InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Milli FireSeptember 1, 2017 Daily Update Clear skies yesterday allowed a reconnaissance flight over the fire to assess current fire behavior. Crews patrolled the northern perimeter of the fire and continued to mop up. Fuels on a portion of the private land within the fire perimeter burned yesterday however, valuable regeneration areas on the private land are being protected. Crews strengthened containment lines to the east that cross through the private property. The southeast and south perimeters of the fire will continue to be in patrol and mop up status. The west side of the fire continues to burn down slope with occasional torching in pockets of timber in the Three Sisters Wilderness and established containment lines. On the northwest side, the fire is backing down to OR 242.Fuels continue to burn within the fire perimeter which will produce some smoke. Fire behavior consists mostly of creeping and smoldering with occasional single-tree torching. Firefighters have found minimal...

Fire activity increased north of Highway 410 yesterday afternoon. Due to helicopters dropping water and crews working along the roadway, the highway remains closed. This change in fire activity has delayed the planned pilot car opening that was set for 7am this morning. Anyone who had planned to travel over Highway 410 should have alternate travel routes, and keep informed through Washington Department of Transportation travel

Uno Peak Fire grows to 400 acres; dozer work begins Containment: 0% Acres: 400 Start Date: August 30, 2017 Cause: Unknown Location: 15 miles NW of Manson, WA Personnel: 30 Fuels/Topography: Timber, grass, rugged terrain Yesterday: Fire managers utilized helicopters and air tankers to slow fire spread to the south. Both retardant and water drops were used. Today: Fire crews will continue preparing forest roads to stop potential new fire growth to the south. Additionally, dozers are working to construct fire line on adjacent ridges of the fire. With continued hot, dry conditions the fire may continue to actively spread in steep and rugged terrain. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered and will arrive today. Closures: Due to public safety concerns the area around the fire is closed to entry including the Summer Blossom and Safety Harbor Trailheads and the South Navarre, Safety Harbor and Deer Point Campgrounds. Smoke: Smoke is anticipated to drift down Lake...

SIZE: 7,730 acres CONTAINMENT: 50% PERSONNEL: 641 CAUSE: Lightning RESOURCES: 3 CAMP CREW 18 HAND CREW 25 ENGINES 21 WATER TENDERS AIRCRAFT: 1 MEDIUM HELICOPTER 1 LIGHT HELICOPTER Yesterday’s operations: Yesterday, the Jones Fire burned actively within the interior and with fire backing down from established control lines. Single tree and small group torching—when the fire burns several trees at once—created significant spot fires that crews located and controlled. The crews successfully contained a 25-acre spot outside the primary containment line—an important priority that restored the integrity of the control line. A rock slide has temporarily closed the 1830 road near the top of the fire. Fire managers will be bringing in heavy equipment to clear the road for fire traffic. The contingency division explored creating an alternate control line using roads and ridges on the fire’s eastern flank on the 1831 road. Today’s operations: National Weather Service...

High Cascades Complex 9/1/2017 9:00 a.m. Fire Information: (541) 316-8352 There will be a community meeting at the amphitheater in Union Creek Campground tonight at 6 p.m. Fire managers and agency officials will discuss the status of the fires and planned operations. A Level 1 Evacuation Notification remains in effect for the Union Creek area in Jackson County Oregon, due to fire activity from the Broken Lookout Fire. In addition, A Level 1 Evacuation Notification remains in effect for Mazama Village in Crater Lake National Park. Level 1 is the first step in the “Be Ready, Be Set, Go!” system. For more information about evacuation levels and procedures, go to http://tinyurl.com/BeReady-BeSet-Go. Yesterday’s Activity: Total fire growth on the complex was moderate (980 acres). Blanket Creek Fire grew 288 acres (12,514 ac.) to the southeast. Primary containment line construction was started on the northeast flank using dozers on the Fremont-Winema National Forest and...

Weather and Fire Behavior: Gusty, offshore winds will continue this morning. The forecast is for critical fire weather and the potential for extreme fire behavior due to low relative humidity and high temperatures with unstable atmospheric conditions. Significant perimeter growth and smoke column development are possible. Winds have the potential to carry embers seven tenths of a mile or more. The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for critical fire weather Friday afternoon. There is an Excessive Heat Warning through Labor Day for temperatures significantly above normal. Yesterday: Active fire growth continued on the north, south and east perimeter. The fire continued eastward into areas previously during the 2002 Biscuit Fire. A smoke column developed on the southeast corner of the fire, rising up to 10,000 feet. Aircraft dropped retardant and water along the southwest and western portions of the fire. Firefighters continued constructing direct and indirect line...

Smoke: The Milli fire continues to produce smoke andhaze impacting Sisters and Black Butte Ranch. The Nashfire has increased in size over the last few days, withsmoke impacting Redmond, Bend, and Cascade Lakes. Inaddition, fires in the Willamette National Forest willcontinue to impact communities east of the Cascade Crest.Other fires in Oregon and Northern California will alsocontinue to greatly impact these areas as well. Yesterday,afternoon easterly winds pushed smoke out of the area.Today, southeast transport winds should move smoke outof the area.Fire: Fire behavior may increase today for the entire firearea from higher temperatures and lack of shade fromsmoke in the area. Unburned areas of fuels inside the Millifire perimeter will continue to burn producing smoke.Other: Highway 20 – Poor visibility west of Sisters to BlackButte Ranch. Highway 126 – Smoke impacts east of Sistersto Cline Buttes area. Milli Fire Information -https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5517/ Separate...

Diamond Creek Fire InformationFriday, September 1Information: (503)765-5724 - 8 am – 6 pm Email: diamondcreekfire@gmail.com Websites: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5409/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/diamondcreekfire2017 Smoke Conditions: http://wasmoke.blogspot.com Location: Methow Valley Ranger District on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; 12 miles north of Mazama, WA Summary: On Thursday a dry cold front with gusty winds caused some lifting of smoke in the Methow Valley. The fire continued to burn actively, moving southeast down the Ashnola drainage in the Pasayten Wilderness and farther north into British Columbia. Coordination with the British Columbia Ministry of Forest Land and Natural Resource Operations is ongoing.Helicopter water drops are still being used to hold the fire in Drake Creek and keep it from moving into Pat Creek, with a large Type 1 helicopter in addition to a Type 2 and a Type 3. While water drops have been successful in cooling the fire and...

Start Date 8/11Cause LightningSize 11,496 acresPercent Containment 0%Crews 7Helicopters 4Engines 19Total Personnel 390 [Full Size map] [Progression Map]Location: Cle Elum Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WASummary: Fire behavior on the Jolly Mountain Fire yesterday was less significant than the previous day. While winds were rather gusty through the day, terrain sheltered the fire for much of the morning. Late in the afternoon, fire activity picked up. The growth that did occur on the fire perimeter was primarily to the east, towards the Wagon Wheel/Middle Fork Teanaway River area. The fire is also moving to the south, down the West Fork drainage, on the west side of the drainage. The fire also continues to back slowly down the west side of Sasse Ridge, towards the Cle Elum River. As the fire continues to move closer to the surrounding communities, it may be visible throughout the day and night. Additional resources are arriving...

Miller Complex Fire Update Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team - Todd Pechota, Incident Commander Information Center: 541-899-5302 Hours of operation: 7 am – 9 pm Email: MillerComplex2017@gmail.com September 1, 2017 The evacuation order for Joe Bar has been relaxed to an evacuation warning. Current Situation: Red Flag warning for poor humidity recoveries and gusty east to northeast winds were in effect Thursday night and will be into Friday morning. Heat will begin to build again Friday afternoon and through the weekend. It will be extremely hot and dry with the potential of smoke column development Friday afternoon. Aircraft was used in Branches I and III as the inversion lifted yesterday afternoon and may be used again today pending smoke conditions. Evacuations: The following areas are under a Level 2 (Be Set) Evacuation Notice: Palmer Creek Road and Kinney Creek Road (Forest Service Road 1090) Both sides of Upper Applegate Road from Palmer Creek Road to the Applegate...

Current Information: A community meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. today, Friday, September 1, at the Toketee Ranger Station, Highway 138 Mile Marker 60. Please note the Ranger Station can only be accessed by the public from the east due to the road closure. California Interagency Incident Management Team 4, Jay Kurth, Incident Commander, assumed command of managing the complex at 6:00 a.m. today. The Umpqua North Complex consists of 15 fires which ignited after lightning moved through the area in early August. The fires will now be separated into east and west zones. The main fires are zoned as follows; Oak Knob, Brokentooth, Devils Canyon and Happy Dog south of Umpqua River/Calf Copeland are in the east zone and Ragged Ridge, Fall Creek and Happy Dog north of the Umpqua River/Calf Copeland are in the west zone. Firefighters continue to construct indirect line utilizing road systems and natural barriers to contain fire spread. A priority remains the Highway 138 corridor and...

Line construction has been initiated on the western fire perimeter, east of Cold Springs trailhead. Work in that area will increase fire traffic on Cold Springs Road, which remains closed beyond its junction with the Forest Service Road (FSR) 3659. Progression has made in holding the perimeter around the North Pelican fire. The most up to date mapping shows the current fire size as 1,825 acres and containment holding at 18%. A fire weather watch remains in effect due to hot and dry conditions which are expected through the weekend. Predictions are calling for one of the hottest air masses to affect the area so far, this summer. Gusty easterly winds, poor humidity recoveries with a Haines of 6 are expected to bring a slight increase in fire actives. The Fremont-Winema National Forest Area Closure remains in place. This Order closes portions of the forest around the incident to all vehicle and pedestrian entry. The perimeter of the Area Closure includes all Forest...

Smoke: Yesterday's afternoon winds brought clearer conditions to the western Cascade region. The Whitewater fire continues to produce smoke and haze impacting Breitenbush and Detroit. Smoke from the Jones, Rebel and Horse Creek Complex Fires continues to impact the communities of Oakridge and Mckenzie Bridge. Other fires in Oregon and Northern California will also continue to greatly impact these areas as well. Smoke is expected to hang in canyons throughout the day. Light variable winds will not clear out smoke significantly throughout the day. Fire: Several fires burning on the Willamette National Forest continute to impact neighboring communities. Fire activity may increase today from the higher temperatures and low relative humidity. A Fire Weather Watch is in place for tomorrow. Other: Smoke from Potato Hill Fire could impact Highway 20 visibility at night and early morning. Separate smoke forecast will be issued for communities east of the Cascade Crest. Whitewater Fire...

Smoke: Yesterday's afternoon winds brought clearer conditions to the western Cascade region. The Whitewater fire continues to produce smoke and haze impacting Breitenbush and Detroit. Smoke from the Jones, Rebel and Horse Creek Complex Fires continues to impact the communities of Oakridge and Mckenzie Bridge. Other fires in Oregon and Northern California will also continue to greatly impact these areas as well. Smoke is expected to hang in canyons throughout the day. Light variable winds will not clear out smoke significantly throughout the day. Fire: Several fires burning on the Willamette National Forest continue to impact neighboring communities. Fire activity may increase today from the higher temperatures and low relative humidity. A Fire Weather Watch is in place for tomorrow. Other: Smoke from Potato Hill Fire could impact Highway 20 visibility at night and early morning. Separate smoke forecast will be issued for communities east of the Cascade Crest. Whitewater Fire...

Smoke: Yesterday's afternoon winds brought clearer conditions to the western Cascade region. The Whitewater fire continues to produce smoke and haze impacting Breitenbush and Detroit. Smoke from the Jones, Rebel and Horse Creek Complex Fires continues to impact the communities of Oakridge and Mckenzie Bridge. Other fires in Oregon and Northern California will also continue to greatly impact these areas as well. Smoke is expected to hang in canyons throughout the day. Light variable winds will not clear out smoke significantly throughout the day. Fire: Several fires burning on the Willamette National Forest continue to impact neighboring communities. Fire activity may increase today from the higher temperatures and low relative humidity. A Fire Weather Watch is in place for tomorrow. Other: Smoke from Potato Hill Fire could impact Highway 20 visibility at night and early morning. Separate smoke forecast will be issued for communities east of the Cascade Crest. Whitewater Fire...

Smoke: Yesterday's afternoon winds brought clearer conditions to the western Cascade region. The Whitewater fire continues to produce smoke and haze impacting Breitenbush and Detroit. Smoke from the Jones, Rebel and Horse Creek Complex Fires continues to impact the communities of Oakridge and Mckenzie Bridge. Other fires in Oregon and Northern California will also continue to greatly impact these areas as well. Smoke is expected to hang in canyons throughout the day. Light variable winds will not clear out smoke significantly throughout the day. Fire: Several fires burning on the Willamette National Forest continue to impact neighboring communities. Fire activity may increase today from the higher temperatures and low relative humidity. A Fire Weather Watch is in place for tomorrow. Other: Smoke from Potato Hill Fire could impact Highway 20 visibility at night and early morning. Separate smoke forecast will be issued for communities east of the Cascade Crest. Whitewater Fire...

Staley and Tumble Bug 2 Fire UpdateFriday, September 1, 2017 8 a.m.Fire information phone: 503-867-7705Email: StaleyFire17@gmail.comNW Incident Management Team (IMT) 9, Brian Goff, Incident CommanderStart date: Aug. 9, 2017 Current Size: Staley is 2,153 acres; Tumble Bug 2 is 87 acresPercent Containment: 69%Location: Willamette National ForestCause: LightningFirefighters have made good progress on the suppression of the Staley and Tumble Bug 2 Fires. The containment on these fires is now at 69%. Crews have established fire lines around both fires and are widening and strengthening those lines by burning out unburned fuel close to the line and mopping-up any remaining hot spots within 100-feet of the control line. Some resources are being released to other fires or to return to their home units for much-needed rest.Weather and Smoke: This Labor Day weekend will see hotter and drier weather across southwestern Oregon. This will mean more intense burning in many of the fires in the...

Following the advice of the Chetco Bar Incident Management Team, and based on the current fire behavior, the Curry County Sheriff’s Office has expanded a Level 2 Evacuation Order to include all areas along Winchuck River Road east of and include Peavine Ridge Road. Level 2 Evacuation (Be Ready) means residents within this area should be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice. Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk. The current Evacuation Map is available at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/maps/5385/ Brookings Police Department and the Oregon State Police are assisting the Curry County Sheriff’s Office with making notifications to all affected residents within the identified...

ODF IMT 3 LINK SMITH, INCIDENT COMMANDER MORE INFORMATION: FACEBOOK.COM/HORSEPRAIRIEFIRE https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5540/# HORSE PRAIRIE FIRE August 31, 10:00 P.M. Camas Valley, Oregon – While the Horse Prairie Fire had another day of significant growth, firefighters achieved success through a well-choreographed burnout operation on the west side of the fire in advance of a predicted “Red Flag Warning”. As of Thursday evening the work had been completed and it was reported that much of the smoke visible from Highways I-5 and 42 was from interior burning and not a direct threat to the fire control line. Late in the afternoon a reported “roller”, a flaming chunk of wood, had rolled across the fireline that firefighters were working to extinguish. A coordinated effort between helicopters and air tankers minimized fire spread south of Cow Creek. A significant key to the success of the suppression effort has been the local logging contractors and their heavy...

The National Interagency Coordination Center in Boise, Idaho has issued a "Fuels and Fire Behavior Advisory" for all wildland firefighters in southwest Oregon. The Advisory warns of the "Potential for extreme fire behavior with high potential for crown involvement, prolific spotting and rapid fire escalation due to extremely dry fuel conditions in Southwest Oregon." To see the full text of the Advisory click on a link to the right.