InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Fire Information: (541) 719-8371 Online: inciweb.nwcg.gov/unit/3860 https//facebook.com/WillametteWildfires2017 Willamettewildfires2017@gmail.com Rebel Fire: 8,653 acres Horse Creek Complex: Olallie Lookout Fire, 1,572 acres; Roney Fire, 3,548 acres; Avenue Fire, 2,962 acres; Separation Fire, 17,747 acres; Nash Fire, 6,738 acres. Total all fires: 41,220 acres (An IR flight could not be conducted last night so no change in acreage could be measured.) Current Resources: Personnel, 423; Crews, 7; Helicopters, 2; Engines, 23; Dozers, 2; Water Tenders, 6; Skidgens, 1; Masticator, 1. Weather: Nearly 1” of rain fell Monday and forecast calls for moderate to heavy rain all night bringing another 1-1 ½” by tonight. Another system forecast for today could bring the 3-day total to 3-4”. Snow fell at Hoodoo Incident Command Post on Monday evening. Minimal fire behavior with creeping in sheltered areas was observed. A flash flood watch is in place on fire scars for possible debris...

As colder temperatures, higher humidity, and substantial rains have moved in, the forest has reduced the fire closure surrounding East Crater Fire. This closure order will likely be in place throughout the fall.It now includes the following: All of the Indian Heaven Wilderness.Eastern border: Forest Road 6035 to intersection of 6035-719. South of that intersection, Indian Heaven Wilderness.Western, northern, and southern border: Indian Heaven Wilderness.The Pacific Crest Trail is closed within the Indian Heaven Wilderness. Please view the closure map for reroute information. Read the closure text and map at:

Due to on-going fire activity on the Jack Creek Fire, the existing Colchuck, 8mile and Stuart zone closure cancellation and refund for permit holders has been extended through September 26, 2017. While permit holders will be contacted individually, please feel free to contact recreation.gov at 1-888-448-1474.

Smoke: Smoke is at a low point currently. Good air quality dominates the Central Washington area. Expect good air quality throughout the area over the next several days. Patchy areas of smoke and haze are

New West Side Information Line: 541-412-8531New Hours: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.As of 6:00 p.m. on September 18th, the Curry County Sheriff’s Office lifted all evacuation orders for the fire area. We can expect rain and cooler weather to continue, which will diminish fire activity. The containment of the fire is now at 77%. Smoke impacts will remain light to moderate in communities near the fire perimeter, and smoke will remain visible from within the fire perimeter until there is a major, season ending event. The focus of operations in these areas is shifting from fire suppression to suppression rehabilitation. Crews are working to repair hand and dozer lines, retrieve hoses, and install water bars to prevent erosion in areas blacklined across the perimeter. Due to the wet weather, fire crews may encounter hazardous conditions including fire-weakened trees, mudslides, and slippery conditions. As cooler, moist weather increases, more containment will be achieved, strengthening control...

Rainfall over the Chetco East Zone Fire and Indigo Fire (784 Fire) areas totaled approximately ¼ inch on Monday. Cool, moist air and wet fuels resulted in very little active fire. Smoldering and some smoke production occurred in fuels sheltered by thick forest canopy and in small jackpots of dry fuel. Infrared flights have not occurred due to cloudy weather, so current fire sizes (Chetco Bar: 190,512 acres and Indigo: 578 acres) were determined using previous IR data and GPS points from observers. Due to low risk of fire spread and well-established firelines in the West Zone, all previous evacuation levels in Curry County were withdrawn on Monday at noon. The Level 2 Evacuation “Be Set” is still in effect along Illinois River Road in Josephine County. Level 2 Evacuation means residents should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. Please monitor the Illinois Valley Fire District Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/ivfire/) or one of the information sources below...

Smoke Forecast Outlook issued September 19th, 2017Outlook for Central Washington Smoke Smoke: Smoke is at a low point currently. Good air quality dominates the Central Washington area. Expect good air quality throughout the area over the next several days. Patchy areas of smoke and haze are possible.Fire: The Jolly Mountain Fire is currently burning int he Yakima River Basin on teh Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, north of Cle Elum, WA. The current fire size is 36,808 acres. The Uno Peak Fire is burning north of Lake Chelan with a current size of 8,726 acres. The Norse Peak fire is burning northwest of Yakima. The current size is 52,502 acres.Other: A moist weather system is working it's way into the Pacific Northwest. Precipitation on all fire areas is expected today. as long as the cool and moist conditions persist, smoke production will decrease.

Forest Order No. 06-10-00-17-03 decreases the Public Use Restrictions Across the RRSNF to Stage 2, effective September 18, 2017 through November 30, 2017 unless sooner rescinded. Click here for a link to the closure

A combination of successful firefighting efforts and recent rains has allowed fire crews to continue making progress on the fire lines along the west side of the Eagle Creek Fire.Effective immediately, ALL evacuation orders in Multnomah County have been lifted.Residents are reminded that with the recent fire and subsequent rains, the dangers of falling trees, rocks, debris flows, landslides and flooding is greatly increased in the Columbia River Gorge. If you see landslide activity where there is no immediate danger, please report it to (503) 823-3333. In the event of an emergency, please dial 911 immediately.Access to the communities of Dodson, Warrendale, Bridal Veil, and Latourell is limited to residents only, as a result of road closures on both the Historic Columbia Highway and eastbound I-84. Residents in these communities should report to the Troutdale Police Community Center (234 SW Kendall Ct. Troutdale, OR) to receive instructions and permits to access closed roadways.All...

UPDATE: Hood River Evacuation Notice – Sept. 18th, 2017HOOD RIVER, Ore. – Based on the current weather patterns and the corresponding changes in fire behavior, the Hood River County Sheriff’s Office is downgrading evacuation levels for the Hood River Valley.The Hood River Valley will have all evacuation levels lifted. This means zones A4b, A5, A6, A7, B4, B5, B6 and B7 return to normal, pre-fire status. Due to the flash flood advisory for the I-84 corridor, exit 56 all the way west to the county line will remain on Level One notice. This means that the Cascade Locks area, as well as Wyeth and Viento, need to remain ready for the possibility of evacuation. Residents and travelers should also be aware of the potential dangers associated with the flash flood advisory. Vigilance should be maintained, as rocks, trees, and debris could threaten the roadway and some populated areas.All evacuation notices for the public lands around Lost Lake are being lifted. However, all Hood River...

Pacific Northwest Region Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest September 18, 2017 Contact: Chamise Kramer, Public Affairs Specialist (541) 618-2051Rob Budge, Deputy Fire Staff—Fuels (541) 618-2102 With Arrival of Rainy Weather, Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest Decreases Campfire Restrictions SW Oregon—As stormy weather brings much-needed rain to all areas across southwestern Oregon, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is reducing the level of restrictions that apply to campfires across the Forest. Effective immediately, the RRSNF moves to Stage 2 restrictions, Forest-wide. Campfires: Stage 2 Restrictions allow the building of campfires only in Forest Serviceconstructed fire rings made of concrete or metal and located in designated recreation sites. Please see the list and maps of recreation sites. The use of propane or liquid fuel-powered commercial stoves is also permitted. Smoking: Smoking is allowed only in vehicles, buildings and designated recreation sites, in areas...

Umpqua National Forest Moves to Industrial Fire Precaution Level I Public Use Restrictions on Campfires Lifted ROSEBURG, OR – September 18, 2017 – Effective Tuesday, September 19, at 12:01 a.m., the Umpqua National Forest will drop into an Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) I. There are no time restrictions under an IFPL I. Fire danger rating for the Umpqua National Forest is now at “moderate”. Forest officials also announced an end to public use restrictions for the following items: · Campfires outside of campgrounds · Smoking outside of a vehicle · Operating internal combustion engines · Welding or operating an acetylene or other torch with open flame As hunting season is underway, the public is reminded that fire season is not over. Campfires must be drowned until cool to the touch. Public use restrictions prohibiting campfires in Wilderness areas also has been rescinded by Umpqua National Forest officials for the Mt. Thielsen Wilderness. The Boulder...

SW Oregon— As stormy weather brings much-needed rain to all areas across southwestern Oregon, the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest is reducing the level of restrictions that apply to campfires and other fire related activities. Additionally, the Industrial Fire Precaution Level across the Forest is also being reduced.For more information on current restriction levels and descriptions visit the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest website, Public Notices, at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/rogue-siskiyou/alerts-notices

Because of the Jones Fire progression across forest road 18 and its expansion to the southeast, a new closure order has been signed. There are two trailheads affected by this closure expansion. The Alpine trailhead and Gold Point trailhead. The Jones Fire Closure Area includes the closure of National Forest System roads, trails, and developed sites on the Willamette National Forest. This closure has been enacted to provide for public and employee safety in the affected area.

There will be a community meeting at the Applegate Valley Fire Station #9 Tuesday evening, September 19, at 6 PM to provide an update on fire operations and team management. The meeting is located at 1095 Upper Applegate Road, Jacksonville, OR 97530.

Current Situation: A front that arrived late last night is bringing with it highly anticipated humidity and cooler temperatures to the fires within the Miller Complex. Variable rains are expected throughout the day with an increased chance of heavier rains Tuesday into Wednesday. Although the arrival of the cool front is a positive development, the moisture will not extinguish the fires. Instead, fire behavior will diminish while the front moves through the fire complex with the potential for the fire to become active again if conditions dry out in the future. The public can still expect to see smoke from the interior of these fires until a season-ending weather event occurs. The Miller Complex remains at 59% containment overall and firefighters continue to meet objectives and patrol lines. Firefighter and public safety remain top priority and over the next few days firefighters will focus on accomplishing work safely to adjust to the changing weather and conditions by being mindful...

Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Methow Valley Ranger District of the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest. This Order supersedes all previous area, road and trail closure orders for Diamond Creek Fire. This Order is effective until October 15, 2017, unless rescinded. From 2 miles north of Honeymoon Campground to Billy Goat Trailhead Lamb Butte Road Eightmile Ridge Road Goat Creek/Cub Creek Road from County Road 1163 to Cub Pass Roundup Creek Road Long Creek Road West Long Creek Road Long Creek Ridge Road Whiteface Road Goat Creek/Ortell Creek Road Blackpine Basin Road Flag Mountain Loop Road Spokane Gulch Road North Goat Peak Road Lower Gate Creek Road Yellow Jacket Road 3. Being on any National Forest System closed trail, as displayed in Exibit A. as described below and depicted in Exhibit A. [36 CFR §...

September 18, 2017 3:00 p.m. For Immediate Release – ALL NASH FIRE EVACUATION NOTICES DROPPED The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office has continued to coordinate with fire managers on the Nash Fire, which is part of the Horse Creek Complex. After discussion with the incident management team and the Deschutes National Forest; the Sheriff's Office will drop all pre-evacuation notices around Elk Lake due to the Nash fire at 3 PM today (Monday, September 18th). This includes the following areas: Elk Lake Resort, Elk Lake CG, Point CG, Little Fawn CG, Mallard Marsh CG, Sunset View Day Use Area, Beach Day Use Area, and Quinn Meadows Horse Camp. This does not affect any area closures implemented by the Deschutes National Forest. Please check the following link for an information map on trail and area closures: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd557599.pdf. ###

How to Be Prepared: Effects of Wildfire Increase Flood Risks Kittitas County, WA - 09/18/2017 - The Jolly Mountain Fire has burned more than 36,808 acres of land 6 miles northwest of Cle Elum since August 11, 2017. With rain in the forecast, it is important to remember that large scale wildfires dramatically change terrain and ground conditions, which increases the risk of flooding and mudflows. Lands directly affected by fires and properties located below or downstream of burn areas are most at risk for more severe runoff and soil erosion. Normally, vegetation absorbs rainfall and reduces the amount of rainfall entering the stream channel. After a fire, the lack of vegetation causes rain to runoff along the soil surface, picking up debris and ash, increasing the risk for flooding, erosion, and mud and debris flows. Landowners are urged to be aware of the potential for flooding and soil erosion. If you have culverts on your property, please monitor and maintain them. Flood risk...

Campgrounds and trails in the Teanaway Community Forest were closed as of Thursday, Aug. 31, due to the Jolly Mountain Fire and some residents of the area were evacuated as the fire moved toward the community forest. View an updated closure map