InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

PAISLEY, Ore. – The Watson Creek Fire grew to over 1,000 acres today due to difficult terrain and heavy mixed vegetation of standing and down lodge pole pine from beetle kill. The fire was reported yesterday afternoon approximately 15 miles west of Paisley and is burning on the Fremont-Winema National Forest Paisley Ranger District. Firefighters progress is slow due to the amount of dead and down logs as well as standing snags. The numerous hazards make it tough to effectively and safely fight fire. The dry burnable fuel on the ground in front of the fire is creating issues with access. Gusty afternoon winds today contributed to the fire spotting up to a half mile away. The use of additional aircraft for support has been limited by visibility in the area. Forecasts tomorrow predict north winds which would push the main fire to the southeast. Resources assigned to the fire include a Single Engine Air Tanker, lead plane, 2 fixed wing air attack air tankers, 20-person crew, 2...

Emergency Closure Area Expanded for Natchez Fire: The emergency closure area surrounding the Natchez Fire has been expanded on Klamath National Forest lands. The expanded area is necessary for public safety because of fire spotting and implementation of contingency plans for fire lines to minimize the risk of fire spreading south and east toward the community of Happy Camp, California. Going into or being on National Forest lands, roads, or trails within the closure area is prohibited. Forest Road No. 48, known as Grayback Road, remains open to public use. The new boundary for the emergency closure area begins at the intersection of Forest Road 48 (Grayback Road) and the common boundary between the Klamath National Forest boundary and the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, then continues southeasterly along the western edge of Grayback Road to its intersection with Highway 96, then continues southwest along the northern edge of Highway 96 to its intersection with Forest Road No....

CLOSURE UPDATE: Highway 20 is now open temporarily. Fire crews and State DOT crews will be in the area working on the fire starting August 17, 2018 from 6am-6pm. The fire areas they will be working on are be manned by State DOT flagging crews to allow the fire crews to work safely and efficiently. Please slow down and be

PAISLEY, Ore. – The Watson Creek Fire grew to 350 acres earlier today due to difficult terrain and poor visibility.The fire was confirmed yesterday at 2:55 p.m. approximately 15 miles west of Paisley. The fire is burning on the Fremont-Winema National Forest Paisley Ranger District Firefighters are working in difficult terrain with limited access. The fire is currently actively burning to the northeast. Initial attack resources on scene: Air Attack, two heavy air tankers, three helicopters, six engines, two water tenders, three dozers, multiple overhead, and a 10-person handcrew. The use of additional aircraft for support has been limited by visibility in the area. A Type II Incident Management Team has been ordered to assume command of operations. Due to the fire situation road closures and evacuations are being put in place. Forest Service 28 RD – South from junction of FS road 30 to FS road 34, at the junction with FS road 29, and at the junction with FS road 3315. Forest...

Community MeetingA Community Meeting has been scheduled to discuss the strategy being used to suppress the Kettle River Fire. The meeting will be held on Friday, August 17th at 6:30 p.m. in the Eagle Cliff Grange on Customs Road near the fire.Personnel from the Kelley Mountain Fire will also be on hand to answer questions about that fire north of Republic.

Kettle Falls, WA - The Boyds Fire is located 3 miles west of Kettle Falls, WA. Infrared flights of the fire estimate the size at approximately 3065 acres. However, the containment level has been increased to 18 percent. To date, there have been 4 structures lost on the Boyds fire.Warmer weather conditions and decreased humidity have increased fire activity. Helicopters are working along the northwest perimeter making water drops to cool the area where firefighters continue to work. Due to heavy smoke conditions and low visibility, retardant drops in the area have been delayed. Air attack continues to assess the situation for use in retardant.Firefighters made progress along the Nancy Creek area, tying in containment lines and mopping up along the fire’s edge. The spot fire that developed north of Nancy Creek has been secured. Crews are diligently working around structures to make sure the areas are safe for residents to return. There is still potential along the southern perimeter...

Horns Mountain Fire UpdateAugust 16, 2018, 10:00 amNW Incident Management Team (IMT) 9, Brian Goff, Incident CommanderContact us at: HornsMountainInfo2018@gmail.com Fire Information: 505-302-5008 (GoogleVoice - Leave message for call back)InciWeb Maps and Updates: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6138/NORTHPORT WA – The Horns Mountain Fire is now 1,293 acres and is 10 percent contained. A full suppression strategy is being implemented, consistent with safety policy. Yesterday, to protect private lands, timber sales, and grazing allotments, crews constructed containment line directly on the western edge of the fire. However, due to the heat generated by heavy dead and down timber being consumed, the firefighters were moved to alternative lines. While the Horns Mountain Fire is not moving rapidly, it is burning intensely. The area has not had significant fire activity in the last 100 years, resulting in an accumulation of standing dead trees and heavy fuels on the ground....

Acres:

Incendio de Crescent Mountain 16 de agosto de 2018 @ 8:00 a.m. Se celebrará una reunión pública esta noche en el Winthrop Barn (el granero rojo). La dirección es 51 N. Highway 20 en Winthrop. Incendio de Crescent Mountain: 17,924 acres; 37% de contención (máximo alcanzable debido al acceso limitado) Personal: 433Punto de origen: Aproximadamente 21 millas al oeste del pueblo de TwispFecha de inicio: 29 de julio de 2018 Causa: RayoIncendio de McLeod: 3,948 acres; 0% de contención (máximo alcanzable será de 59%)Personal: 277Punto de origen: Aproximadamente 8 millas al norte de MazamaFecha de inicio: 11 de agosto de 2018 Causa: Rayo Actividad actual: Incendio de Crescent Mountain: ayer, las cuadrillas casi terminaron una línea de contingencia en Scaffold Ridge. El fuego estuvo activo y creció en Reynolds Creek, pero el agua de los helicópteros ayudó a moderar esta actividad. El turno de noche puso en marcha bombas cerca de las estructuras en todo el valle del río Twisp....

Incendio de Crescent Mountain 16 de agosto de 2018 @ 8:00 a.m. Se celebrará una reunión pública esta noche en el Winthrop Barn (el granero rojo). La dirección es 51 N. Highway 20 en Winthrop. Incendio de Crescent Mountain: 17,924 acres; 37% de contención (máximo alcanzable debido al acceso limitado) Personal: 433Punto de origen: Aproximadamente 21 millas al oeste del pueblo de TwispFecha de inicio: 29 de julio de 2018 Causa: RayoIncendio de McLeod: 3,948 acres; 0% de contención (máximo alcanzable será de 59%)Personal: 277Punto de origen: Aproximadamente 8 millas al norte de MazamaFecha de inicio: 11 de agosto de 2018 Causa: Rayo Actividad actual: Incendio de Crescent Mountain: ayer, las cuadrillas casi terminaron una línea de contingencia en Scaffold Ridge. El fuego estuvo activo y creció en Reynolds Creek, pero el agua de los helicópteros ayudó a moderar esta actividad. El turno de noche puso en marcha bombas cerca de las estructuras en todo el valle del río Twisp....

Miriam Fire Update Fire Information Line: 360-481-0031 August 16, 2018 – 9 a.m. Special Announcement: A C-130 Atmospheric Research Center aircraft will be flying above the temporary flight restriction (TFR) over the Miriam and Clear Fork Fires gathering smoke data. This plane is strictly used for data collection only and not fire suppression. Acres: Miriam Fire – 2,655 acres: Clear Fork Fire - 10 acres Percent Containment: 10% Start Date: 07/30/18 Personnel/Resources: 2-Type 2 IA hand crews, 3-Type 2 hand crews, 1-camp crew, 1-heavy lift helicopter, 1-medium lift helicopter, 1-light lift helicopter, 15-engines, 1-dozer, 6-water tenders, 1-masticator and 1-forwarder processor for 334 total personnel. Location: Two miles east of White Pass Ski Area, within the Goat Rocks Wilderness on the Naches Ranger District, 13 miles east of Packwood, WA. Cause: Lightning Estimated Incident Containment or completion: 9/1/2018 Smoke Information: Smokey conditions are expected to persist and...

There will be a community fire information meeting Friday, August 17, 6:00 p.m., at the Grange on 2nd Street in Happy Camp. Weather: Warm, dry, and sunny with areas of smoke. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms. SW to NW winds at 3-6 mph with gusts up to 10 mph on ridges during the day. Night will bring NE winds with gusts up to 15 mph over exposed areas. Elsewhere, terrain driven winds will be at 0-4 mph. Minimum relative humidity will be 20%. Max temperatures: 90-95 in the valleys to 75-85 on the ridges. Yesterday’s Activities: Firefighters, with aircraft support, prepped the fireline and used low intensity firing to continue bringing the new primary fireline from the burn scar from the 2017 Eclipse Complex on the south, to South Fork Indian Creek. Work continued to further strengthen this fireline to minimize the potential for spotting across the line. Firefighters also worked to improve the fireline west of Mud Lake. Assessment of potential contingency lines west of Mud...

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office has announced a Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice. This is for all residences on the west side of US Hwy 199 between Eight Dollar Mountain Road and the Oregon/California border.To read the sheriff's complete press release, please follow the link below.

From Chelan County Emergency Managment: COUGAR CREEK FIRE LEVEL CHANGESAll evacuation levels are being downgraded by 1 level effective 10am today, 8/16/18.Level 1 to nothing = Oklahoma Gulch Rd, Navarre Coulee Rd (97-ALT to South Lakeshore Rd), Johnson Creek Rd and First Creek Rd residents. Also Entiat River Rd from 97A to Crum Canyon.Level 2 down to Level 1 = Entiat River Rd from Mad River Rd down to Crum Canyon Rd and both sides of Crum Canyon Rd.Level 3 down to Level 2 = Mad River Rd & Ardenvoir. Also Entiat River Rd from Mad River Rd to end of Entiat River Rd (approximately MP 25).Be advised that there will be increased patrols by Deputies on the Entiat River Rd from Mad River Rd to the end of Entiat River Rd, enforcing the reduced speed limit of 25 mph. This is due to having fire fighters and equipment on the

The Josephine County Sheriff's Office has announced a Level 1 "Be Ready" evacuation notice. This is for all residences on the west side of US Hwy 199 between Eight Dollar Mountain Road and the Oregon/California border.To read the sheriff's complete press release, please follow the link

Acreage:

Crescent Mountain Fire August 16, 2018 @ 8:00 a.m. A public meeting will be held tonight at 6:30pm at the Winthrop Barn (the Red Barn) at 51 N. Highway 20 in Winthrop. Crescent Mountain Fire: 17,924 acres; 37% contained (maximum attainable due to limited access) Personnel: 433Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of TwispStart Date: July 29, 2018 Cause: LightningMcLeod Fire: 3,948 acres; 0% contained (maximum attainable will be 59%)Personnel: 277Point of Origin: Approximately 8 miles north of MazamaStart Date: August 11, 2018 Cause: Lightning Current Activity: Crescent Mountain Fire: Yesterday, crews neared completion of a contingency line up Scaffold Ridge. The fire was active and grew in Reynolds Creek, but helicopter water drops helped to moderate this activity. The night shift ran pumps near structures throughout the Twisp River Valley. Today, crews will reinforce established firelines up Scaffold Ridge and Slate Creek. Firefighters will continue mop-up along War Creek...

Crescent Mountain Fire August 16, 2018 @ 8:00 a.m. A public meeting will be held tonight at 6:30pm at the Winthrop Barn (the Red Barn) at 51 N. Highway 20 in Winthrop. Crescent Mountain Fire: 17,924 acres; 37% contained (maximum attainable due to limited access) Personnel: 433 Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of Twisp Start Date: July 29, 2018 Cause: Lightning McLeod Fire: 3,948 acres; 0% contained (maximum attainable will be 59%) Personnel: 277 Point of Origin: Approximately 8 miles north of Mazama Start Date: August 11, 2018 Cause: Lightning Current Activity: Crescent Mountain Fire: Yesterday, crews neared completion of a contingency line up Scaffold Ridge. The fire was active and grew in Reynolds Creek, but helicopter water drops helped to moderate this activity. The night shift ran pumps near structures throughout the Twisp River Valley. Today, crews will reinforce established firelines up Scaffold Ridge...

Kelly Mountain Fire UPDATE August 16, 2018 9:00 AM Northeast Washington Interagency IMT Type 3, Team #1 Ed Lewis Incident Commander For Immediate Release Republic, WA – Today firefighters are finalizing the remaining hand line and will be working to create a hose lay around the fire perimeter. Crews have completed the contingency line around the fire. Wood chippers will be used today to reduce fuels near the fire line. Sawyers will assess and remove hazard trees in preparation for mop up operations to begin. Three spot fires to the southeast of the fire have been contained. 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...

Summary: Because the predicted lightning failing to materialize, firefighters were able to continue their focused efforts and gain the upper hand in several areas of these fires. In addition, the Fire Weather Watch that had been in place for today has been removed, even though a slight chance of an isolated thunderstorms remains to the east of the fire. Also aiding fire crews is the lingering smoke from this and other fires throughout southern Oregon, providing shade and reducing firer behavior. Fire managers remain cautiously optimistic as suppression objectives are succeeding as planned.Firefighters are sticking to objectives set early in the suppression effort by minimizing acres burned while providing for public and firefighter safety and protecting all values at risk. Crews remain primed and ready should new fire starts occur in the area, providing initial attack as needed. Miles Fire (32,519 acres, 25% contained): Control lines are strengthening as crews continue to douse...