InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

The Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team finalized its soil burn severity map for the Chetco Bar fire. The map identifies 7 percent of the fire area as having high burn severity and 34 percent with moderate burn severity. The remaining 59 percent has low or very low burn severity. “We originally expected burn severity to be higher given the extent of the fire. However, the team did not find significant soil effects in most locations,” said BAER Team Leader John Chatel. High burn severity is evidenced by the consumption of all ground cover and surface organic matter (litter, duff, fine roots), sometimes leaving a layer of ash several inches deep. Moderate burn severity areas will have up to 80 percent ground cover consumed however soil structure is generally unchanged. In areas with low burn severity, the ground often appears lightly charred. A soil burn severity map is generated using satellite imagery and validated and adjusted by field surveys, which the BAER team...

Northern California is currently experiencing wildfire season. Smokes from these fires may be visible at times as air currents move northwards up the coast. Increased fire traffic may be visible along the South Bank Chetco towards the 1205 road, as two twenty person hand crews, support engines and a chipper continue mop up and repair work along the 1205 and 240 roads within the fire perimeter. Data from an infrared flight late Saturday night revealed a pocket of dispersed heat in this area, caused by a low intensity ground fire that has been creeping and smoldering in the thick leaf litter on the forest floor. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop up any remaining areas of concern and complete suppression repair as needed. Repair, grading, and seeding operations are ongoing throughout the perimeter. Weather and Fire Behavior: Higher humidities and cooler temperatures are expected today with scattered showers over the fire perimeter. Showers will decrease during the afternoon. A...

Umpqua North Complex Fact Sheet Update October 11th, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. Fire Information: 541-378-6944 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) Inciweb address: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov Start Date: August 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Fuels: Timber, forest litter, grass & shrubs Acres: 43,158 Percent Completed: 79% Current Situation: The Nevada IMT3 Team 2 would like to thank the Umpqua National Forest, the public, local businesses and cooperators for all of their help and understanding over the last two weeks. Nevada Team 2 will be transitioning command of the Umpqua North Complex back to the local forest at close of business on Thursday Oct 12th 2017. The mitigation of snags and hazard trees along HWY 138 in between MP 46-51 (Illahee Flats) has resumed and is scheduled to be completed on or before end of shift Wednesday, October 11th, 2017. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will provide traffic control and pilot car escort along the corridor from 8:30 am until 6:00 pm each day. Fire...

The following Orders have been terminated as of 3:00 p.m. this date (10/4/2017). Order No. 06-02-13-17-12 …. Area closure, Klamath RD, Blanket Creek Fire, dated 9/24/2017 Order No. 06-02-13-17-13 …. Road & Trail closure, Klamath RD, Blanket Creek Fire, dated 9/24/2017 Order No. 06-02-13-17-14 …. Road & Trail closure, Klamath RD, North Pelican Fire, dated 9/24/2017

Update for Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2017, 9 a.m. Fire Information: (541) 719-8371 Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5523/ https://www.facebook.com/WillametteWildfires2017/ Willamettewildfires2017@gmail.com Current Situation: Firefighters are spreading fast growing native grass seed on firelines as the last of the suppression repair work for the Separation, Avenue, and Rebel fires is nearing completion. This grass will stabilize the soil giving the forest’s natural vegetation an opportunity to take hold. Crews continue on Highway 242 removing hazardous trees. Grading work is still underway on Forest Roads. Rain is moving back into the area and is forecast to continue through the week. Cooler temperatures will bring snow to the higher elevations. Fire managers will evaluate the situation daily with the welfare of crews in mind as they strive to complete their work. Attention: Visitors to reopened lands may encounter areas burned by recent and past wildfires and need to be aware...

Increased fire traffic may be visible along the South Bank Chetco towards the 1205 road, as two twenty person hand crews, support engines and a chipper continue mop up and repair work along the 1205 and 240 roads within the fire perimeter. Data from an infrared flight late Saturday night revealed a pocket of dispersed heat in this area, caused by a low intensity ground fire that has been creeping and smoldering in the thick leaf litter on the forest floor. Smoke may be visible from an additional ground fire on the west side of Red Mountain, near the Kalmiopsis Wilderness in Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest. Grading, repair and seeding operations are ongoing throughout the perimeter. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop up any additional areas of concern and complete suppression repair as needed. Weather and Fire Behavior: A cold front will move through Tuesday and Wednesday with potential for rain showers over the fire perimeter. Cooler weather, higher humidities and weaker...

Umpqua North Complex Fact Sheet Update October 10th, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. Fire Information: 541-378-6944 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) Inciweb address: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov Start Date: August 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Fuels: Timber, forest litter, grass & shrubs Acres: 43,158 Percent Completed: 79% Current Situation: The mitigation of snags and hazard trees along HWY 138 in between MP 46-51 (Illahee Flats) has resumed and is scheduled to be completed on or before end of shift Wednesday, October 11th, 2017. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will provide traffic control and pilot car escort along the corridor from 8:30 am until 6:00 pm each day. Fire suppression repair continues with hazard tree mitigation within the Fall Creek Fire area. On the 4711/550, 4770, 4760 and the 28 Roads snagging/hazard tree falling and clearing efforts continue. Last Saturday members of the Umpqua National Forest Fire Crew entered the area and began flagging hazard trees in advance of a team...

Miller Complex Fire Update October 9, 2017 – 11:00 a.m. Acres: 37,908 Percent Contained: 87% Start Date: August 14, 2017 Cause: Lightning Total Personnel: 210 Location: Private land and federal land on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest 20 miles west of Ashland, OR. Fire Information: 541-838-0770 Email address: millercomplex2017@gmail.com The Abney Fire remained active through Sunday evening into Monday morning. The slopover has been incorporated within burnout operations and all available options are being pursued to contain the fire within a smaller footprint. Pre-established dozer lines encompass the road systems where crews are working, providing a larger containment zone around all current fire activity. Crews have established anchor points along the 1065 road and additional containment lines along the northern edge of the fire. Engines will continue to patrol these road systems and containment lines to handle issues if they arise. The section of fire burning east...

Updates will be distributed every other day unless significant events occur Current Situation: Firefighters will begin to assess hazard trees in the Multnomah Falls area and along the Eagle Creek Trailhead and Campground. The assessment will determine the amount of fire-weakened trees in these areas, and identify those that can be safely cut down by professional fallers. Crews and equipment will continue repairing the impacts from the fire suppression effort and are on track to complete all the necessary work this week. This repair work includes: chipping woody debris piled during line construction, installing water bars on dozer and hand lines to help mitigate erosion, and grading roads that were used by emergency fire vehicles and heavy equipment. Crews will also backhaul or remove any remaining items such as water pumps, hoses and tanks no longer needed in the fire suppression effort. Firefighters will patrol the fire perimeter close to communities and infrastructure to...

Update for Monday, Oct. 9, 2017, 9 a.m. Fire Information: (541) 719-8371 Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5523/ https://www.facebook.com/WillametteWildfires2017/ Willamettewildfires2017@gmail.com Current Situation: Residents and visitors to the area are going to see occasional areas of smoke. These are most likely downed trees or stumps that continue to smolder. The finer fuels around them have high enough moisture content from the recent rains and snow that there is no chance for fire to spread. These solitary smokes are scattered across the complex and can last well into winter. The last of the suppression repair work for the Separation, Avenue, and Rebel fires is nearly complete. Crews are on Highway 242 removing hazardous trees. Grading work continues on Forest Roads. Firefighters are making a final sweep across the complex to remove flagging, pick up trash and insure repairs are complete. Attention: Visitors to reopened lands may encounter areas burned by recent and...

Two twenty person hand crews, support engines, and a chipper have been deployed along the 240 and 1205 roads to mop up the remaining fire within the Wheeler Creek area. Data from an infrared flight late Saturday night revealed a pocket of dispersed heat in this area, caused by a low intensity ground fire that has been creeping and smoldering in the thick leaf litter on the forest floor. The flight also revealed that the remaining instances of isolated heat are all located well within the interior of the fire area. Grading, repair, and seeding operations are ongoing throughout the perimeter. Chipping operations have finished along the 1205 Road. Seeding, mulching, and mop up continues along the 240 Road near Mt. Emily. Firefighters continue to patrol the fire perimeter, mopping up any areas of concern and completing suppression repair as needed. Weather and Fire Behavior: Winds shifted from north to northeast and then east through Sunday night, with humidities dropping throughout the...

Umpqua North Complex Fact Sheet Update October 9th, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. Fire Information: 541-378-6944 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) Inciweb address: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov Start Date: August 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Fuels: Timber, forest litter, grass & shrubs Acres: 43,158 Percent Completed: 79% Current Situation: The mitigation of snags and hazard trees along HWY 138 in between MP 46-51 (Illahee Flats) is scheduled to resume today and be completed at the end of shift on Tuesday October 10th, 2017. The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) will provide traffic control and pilot car escort along the corridor from 8:30 am until 6:00 pm each day. Fire suppression repair continues with hazard tree mitigation within the Fall Creek Fire area. On the 4711/550, 4770, 4760 and the 28 Roads snagging/hazard tree falling and clearing efforts continue. Last Saturday members of the Umpqua National Forest Fire Crew entered the area and began flagging hazard trees in advance of a team of...

Daily UpdateEagle Creek Fire October 8, 2017 - 9:00 a.m. Fire Information: 541-392-1632 (8 a.m.-8 p.m.) eaglecreekfire2017@gmail.com Approximate Fire Size: 48,831 acres Approximate Fire Containment: 50% Summary: Fire suppression repair continues today, with most of the work concentrated on the west side of the fire. This work includes road grading and repair, chipping, and fire line repair. The Oregon Department of Transportation is ramping up repair work on Historic Highway 30, addressing road slumps, small slides, and many trees that have burned and are prone to falling on the highway. A large amount of work needs to be completed before the highway is safe to open. There is no estimated timeline for reopening Highway 30 and lifting the area closure. Rain showers will taper off today, giving way to warmer and dryer conditions in the fire area. Another cold front will arrive by Tuesday, bringing cooler weather and increased precipitation, which will persist into next week...

Miller Complex Fire Update October 8, 2017 – 11:00 a.m. Acres: 37,908 Percent Contained: 87% Start Date: August 14, 2017 Cause: Lightning Total Personnel: 220 Location: Private land and federal land on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest 20 miles west of Ashland, OR. Fire Information: 541-838-0770 Email address: millercomplex2017@gmail.com The Abney Fire remained active Saturday evening through Sunday morning, igniting a spot fire near the main fire’s eastern flank. Crews today will focus on lining the isolated spot, while continuing to work on limiting overall growth in the Dutch Creek area. The fire has exhibited backing, smoldering, and single-tree torching in a mixed conifer understory with a predominance of Shasta Red Fir and a large number of snags. Fire managers are using all available resources to prevent additional spread. As air quality allows, helicopters will drop water on the spot fire and monitor for additional hotspots along the fire’s eastern edge....

Over the next several days, two twenty person hand crews, support engines, and a chipper will be working along the 240 and 1205 roads to mop up the remaining fire in the Wheeler Creek area, where a low intensity ground fire has been creeping and smoldering in the thick leaf litter on the forest floor. Data from an infrared flight late last night revealed a small pocket of dispersed heat in this area. The flight also revealed that the remaining instances of isolated heat are all located well within the interior of the fire area. Grading, repair, and seeding operations are ongoing throughout the perimeter. Crews have completed grading operations along Forest Road 070 near Mt. Emily, and firefighters continue to patrol the fire perimeter, mopping up any areas of concern and completing suppression repair as needed. Weather and Fire Behavior: Humidity recovery Sunday evening will be moderate with a period of gusting northerly winds, which will lower relative humidity overnight. Winds...

Update for Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017, 9 a.m. Fire Information: (541) 719-8371 Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5523/ https://www.facebook.com/WillametteWildfires2017/ Willamettewildfires2017@gmail.com Current Situation: Saturday saw a transition from the McKenzie River Type 3 Team managing the Horse Creek Complex and Rebel Fire to a smaller organization overseen by the McKenzie River Ranger District. The last of the suppression repair work for the Separation, Avenue, and Rebel fires is nearly complete. Seeding is being done on repaired dozer and hand lines on the fires. Grading work continues on Forest Roads. Repair work is being completed on control lines in the Foley Springs area. Crews continue repair work on the Rebel Fire. Attention: Visitors to reopened lands may encounter areas burned by recent and past wildfires and need to be aware of their surroundings as trees can fall without warning. Drivers are encouraged to be cautious on all Forest Roads because of ongoing...

Umpqua North Complex Fact Sheet Update October 8th, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. Fire Information: 541-378-6944 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) Inciweb address: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov Start Date: August 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Fuels: Timber, forest litter, grass & shrubs Acres: 43,158 Percent Completed: 79% Current Situation: Fire suppression repair continues with hazard tree mitigation within the Fall Creek Fire area. On the 4711/550, 4770, 4760 and the 28 Roads snagging/hazard tree falling and clearing efforts continue. Last Saturday members of the Umpqua National Forest Fire Crew entered the area and began flagging hazard trees in advance of a team of now 23 local area contract Fallers under the supervision of a Falling Boss and a Safety Officer. The Task Force which includes a Fire-Line Paramedic for crew safety along with a Skidder to clear the dropped trees off of the road is making slow but steady progress. On Forest Road 3811 & 3817, the Horizontal Grinder (Tub Grinder) has been...

COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA Burned Area Emergency Response Update – Eagle Creek Fire Final Eagle Creek BAER Update October 7, 2017 Hood River, Oregon – On October 5 and 6 the BAER Team made presentations to local and regional US Forest Service staff, cooperating agencies, and the news media about the preliminary recommendations for the Eagle Creek Fire emergency treatments. They explained the processes used to collect data about the burn severity, modeling results, and likely hazards to “Values at Risk”. The collection of field data was limited due to the lack of access to large parts of the burned area due to hazardous conditions including falling trees and rocks. While the Columbia River Gorge has many areas that are naturally unstable, with a long history of repeated debris flows and rock falls, modeling results show that the Eagle Creek Fire has increased these risks. A main threat from the fire is debris flows. About fifteen percent of the fire...

Miller Complex Fire UpdateOctober 7, 2017 – 10:00 a.m. Acres: 37,702 Percent Contained: 87% Start Date: August 14, 2017 Cause: Lightning Total Personnel: 220 Location: Private land and federal land on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest 20 miles west of Ashland, OR. Fire Information: 541-838-0770 Email address: millercomplex2017@gmail.com The Abney Fire has continued to respond to warm and dry weather, remaining active in the Dutch Creek area over the past week. Fire managers are focused on limiting fire growth east of Dutch Creek using direct and indirect tactics. Yesterday, multiple crews were involved in firing operations in order to eliminate unburnt fuels between the eastern flank of the fire and existing roads. Two helicopters are currently assigned to the fire and are coordinating with crews to drop water on hot spots and limit further growth to the north and east. Fire managers are utilizing daily reconnaissance flights to monitor fire behavior and growth in real...

McKenzie River Ranger District, Horse Creek Complex Fires The Willamette National Forest has issued a new Closure Order Effective Oct. 6, 2017. The official order and map are attached to the this article and can be read by clicking on the link. (Avenue, Rebel, Olallie Lookout, Separation, Roney, and Nash Fires) The following modifications to the Horse Creek closure area will be effective Saturday, Oct. 7, at 8:00 a.m. · Forest Service Road 19 (Aufderheide Scenic Byway) will reopen from Highway 126 south to Cougar Crossing Campground at the south end of Cougar Reservoir. From there the road will remain closed south to Frissell Crossing Campground. The public will have access to Terwilliger “Cougar” Hot Springs; however, recreation sites and trailheads along the closed portion of Road 19 will remain inaccessible. · The following Forest Service Roads (FSR) will reopen: FSR 2638 (Horse Creek) and FSR 1993 (East Fork And Wapiti) · Trails in the southern portion of the...