InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

While Diamond Creek Fire is not out, the potential for significant perimeter growth is limited. Future written updates will occur as conditions change sufficiently to warrant notification. Last night’s infrared flight showed very little fire growth and only small pockets of scattered heat. Firefighters continue to monitor fire activity.Suppression Repair: Suppression repair of the contingency line south of the fire area is ongoing. Local resource advisors continue to identify suppression repair needs and evaluate work as it is completed. A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team, with local emergency management, forest hydrologists, soil scientists, and others; are assessing the potential for future flooding or debris flows on public lands affected by the fire. That team will identify areas of concern and provide recommendations for mitigation. For more on BAER efforts visit http://centralwashingtonfirerecovery.info/ Closures: Closure details are online at:...

Update for Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2017, 9 a.m. Fire Information: (541) 719-8371 Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5523/ https://www.facebook.com/WillametteWildfires2017/ Willamettewildfires2017@gmail.com Attention: Heavy equipment is operating on Highway 242, Old McKenzie Highway, removing hazardous trees. This operation is underway for the Separation Fire on the west side of the Cascade Crest and the Milli Fire to the east of the crest. The wood product is hauled over the road from each site to be sorted for firewood, fish habitat restoration, and merchantable materials. For the safety of the public and the crews doing the work, the road is closed to all traffic including hikers, bicyclists and skateboarders. Forest Service Road 19 and access to Terwilliger “Cougar” Hot Springs remains closed. Current Situation: Smoke settling into the McKenzie River Valley Tuesday afternoon was coming from east of the Cascade Crest. A reconnaissance flight reported some scattered spots...

Umpqua North Complex Fact Sheet Update October 4th, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. Fire Information: 541-378-6944 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) Inciweb address: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incidnet/5505/# Start Date: August 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Fuels: Timber, forest litter, grass & shrubs Acres: 43,158 Percent Completed: 79% Current Situation: The Umpqua North Complex continues to hold at 43,158 acres. Firefighter efforts and the recent snow & rains have stopped the fires in their tracks with no change in total acreage for the second week. There will continue to be smokes within the containment lines as individual logs and stumps smolder. These smokes are well interior and are surrounded by already burnt vegetation and do not pose a threat to the containment lines. The mitigation of snags and hazard trees along HWY 138 in between MP 46-51 (Illahee Flats) is tentatively scheduled to run through the end of this week. This project started yesterday on 10/3/17. The Oregon Department of...

The Lakeview Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest will begin prescribed fire operations starting the first week of October, weather conditions permitting. Burnt Willow Units 4&5 – Located 6 miles East of Lakeview in the Burnt Creek area. 750 acres are expected to be treated. The prescribed fire activities will: Remove hazardous fuels from earlier thinning treatments and brush.Improve firefighter safety during future suppression activities.Improve wildlife habitat in the area and create more resilient forest. For visitor and firefighter safety: Watch for prescribed fire signs in the areaBe aware of smoke in the area both during and after ignitions, which may affect visibility on area roadsIncreased fire personnel and vehicles in the area and additional Forest Service traffic For more information, please contact Lakeview Ranger District Assistant Fire Management Officer Coley Neider at 541-219-2126 or Fire Information Officer Sarah Saarloos at 541-219-0515. ...

Fall Prescribed Fire Season starting in South Central Oregon LAKEVIEW, Ore. – Over the next several weeks, communities in south central Oregon may see a different type of smoke column rising above the tree tops; a column that is the sign of the return of prescribed fire to the land. Fire managers at the South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) will be taking the opportunity to begin prescribed burning beginning the first week of October as weather conditions permit. Area residents and visitors may notice smoke on public lands in various areas during the next few months as part of the continued commitment to protect communities and natural resources from wildfires. Prescribed burns are a proactive tool used to achieve a number of purposes, including the reduction of hazardous fuels (overgrown vegetation). They can help decrease the threat of high intensity, high-severity wildfires; reduce the risk of insect and disease outbreak; recycle nutrients that...

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE OKANOGAN WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST CLE ELUM RANGER DISTRICT ORDER NO. 06-17-03-17-1031 JOLLY MOUNTAIN FIRE CLOSURE Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited on National Forest System (NFS) Lands, Roads, and Trails within the Cle Elum Ranger District on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest as described below and shown in Exhibit A.. This Order supersedes order 06-17-03-17-1012 dated August 31, 2017, and is effective until April 1, 2018, unless rescinded, which ever is earlier. PROHIBITION: 1. Entering into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Closure Area which are closed for public health and safety as described below, and displayed in Exhibit A. [36 CFR § 261.53(e)] 2. Being on any National Forest System road, as described below, and displayed in Exhibit A. [36 CFR § 261.54(e)] 3. Being on any National Forest...

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE OKANOGAN WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST CLE ELUM RANGER DISTRICT ORDER NO. 06-17-03-17-1031 JOLLY MOUNTAIN FIRE CLOSURE Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited on National Forest System (NFS) Lands, Roads, and Trails within the Cle Elum Ranger District on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest as described below and shown in Exhibit A.. This Order supersedes order 06-17-03-17-1012 dated August 31, 2017, and is effective until April 1, 2018, unless rescinded, which ever is earlier. PROHIBITION: 1. Entering into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Closure Area which are closed for public health and safety as described below, and displayed in Exhibit A. [36 CFR § 261.53(e)] 2. Being on any National Forest System road, as described below, and displayed in Exhibit A. [36 CFR § 261.54(e)] 3. Being on any National Forest...

El Incendio de Chetco Bar, permanece contenido en un 98% y presentando una minima actividad. Tan pronto como cada obra es completada, se minimiza el numero de personal asignado. El dia de hoy, se encuentran 235 miembros trabajando en el incidente. Los bomberos continuan patrullando el perimetro del incendio, siguen asegurando que el area este limpia de peligros, trabajando en la labor de supresion o extinction total del fuego y recuperando todo el equipo y suministros que ya no son necesarios en la zona afectada. Al final de esta semana, los bomberos transferiran el comando del incendio a un nivel organizacional Tipo 3 a nivel local. Comportamiento del Clima y del Incendio. Temprano por la manana, se observaron vientos fuertes provenientes del Este al Noreste con rafagas hasta los 40 mph, sobre elevaciones altas y a orillas del area. Tambien se esperan condiciones secas y de calentamiento comenzando el dia de hoy y continuando hasta el Viernes. A lo largo de esta semana, se pronostica...

COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE NATIONAL SCENIC AREA Burned Area Emergency Response Update – Eagle Creek Fire Preparing Emergency Mitigation Proposals October 3, 2017 Hood River, Oregon – Yesterday the Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team spent much of the day reviewing the Values at Risk (VARs) for the Eagle Creek Fire. They discussed which hazards threatened the VARs, including floods, rockfall, debris flows, falling trees, erosion, and invasive weeds. BAER Team members also discussed the level of threat, ranging from posing minimal danger to life-threatening. Possible emergency mitigation measures were considered for many of the hazards. Now the team members are preparing proposals for how to do this mitigation, and cost estimates for the work and supplies. Not all of the proposals are likely to be funded, but several items have been listed as high priority. Some areas with heavy public use and historic properties are high on the list of VARs needing emergency work. ...

High Cascades Complex - UpdateNorthwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander: Tim Keith October 3, 2017 Special Announcements: This will be the last update from the Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8 (NWIIMT8). NWIIMT8 would like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to the community, cooperators, agency staff, and firefighters for the unwavering support during our management of the High Cascades Complex. Incident Management Team: Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Tim Keith, is managing the High Cascades Complex. The incident command post (ICP) is located at the Joseph Stewart State Park near Lost Creek Reservoir southwest of Prospect, Oregon. A spike camp is located at Milo Academy near Milo, Oregon Plans to transfer management of these fires to smaller type 3 organizations are currently underway with actual transfer scheduled for Wednesday morning at 7:00 am. -The fires from the High Cascade...

Miller Complex Fire UpdateOctober 3, 2017 – 10:00 a.m. Acres: 37,293 Percent Contained: 85% Start Date: August 14, 2017 Cause: Lightning Total Personnel: 144 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 Moderate to strong east winds are expected across the upper slopes and ridges Tuesday morning, reducing in the afternoon. A warming and drying trend is expected to last through the end of the week, with cooler temperatures arriving over the weekend. This trend may lead to an increase in fire behavior. Fire managers continue to monitor the eastern flank of the Abney fire using ground and air support, adjusting plans as necessary with changing weather conditions. Post-suppression repair work continues with crews nearing completion of hose and pump removal on the Creedence and Burnt Peak fires. Chipping, brushing, and falling teams are...

Burned Area Emergency Response team members are busy checking soil conditions across the Chetco Bar fire area. In particular, they are collecting information on ground cover, ash color, soil depth and structure, intact roots, and water repellency in order to build a picture of soil burn severity. This information will help the team determine areas that may be more susceptible to erosion and runoff and where potential emergency stabilization treatments may occur.

The Chetco Bar Fire remains 98% contained with minimal fire activity. There are currently 235 personnel assigned to the fire but that number is decreasing daily as work is being completed. Firefighters continue to patrol the fire perimeter, mop-up any potential areas of heat, work on suppression repair, and backhaul equipment and supplies from the field. By the end of the week fire officials expect to transfer command of the fire to a local Type 3 organization. Weather and Fire Behavior: Strong winds from the east to northeast began early this morning with predicted gusts up to 40mph over higher elevations and ridges. A warming and drying trend is also expected to begin today and continue through Friday. Later in the week the relative humidity is forecasted to drop into the teens in most areas. The continued drying of fuels may allow for low intensity fire behavior in interior pockets of unburned fuels. Smoke may be visible at times. Safety: Deer hunting rifle season is in full swing....

Location: 11 miles NNW of Mazama, WA Total Personnel: 19 Acres: 128,272 total acres Cause: Under Investigation Containment: 85% Start Date: July 23, 2017 Note: The containment reflects the percent of operational objectives completed. Local resources continue suppression repair of Diamond Creek FireCurrent Activities: Yesterday was the last operational period for heavy equipment work. Local resources are continuing suppression repair of the contingency line south of the fire area. As with previous operational periods, resource advisors will continue evaluation of the remaining suppression repair activities. Air and ground resources will continue to monitor fire activity.Over the coming days and weeks, the Forest will be completing Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessments. Together with local emergency management, Forest hydrologists, soil scientists, and others; experts will be assessing the potential for future flooding or debris flow on public lands affected by the fire....

Daily Update Eagle Creek Fire October 3, 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: 46% Summary: Fire suppression repair is on track to be completed according to plan. Work is nearing completion in 2 of the 5 divisions. Some repair work remains on hold while soils dry out in the most western division of the fire which received the heaviest rains. The safety record for the crews has been stellar. No significant injuries have occurred and in spite of the cold, wet weather, crews have remained healthy and in good spirits. Weather improved yesterday and the forecast is for continued dry and warmer weather through the end of the week. This should dry soils out in the western division of the fire, allowing repair work to be completed. With the dryer and warmer weather, an increase in isolated smokes is anticipated. Nonetheless, no significant fire activity is expected...

High Cascades Complex - Update Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander: Tim Keith October 3, 2017 Special Announcements: This will be the last update from the Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8 (NWIIMT8). NWIIMT8 would like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to the community, cooperators, agency staff, and firefighters for the unwavering support during our management of the High Cascades Complex. Incident Management Team: Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Tim Keith, is managing the High Cascades Complex. The incident command post (ICP) is located at the Joseph Stewart State Park near Lost Creek Reservoir southwest of Prospect, Oregon. A spike camp is located at Milo Academy near Milo, Oregon Plans to transfer management of these fires to smaller type 3 organizations are currently underway with actual transfer scheduled for Wednesday morning at 7:00 am. -The fires from the High Cascade...

Location: 11 miles NNW of Mazama, WA Total Personnel: 19 Acres: 128,272 total acres Cause: Under Investigation Containment: 85% Start Date: July 23, 2017 Note: The containment reflects the percent of operational objectives completed. Local resources continue suppression repair of Diamond Creek FireCurrent Activities: Yesterday was the last operational period for heavy equipment work. Local resources are continuing suppression repair of the contingency line south of the fire area. As with previous operational periods, resource advisors will continue evaluation of the remaining suppression repair activities. Air and ground resources will continue to monitor fire activity.Over the coming days and weeks, the Forest will be completing Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) assessments. Together with local emergency management, Forest hydrologists, soil scientists, and others; experts will be assessing the potential for future flooding or debris flow on public lands affected by the fire....

Update for Tuesday, Oct. 3, 2017, 9 a.m. Fire Information: (541) 719-8371 Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5523/ https://www.facebook.com/WillametteWildfires2017/ Willamettewildfires2017@gmail.com Attention: Heavy equipment is operating on Highway 242, Old McKenzie Highway, removing hazardous trees. This operation is underway for the Separation Fire on the west side of the Cascade Crest and the Milli Fire to the east of the crest. The wood product is hauled over the road from each site to be sorted for firewood, fish habitat restoration, and merchantable materials. For the safety of the public and the crews doing the work, the road is closed to all traffic including hikers, bicyclists and skateboarders. Forest Service Road 19 and access to Terwilliger “Cougar” Hot Springs remains closed. Current Situation: As firefighters continue towards completion of suppression repairs, the Willamette National Forest has requested the assistance of a Burn Area Emergency Response...

Umpqua North ComplexFact Sheet UpdateOctober 3, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. Fire Information: 541-378-6944 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm)Inciweb address: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incidnet/5505/#Start Date: August 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Fuels: Timber, forest litter, grass & shrubsAcres: 43,158 Percent Completed: 79% Current Situation: The Umpqua North Complex continues to hold at 43,158 acres. Firefighter efforts and the recent snow & rains have stopped the fires in their tracks with no change in total acreage for the second week. There will continue to be smokes within the containment lines as individual logs and stumps smolder. These smokes are well interior and are surrounded by already burnt vegetation and do not pose a threat to the containment lines.Fire suppression repair continues with hazard tree mitigation which has begun within the Fall Creek Fire area. The mitigation of snags and hazard trees along HWY 138 in between MP 46-51 (Illahee Flats) is scheduled to be completed next week. This...

High Cascades Complex - UpdateNorthwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander: Tim Keith October 2, 2017 Special Announcements: The High Cascades Complex is now comprised of the Pup and Broken Lookout Fires. Plans to transfer management of these fires to smaller type 3 organizations are currently underway with actual transfer scheduled for Wednesday morning. The Milo spike camp will remain as the incident command post (ICP) for the Umpqua National Forest managed portion of the Complex and the ICP for the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest will remain at Joseph Stewart State Park. Hunters please be aware of heavier than normal fire traffic on Forest Roads and watch for fire personnel. Fire Information Center: (541) 316-8352 Available 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Information Websites: Inciweb – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5503 and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/R6RRSNF and https://facebook.com/UmpquaNationalForest/ Incident Management Team: Northwest...