InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

  Night Update for the Pearl Hill Fire on Friday, September 11, 2020The Pearl Hill Fire is burning actively tonight across the Columbia River from Brewster. The daily drainage winds are aligning with air flow from the southeast to cause strong downriver winds, driving the fire westward along the Columbia break. Crews are working through the night to slow the fire’s advance. SR 173 and Crane Orchard Road have been closed. The fire is highly visible from Brewster and structures may be

LIONSHEAD FIRE - Virtual Community Meeting7:30 PM - Saturday, September 12 Join us live on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/LionsheadFire We will provide an operational briefing about the Lionshead Fire followed by a question and answer session. Email your Lionshead Fire questions to: 2020.lionshead@firenet.gov

Umpqua National Forest Closed Due to Extreme Fire Danger until Conditions Improve ROSEBURG, OR – September 11, 2020 – Due to unprecedented fire activity the Umpqua National Forest has issued temporary closure orders for the Cottage Grove and Tiller Ranger Districts in addition to the earlier closures of the North Umpqua and Diamond Lake Districts.  This now closes the entire Umpqua National Forest until the extreme fire danger is over.  These orders restrict access to all but emergency personnel and persons that have a permit specifically authorizing their presence in the closure areas.  These closures are to protect the public from the hazardous conditions on the ground and decrease the chance of additional human caused fires.  “Several roads in the Cottage Grove District are still blocked by numerous large trees that have come down in the wind events this week.  We have some beautiful waterfalls and great campgrounds but we are asking the public to give us a chance to...

Fire Summary:There was a Facebook live virtual community meeting this even-ing. It is available on the Two Four Two Fire Facebook page. The fire is 14,450 acres and seven percent contained. The increased acreage is due to better mapping. The fire’s footprint has remained about the same for the last 24 hours. Crews are close to having a control line around the fire. As firefighters search for and put out the hot spots, they create a wider line without heat. Those lines will become containment lines. Crews along 97 removed dead trees that pose a danger. They are working on widening the control line to 25 feet. Firefighters removed hot spots along the control line to the south between Highways 97 and 62. From the southwest corner, north along Highway 62, teams did work around homes and improved the control line. The control line across the north side is almost complete and what is in place held the fire. Tonight, the goal is to continue improving control lines. Crews will continue...

 The Pearl Hill Fire is burning actively tonight across the Columbia River from Brewster. The daily drainage winds are aligning with air flow from the southeast to cause strong downriver winds, driving the fire westward along the Columbia break. Crews are working through the night to slow the fire’s advance. SR 173 and Crane Orchard Road have  been closed. The fire is highly visible from Brewster and structures may be

Riverside Fire – September 11, 2020 Evening UpdateAcres: 130,052 Percent Containment: 0%Start Date: September 8, 2020 Cause: Human-causedOrigin Location: 2 miles SE of Estacada, OR Fuels: Timber, Grass, Rugged TerrainTotal Personnel: 246 total personnel including 7 crews, 8 engines, 2 dozers Life-safety Remains Priority; Firefighters Shifting from Defense to OffenseWith the help of favorable weather conditions today, firefighters were able to go direct, working to create containment lines around two fingers of the Riverside Fire that threatened Estacada yesterday. Wind shifts, a marine layer and the fire’s own smoke providing shading, gave crews more opportunities to build firelines. Life safety remains the main priority of all fire managers and cooperators. Although aircraft were limited due to smoke, an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS or drone) was used today to help conduct aerial reconnaissance of the fire.Fire managers continue to focus on protecting firefighter and public...

South Obenchain Fire Update   Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Doug Johnson Oregon State Fire Marshal Incident Management Blue Team, Incident Commander, Scott Magers September 11, 2020 - 8:00 PM The life and safety of the public and all wildland fire responders is always the number one priority for all fire agencies.  To keep firefighters and communities healthy and safe, all firefighters are asked to follow recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to reduce the spread of illness.  This also includes limited entry into the incident command post and base camp.  Please see the websites below or contact the Jackson County Emergency Management Office at (541) 776-7338 for further fire information. General Updates: Cooler weather and calmer winds moderated fire behavior on the South Obenchain Fire allowing firefighters to make good progress on containment.  The heavy smoke created visibility issues and aircraft were not able to fly....

  Pine City-Malden Road is currently closed to the public from the westside of Pine City to the eastside of Malden. The communities of St. Johns, Sunset, Thorton and Ewan are at a Level 1 Evacuation. Please be sure to refer to the Whitman County Sheriff's Facebook page for more information on closures and

 Omak, WA – Today: Crews continue to build containment lines around the perimeter of the fire. Along the eastside of Omak Lake, steep rocky terrain hindered dozer operations so firefighters had to construct the line in that area with hand tools. Several aircraft assisted with those efforts on the ground by keeping the fire at bay. The work by the crews has been successful so far. Omak Lake and Haley Lake area are still under level 2 and 3 evacuation levels.     Power companies are working on replacing over 700 power poles that were damaged or burned. Firefighters are working with them to make sure the areas are safe to work in. Some cell phone communication towers were burned over in the fire and there is limited service in the area for some customers. The fire is 187,689 acres and due to the significant progress of firefighters and aircraft the containment is now 40%. Temperatures were in the 90’s today and are expected to be the same tomorrow.   The Cold Springs Fire...

Due to the unhealthy and hazardous air quality conditions in Oregon and Washington, EPA has issued a Burn Ban on all Tribes in this region until further notice. EPA will meet again on Monday, September 13, 2020 to assess the conditions.Tim Outman, Air Quality Specialist Confederated Tribes of Warm SpringsEPA Air Quality Advisory and Open Burning Ban for Reservations in Oregon and Washington  (Seattle – Friday, Sept. 11, 2020) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 has issued a ban on open burning for all reservations in Oregon and Washington State, due to smoke from large wildfires. This ban takes effect immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.  The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning—including camping and recreational fires—in all areas within external reservation boundaries regardless of ownership or tribal membership. Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the burn ban. For areas outside reservation...

Due to the unhealthy and hazardous air quality conditions in Oregon and Washington, EPA has issued a Burn Ban on all Tribes in this region until further notice. EPA will meet again on Monday, September 13, 2020 to assess the conditions.Tim Outman, Air Quality Specialist Confederated Tribes of Warm SpringsEPA Air Quality Advisory and Open Burning Ban for Reservations in Oregon and Washington  (Seattle – Friday, Sept. 11, 2020) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 has issued a ban on open burning for all reservations in Oregon and Washington State, due to smoke from large wildfires. This ban takes effect immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.  The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning—including camping and recreational fires—in all areas within external reservation boundaries regardless of ownership or tribal membership. Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the burn ban. For areas outside reservation...

Due to the unhealthy and hazardous air quality conditions in Oregon and Washington, EPA has issued a Burn Ban on all Tribes in this region until further notice. EPA will meet again on Monday, September 13, 2020 to assess the conditions.Tim Outman, Air Quality Specialist Confederated Tribes of Warm SpringsEPA Air Quality Advisory and Open Burning Ban for Reservations in Oregon and Washington   (Seattle – Friday, Sept. 11, 2020) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 has issued a ban on open burning for all reservations in Oregon and Washington State, due to smoke from large wildfires. This ban takes effect immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.   The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning—including camping and recreational fires—in all areas within external reservation boundaries regardless of ownership or tribal membership. Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the burn ban. For areas outside reservation...

Fire summary:While winds have lessened, the Echo Mountain Complex remains active.Firefighters are watching weather conditions and monitoring otherfactors such as relative humidity, as they relate to fire behavior. This complexof fires, which is comprised of two fires, is estimated at 2,435 acresand is 0% contained. Fire resources across the region are spread thin asfire conditions have reached extreme.Fire officials estimate that at least 100 structures have been damaged ordestroyed. Two structural task forces have been ordered. Upon their arrival,they will begin damage assessment and inventory of all the structuresimpacted. This work is very methodical and will take several days tocomplete. Many areas remain under evacuation orders. These orders areissued by Lincoln County. More information on the status of evacuationscan be found at: https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/emergencymanagement/page/seasonal-hazards-wildfire#EvacFire managers are asking people to stay out of the fire areas....

Please see the below Gifford Pinchot Forest Campfire Prohibition

Please see the below Big Hollow Fire closure order and map for the Gifford Pinchot National

AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Northwest Oregon District, Oregon.ACTION: Temporary Closure of Public LandsSUMMARY: Pursuant to 43 CFR 9268.3(d) and 43 CFR 8364.1, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides notice that effective immediately, the public lands described below are closed to all forms of public access. This action is in response to large fires currently active in the area. The BLM is closing public lands in order to reduce conflicts with emergency crews and allow for fire suppression and burned area site recovery.AFFECTED AREA: All BLM-managed public lands, roads, sites, and trails east of Interstate 5 in the following counties: Lane County, Linn County, Marion County, Clackamas County, Multnomah County. Also, BLM-managed public lands in Lincoln County are closed, with the exception of Yaquina Head Outstanding Natural Area.DATES: This closure is effective immediately and will remain in effect until such time as conditions allow for safe use of the public...

The Babb-Malden, Manning and Colfax Fires started on Monday, September 7, 2020. Babb-Malden Fire - Approximately 17,781 acres have been burned and the fire is at 0 percent containment. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Several structures have been destroyed. Crews continue to patrol the town of Malden and Pine City.  Today's  fire operations is focusing on suppression activities, putting out hotspots within the fire perimeter. Crew have made good progress on this fire. Pine City-Malden Road is currently closed to the public from the westside of Pine City to the eastside of Malden. The communities of St. Johns, Sunset, Thorton and Ewan are at a Level 1 Evacuation. Please be sure to refer to the Whitman County Sheriff's Facebook page for more information on closures and evacuations.Manning Fire: Approximately 3,063 acres have burned with 25 percent containment. Crews continue to make good progress on the fire. Engine crews will work to build and strengthen control lines....

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE UMPQUA NATIONAL FOREST Roseburg, OR ORDER NO. 06-15-01-20-423 Forest Order Occupancy and Use Pursuant to 16 USC§ 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited upon National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the Cottage Grove Ranger District of the Umpqua National Forest as described below and shown in Exhibit A. This Order will be effective beginning September 11, 2020, and ending September 30, 2020, unless rescinded sooner. PROHIBITIONS: 1. Being upon a closed road. [36 CFR § 261 .54 (e)] 2. Going into or being upon a closed area. [36 CFR § 261.52 ( e)] 3. Being on a trail. [36 CFR § 26 l.55(a)] CLOSURE AREA: All National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the Cottage Grove Ranger District boundary, as shown on Exhibit A. EXEMPTIONS: Pursuant to 36 CFR § 261.50( e ), the following persons are exempt from this order: 1. Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the...

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE UMPQUA NATIONAL FOREST Roseburg, 0 R ORDER NO. 06-15-02-20-422 Forest Order Occupancy and Use Pursuant to 16 USC§ 551 and 36 CFR § 261.S0(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited upon National Forest Syste1n lands, roads, and trails within the Tiller Ranger District of the Umpqua National Forest as desc1ibed below and shown in Exhibit A. This Order will be effective beginning September 11, 2020, and ending September 30, 2020, unless rescinded sooner. PROHIBITIONS: 1. Being upon a closed road. [36 CFR § 261.54 (e)] 2. Going into or being upon a closed area. [36 CFR § 261.52 (e)] 3. Being on a trail. [36 CFR § 261.55(a)] CLOSURE AREA: All National Forest System lands, roads, and trails within the Tiller Ranger District boundary, as shown in Exhibit A. EXEMPTIONS: Pursuant to 36 CFR § 26 l .50(e), the following persons are exempt from this order: 1. Persons with a permit specifically authorizing the otherwise prohibited...

Clackamas County establishes curfew during wildfire crisis. The curfew is effective immediately between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m.Date 9/11/2020In response to the wildfire state of emergency, Clackamas County is enacting a curfew, effective immediately.Today (Thursday, Sept. 10), in the interest of public safety, the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners has enacted a curfew in all areas of Clackamas County.This follows the BCC's Sept. 8 declaration of a state of emergency and this week's Level 3 evacuations covering much of Clackamas County.The curfew covers all areas of Clackamas County.From 10 p.m. to 6 a.m. starting tonight (Sept. 10), no persons other than those working in life- and property-saving activities (or civilian employees at night-shift jobs) may be upon the streets or public places. The curfew does not apply to first responders and community members working to relocate during the wildfire evacuations.In addition to enforcing the curfew, the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office...