InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Firefighters continue to make progress on the fires included in the South Umpqua Complex. The weather turned warmer and a little drier on Wednesday, but most areas of the fires didn’t show significant increases in activity.Yesterday’s most active area was on the Miles Fire near Savage Bluffs where the fire made a push up the slope. Burning materials then rolled downhill and ignited new spots in areas with large quantities of fuel on the ground. A large plume of smoke developed and winds carried embers up to ¼ mile east toward Hawk Mountain. On Snowshoe Fire, lines have been established around most of the fire, with emphasis on the south and east sides toward the residences. Firefighters are working to extinguish residual heat near the fire edges to try to prevent the fire from crossing these lines. Most fire activity is to the northwest where large islands of unburned fuel remain between the main fire and burnout areas inside control lines. Yesterday and last night, firefighters...

NOTE: Community meeting tonight at Illinois Valley High School in Cave Junction at 6:00 p.m. Weather & Fire Behavior: Fire weather conditions are predicted to be in the critical range today and tomorrow. This means temperatures in excess of 100 degrees, and relative humidity percentages in the low teens or single digits. Fortunately winds are predicted to be light, however, slope and terrain driven winds will influence fire behavior. These weather factors can cause extreme fire behavior; such as single and group tree torching, crown runs, creation of columns and fire spotting up to half a mile away. The ground fuels, i.e., the grasses and brush are dry and very receptive to fire. Yesterday’s Activities: The northern portion of the fire was the most active with fire burning from the ridgeline towards York Butte and working its way down towards Panther Creek. The fire has not reached Panther Creek and a major objective for firefighters both yesterday and today is to keep fire from...

An updated vicinity map has been posted to inciweb. It reflects the change in evacuation levels all down to a level 1 (ready) in the area of the #Hendrixfire. The National Forest Area Closure is still in effect and shown on the map.

Timber Crater 6 Fire Update July 26, 2018, 10:00 am NW Incident Management Team (IMT) 9, Brian Goff, Incident Commander Contact us at: TimberCrater6.2018@gmail.com - Fire Information: 541-238-2084 (GoogleVoice) or 541-291-4158 Crater Lake National Park, OR – Containment of the Timber Crater 6 Fire, burning in the northeast corner of Crater Lake National Park and Fremont-Winema National Forest, surpassed the 50% mark (55%) on Wednesday. Firefighters safely and successfully gained ground as they continued mopping up hot spots, and either completed or made great progress on key sections of primary, alternate and contingency lines. Acres burned increased to 2943 as a result of low severity burnout within primary containment lines. There are 680 personnel assigned to the fire. While crews continue moving toward full containment and suppression of the fire, they will also begin rehabilitating fire lines and other suppression treatments as needed and appropriate. One example is...

The July 26, 2018 Hendrix Fire Update and Smoke Outlook has been released. Links to the documents are

A “red flag” weather warning means conditions will be prime for rapid fire growth today. Firefighters were cautioned at this morning’s briefing that with gusty winds in the forecast, high temperatures and low humidity, conditions call for a high level of vigilance. In addition, much of the smoke that has been trapped over the fires has cleared out. “The fire will be getting a breath of fresh air today” says Incident Meteorol- ogist Tom Wright, which could produce large smoke columns. The clear air also means the fires’ helicopters and airplanes should have good flying weather. They will be used, as needed, to help maintain our control lines. And, if condi- tions are right, aerial ignitions are planned to remove unburned fuels between the ac- tive fire and the lines. In all, there are over 70 miles of fire line. Today, firefighters will patrol, strengthen and “mop up” the lines on the Grave Creek portion the Garner Com- plex. “Mop up” means making sure all fire...

Prospect, Oregon – Nineteen fires on the High Cascades Ranger District west of Crater Lake National Park are being managed under the collective name Sugar Pine, which is also the name of one specific fire. Approximately 1,416 acres have burned on all fires combined. The three largest fires are Sugar Pine, Goodview and Round Top. Today will be a “watch out day” according to the Incident Meteorologist, Ryan Fliehman. High temperature and winds combined with low humidity will create the potential for very active fire behavior. Firefighters will continue to patrol contained fires and must remain keenly aware of potential rapid fire spread as the uncontained fires approach uphill slopes. A community meeting was held last night in Prospect. The NWIMT #13 appreciates the people who attended. If the public has additional questions, they can call the Sugar Pine Fire Information phone number 541-560-3374. Crews and heavy equipment including dozers, masticators...

Wilson Prairie Fire Update Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander: Doug Johnson July 26, 2018 - 9:00 A.M. Special Announcements: Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Doug Johnson, assumed management of the Wilson Prairie Fire this morning at 6:00 am. The fire is burning in timber and grass on private lands, protected by Oregon Department of Forestry, and the Umatilla National Forest. The incident command post (ICP) and helibase are located at the Morrow County OHV Park northeast of Spray, Oregon. A Community Meeting is planned for Friday, July 27th at 5:00 pm at the Heppner City Hall at 111 North Main Street. Fire managers will provide a fire update with maps and an opportunity for questions and answers at the end of the presentations. Acreage: 437; a helicopter flight of the fire boundary yesterday provided a clear view of the perimeter and the size of the fire has been updated. Containment: 10% Air Quality: Visit...

Smoke Outlook for Western Oregon-California Border Natchez and Klondike Fires.

Western Oregon-California Border Klondike and Natchez Fires.

The July 26 Hendrix Fire infrared map has been posted to inciweb. The infrared flight interpreter estimated the acreage at 1081 (the same as yesterday). Containment of the Hendrix fire has been increased to 50%. Please keep in mind that the acreages are an approximation and can vary based on how they are determined, and are updated at different times of the

For Public Information call the Joint Information Center: 541-474-5305 (8 AM—8 PM) Media Information Line: (541) 660-7634 Information Center Blog: SWOJIC.blogspot.com https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5935/ email: garnercomplexinformation@gmail.com The purpose of this update is to give more information about the fire and smoke seen the few days and nights near the Taylor Creek and Pleasant Creek Fires. The public may see more fire and experience smokier conditions. Burnout operations continue to be conducted on the Grave Creek Fire, Taylor Creek Fire and Pleasant Creek Fire. Burnout means: setting fire inside a control line to con- sume fuel between the edge of the fire and the control line. Individual tree torching will be visible, especially at night. Wildland and structural fire fighters, who work in twelve hours shifts, will continue efforts to keep the fire inside the control lines. While wildland fire fighters fight the fire, the role of the OSFM resources is to...

FIRE CLOSURE UMATILLA NATIONAL FOREST Pursuant to 36 CFR, Sec. 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited in the area described in this order within the Heppner Ranger District on the Umatilla National Forest beginning on July 25, 2018 at ____ hrs. until further notice: It is prohibited to go into or be in the area described below and shown on the map in Appendix A (36 CFR 261.53 (e); The area within following the following boundary; Starting at State Highway 207 at its junction with the Forest Boundary in T7S, R25E, Section 3, South to Forest Service Road (FSR) 24, then follow FSR 24 east to its junction with FSR 23, then follow FSR 23 east to FSR 2128, then follow FSR 2128 north to the Forest Boundary at T7S, R26 Section 2, then following the Forest Boundary west to State Highway 207. It is prohibited to use any type of traffic on the following roads (36 CFR 261.54(c)); National Forest System Road (NFSR) 2039000 - From the Junction of Highway 207 easterly to...

[Morrow County, Ore.] Fire behavior increased late yesterday afternoon on the Wilson Prairie Fire, resulting in the fire moving outside the fireline on the southern portion of the fire. The fire, pushed by afternoon winds and warm temperatures spotted across the retardant lines into dry fuels. Three helicopters were used to drop water on hotspots while tankers were used to lay retardant lines in front of the fire to slow the spread so ground resources could engage and build fireline. The fire continued to grow to the south. Firelines on the north portion of the fire continue to hold. Firefighters are working to stop the fire progress in the south using firefighters, dozers, and fire engines supported by helicopters and tankers. Current resources on the fire includes three helicopters, six crews, twelve engines, four dozers, and two tenders. The fire is currently estimated at 700 acres. A large area, trail and road closure within the vicinity of Bull Prairie Lake and the Wilson...

Update 7/25/18 at 2:40 p.m.: Following the recommendation of fire officials, the evacuation level on Graves Creek Road, north of Ditch Creek, has been reduced from Level 3 (Go) to Level 2 (Be Set). If residents in this area have registered for Citizen Alert since the original evacuation, they will receive a notification at some time today. No other evacuation levels for the Grave or Pleasant fires have changed. For information about evacuation levels and other preparedness information, go to www.rvem.org . Information related to the Garner Complex fires can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5935/ .

Fire managers will give an update about the Natchez and Klondike Fires.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Office issued a Level 2 Evacuation Notice for areas near the Snowshoe Fire and SR 62 on 7/23/18. For more information, please use this link:July 23, 2018 Evacuation Map, Snowshoe

The Joint Information Center has released a July 25, 2018 combined update. Please use the link below. Information for Southwest Oregon Fires is available at the Joint Information Center (JIC) at 541-474-5305 8 AM – 8

On July 24, the Umpqua National Forest issued a revised emergency fire closure order for areas near fires included in the South Umpqua Complex. The new order can be found at this link: Revised emergency fire closure

Under Order No. 06-10-24-18-63, two small areas of the Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest (RRSNF), near its northwestern boundary with the Umpqua National Forest (UNF) have been closed due to wildfires and to permit safe firefighting activity on both Forests. The roads described below and the area of the RR-S between them and the UNF are closed: NFS 68 at the RRSNF Boundary (T33S., R2E., section 33, SE ½ ) to the junction with NFS 6640 NFS 6640 from the junction with NFS 68, southwest to the junction of NFS 6640800. NFS 6640800 at the RRSNF Boundary (T31S., R2E, section 7, NE ¼ ) NFS 1610-900 to the junction with NFS 970 (T31S., R1W., section 36, NE ¼ ) NFS 1610 970