InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Three fires actively burning in a mix of timber and brush on the Colville Indian Reservation comprise the Inchelium Complex: the Fry Fire, the Inchelium Highway Fire, and Kewa Field Fire.  All three fires are being managed for full suppression. The cause of the fires remains under investigation. Crews remain focused on point protection with an emphasis on structures and natural and cultural resources, and minimizing the footprint on all three fires. A night shift is assisting with holding and securing fire lines, with additional resources being added as they become available. Current Situation:  On the Fry Fire yesterday, fire lines remained secure on the north, east, and southern flanks.  On the west flank crews worked to improve fire line. Another successful day was had on Inchelium Highway Fire with direct line completed across the entire north flank.  Crews also picked up several small slopovers on the west flank. Retardant drops and fire boss water drops were used when...

Start Date: 8/16/2020 Cause: Lightning Incident Commander: Noel Livingston, Pacific Northwest Team 3 Approximate Size: 136,265 acres Containment: 5% Total Personnel: 1093Approximate Distance:  20 miles west of Warm SpringsResources on the Fire: 48 crews63 engines 10 dozers51 water tenders11 helicopters Cooperating Agencies:Marion County SheriffLinn County SheriffJefferson County SheriffDeschutes County Sheriff Weather and Fire Behavior: West to northwest winds are expected today, 6-10 mph with gust up to 15 mph.  The easterly transport winds are carrying the smoke to Central and Eastern Oregon, not only from The Lionshead Fire but also from The Beachie Creek and Riverside Fires. Temperatures will be in the mid 70-80’s with humidity in the teens on the easterly portion of the fire and west of the crest of the cascades in the lower 20’s. Current Situation: West of the cascades The Lionshead Fire continues to grow, challenging firefighters with complex terrain and...

Omak, WA – Last night: Crews overnight night worked to strengthen containment lines that are in place and create additional containment line.   Today: Priorities today will focus on the area east of Omak Lake and the Haley Lake area. This area is where the most fire activity is and firefighters on the ground will be assisted by bucket operations from a helicopter. One other priority is shoring up the Old Mill area in town. The mill and the area around the mill is smoldering and crews look to cool off that area. Dozer and hand lines will be shored up and firefighters will work in from the perimeter of the fire on hot spots. Power companies are working on replacing poles and to restore power in affected areas. A reconnaissance helicopter flight is scheduled this morning to get a better idea of the areas burned. The fire is 187,689 acres and is 25% contained. Temperatures will be in the low 90’s and humidity levels will be in the low teens.   The Cold Springs Fire started Sunday...

 There will be a virtual public meeting for the Pearl Hill Fire  at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2020. It will be hosted on the Northeast Washington Fire Information Facebook web page at the following link Northeast Washington Fire Information facebook web page  You do not have to have a Facebook account to view this

 There will be a virtual public meeting for the Apple Acres Fire  at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2020. It will be hosted on the Northeast Washington Fire Information Facebook web page at the following link Northeast Washington Fire Information facebook web page  You do not have to have a Facebook account to view this

 Fire Summary:The evacuations of the Woodland Park and Rainbow Park commu-nities were lifted today. These areas contain about 175 homes. None of these homes were damaged. The sheriff issued a new Level 1, “Get Ready”, evacuation notice for Highway 62 from milepost 94 to Sun Moun-tain Road. All other evacuations remain the same. The fire's Facebook page has a video explaining the evacuation areas and levels. Late this afternoon, a retardant drop along the fire’s north side helped slow the fire’s spread, allowing firefighters to strengthen the con-tainment lines. Firefighters held the line along Highway 97. Along the west side, firefighters removed dangerous trees and cooled hot spots. Tonight, firefighters will continue improving containment lines. Crews will use water and hand tools to put out hot spots along Highway 97. On the north side, firefighters will also continue strengthening the line. Safety remains our top priority. This includes trying to prevent COVID-19...

Check back often for

Omak, WA – The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of an infant and serious injury of 2 individuals that were found yesterday within the fire perimeter. Structures and outbuildings were damaged and/or lost during initial attack. The team is continuing structure assessments.       Today: Priorities consisted on focusing on the area east of Omak Lake.  Firefighters worked in steep rocky terrain assisted by four fire boss planes dropping water in the area.  Safety measures were taken to protect water resources while retardant was dropped in the Haley Creek Area to protect homes.  Due to the hard work of the crews the containment area of the fire is now 25%.  Power Company began restoring damaged poles and working on restoring infrastructure.   Citizens are urged to stay out of the burn area if possible.  We continue to receive additional resources for the fire. The fire is 187,689 acres. Temperatures were in the low 90’s today and are expected to...

Thursday September 10, 2020 8:00 p.m. Update                                        Completion: 0% Acres: 125,000                                                                  Start Date: September 8, 2020 Cause: Human                                                                  Location: 2 miles SE of Estacada, OR        Total Personnel: 100                                                                                                                                                    Today: Erratic winds pushed new growth on virtually all sides of the fire with crews reporting the largest growth to the east and southeast throughout the day. In the early...

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 10, 2020 - 7:00 PM Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander Doug Johnson, joined Oregon State Fire Marshal Incident Management Blue Team, Scott Magers Incident Commander, in unified command, in management of the South Obenchain Fire this morning. The incident command post is located at the Scenic Middle School in Central Point and a base camp is located at the Jackson County Expo Park. 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...

 Public Information Line (Fire): 503-338-8442Lincoln County Public Information: 541-265-0621Lincoln County Emergency Management: www.co.lincoln.or.us/EchoMountainFireMedia Information Line: 503-338-8442Fire summary:Last night’s wind shift changed the winds coming from east to a southwest wind ending the fire making huge runs westward towards Lincoln City. Currently the fire activity is low: creeping and smoldering within the fire perimeter. After being at the fire today, Matt Thomas, ODF Protection Unit Forester, stated " Today’s weather is allowing the fire fighters to gain traction and make progress towards extinguishing this fire". Fire operations is being assisted by local resources including equipment and employees from Hancock Forest Management, Weyerhaeuser Company and Miami Corporation and the Confederate Tribes of Grand Ronde. Oregon Department of Forestry appreciates the partnership with the local fire and rescue squads especially North Lincoln Fire and Rescue,...

Fire Summary:Fire crews worked overnight and built containment lines on the east side of the fire down to highway 97. Highway 97 will stay open today as long as fire crews and public safety is not compromised. Please watch for firefighters working close to the highway. On the south end of the fire, crews stopped and contained a couple of spot fires. Crews started digging a containment line on the north side of the fire. Today’s objectives include continuing work on the north side and holding the line on the south side of the fire. Crews will patrol the west side of the fire and monitor fire activity. They will be cleaning up hot spots around the perimeter of the fire. With another day of light winds and clear skies, both helicopters and planes will be dropping water and retardant to slow the fire’s spread. Evacuations remain the same as last night. The sheriff's office re-opened the area south of Highway 422 and west of Highway 62, which in-cluded 250 homes. The sheriff needed...

The Whitney Fire is located in Lincoln County, Washington between the towns of Davenport, Creston, and Odessa. State Route 2 runs through the northern part of the fire and is open. Fire continues to burn in timber, sagebrush, range and farmlands. Current fire size is approximately 122,000 acres, 4 primary structures (homes) and unknown number of secondary (outbuildings haybarns, fences, etc.) have been destroyed.  Some ranchers have lost livestock as well.Yesterday: Interagency Team 3 and multiple Lincoln County Fire districts engaged in suppression efforts and structure protection. North of Hwy 2 (northeast portion of the fire) has been lined and is holding well. Light winds and receptive fuels (dry brush, grass), resulted in fire movement south of Hwy 2 along the south and north perimeters of the fire, increasing fire size by about 22,000 acres. Crews, aircraft, and equipment (engines, brush trucks, dozers) were successful in minimizing fire spread.  Today: Weather for this...

Apple Acres and Pearl Fire Update for Thursday, September 10, 2020 Northwest Incident Management Team 6 led by Incident Commander Shawn Sheldon assumed command of the Pearl Hill Fire on 9/8 at 6:00 p.m. and the Apple Acres Fire at 6:00 a.m. on 9/9. Today’s Weather Favorable weather conditions are expected today.  Light easterly winds are predicted with today’s temperatures expected to be about five degrees warmer than yesterday.  However, dry relative humidity conducive to fire spread is expected to register at 15-20%. Apple Acres Fire Yesterday, firefighters made excellent progress in suppressing the Apple Acres Fire, continuing line construction, mop up and burn-out operations.  Today crews will continue mopping up hot spots along the perimeter of the fire and around structures within the perimeter of the fire.  Crews continue to be supported by helicopters with buckets of water where needed. Pearl Hill Fire The fire is most active at the northwest portion of the...

Pearl Hill and Apple Acres Fire Update for Thursday, September 10, 2020Northwest Incident Management Team 6 led by Incident Commander Shawn Sheldon assumed command of the Pearl Hill Fire on 9/8 at 6:00 p.m. and the Apple Acres Fire at 6:00 a.m. on 9/9. Today’s Weather Favorable weather conditions are expected today.  Light easterly winds are predicted with today’s temperatures expected to be about five degrees warmer than yesterday.  However, dry relative humidity conducive to fire spread is expected to register at 15-20%. Apple Acres Fire Yesterday, firefighters made excellent progress in suppressing the Apple Acres Fire, continuing line construction, mop up and burn-out operations.  Today crews will continue mopping up hot spots along the perimeter of the fire and around structures within the perimeter of the fire.  Crews continue to be supported by helicopters with buckets of water where needed. Pearl Hill Fire The fire is most active at the northwest portion of the...

Check tripcheck.com for road closures on HWY 18.

Public Information Line (Fire): 503-338-8442 Lincoln County Public Information: 541-265-0621 Lincoln County Emergency Management: www.co.lincoln.or.us/EchoMountainFire Media Information Line: 503-338-8442 Fire Summary: Lincoln City, OR: Weather conditions were favorable last night for an Infra-red flight to fly over the fires to gather data for accurate fire perimeter mapping and acreage determination. The Echo Mountain Fire and Kimberling Fire are still separate fires, the combined acreage is 2,435 acres and zero percent containment.   Last night the wind shifted from east winds to southwesterly winds and that will help fire fighters begin to attack this fire by establishing an anchor point and work on the east side of the fire. Overhead personnel are flying in today from the Florida Forestry Service to add capacity to the Oregon Department of Forestry staff in managing this fire.   Pacific Power workers along with ODF Fire Officials and ODOT Foresters are walking the affect...

Confederated Tribes of Warms Springs P-515 & Lionshead Fire Update Thursday, September 10, 2020 – 9:00 a.m.Weather and Fire Behavior: Morning winds from the southeast are expected to shift to the northwest this afternoon, promoting fire spread back to the south and east. Temperatures will be in the 70s with minimum relative humidity in the teens. Drought conditions, higher temperatures and low relative humidity will continue to contribute to the active fire behavior. Current Situation: The perimeter of the P-515 Fire is completely lined. Hand crews continue to improve containment lines and mop up is ongoing. It has burned 4,609 acres.On the Lionshead, fire was very active on the west side of the fire toward the town of Detroit. Extreme drought conditions combined with strong easterly winds, due to a cold front, pushed the fire spread west over the crest of the cascades and north of Mt. Jefferson on Monday evening. On the reservation, crews took advantage of the easterly winds to...

Please see attached Air Quality Report and Forecast Sep. 10,

The Pacific Northwest experienced historic fire activity over the last two days. Continued easterly winds have pushed the Lionshead Fire to grow to 105,340 acres. Weather and Fire Behavior: Temperatures will be warmer with slightly lower humidity levels than yesterday. Easterly winds will persist through most of the day, changing to southeast in the late afternoon. East winds will decrease; however, drought conditions, high temperatures and low relative humidity will contribute to continued active fire behavior. Current Situation: Extreme drought conditions combined with strong easterly winds, due to a cold front, pushed the fire spread west over the crest of the cascades and north of Mt. Jefferson. Long range spotting contributed to more than 12 miles of fire spread that included the areas around Breitenbush and Detroit Lake. The fire also crossed highway 22 in multiple places. Fire personnel coordinated with local emergency services on evacuations, providing escort for residents...