InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, Goat Mountain Two FiresSeptember 22, 2022 Daily Update – 8:00 AM Public Meeting – Friday, September 23rd at 6:00 PM at Joseph Community Event Center and streamed via Facebook Live Highlights: The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest updated their road, trail and area closures and their public use restrictions today. The road, trail and area closers took effect on September 21, 2022 and the specifics can be found on the Double Creek Fire Facebook page. The public use restrictions, sometimes referred to as fire restrictions, will be reduced from Phase B to Phase A. Those changes are set to take effect on Friday, September 23rd at 12:01 a.m. Pacific Time and are also posted to the Double Creek Fire Facebook page. Double Creek Fire: 157,320 acres | 58% contained | 579 personnel assigned The fire grew twenty-four acres in the last twenty-four hours. The Incident Commander flew over the northern portion of the fire yesterday and observed isolated pockets of...

   Kalama Fire Update – Sept. 22, 2022 Overview: The Kalama Fire, located southeast of Kalama Horse Camp on the south side of Mount St. Helens, is at approximately 304 acres in size and is currently five percent contained.  We were better able to map the area to give a more accurate account of the acres burned. Additionally, acres also increased with burn out operations to assist in securing the perimeter of the fire. Cooler weather over the fire today will assist in the firefighting efforts. Fire Behavior: The fire was located on a cliff face and is now on extremely steep ground, fire fighters are preparing indirect lines in more favorable terrain where they can be successful.  Fire behavior has been smoldering and creeping. The potential for fire growth remains, but containment lines are being put in place and contain percentage information will be updated when the lines are complete and holding. Weather: Weather today is predicted to be cool and cloudy over the burn...

 Boulder Mountain FireCUSICK, Wash. – The cold front moving into the fire area will potentially bring sustained winds and a 10% probability of wetting rain.  Wetting rain is widespread showers that over an extended period of time significantly reduce fire danger.  One tenth of an inch may be sufficient to decrease fire danger in grass and up to one half inch may be necessary for timber. In order to reduce and mitigate landslides, firefighters utilize water bars to prevent water drainage that would follow topography established in sloped dozer lines.  Heavy equipment with capabilities of working on steep slopes are used to rehabilitate the fire line where equipment was used to create a fire break.  Natural vegetation is scattered on top of water bars and fire lines to slow the movement of rainwater to reduce the probability of sluffing of debris.  Firefighters assist in areas where equipment is unable to navigate. Utilizing equipment and firefighters to revert the environment...

Cedar Creek Fire September 22, 2022 Daily Update at 8:30 AM  Cedar Creek Fire Quick Facts Size: 113,637 acres Contained: 14% Start Date: August 1, 2022 Origin: 15 miles east of Oakridge, Oregon Cause: Lightning Total personnel: 2,276 Resources: 65 engines, 41 crews, 86 heavy equipment, 9 helicopters West Zone Operations: Over the past couple days, the scattered rain showers and high humidity levels moderated fire behavior. Crews are making progress on mop up operations by extinguishing hot spots and cutting snags and fire weakened trees along the western edge of the fire. Firefighters have prepared the control line southwest of the main fire. Although the fire has not made it to Constitution Grove, firefighters have been adding protection measures such as more pumps, sprinklers and hoselays to further protect the area in case fire pushes in that direction over the coming days or weeks. Containment has often been used as a reference measure for firefighter progress...

 Washington Department of transportation plans to open Highway 2 Monday, September 26, 2022 with reduced speed limits and potential delays:  (6) WSDOT Traffic on Twitter: "UPDATE: Crews are working toward a US 2 reopening on Monday, 9/26. They continue to remove burned roadside trees that still pose a threat to public safety. Arborists with state parks removed 50-60 burned trees this AM & continue this work until immediate dangers are mitigated. https://t.co/OnjBLOLAP1" /

We have been getting lots of calls about the smoke impacting local communities from the White River, Irving Peak and Minnow Ridge fires burning 14-16 miles north and northwest of Plain, WA.  There was increased fire behavior on Monday and Tuesday due to the hotter and dryer weather, and we may see the fires become a bit more active this afternoon as temperatures increase. The total acreage for all of the fires is 7,950 acres. The Irving Peak and White River fires are less than a half mile from each other. Fire activity is mostly staying on the ground.  White River Fire: 3,604 acres 10% contained Irving Peak Fire: 3,406 acres 7% contained Meander Fire: 9 acres 0% contained Minnow Ridge Fire: 931 acres 0% contained (an increase of 281 acres)  We are continually assessing and reassessing fire suppression strategy. Fires are still within the area containment lines. The containment lines that are in place are located at the best options geographically due to the terrain.  Weather:  A...

 Cedar Creek Fire septiembre 21, 2022 Actualización diaria—8:30 AM Datos rápidos del Incendio Cedar Creek Superficie: 113,637 acresContenido: 14%Fecha de inicio: 1 agosto 2022 Origen: 15 millas al este de Oakridge, OregónCausa: RelámpagoPersonal total: 2,356Recursos: 79 camiones de bombero, 44 tripulaciones, 88 equipamientos pesados, 9 helicópteros    Operaciones de la Zona Oeste:  Las condiciones permanecieron lluviosas con lluvia dispersa sobre el área del incendio el martes. El clima impidió las operaciones de fuego en el área sur y suroeste del incendio. En el lado norte del incendio, llegó equipamiento especializado para realizar los preparativos de la línea de fuego a lo largo de carretera forestal 19. Las cuadrillas han estado limpiando el borde occidental de la línea de fuego cortando árboles muertos y debilitados por el fuego y extinguiendo los puntos calientes. Estos esfuerzos continúan.Según lo permitan las condiciones, los bomberos están...

Scattered showers are expected to continue over the Rum Creek Fire today, however a warming and drying trend is expected heading into the weekend. Temperatures pushing 90-degrees are expected by Sunday with lower humidity levels. Containment increased to 87-percent on

 CUSICK, Wash. – Work on the fire is progressing rapidly, with large sections of containment line nearing completion and other areas shifting to patrol and monitor status. Crews will continue building direct and indirect line for the next several days.  Work has begun to rehabilitate line.  Fallers will begin cutting hazard trees along forest roads. Chipping of brush and hazard trees will continue at various points around the fire boundary. Depending on the terrain and fuels, completed containment lines can be a combination of dozer line, hand line other fire suppression activities. Repair work consists of pushing surface material that was removed by hand or with heavy equipment back into place or position it to prevent erosion. Safety: Safety of firefighters and members of the public are our first priority.  All hunters are encouraged to become familiarized with the USFS closure area, don personal protective equipment and practice safe hunting practices as forest grouse season...

   Kalama Fire Update – Sept. 21, 2022Overview: The Kalama Fire, located southeast of Kalama Horse Camp on the south side of Mount St. Helens, is at approximately 267 acres in size and is currently five percent contained.  We were better able to map the area to give a more accurate account of the acres burned. Additionally, acres also increased with burn out operations to assist in securing the perimeter of the fire. Cooler weather over the next few days will assist in the firefighting efforts. Fire Behavior: The fire was located on a cliff face and is now on extremely steep ground, fire fighters are preparing indirect lines in more favorable terrain where they can be successful.  Fire behavior has been smoldering and creeping. The potential for fire growth remains, but containment lines are being put in place and contain percentage information will be updated when the lines are complete and holding. Weather: Weather today is predicted to be cooler over the burn area, with...

Goat Rocks FireSeptember 21, 2022 Overview: The Goat Rocks Fire continues to burn 1.5 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington in and around the Goat Rocks Wilderness. The percent of containment on a fire is one measure of progress, but not the only one. Completion of firefighting objectives is another measure of progress. These objectives include construction of control lines and protecting highly valued resources such as the Packwood community, sensitive tribal resources, and historic structures at Packwood Lake. Fire managers continue to prioritize firefighter and public safety.  Over the past several days, firefighters have been creating “indirect” containment lines around the Goat Rocks Fire. This strategy is deliberate and methodical. Additionally, this strategy is designed to achieve the goals of protecting Packwood, the subdivisions and other values without subjecting firefighters to unacceptable risk. Over 70% of identified control line has been completed...

 Cedar Creek Fire September 21, 2022 Daily Update at 8:30 AMCedar Creek Fire Quick FactsSize: 113,637 acres Contained: 14% Start Date: August 1, 2022 Origin: 15 miles east of Oakridge, Oregon Cause: Lightning Total personnel: 2,356 Resources: 79 engines, 44 crews, 88 heavy equipment, 9 helicopters West Zone Operations:  Conditions remained drizzly with scattered rain over the fire area on Tuesday. The weather prevented firing operations in the south and southwestern area of the fire. On the north side of the fire, key equipment arrived for specialized work to accomplish fireline preparations along Forest Service Road 19. Crews have been mopping up the western edge of the fireline by cutting dead and fire weakened trees and extinguishing hot spots. These efforts are ongoing. As conditions allow, firefighters are checking on various recreation and special sites within the burn area. Huckleberry Lookout and Taylor Burn Guard Station remain in place and are still wrapped with...

Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, Goat Mountain Two FiresSeptember 21, 2022Daily Update – 8:00 AMPublic Meeting – Friday, September 23rd at 6:00 PM at Joseph Community Event Center and streamed via Facebook LiveHighlights: Today will bring a change in weather as the warmer temperatures and lower humidity from previous days transition to rain and possible thunderstorms this evening. Current estimates range from one-tenth of an inch to over half an inch of rain through Thursday. Winds will increase throughout the day with the potential for strong gusts as the low-pressure system settles in. Friday will bring a return to clear skies, warmer temperatures, and lower humidity.Double Creek Fire: 157,296 acres | 47% contained | 587 personnel assigned The fire grew twenty-nine acres in the last twenty-four hours. Reconnaissance and infrared flights showed that the northern edge of the fire is still burning in heavy fuels and large logs and will continue to be monitored. Crews are continuing to...

Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, Goat Mountain Two FiresSeptember 21, 2022Daily Update – 8:00 AMPublic Meeting – Friday, September 23rd at 6:00 PM at Joseph Community Event Center and streamed via Facebook LiveHighlights: Today will bring a change in weather as the warmer temperatures and lower humidity from previous days transition to rain and possible thunderstorms this evening. Current estimates range from one-tenth of an inch to over half an inch of rain through Thursday. Winds will increase throughout the day with the potential for strong gusts as the low-pressure system settles in. Friday will bring a return to clear skies, warmer temperatures, and lower humidity.Double Creek Fire: 157,296 acres | 47% contained | 587 personnel assigned The fire grew twenty-nine acres in the last twenty-four hours. Reconnaissance and infrared flights showed that the northern edge of the fire is still burning in heavy fuels and large logs and will continue to be monitored. Crews are continuing to...

Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, Goat Mountain Two FiresSeptember 21, 2022Daily Update – 8:00 AMPublic Meeting – Friday, September 23rd at 6:00 PM at Joseph Community Event Center and streamed via Facebook LiveHighlights: Today will bring a change in weather as the warmer temperatures and lower humidity from previous days transition to rain and possible thunderstorms this evening. Current estimates range from one-tenth of an inch to over half an inch of rain through Thursday. Winds will increase throughout the day with the potential for strong gusts as the low-pressure system settles in. Friday will bring a return to clear skies, warmer temperatures, and lower humidity.Double Creek Fire: 157,296 acres | 47% contained | 587 personnel assigned The fire grew twenty-nine acres in the last twenty-four hours. Reconnaissance and infrared flights showed that the northern edge of the fire is still burning in heavy fuels and large logs and will continue to be monitored. Crews are continuing to...

Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, Goat Mountain Two FiresSeptember 21, 2022Daily Update – 8:00 AMPublic Meeting – Friday, September 23rd at 6:00 PM at Joseph Community Event Center and streamed via Facebook LiveHighlights: Today will bring a change in weather as the warmer temperatures and lower humidity from previous days transition to rain and possible thunderstorms this evening. Current estimates range from one-tenth of an inch to over half an inch of rain through Thursday. Winds will increase throughout the day with the potential for strong gusts as the low-pressure system settles in. Friday will bring a return to clear skies, warmer temperatures, and lower humidity.Double Creek Fire: 157,296 acres | 47% contained | 587 personnel assigned The fire grew twenty-nine acres in the last twenty-four hours. Reconnaissance and infrared flights showed that the northern edge of the fire is still burning in heavy fuels and large logs and will continue to be monitored. Crews are continuing to...

MERLIN, Ore. – Low pressure off the northern California coast will bring unsettled weather to the Rum Creek Fire over the next few days. Scattered shower and periods of rain are expected through Wednesday with a drying pattern beginning later in the week. Overnight, the fire received a quarter of an inch of rain. Additional moisture may produce small debris flows in the burn area. Isolated thunderstorms may bring the potential for lightning, but with high relative humidity levels the chances for new fire starts will be low. Containment has increased to 87-percent with 287 personnel assigned to the incident. Today, crews are focusing on rehabilitation of areas with greatest potential to affect public safety. A Type 3 Incident Management Team, under the leadership of Incident Commander Brandon Kerns, assumed command of the Rum Creek Fire today at 0700. The team’s safety message to the community is to remember that the fire,...