InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Update for Saturday, September 23, 2017, 9 a.m. Fire Information: (541) 719-8371 Online: inciweb.nwcg.gov/unit/3860 https//facebook.com/WillametteWildfires2017 Willamettewildfires2017@gmail.com Rebel Fire: 8,703 acres Horse Creek Complex: Olallie Lookout Fire, 1,572 acres; Roney Fire, 3,548 acres; Avenue Fire, 3,370 acres; Separation Fire, 17,914 acres; Nash Fire, 6,738 acres. Total all fires: 41,871 acres (An infrared flight was conducted on 9/23; the footprints for the Avenue Fire, Separation Fire, and Rebel Fire increased by 408,167 and 77 acres, respectively.) Resources: Personnel, 374; Crews, 6; Helicopters, 1; Engines, 24; Water Tenders, 3; Skidgen, 1. Weather: Today’s forecast, unlike the past six days, promises to be rain and snow free with sunny skies and temperatures rising into the low 50s; light and variable winds will dominate the valleys and ridges. This trend in temperature rise will continue into next week with daytime highs in the mid to upper 60s....

September 23, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. Fire Information: 541-378-6944 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) Start Date: August 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Fuels: Timber, forest litter, grass & shrubs Acres: 43,139 Percent Contained: 50% Current Situation:The Great Basin Incident Type 2 Management Team #3 has now changed focus from fire suppression to suppression repair. Where the fire burned hot and control lines were dug, the bare ground in the fireline becomes channels for erosion if left unrepaired. Suppression damage repair is being coordinated with resource advisors and agency direction. Graders are repairing heavily used and damaged roads around fire perimeters. Graders will be not be working over the weekend, but will begin again Monday. Incident Commander, Taiga Rohrer, expects the fire line repair on the Fall fire will be completed soon. Additional specialized equipment is arriving daily. A tub grinder will arrive Monday, along with dump trucks and a log hauler. The firefighters and ODOT are...

Date Started: Aug. 11, 2017; Cause: Lightning; Acreage: 52,056 (Norse Peak), 3,853 (American), 1,061 (Saw Mill) Percent Completed: 80% (Norse Peak), 99% (American), 99% (Sawmill Creek). Total Personnel: 426, which includes 12 Crews, 10 Engines and 1 Water Tenders. Fire Summary: Minimal fire growth is expected. Isolated pockets of slow surface spread where the fire is sheltered by the tree canopy and continued burning in the larger dead or down trees is still possible. The Incident Command Post at Chinook Work Center is shutting down today. Command of the southeast side of the fire will transfer to the Naches Ranger District’s Type 4 organization. On the Northwest side of the fire, command will transfer to a Type 3 organization with the Incident Command Post at the Expo Center in Enumclaw. The Norse Peak incident information phone number has changed to: 253-666-8841 Norse Peak Fire Cleanup continues on State Route 410. Thinning and removing hazardous trees along Forest Road 1900...

Fire crews will continue patrols and identify areas for suppression repair, while securing fire lines and conducting mop up operations. Creeping and smoldering activity will be observed in the upper Pistol River, Emily Creek and Illinois River drainages. Fire suppression repair is a major concern after every wildfire. Left disturbed, containment lines can affect natural drainages causing soil erosion, stunting natural vegetation recovery, damaging fish habitats, and reducing water quality. Repair crews work to limit these effects through a variety of techniques, including the installation of water bars. Water bars divert the flow of rain or run off and prevent the water from carving channels through the recently disturbed soil. Crews also use heavy equipment to backfill soil from trenches and dozer lines, while also recontouring disturbed surface areas. Once the natural contour has been restored crews spread tree limbs, slash, and stones across the site creating a natural forest floor...

Norse Peak Fire Update Saturday, September 23, 2017 – Morning UpdateCONTACT: Fire Information 253-666-8841 (7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.) https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5509/ NorsePeakFireINFO@gmail.com www.facebook.com/NorsePeakFire/ Date Started: Aug. 11, 2017; Cause: Lightning; Acreage: 52,056 (Norse Peak), 3,853 (American), 1,061 (Saw Mill) Percent Completed: 80% (Norse Peak), 99% (American), 99% (Sawmill Creek). Total Personnel: 426, which includes 12 Crews, 10 Engines and 1 Water Tenders. Fire Summary: Minimal fire growth is expected. Isolated pockets of slow surface spread where the fire is sheltered by the tree canopy and continued burning in the larger dead or down trees is still possible. The Incident Command Post at Chinook Work Center is shutting down today. Command of the southeast side of the fire will transfer to the Naches Ranger District’s Type 4 organization. On the Northwest side of the fire, command will transfer to a Type 3 organization with the Incident...

Jones Fire / Kelsey Fire 9/23/2017 - 8 a.m. Fire Information: (541) 937-5219 jonesfire2017@gmail.com Jones Fire - Size: 10,220 acres Containment: 75% Cause: Lightning Kelsey Fire - Size: 441 acres Containment: 15% Cause: Lightning At this morning’s operational briefing, Incident Commander Eric Knerr reminded firefighters that even though there has been significant rain this week, “there is still potential on each of these fires due to normal episodic east wind events that frequently occur this time of year. We need to continue to work to protect those values at risk that could be threatened by both the Jones and Kelsey Fires.” Yesterday’s Activity - On the Jones Fire hotshot crews completed constructing fireline south of FR 18 in the Marine Creek drainage. Chipping operations continued along primary containment lines (roads) around the fire. Firefighters continued to haul unnecessary equipment back from the fireline. On the Kelsey Fire, crews removed...

Jones Fire / Kelsey Fire 9/23/2017 - 8 a.m. Fire Information: (541) 937-5219 jonesfire2017@gmail.com Jones Fire - Size: 10,220 acres Containment: 75% Cause: Lightning Kelsey Fire - Size: 441 acres Containment: 15% Cause: Lightning At this morning’s operational briefing, Incident Commander Eric Knerr reminded firefighters that even though there has been significant rain this week, “there is still potential on each of these fires due to normal episodic east wind events that frequently occur this time of year. We need to continue to work to protect those values at risk that could be threatened by both the Jones and Kelsey Fires.” Yesterday’s Activity - On the Jones Fire hotshot crews completed constructing fireline south of FR 18 in the Marine Creek drainage. Chipping operations continued along primary containment lines (roads) around the fire. Firefighters continued to haul unnecessary equipment back from the fireline. On the Kelsey Fire, crews removed...

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE UMPQUA NATIONAL FOREST Roseburg, OR ORDER NO. 06-15-00-17-382 Emergency Fire Closure Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited upon roads, trails, developed recreation sites, rivers and general forest areas in the Umpqua National Forest as described below and shown in Exhibit A. This Order will be effective beginning on September 22nd, 2017 and ending December 31, 2017. PROHIBITIONS: Being upon a closed road. [36 CFR § 261.54 (e)] Going into or being upon a closed area. [36 CFR § 261.52 (e)] Being on a trail. [36 CFR § 261.55(a)] Entering or using a developed recreation site or portion thereof. [36 CFR § 261.58(b)] ROAD/AREA CLOSURE DESCRIPTIONS: Cougar Bluffs Closure: Beginning at the intersection of the North Umpqua River and the National Forest Boundary (T26S,...

Effective Saturday, September 23 the following roads have been opened on the south side of the Diamond Creek Fire:- Goat Creek Road (5200 Road) to the intersection of 5200-500 Road (Drop Point 64)- 5225 Road to the intersection of 5225-200 Road. Goat Peak Lookout Road is

Weather conditions and limited fire behavior has allowed the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest’s High Cascades Ranger District to modify its area closure. A copy of the complete closure and associated map can be obtained by clicking on the link to the

Effective Saturday, September 23 the following roads have been opened on the south side of the Diamond Creek Fire:- Goat Creek Road (5200 Road) to the intersection of 5200-500 Road (Drop Point 64)- 5225 Road to the intersection of 5225-200 Road. Goat Peak Lookout Road is

Incendio Eagle Creek 22 de septiembre, 2017 - 9:00 a.m. Información: 541-392-1632 (8 a.m.-8 p.m.) eaglecreekfire2017@gmail.com Tamaño aproximado del incendio: 48,668 acres Contención aproximada: 46% Resumen:Actividad en el incendio ha sido mínimo debido a temperaturas más frías y lluvia. Durante los últimos cuatro días 3.5” – 6” de lluvia substancial cayó sobre la parte oeste del incendio. Actividades actuales incluyen evaluaciones de recursos y condiciones, y reparación de los impactos de supresión de incendios. Equipo pesado está listo donde tal vez será necesario asistir con reparaciones. La mayoría de este trabajo depende de condiciones de la tierra porque existe potencial para hacer daño si el equipo pesado se usa en terreno húmedo y fangoso. Mientras equipos de primer ataque están quitando los troncos y tocones de árboles en las áreas donde pusieron líneas de defensa. Planes incluyen potencialmente la construcción de líneas de control cerca del...

September 22, 2017 Contact: Chamise Kramer, Public Affairs Specialist (541) 618-2051 Jeff VonKienast, Acting High Cascades District Ranger (541) 560-3440 Effective Immediately, Emergency Closure Area is Reduced and Portion of Sky Lakes Wilderness is Re-Opened SW Oregon – Recent rain and snow have greatly helped in furthering the containment efforts on the ongoing fires on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest, and have also enable the Forest to begin adjusting areas that had been closed for public and firefighter health and safety. The closure order that had closed the entirety of the RRSNF-administered portion of the Sky Lakes Wilderness has been rescinded, and the closure area has been greatly reduced to allow for access into the southern portion of the Sky Lakes Wilderness. RRSNF spokesperson Chamise Kramer said, “We know that with hunting season in full-swing in southwest Oregon, there has been some sadness and frustration that the Sky Lakes Wilderness has been...

Closure Area Reduced on the Umpqua National Forest Devil’s Canyon Closure Area Shrinks, Some Roads and Trails Re-open ROSEBURG, OR- September 22, 2017 – A revised set of closures for the Umpqua National Forest was released, effective September 22, 2017. The following trails are now open: segments of the North Umpqua Trail #1414, Dread and Terror Trail #1461, Mt. Bailey Trail #1415, Rodley Butte Trail #1452, and West Lake Trail #1452. On the North Umpqua Ranger District, Forest Road 38 near Steamboat will reopen from the junction with Highway 138 to Forest Road 4760. Forest Road 38 will remain closed between Forest Road 4760 and Forest Road 3821. Steamboat Ballfield Group Site is open again. Steamboat Falls and Canton Creek campgrounds will remain closed for the season and reopen in the spring. The area closure on the Tiller Ranger District will remain the same with an additional closure of Forest Road 2823 (Castle Rock Road) due to active fire in the northern portion of...

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE UMPQUA NATIONAL FOREST Roseburg, OR ORDER NO. 06-15-00-17-382 Emergency Fire Closure Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited upon roads, trails, developed recreation sites, rivers and general forest areas in the Umpqua National Forest as described below and shown in Exhibit A. This Order will be effective beginning on September 22nd, 2017 and ending December 31, 2017. PROHIBITIONS: Being upon a closed road. [36 CFR § 261.54 (e)] Going into or being upon a closed area. [36 CFR § 261.52 (e)] Being on a trail. [36 CFR § 261.55(a)] Entering or using a developed recreation site or portion thereof. [36 CFR § 261.58(b)] ROAD/AREA CLOSURE DESCRIPTIONS: Cougar Bluffs Closure: Beginning at the intersection of the North Umpqua River and the National Forest Boundary (T26S, R1W, Section 18); heading south on the National Forest Boundary to the junction...

ROSEBURG, OR- September 22, 2017 – A revised set of closures for the Umpqua National Forest was released, effective September 22, 2017. The following trails are now open: segments of the North Umpqua Trail #1414, Dread and Terror Trail #1461, Mt. Bailey Trail #1415, Rodley Butte Trail #1452, and West Lake Trail #1452. On the North Umpqua Ranger District, Forest Road 38 near Steamboat will reopen from the junction with Highway 138 to Forest Road 4760. Forest Road 38 will remain closed between Forest Road 4760 and Forest Road 3821. Steamboat Ballfield Group Site is open again. Steamboat Falls and Canton Creek campgrounds will remain closed for the season and reopen in the spring. The area closure on the Tiller Ranger District will remain the same with an additional closure of Forest Road 2823 (Castle Rock Road) due to active fire in the northern portion of the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness. Forest Road 3401 (Loafer Creek), leading to the Umpqua Hot Springs, and adjacent spurs...

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: 43,139 Percent Contained: 50% Current Situation: Due to the recent storm that entered the region Tuesday afternoon, fire suppression efforts on the Umpqua North Fire Complex have shifted to suppression repair, backhauling equipment and hoses from the fire line. The Umpqua North Fire Complex involves ten separate wildfires located along 35 miles of the Highway 138 corridor and spread across 179,279 acres of the North Umpqua and Diamond Lake Ranger Districts. Fire acreage over the last few days has not changed from Monday’s 41,139 acres, since infrared over-flights have not been possible. There are a total of 543 firefighters including 172 U.S. Army Soldiers from Joint Base Lewis McChord, Washington. Transmission lines are being restored by Pacific Power. The utility company...

After two and half days of rain and snow, while the fires are mostly out or contained among the 10 wild fires that comprise the Umpqua North Complex, there is still lots of much needed work that remains to be done before the complex is turned back over to the Umpqua National Forest. Planning Operations Section Chief and smoke-jumper Dan Gustafson shares what today's activities around the horn are for the complex.Link to Ops Brief for Friday,

Effective September 22, 2017 at 12:30pm, level three evacuation notices were downgraded to level two for the Boulder Creek and Salmon La Sac areas of the Cle Elum Valley. Due to the future potential of fire activity increase, and hazard trees which could impact the Salmon La Sac road, the road barricade staffed with security personnel will remain in place just north of the French Cabin Creek/FR 4308 Road junction of the Salmon La Sac road. Fire fighters continue to secure this piece of fire line perimeter of hazard trees and improve depth in mop up of the fires edge in the vicinity, so public traffic exposure increases risk to them when working along this stretch of road. For that reason there will continue to be limited traffic access (area landowners only).

Fire Information Line: 541-719-8371 Location: Willamette National Forest willamettewildfires2017@gmail.com Willamette National Forest Closures: 541-225-6350 Inciweb Websites: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5420 https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5565 Size: 14,416 acres (total for reported fires) Containment: 47% Resources: 389 personnel (total for reported fires) Yesterday, crews made progress on suppression repairs including removing timber slash, chipping branches, adding water bars into roadways and hillsides to help redirect water flow to protect hillsides from erosion and placing logs and other debris strategically to slow runoff water. Crews also collected equipment and hose from the fire line. Crews will continue this work for the next few days. As the weather begins to improve, the public may see smoke coming from the fire areas and will likely be visible into the month of October. Even though we have received a...