InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

We are making significant strides toward containment of the Kettle River Fire. As we approach accomplishment of our objectives, we take stock of the enormous effort put in by all of those who have helped us along the way. This includes firefighters, camp crews, and particularly members of the surrounding community. “In assessing our progress, we must ask ourselves whether the fire was impressed by our efforts,” according to Incident Commander(t) Tim Love. The answer in relation to the Kettle River Fire is an unequivocal yes! Many of the resources that were brought to bear on the Kettle River Fire have now moved on to help deal with other incidents. As we who continue to focus on full suppression and containment of the incident at hand, we recognize that ours is part of a more global effort to protect the lives, property, resources, and quality of life of citizens throughout the region and state. Approximately 40 residential structures around the fire remain under a Level 1...

Crescent Mountain Fire August 19, 2018 @ 8:00 a.m. Crescent Mountain Fire: 23,764 acres; 34 percent contained Personnel: 454 Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of Twisp Start Date: July 29, 2018 Cause: Lightning McLeod Fire: 10,040 acres; no containment Personnel: 408 Point of Origin: Approximately eight miles north of Mazama Start Date: August 11, 2018 Cause: Lightning Current Activity: Crescent Mountain Fire: The Crescent Mountain Fire continues to move south on the west side of the Twisp River north of Eagle Creek. A control line is in place on Scaffold Ridge. Crews are holding the fire east of Eagle Creek and working on contingency lines from the Twisp River to Buttermilk Butte. Crews will continue monitoring and holding the line east of the Twisp River and north of Poplar Flat. Holding and mopping up will focus on Whistling Creek and the Twisp river corridor. McLeod Fire: Heavy smoke conditions and shading on the fire led to...

Fire Zones Created The Taylor Creek and Klondike Fires were split into zones on Saturday. The fires are now referred to as “Taylor Creek and Klondike East Fires,” managed by the Alaska Incident Management Team out of Lake Selmac, and “Klondike West Fire” managed by California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 out of Gold Beach. Poor overnight relative humidity recoveries the past two nights have allowed fire to actively burn through the night into early morning. These conditions are forecast to continue through Sunday. Taylor Creek and Klondike East: Current Situation · Although extreme temperatures and low relative humidities prevailed on Saturday, forecasted wind gusts did not materialize during the day, resulting in continued burning but not extreme fire activity. Smoke remained and reduced fire activity predominated in much of the area. The most active part of the Klondike East Fire remains the southeast corner near Selma. Firefighters were able to conduct...

Fire Zones Created The Taylor Creek and Klondike Fires were split into zones on Saturday. The fires are now referred to as “Taylor Creek and Klondike East Fires,” managed by the Alaska Incident Management Team out of Lake Selmac, and “Klondike West Fire” managed by California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 out of Gold Beach. Poor overnight relative humidity recoveries the past two nights have allowed fire to actively burn through the night into early morning. These conditions are forecast to continue through Sunday. Taylor Creek and Klondike East: Current Situation · Although extreme temperatures and low relative humidities prevailed on Saturday, forecasted wind gusts did not materialize during the day, resulting in continued burning but not extreme fire activity. Smoke remained and reduced fire activity predominated in much of the area. The most active part of the Klondike East Fire remains the southeast corner near Selma. Firefighters were able to conduct...

Crescent Mountain Fire August 19, 2018 @ 8:00 a.m. Crescent Mountain Fire: 23,764 acres; 34 percent contained Personnel: 454 Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of Twisp Start Date: July 29, 2018 Cause: Lightning McLeod Fire: 10,040 acres; no containment Personnel: 408 Point of Origin: Approximately eight miles north of Mazama Start Date: August 11, 2018 Cause: Lightning Current Activity: Crescent Mountain Fire: The Crescent Mountain Fire continues to move south on the west side of the Twisp River north of Eagle Creek. A control line is in place on Scaffold Ridge. Crews are holding the fire east of Eagle Creek and working on contingency lines from the Twisp River to Buttermilk Butte. Crews will continue monitoring and holding the line east of the Twisp River and north of Poplar Flat. Holding and mopping up will focus on Whistling Creek and the Twisp river corridor. McLeod Fire: Heavy smoke conditions and shading on the...

Republic, WA – Fire crews will continue to mop up, working from the outside edge of the fire, inward to find hotspots and extinguish them. Branches and small woody debris accumulated from construction of the contingency lines will be chipped along the Forest Service 2148 Road. Tenders will be driving up and down N. Fork Trout Creek Road and Rose Valley Road to supply water for mop up operations. Yield to tenders on the road, use caution while driving in the area and respect the closed road sign at the Empire Sno-Park. The Kelly Mountain Fire started at approximately 11:00am on August 11th and was a part of eleven lightning and storm related fires reported in the Republic/Curlew/Toroda area. Local resources from US Forest Service, Washington State Department of Natural Resources along with private contractors responded to the Kelly Mountain fire that grew rapidly due to strong winds and extremely dry conditions. The fire is located south of Kelly Mountain, approximately 12...

The Watson Creek Fire burned actively through the day Friday in dense standing and downed vegetation dominated by bug killed lodgepole pine. Access to the fire is difficult, challenging fire fighters on their ability to directly attack the fire. Air resources supported the fire with water drops and will continue today, as smoke and visibility allow. An infrared camera was flown over the fire last night, allowing managers to more accurately map the fire size at 10,455 acres. Northwest Incident Management Team 6 assumed command of the fire on Friday evening and is setting up an Incident Command Post in Paisley. The Fremont-Winema National Forest has issued an emergency fire closure for several roads and recreation areas on the Forest. The Order is Number 06-02-03-18-02 and closes an area extending from near Picture rock south to Forest Roads 33 and 28, and from the eastern boundary of the Forest west to the eastern edge of the Gearhart Mountain Wilderness and the Forest boundary...

A single vehicle accident, involving a water tender rollover occurred late this morning when the vehicle left the 6101 road on the Cougar Creek Fire. Incident personnel and emergency responders extracted the driver from the crash site and transported the patient to Confluence Health, Central Washington Hospital. The individual’s family has been notified and he is reported to be awake and in good spirits.

On Friday, August 17th, a community meeting was held at the Eagle Cliff Grange near the fire. A video of the meeting can be found

McLeod Fire Closure Order: 06-17-04-18-xx Pursuant to 16 USC § 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 supersedes Order 06-17-04-18-21 signed on August 14th, 2018 by Michael R. Williams and is effective until October 31st, 2018, unless rescinded earlier. PROHIBITIONS: 1. Entering into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Fire Closure Area 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, Exibit A [36 CFR § 261.55(a)]. 3. Being on any National Forest System Road as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exibit A [36 CFR § 261.54(e)]. FIRE CLOSURE AREA DESCRIPTION: The fire closure area boundary begins at the Eightmile Sno-Park and follows and...

Major accomplishments toward containment of the Kettle River Fire were made on Friday. "A fire line has now been successfully completed around the entire perimeter of the Kettle River Fire," said Operations Chief Al DiBenedetto at Friday night's community meeting at the Eagle Cliff Grange. Two “Hot Shot” crews from Alaska were able to successfully bring a fire line around the head of the fire on extremely steep and difficult terrain. The residents who attended the meeting were particularly appreciative of the hard work crews have been putting in to protect them and their property.Having a line around the fire does not mean, however, that the fire is contained. At this point we have attained 15% containment and we expect that to increase dramatically over the next few days as crews work to improve hand lines and containment lines. Work on the fire continues to pose significant challenges to fire fighters who must contend with very steep terrain, rolling rocks, and danger trees. Due...

Pronóstico para el Cuenca de Columbia Norte Fuego Un sistema de alta presión se mueve sobre área hoy, lo que resulta en vientos ligeros. Los vientos del norte comenzarán a mover el humo desde Canadá hacia el área de pronóstico. Esto puede disminuir el comportamiento del fuego pero podría obstaculizar las operaciones aéreas. Hoy estará un poco más fresco debido a la capa de nubes y humo. Se espera un comportamiento de fuego de moderado a extremo en los incendios forestales locales donde las condiciones sean apropiadas. Humo Los vientos ligeros deben mantener la calidad del aire moderada en la mañana de hoy alrededor de Yakima, Ellensburg, Moses Lake, Cle Elum y Leavenworth, pero luego la calidad del aire comenzará a deteriorarse en la tarde y la noche. Se espera que las condiciones de calidad de aire se deterioren en todas las otras áreas de pronóstico hoy y durante todo el fin de semana. Otro Espere que el humo de los incendios forestales...

Pronóstico para el Cuenca de Columbia Norte Fuego Un sistema de alta presión se mueve sobre área hoy, lo que resulta en vientos ligeros. Los vientos del norte comenzarán a mover el humo desde Canadá hacia el área de pronóstico. Esto puede disminuir el comportamiento del fuego pero podría obstaculizar las operaciones aéreas. Hoy estará un poco más fresco debido a la capa de nubes y humo. Se espera un comportamiento de fuego de moderado a extremo en los incendios forestales locales donde las condiciones sean apropiadas. Humo Los vientos ligeros deben mantener la calidad del aire moderada en la mañana de hoy alrededor de Yakima, Ellensburg, Moses Lake, Cle Elum y Leavenworth, pero luego la calidad del aire comenzará a deteriorarse en la tarde y la noche. Se espera que las condiciones de calidad de aire se deterioren en todas las otras áreas de pronóstico hoy y durante todo el fin de semana. Otro Espere que el humo de los incendios forestales...

Meninick Pass Fire Update Aug 18, 2018 10:00 a.m. For Immediate Release Toppenish, WA, - The Meninick Pass fire was detected on August 16th, at approximately 11:51 pm, after lightning passed through the area. The fire is burning on Yakama Nation lands 10 miles west of Toppenish. The fire’s size is 5,537 acres and is 50% contained. Observed fire behavior is moderate, driven primarily by wind. The fire consists primarily of grass, sage brush, and non-conifer. Over the next few days temperatures and wind are expected to increase with the possibility of lighting. Yakama Nation cultural and historic areas remain threatened close to the fire line. Ranchers’ grazing land for livestock is also threatened. This fire is 100% within protected sage grouse habitat. There are approximately 40 personnel working the fire from Washington Department of Natural Resources and Yakima Fire District #5. Firefighter safety is...

Outlook for North Columbia Basin Fire A high pressure system moves in today which will result in light winds in the area. A northerly wind direction will begin to move smoke from Canada which will become trapped in the forecast area. This may moderate fire behavior but could hamper air operations. It will be slightly cooler today due to cloud and smoke cover. Moderate to extreme fire behavior is expected on local wildfires where conditions align. Smoke Light winds should keep air quality moderate in the morning today around Yakima, Ellensburg, Moses Lake, Cle Elum, and Leavenworth but then air quality will begin to deteriorate in the afternoon and evening. All other areas should expect declining air quality conditions today and throughout the weekend. Other Expect smoke to move back in from British Columbia wildfire smoke and blanket most areas by early afternoon today and remain all weekend and into early next week. Air quality will decline in...

Acreage: 35,809 Containment: 35 percent Personnel: 1,106 Cougar Creek Fire: Smoke decreased on Friday with winds exceeding 25 mph, pushing the smoke out of the valleys and increasing the fire behavior across the area. The increased fire behavior led to interior sections of the fire area burning more actively, which created the column of smoke that was visible for most of the afternoon. Resources assigned to the incident also supported initial attack in the area following yesterday’s lightning activity. On Saturday, additional crews will work on the fire’s southern edge from the Sugar Loaf Lookout area to Gold Ridge, continuing to prepare the area for low intensity burnout operations that will continue when conditions allow. Contingency lines are also being prepared from the fire’s western edge north toward the Lost Fire with mechanical equipment, chipping, and dozer lines. Crews will continue to mop-up, hold and patrol contained fire edge in the Entiat...

Critical fire weather last night resulted in an increase in acreage of both the Taylor Creek and Klondike Fires. Low relative humidities overnight allowed the fires to burn very actively. High temperatures and winds out of the northeast gusting to 25 mph will continue today. California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (CIIMT) has assumed command of the western edge of the Taylor Creek and Klondike fires and have established an Incident Command Post (ICP) in Gold Beach. CIIMT4 was called in to continue with the aggressive fight to fully suppress the fire. This will allow the Alaska Incident Management Team to focus their effort on controlling the southeast corner of the fire that is directly threatening the communities of Selma and Cave Junction. East · Fire crews are repairing effects of fire suppression along the northern and eastern boundaries of the Taylor Creek Fire. They continue to patrol and improve firelines along the eastern boundary. The southeast corner of...

Critical fire weather last night resulted in an increase in acreage of both the Taylor Creek and Klondike Fires. Low relative humidities overnight allowed the fires to burn very actively. High temperatures and winds out of the northeast gusting to 25 mph will continue today. California Interagency Incident Management Team 4 (CIIMT) has assumed command of the western edge of the Taylor Creek and Klondike fires and have established an Incident Command Post (ICP) in Gold Beach. CIIMT4 was called in to continue with the aggressive fight to fully suppress the fire. This will allow the Alaska Incident Management Team to focus their effort on controlling the southeast corner of the fire that is directly threatening the communities of Selma and Cave Junction. East · Fire crews are repairing effects of fire suppression along the northern and eastern boundaries of the Taylor Creek Fire. They continue to patrol and improve firelines along the eastern boundary. The southeast corner of...

Incendio de Crescent Mountain 18 de agosto de 2018 @ 8:00 a.m. Incendio de Crescent Mountain: 19.141 acres. Contención: 34% ● Personal: 387 ● Punto de origen: Aproximadamente 21 millas al oeste del pueblo Twisp ● Fecha de inicio: 29 de julio de 2018 ● Causa del incendio: rayo Incendio McLeod: 10.040 acres; sin contención ● Personal: 392 ● Punto de origen: Aproximadamente ocho millas al norte de Mazama ● Fecha de inicio: 11 de agosto de 2018 ● Causa del incendio: rayo Actualización de actividad: Incendio de Crescent Mountain: Ayer, el extremo sur del incendio avanzó sobre el lado oeste de Snowshoe Ridge hacia Eagle Creek, y continuó ardiendo hacia la parte superior de la ladera en los espacios naturales de Snowshoe y Black Ridges. Las líneas de control al norte de la comunidad de Poplar y al oeste de Twisp River pudieron contenerlo. Hoy, los bomberos y los equipos aéreos trabajarán para limitar la expansión del incendio hacia el...

Acres: 1,727 Containment: 44% Total Personnel: 148 Cause: Human-caused and under investigation Maple Fire announces new Fire Information Phone Number – 253-617-1143 Hamma Hamma, WA – The Maple Fire remains within the identified containment lines and firefighters are monitoring growth along Jefferson Ridge as the wildfire continues to slowly creep to the west. Crews will focus on holding and improving roads, rivers and creeks where the fire is currently held in check. The fire is expected to continue burning and emitting smoke until steady, seasonal rains extinguish this wildfire. The Type 3 incident management team, which took over Friday, is working to meet objectives identified by the Olympic National Forest (NF) and the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR). No private land has burned or is at risk. The ever-present risk of both live and dead trees falling remains in the fire area, where root systems have been burned off or severely compromised. Some exposed roots...