InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

PENDLETON, LA GRANDE, VALE, and BAKER CITY, Ore. - Firefighters battled winds and low humidity on the Elbow Creek Fire today, located in the Grande Ronde River drainage near Mud Springs, approximately 31 miles southeast of Walla Walla, Washington. The fire is burning on both sides of the Grande Ronde River and is on or threatening Umatilla National Forest lands, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest lands, Vale District Bureau of Land Management lands and Oregon Department of Forestry protected lands. Winds and hot temperatures contributed to active fire behavior and growth today, as the Elbow Creek Fire burned to the northeast, south and west. With threats to nearby communities, helicopters and air tankers were utilized to slow the spread of the fire to the north and south while crews aided in structure protection. Erratic winds caused the fire to spot on the western edge and it has crossed Grossman Creek. Firefighters worked the northwest side of the fire to keep it from spreading into...

Umatilla National Forest lands temporarily closed PENDLETON, Ore. (July 16, 2021) — With persistent extreme hot and dry conditions, active large wildfires, limited firefighting resources and concern for public safety, forest officials have temporarily closed the entirety of the Umatilla National Forest effective immediately. The objective of the closure is to proactively protect public and firefighter safety as the Forest continues to actively suppress large wildfires on the Forest, while also responding to new smoke reports. Hot and dry conditions have challenged firefighters in suppression efforts battling the Lick Creek and Green Ridge Fires on the Pomeroy Ranger District. Additionally, on July 15 the Elbow Creek Fire emerged on the Walla Walla Ranger District, rapidly growing and threatening nearby communities. Overnight, humidity levels have remained extremely low, allowing fires to spread actively. These conditions have created an unprecedented potential for extreme fire...

 Evacuation Level Reductions Around Darlene Fire (Joint Release) - 07/16/21Date: July 16, 2021Released by:Sgt. Nathan Garibay, Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Emergency ManagerBrandon Fowler, Klamath County Sheriff’s Office Emergency ManagerThe Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office and Klamath County Sheriff’s Office are adjusting evacuation levels around the Darlene Fire in coordination with fire managers.The following areas have been reduced from a Level 3 (Go Now) Evacuation Notice to a A Level 2 (Get Set) Evacuation notice:All residences south of La Pine off of Darlene Way to the Deschutes/Klamath County Line including Old Ice Cave Rd.Level 2: Means “BE SET” to evacuate. You must prepare to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntary relocate to a shelter or with family and friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s...

Sisters, OR  –  A Red Flag Warning over the fire area expired at 11pm last night with overnight temperatures dropping into the 40’s and humidity recovering to reduce fire activity.  The fire did not grow yesterday and remains at 5,971 acres and is 20% contained. Overnight crews used infrared equipment to identify hot spots near the fire lines that the day shift will extinguish. Crews also worked to improve roads around the fire to reduce dust and improve access.  Two Oregon National Guard helicopters will support ground crews today. This extra assistance will aid firefighters in keeping the Grandview Fire inside the established containment lines. Temperatures will be lower over the fire with highs in the 80’s and winds out of the NW at 5-9 mph and gusts to 15 mph.  These better weather conditions will allow crews to continue to build and strengthen containment lines by cutting back or removing fuel on the perimeter, extinguishing hot spots near the fire line and remove...

Sisters, OR  –  A Red Flag Warning over the fire area expired at 11pm last night with overnight temperatures dropping into the 40’s and humidity recovering to reduce fire activity.  The fire did not grow yesterday and remains at 5,971 acres and is 20% contained. Overnight crews used infrared equipment to identify hot spots near the fire lines that the day shift will extinguish. Crews also worked to improve roads around the fire to reduce dust and improve access.  Two Oregon National Guard helicopters will support ground crews today. This extra assistance will aid firefighters in keeping the Grandview Fire inside the established containment lines. Temperatures will be lower over the fire with highs in the 80’s and winds out of the NW at 5-9 mph and gusts to 15 mph.  These better weather conditions will allow crews to continue to build and strengthen containment lines by cutting back or removing fuel on the perimeter, extinguishing hot spots near the fire line and remove...

 Sisters, OR  –  A Red Flag Warning over the fire area expired at 11pm last night with overnight temperatures dropping into the 40’s and humidity recovering to reduce fire activity.  The fire did not grow yesterday and remains at 5,971 acres and is 20% contained.  Overnight crews used infrared equipment to identify hot spots near the fire lines that the day shift will extinguish. Crews also worked to improve roads around the fire to reduce dust and improve access.  Two Oregon National Guard helicopters will support ground crews today. This extra assistance will aid firefighters in keeping the Grandview Fire inside the established containment lines. Temperatures will be lower over the fire with highs in the 80’s and winds out of the NW at 5-9 mph and gusts to 15 mph.  These better weather conditions will allow crews to continue to build and strengthen containment lines by cutting back or removing fuel on the perimeter, extinguishing hot spots near the fire line and...

 RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT KLAMATH BASIN AND THE FREMONT-WINEMA NATIONAL FORESTBeginning: Today at 2:00pmEnding: Saturday at 8:00pmWebsite: U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) (NWS) · Impacts: The very dry and unstable conditions will continue to support extreme fire behavior with locally generated erratic and gusty winds. Spotting could be problematic.· Affected area: The Bootleg Fire in Oregon Fire which is Zone 624 (link to NWS Zone 624 https://tinyurl.com/4z5c7dhb)· Wind: Southwest 15-20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.· Humidity: As low as 8-12 percent. THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN MEDFORD HAS ISSUED A RED FLAG WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 2 PM TO 8 PM PDT SATURDAY. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED AND IS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING. AVOID TOSSING BURNING CIGARETTES ON THE GROUND, PARKING HOT VEHICLES ON DRY VEGETATION, AND USING EQUIPMENT THAT CAN CAUSE SPARKS. FOLLOW ALL FIRE RESTRICTIONS. FIND LINKS TO...

Actualizacion del Incendio de Bootleg Julio 16, 2021 Localización: 28 millas noreste de Klamath Falls, OR  Tamaño: 241,497 acres Contención: 7%  Personal: 1,921 (Klamath Falls, OR) – Por cuarto días consecutivo, los bomberos se retiraron de los bordes de ataque del Incendio de Bootleg debido a que las condiciones extremas del fuego que causo un crecimiento expansivo. A última hora de la tarde, una gran nube de pirocúmulos "colapsó" extendiendo aún más las brasas al este del incendio principal y provocando avisos de evacuación adicionales para las comunidades de Summer Lake y Spring Lake en Lake County. Las cuadrillas trabajaron durante la noche para colocar líneas de bulldozer alrededor de los focos secundarios alrededor de la carretera 34 hasta el borde sureste del incendio. Hacia el norte, las cuadrillas continuaron trabajando contra fuegos de superficie muy activos, con producción de focos secundarios hasta media milla por delante del incendio principal y...

  News Release Southeast Region Washington Ellensburg, WA 98926 (360) 706-3121 https://www.dnr.wa.gov/ Red Apple Fire Update July 16, 2021 Incident Start Date: July 13, 2021; Cause: Undetermined; Acreage: 11,000; Containment: 10% Anticipated Full Containment: October 1, 2021 Hand Crews: 3; Engines: 35; Helicopters: 5; Dozers: 4; Water Tenders: 7; Total Personnel: 182 Firefighter Injuries: 1; Structures Threatened: 400; Structures Damaged: 5; Structures Destroyed: 0   Weather: Temperatures remain high with gusty winds, we have had a reprieve in relative humidity last night that has aided firefighters with containment efforts. This weekend it is expected to heat back up with continued winds and the relative humidity will be decreasing again.   Current Situation: The Red Apple Fire started on Tuesday July 13 at 7pm. Crews from Chelan County, DNR and BLM engaged in initial attack using ground and air assets. It continues to threaten Swakane and...

Actualizacion del Incendio de Bootleg Julio 16,

How To Support the Firefighters on the Bootleg FireWe greatly appreciate the support and generosity of the community! Our team’s focus is on fire suppression and our number one priority is firefighter and public safety. Our wildland fire crews are well equipped and cared for, we provide them with all the food and supplies they need. We are unable to accept any donations at fire camps. For those asking how they can help support our efforts, here are a few ideas:1. Keep firefighters safe by adhering to road and area closures and by creating defensible space around your home. Learn how to create defensible space at http://firewise.org. 2. Post "Thank You" banners or signs in the community and on social media. This is a great morale booster for firefighters after a long shift and many of our crews are working throughout the night when, under these extremely hot and dry conditions, it is actually safer! 3. Though we cannot accept donations of food, beverages or clothing, we can accept...

Effectively Immediately Evacuation Zones have been downgraded.  Level 3 Evacuation Zone is lowered to a 2.  Level 2 Evacuation Zone is lowered to a level 1, however the Grouse Flat area remains in Level 2. Grouse Flat residence need to remain vigilant to evacuate at a moments notice. Please monitor the Asotin and Garfield County Sheriff’s Office Facebook, Dry Gulch Fire Facebook and Inciweb: nwcg.gov.incident/7615 for current and updated evacuation maps. LEVEL 1— Be READY for potential evacuation. Residents should be aware of the danger that exists in their area, monitor emergency services websites and local media outlets for information. LEVEL 2— Be SET to evacuate at a moment notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and to be ready to leave at moment’s notice. LEVEL 3— GO! means leave immediately. Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should leave

 Recordings of 7/15 public meeting can be found at the following links:Presentations: https://fb.watch/6Nw_pQZhlS/Question &

   Quick Facts Incident Summary Approximate Size: 595 acres Fire Containment: 15% Incident Commander: Jason Loomis Resources on the fires: Crews: 7 Helicopters: 1 Engines: 6 Dozers: 1 Water tenders: 3 Total Personnel: 256 Jurisdiction: Umatilla National Forest Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7628/ Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/Green-Ridge-Fire-105190851844816 www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF     Washington Smoke Blog: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ Green Ridge Fire July 16, 2021 10:00 a.m. Fire Information 509-542-7964 E-mail: 2021.greenridge@firenet.gov   Dayton, WA. —The Green Ridge Fire is burning in steep, rugged terrain on the Pomeroy Ranger District, approximately 30 miles east of Walla Walla, Washington. Values at risk include structures, the Mill Creek Watershed, wilderness, and recreation areas in the vicinity. The fire grew 128 acres yesterday, moving north along the ridge...

Darlene Fire Daily Update – July 16, 2021 Fire Information Phone Line: 425-324-1267 (7am - 7pm)Email: darlenefireinfo@gmail.comInciWeb (Incident Website): https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7665/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/deschutesnationalforestTwitter: https://twitter.com/CentralORFireAcres: 686                                                                              Number of Personnel: 201Percent Containment: 5%                                                 Cause: Under InvestigationDate/Time Detected: July 13, 2021, 1:30 p.m.              Origin/Location: La Pine, Oregon La Pine, OR - On the Darlene Fire yesterday, crews laid more hose around the perimeter of the fire and mopped up within the fire lines.  They continue to secure the areas around structures as well.  Fire operations today will include strengthening the...

  Cedar Creek and Delancy Fire UpdateJuly 16, 2021 MorningOkanogan-Wenatchee National Forest   Fire Information Line: 509-557-0740 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) Winthrop, WA — Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires are burning on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in very steep and rocky terrain in heavy down fuels. Cedar Creek Fire is burning south and west of State Route 20. The strategy of containment is to use indirect tactics and construct containment lines in areas with high probability of success.  Heavy equipment is continuing to deepen the prepared containment line along State Route 20 and treat fuels from the roadway. Dozer containment line constructed from other previous fires at the toe of the slope will also be opened and prepared as indirect line.  Firefighters are scouting other indirect line opportunities in the Sandy Butte area along the ridge and near Wolf Creek. The Cedar Creek fire is estimated at 3,404 acres.   The Delancy Fire is burning in very steep rocky...

Lick Creek (Dry Gulch) Fire Quick FactsStart Date: July 7, 2021  Approx. Size: 66,606 ac. Cause: Lightning  Containment: 30% Incident Commander: Randy Johnson, Pacific Northwest Team 3 Total Personnel: 686Location: Approximately 2 miles SW of Asotin, WA  Resources:15 Crews11  Dozers4 Water Tenders23 Masticaters58 EnginesLick Creek Fire Update – Friday, July 16, 2021 – 9:00 a.m.There is a community meeting at the Asotin County Fire Station in Clarkston at 7:00 pm today. Current Situation: The containment line on the northern side of the fire continues to hold and firefighters are patrolling the area to secure any hot spots. On the south end of the fire along road 40, crews are mopping up and patrolling the areas where burnout was completed earlier this week. Firefighters are vigilantly watching for potential threats or spots following the high winds experienced yesterday.  More depth was gained with further burn out on the west flank.  Use of heavy machinery continues as...

  UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST WINTHROP, WA Cedar Creek, Varden, and Delancy Fires Closure Order: 06-17-04-21-08 Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Methow Valley Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This Order is effective July 14, 2021, through December 31, 2021, unless rescinded sooner.   PROHIBITIONS:   1.          Entering into or being upon National Forest System Lands, as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.53(e)]. 2.          Being on any National Forest System closed trail, as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.55(a)]. 3.          Being on any National Forest System Road as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.54(e)].   FIRE EMERGENCY AREA...

Fire information: The Jack Fire is currently estimated at 16,667 acres and is 25% contained. North of Hwy. 138 resources continue to successfully hold the fire within the planned containment lines. Firefighters are working to clear vegetation on the remaining portion on the containment line on the northern perimeter. As mop-up is completed, crews will be shifted to different parts of the fire to help with suppression efforts.   South of HWY 138, firefighters aided by air resources have established containment lines along the eastern and western perimeter of the fire.   Crews will continue bringing line down and around the southern edge of the fire with the goal of completing line construction within the planned containment area. Resources are using a combination of hand and dozer line supported by water drops and fire suppressant to establish the remaining containment line.  Firefighters will burn away vegetation when needed to maintain the line.   Structures:  Structures...

Sweet Home, Ore. – Firefighters took advantage of cooler temperatures and higher humidity to complete additional direct and indirect line around the Bruler Fire yesterday. Additional resources arrived on the fire, allowing firefighters to identify and mop up a spot fire that occurred to the northeast of the established fire perimeter. The spot fire has been completely lined and cold trailed, which greatly reduces the likelihood of future spread from this location. The dense tree canopy can make it difficult to detect hot spots without firefighters on the ground near the fire watching for smoke. A helicopter is assigned to the Bruler Fire, ready to respond to hot spots and new starts within the fire area.The Bruler Fire is estimated to be 156 acres with the addition of the spot fire and more accurate mapping. Today, firefighters will take advantage of moderate weather conditions to mop up and cold trail around the fire. Mop up includes using hoses to add water to remove heat from...