Kwis Fire: The Kwis Fire is 51% contained and has stayed within its footprint for the past few days. Yesterday’s clear skies afforded an opportunity to get in and take a closer look to identify areas of heat within the fire perimeter. There was some active burning inside the fire perimeter. Firefighters have completed the alternate fire line along Forest Road 5871 and those resources are being repositioned to work on constructing and preparing fire line to the southeast of the Gales Fire. Crews remain vigilant as they systematically search for areas of heat that could pose a threat to containment lines and extinguish or remove any burning material. Hazardous trees along roadways are being identified and felled. Gales...

 Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest Pincer Creek Fire UpdateContact :  James ChuTelephone:  971-334-7674Date:  August 17, 2021Email address:  2021.pincercreek@firenet.govPincer Creek Fire Growth Slows.Olympic Wildland Fire Module Is ActivatedEverett, WA, Aug. 17, 2021 – Fire managers report that the Pincer Creek Fire burned actively during the late afternoon and evening of August 15th after the smoke cover lifted.  The fire resumed its more normal behavior on August 16th of burning actively on the east side of the fire, while smoldering on the west flank.  The fire size is estimated to be approximately 840 acres.   A few light showers are expected this morning, and additional light precipitation over the fire area is likely later this week.  The outlook for next week is calling for a return to hot and dry weather near the end of the month.Fire managers received additional support on Tuesday from the Olympic Interagency Wildland Fire Module, comprised of both Forest...

Lakeview, OR – Favorable conditions overnight allowed crews to strengthen contingency lines around the perimeter of the Patton Meadow Fire in anticipation of today’s Red Flag Warning.Efforts were focused on controlling the fire on the west and south fronts to prevent further spread, with Patton Meadow Road providing a perimeter on the west side and Highway 140 to the south. Control lines along Highway 140 are plumbed and crews have begun mopping up on the section of the fire south of Highway 140. Along Patton Meadow Road, hose lays are increasing. With winds calmer than expected overnight, crews were also able to direct resources to clearing brush and continuing to strengthen control lines on the east side of the fire in preparation for today’s forecasted winds.Today’s forecasted Red Flag Warning from 2pm to 10pm will bring a dry cold front through the region with winds from the north and northwest at 15mph and gusts up to 35mph. The conditions will complicate firefighting...

  A Community Open house for the Walker and Chickadee fires was held last evening at the History Park Community Pool.  Fifty-four people attended the informative one and ½ hour session. Walker Creek Fire: Cooler temperatures and higher humidity moderated the fire behavior experienced on Sunday.   The fire still managed to increase by 2,552 acres on the southwest perimeter of the fire and west of Lost Lake. Once again aerial resources VLAT’s, retardant planes, Single Engine Air Tankers (SEAT’s) and heavy helicopters were used to assist firefighters and engine crews.  The fire has not reached Beaver Canyon.   Today’s activities include fireline construction from the southwest perimeter down to Highway 20, hot spotting west of Lost Lake, constructing indirect line with the heavy equipment on the northwest perimeter, connecting the northeast perimeter of the fire into a rock quarry on the Toroda road and gridding for hotspots in the Bunch road area.  Structure...

 A Community Open house for the Walker and Chickadee fires was held last evening at the History Park Community Pool.  Fifty-four people attended the informative one and ½ hour session.  Walker Creek Fire: Cooler temperatures and higher humidity moderated the fire behavior experienced on Sunday.   The fire still managed to increase by 2,552 acres on the southwest perimeter of the fire and west of Lost Lake. Once again aerial resources VLAT’s, retardant planes, Single Engine Air Tankers (SEAT’s) and heavy helicopters were used to assist firefighters and engine crews.  The fire has not reached Beaver Canyon.    Today’s activities include fireline construction from the southwest perimeter down to Highway 20, hot spotting west of Lost Lake, constructing indirect line with the heavy equipment on the northwest perimeter, connecting the northeast perimeter of the fire into a rock quarry on the Toroda road and gridding for hotspots in the Bunch road area.  Structure protection...

Ford-Corkscrew Fire Update8/17/2021Yesterday, the fire progressed northeast to north, moving into the Five Sister’s Mountain area, backing down towards to Bittrich-Antler, Casberg-Burroughs, and Redman.  Dozer line in conjunction with disking of fields were created to try and hold the fire line at that area.  At around 8pm last night, the winds shifted, coming out of the north, which pushed the southern edge of the fire into Scott’s Valley area, moving the fire front to the southwest.  New level 3 evacuations were given in the area between Tumtum and Ford, along Highway 291 to Corkscrew Canyon Road.  Crews were able to get portions of dozer line along the south edge of the fire.  Crews were able to get dozer line from Ford to Rail Canyon Road and hold the fire within that area.  The fire expanded in the Rail Canyon area and crews worked primarily on structure protection in this area as the fire progressed.Today, crews will work on connecting the dozer line on the fire front...

Green Ridge and Lick Creek Fire Update Wednesday, August 17, 2021, 10:00 a.m. Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team BlackTroy Hagan, Incident Commander  Green Ridge Fire Statistics:Size:  37,599 acres Containment:  19% Total Personnel: 520Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla Reported: July 7, 2021 Cause: LightningLick Creek Fire Statistics:Size:  80,421 acres Containment:  97% Total Personnel: 27Location: 20 miles southwest of Asotin, WA Reported: July 7, 2021 Cause: Lightning  Fireline on the Northern Perimeter Holds Against Gusty WindsCurrent Situation: Green Ridge Fire: The Green Ridge Fire is currently 37,599 acres and is 19% contained. The last 48 hours have tested fire lines in Division M, on the 22 (4022) Road, with gusty southwest winds. Those lines held and Division M remains in the same footprint as before the increased winds over the last few days, demonstrating the effectiveness of the firing operation and fire line in place on the 22 (4022) Road....

Green Ridge and Lick Creek Fire Update Wednesday, August 17, 2021, 10:00 a.m. Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team BlackTroy Hagan, Incident Commander  Green Ridge Fire Statistics:Size:  37,599 acres Containment:  19% Total Personnel: 520 Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla Reported: July 7, 2021 Cause: Lightning Lick Creek Fire Statistics:Size:  80,421 acres Containment:  97% Total Personnel: 27 Location: 20 miles southwest of Asotin, WA Reported: July 7, 2021 Cause: Lightning  Fireline on the Northern Perimeter Holds Against Gusty WindsCurrent Situation: Green Ridge Fire: The Green Ridge Fire is currently 37,599 acres and is 19% contained. The last 48 hours have tested fire lines in Division M, on the 22 (4022) Road, with gusty southwest winds. Those lines held and Division M remains in the same footprint as before the increased winds over the last few days, demonstrating the effectiveness of the firing operation and fire line in place on the 22 (4022) Road....

Winds Test Skyline Ridge Complex and Poole Creek FireCANYONVILLE, Ore. - Yesterday morning the skies were much clearer on the Skyline Ridge Complex than they've been lately. The smoke inversion that has covered the area most mornings lifted overnight, and winds increased.Gusty winds from the west buffeted the fires much of the day. Many small pockets of residual vegetation flared up on Poole Creek Fire. Firefighters closely monitored this increased fire activity and took action as needed to keep the fire inside control lines. Poole Creek Fire and the other smaller fires on the Complex stayed within their lines.Overnight moist, cooler air moved into the fire area. Drizzle to light rain fell on the fires, with showers expected to continue through this morning. While the moisture isn’t enough to put out the fire, it will be enough to make fine fuels like grasses and brush temporarily too wet to burn. Firefighters will be able to break open hot areas and let the damp air and surface...

   Email:  2021.blackbutte@firenet.gov Phone: 425-324-1267 (8am - 6pm) InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7770 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2021-Black-Butte-Fire-112941407659373 Twitter: https://twitter.com/MalheurNF   Acres: 20,750                                                                                                  Number of Personnel: 549 Percent Containment: 30%                                                Cause: Lightning Date/Time Detected: August 3, 2021, 10:00 a.m.         Origin/Location: South of Unity, Oregon   John Day, OR – Yesterday, fire crews were able to strengthen lines around the entire fire perimeter. Crews that were working a swing shift, are now working a full night shift to take advantage of lower temperatures and higher relative humidity. Fire activity on the...

WHITMORE FIRE UPDATENORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12Incident Commander: Bobby Shindelar August 17, 2021 The Whitmore Fire is located on the Colville Reservation south of Omak Lake and west of Nespelem, WA. The Incident Command Post at Nespelem Community Center is closed to all but essential personnel to help ensure the health and safety of community members and firefighters.Temperatures will continue to trend lower today, with highs only in the 70s to mid-80s across the fire area. Winds shifted around to northerly last night and will be strong and gusty for most of the day. There is a slight chance of light showers and thunderstorms this afternoon. Operations:Due to the sustained effort by crews working this fire, containment increased to 60% and the fire did not grow at all on Monday. Yesterday, firefighters and an engine secured structures at the Mount Whitmore Lookout, mopping up the area as heat sources remained creeping and smoldering nearby. Fire crews wrapped the...

Final News Release August 17, 2021 Orient, WA - The Nine Mine Fire is located 4.5 miles south/southeast of Laurier, WA. This lightning caused fire started on Wednesday, August 4th and has a burned approximately 164 acres of forested land. As of today, the fire is 100% contained. Evacuations and Road Closures: All evacuation levels have been lifted and there are no road closures. Yesterday Firefighters scouted the previous night’s rock slide towards the west edge and extinguished unburned fuels found near the fireline. They also patrolled and worked on extinguishing the few hotspots around the remainder of the fireline. Today In addition to patrolling for hotspots, firefighters will be cleaning up left-over hose, equipment and trash. Roads used by firefighting equipment during the fire will be stabilized. The public may see smoke interior to fireline over the next few days. Northeast Incident Management Team Three will be returning control of the fire to the local North Columbia...

 Smoke Smoke conditions today are expected to be Moderate around the forecast area. Cloud cover from yesterday brought in cooler temperatures and higher humidity which moderated fire activity on all fires. Similar weather is forecasted today but with a wind shift from West to North. This has the potential to bring in smoke from fires in Canada this evening and overnight. Stronger winds are continuing to provide better air quality this morning than previous days. Regional smoke from surrounding fires may also be contributing to impacts in the forecast zone. Smoke impacts will be heavily dependent on fire activity. Health and Safety Air quality may change unexpectedly. If you begin to notice health effects from smoke, you are encouraged to follow the "actions to protect

   Cedar Creek, Cub Creek 2 and Delancy Fires Daily Update August 17, 2021   Winthrop, WA — The Cedar Creek, Cub Creek 2 and Delancy Fires are burning on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and public and private lands within Okanogan County.   Fire Information Line: 509-557-0740 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily)   Cedar Creek Fire: The fire has been mapped at 54,261 acres and reached. 50% containment.   Suppression efforts will focus on expected active fire activity in the Little Bridge Creek, South Fork Wolf Creek, Hubbard Creek, Silver Star Creek, Cedar Creek, Sheep Creek, Little Boulder Creek and Gardner Meadows.  In Division Juliet mop-up of direct line from Thompson Ridge to Roads 4415 and Helispot 15 will continue.  Mop-up operations will continue in the Vasaliki Ridge area.   Night shift crews secured and held line last night.   Noticeably cooler and cloudy weather weakened the extreme fire weather conditions yesterday. Today will bring some...

 Bulldog Mountain Fire:  Yesterday firefighters observed moderate fire behavior and were successful in keeping the fire within established containment lines.  Helicopters were used early in the day to assist fire crews on the ground.  The fire was held west of FS Road 6110.  Heavy equipment were also successful constructing contingency lines in the Davis Lake and Deadman Creek areas.      Today firefighters will engage in direct fire attack in areas that are safe to do so.  Heavy equipment will be used to complete contingency lines in the Davis Lake and Deadman Creek areas.  Aircraft will be requested to assist if needed.   The Bulldog Mountain Fire started August 5. 2021, located 20 miles north of Kettle Falls. The lightning caused fire spread quickly due to low relative humidity and unseasonably dry conditions.  The fire is burning in heavy timber and slash.  The fire is currently estimated at 4625 acres with 5% containment.    Mack Mountain Fire:  The Mack...

   Cedar Creek, Cub Creek 2 and Delancy Fires Daily Update August 17, 2021   Winthrop, WA — The Cedar Creek, Cub Creek 2 and Delancy Fires are burning on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and public and private lands within Okanogan County.   Fire Information Line: 509-557-0740 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily)   Cedar Creek Fire: The fire has been mapped at 54,261 acres and reached. 50% containment.   Suppression efforts will focus on expected active fire activity in the Little Bridge Creek, South Fork Wolf Creek, Hubbard Creek, Silver Star Creek, Cedar Creek, Sheep Creek, Little Boulder Creek and Gardner Meadows.  In Division Juliet mop-up of direct line from Thompson Ridge to Roads 4415 and Helispot 15 will continue.  Mop-up operations will continue in the Vasaliki Ridge area.   Night shift crews secured and held line last night.   Noticeably cooler and cloudy weather weakened the extreme fire weather conditions yesterday. Today will bring some...

  Smoke Smoke conditions today are expected to be Moderate around the forecast area. Cloud cover from yesterday brought in cooler temperatures and higher humidity which moderated fire activity on all fires. Similar weather is forecasted today but with a wind shift from West to North. This has the potential to bring in smoke from fires in Canada this evening and overnight. Stronger winds are continuing to provide better air quality this morning than previous days. Regional smoke from surrounding fires may also be contributing to impacts in the forecast zone. Smoke impacts will be heavily dependent on fire activity. Health and Safety Air quality may change unexpectedly. If you begin to notice health effects from smoke, you are encouraged to follow the "actions to protect yourself".

   Devil’s Knob Complex Morning Update Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Kevin Stock August 17, 2021 The Devil's Knob Complex is a group of lightning-caused fires with the majority burning on the Tiller Ranger District, Umpqua National Forest and on private lands protected by Douglas Forest Protective Association. The Devil’s Knob Complex is situated between the Rough Patch Complex and Jack Fire to the north, which is being managed by Great Basin Team 2 and the Skyline Ridge Complex to the southwest, which is being managed by Oregon Department of Forestry Team 1. The Devil's Knob Complex is managed by Northwest Incident Management Team 8 from an incident command post at the Milo Academy near Tiller, Oregon. Great Basin Team 2 will assume command of the Devil's Knob Complex on Wednesday, August 18 at 6 AM.  Preparations for transfer of command are underway. Fire Information: (541) 900-6133 (8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.) E-mail:...