InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Phone: (505)303-0057 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) Pre-recorded line: (505)585-5048 Email: JollyMountainFireInfo@gmail.com Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/news/5496/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jollymountainfireinfo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jolly_mountainStart Date: August 11Cause: LightningSize: 4,682Percent Containment: 0Crews: 6Helicopters: 5Engines: 18Total Personnel: 327 Location: Cle Elum Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA Summary: Yesterday, helicopters dropped nearly 55,000 gallons of water on the Jolly Mountain Fire and the FireBoss scooper planes dropped an additional 30,000 gallons of water on the fire. Aerial firefighting resources drop water on the fire perimeter to minimize spread and slow the fire’s progression. Due to safety concerns – including the steep terrain and numerous standing dead trees – firefighters are building indirect firelines in places where the likelihood of success is higher....

Today, fire crews will scout and assess an opportunity to directly attack the Bridge Creek Fire. The goal is to reduce the footprint by cutting a new route from the western flank to the northeast with dozers and a Type 1 hotshot crew while ensuring firefighter safety. The decision will be contingent on mitigating hazards with an additional safety zone, which will utilize a harvest unit, and anchor points. Mount Tolman Fire Center Fire Management Officer Ike Cawston stated the opportunity presented to Northwest Incident Management Team 11 (NW IMT 11) is thanks to hard work of the previous team managing the fire, NW IMT 6. Saturday, crews completed a firing operation in the southeastern corner of the fire and continued to mop, secure and hold fireline. Additional crews removed hazard trees that have caused continuous concerns throughout the fire. Other hazards have included rolling debris, steep topography, dry and receptive fuels, and increased traffic on the Bridge Creek Road. ...

Today, Northwest Incident Management Team 11 (NW IMT 11), under Incident Commander Nathan Rabe, will shadow NW IMT 6 in anticipation of receiving command of the fire at the end of shift today or early Sunday. The two teams met Friday along with local agency representatives to discuss a smooth transition of authority. NW IMT 6 has managed the fire since August 11. Crews will continue hand firing operations on the southeastern portion of the fire today, removing unburned fuel inside the perimeter. This complex operation, which started Friday, has been conducted by an elite 20-person hand crew using handheld torches deliberately following the contours of the slope. Receptive, dry fuels and gusty winds have been challenging to firing operations. On the northern portion of the fire additional crews will continue improving fireline along the perimeter in preparation for firing operations. Weather is forecasted to remain favorable, but incident meteorologists assigned to the fire have...

Luego de varios días de clima tranquilo, las condiciones cálidas y secas facilitan la probabilidad de que el incendio retome su actividad. Los bosques siguen extremamente secos después de 75 días sin lluvia. Los incendios de larga duración han precalentado volúmenes significativos de combustibles cuesta arriba. Durante los próximos 3 días, el calor, la sequía, y la inestabilidad atmosférica crean oportunidades para que el incendio se propague. Los bomberos se han estado preparando para este clima. Han fortalecido las líneas de contención que actualmente tienen cercado el incendio de Norse Peak (de aproximadamente 2.103 acres) al oeste de Union Creek, al norte de la carretera 410, y al este de Survey Creek. El incendio de Union Creek (también conocido como Incendio 366, de 169 acres aproximadamente) se mantiene controlado al norte de Union Creek. Se han construido cortafuegos a lo largo de la carretera 462 hasta Bear Gap, hacia el lado oeste y en una cresta debajo de...

Diamond Creek Fire Update Sunday, August 27, 2017 Information: (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: Unburned islands within the fire perimeter burned actively on Saturday, bringing smoky conditions to the upper Methow Valley. There was some expansion of the northern perimeter into the 2002 Middle Quartz Fire area. Helicopter water drops were again used to hold the fire on the upper slope of Pat Creek and keep it from getting established in the bottom of Pat Creek. Chippers have finished clearing the Eightmile Road and are working on Ortell Creek Road. One road grader is working on the Goat Creek Road to repair road impacts caused by suppression efforts. Fire behavior on Sunday will be...

Fire InformationPhone: (505) 303-0057 (8 am to 8 pm)Pre-recorded line: (505) 585-5048 Email: JollyMountainFireinfo@gmail.com Inciweb: https://nwcg.gov/incident/news/5496/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jollymountainfireinfo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jolly_mountain Start: August 11 Cause: Lightning Size: 3,316Percent Containment: 0%Crews: 7 Helicopters: 3 Engines: 17Total Personnel: 346 Location: Cle Elum Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA Summary: Additional firefighting resources arrived on the Jolly Mountain Fire yesterday. Two FireBoss aircraft are assigned to the fire; these fixed-wing airplanes can scoop water from the lake to drop over the fire. They require about 5,000 feet of open water and can scoop up nearly 800 gallons of water in 60 – 90 seconds. Cle Elum Lake will be patrolled by local officials to ensure that recreationalists are clear of areas being used by firefighting...

Norse Peak Fires Update. Sunday, August 27, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. Hot dry conditions and the potential for more active fire behavior are building again after several days of calm weather. Forests remain extremely dry following 75 days without rain. Long-duration fires have preheated significant volumes of uphill fuels. For the next three days, heat, dryness and atmospheric instability creates opportunities for fire growth. Fire fighters have been preparing for this weather, strengthening the containment lines that are currently confining the Norse Peak Fire (approximately 2,103 acres) west of Union Creek, north of Hwy 410, and east of Survey Creek. The Union Creek Fire (also known as Fire 366, approximately 169 acres) has been held north of Union Creek. Contingency firelines have been constructed along Road 462 to Bear Gap on the west and along a ridge below Fife’s peak, to the east. The American Fire (approximately 207 acres) has been creeping north, downhill...

Actualización sobre los incendios en Norse Peak Sabado, 26 de agosto de 2017 – 9:00 a.m. Actualmente hay una plantilla de 368 personas (1 equipo tipo 1, 8 equipos tipo 2, 18 camiones de bomberos, 4 equipos de talado, 2 buldócer, 2 tanques de agua, equipo pesado, y 2 helicópteros) trabajando en los incendios del Naches Ranger District. Logros del viernes: El viernes por la mañana, ocho bomberos paracaidistas – comúnmente llamado “smokejumpers” – comenzaron a controlar los incendios pequeños causados por rayos al norte de American Ridge. Informaron que uno de los incendios estaba ardiendo en 0.8 acres, y completaron una línea cortafuego alrededor. El otro incendio es menos de 5 acres. Los smokejumpers comenzaron a construir una línea cortafuego alrededor con apoyo de rociadores de helicópteros. Suprimir el incendio es prioridad para reducir el riesgo al desagüe de Bumping Rivers. Los smokejumpers tienen comida y equipo para trabajar en el sitio a través del...

Diamond Creek Fire Update Saturday, August 26, 2017 Information: (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: Fire behavior continued to be mostly moderate on Friday. A reconnaissance flight detected active fire on the upper slope of Pat Creek, and helicopter water drops were used to hold the fire and keep it from getting established in the bottom of Pat Creek. Chippers are working on the Eightmile Road. Once Eightmile is completed, they will begin working on Ortell Creek Road. One road grader is working to repair road impacts caused by suppression efforts. Closures: There has been no change in fire closures, which will continue until fall. Eightmile Creek 5130 Road is closed for its entire...

Fire Information Phone: (505)303-0057 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) Pre-recorded line: (505)585-5048 Email: JollyMountainFireInfo@gmail.com Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/news/5496/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jollymountainfireinfo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jolly_mountain Start Date Cause Size Percent Containment Crews Helicopters Engines Total Personnel 8/11 Lightning 3,316 acres 0% 6 2 16 367 Location: Cle Elum Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA Summary: This morning, Tim Roide’s Type 2 Team, composed of fire management specialists from Idaho, Nevada, and Utah, assumed command of the Jolly Mountain Fire. The members of the Southwest Incident Management Team will return home this weekend. Their efforts on the fire to date, including detailed reports on the fire’s potential to impact communities, have enabled Team 4 to make a smooth operational transition. Because...

Norse Peak Fires Update. Aug. 26, 2017 9 a.m. 368 personnel (1 Type 1 crew, 8 Type 2 crews, 18 engines, 4 felling teams, 2 dozers, 2 water tenders, heavy equipment, and 2 helicopters) are assigned to these fires in the Naches Ranger District. Friday’s accomplishments: On Friday morning, eight aerially delivered firefighters – commonly called “smokejumpers” – began work to secure the small lightning-caused fires north of American Ridge. They reported that one of the fires was smoldering at 0.8 acres, and they completed fireline around it. The other fire, is less than 5 acres. The smokejumpers started constructing fireline around it, with the support of water drops from helicopters. Securing this fire is a priority to reduce risk to the Bumping River drainage. The smokejumpers have food and gear with them to work on site through Monday if needed. An overnight infrared flight mapped the American Fire at 207 acres, and shows only 6 acres of fire growth to the north, toward...

Today, fire crews will take advantage of reduced wind activity to begin a firing operation on a large unburned island on the southeastern portion of the fire. The operation, which will be conducted by an elite 20-person hand crew, will result in an increase of smoke that will be visible from the surrounding area. On the northern portion of the fire, additional crews will continue improving fire line along the perimeter in preparation for future suppression activities. Crews will actively hold and secure line with mop up actions and continue to grid for hot spots. The Northwest Incident Management Team 6, which has been managing the fire since August 11, will be handing command of the fire over to Northwest Incident Management Team 11, under Incident Commander Nathan Rabe, at the end of shift Saturday or early Sunday. Team 11 will begin arriving Friday and will shadow Team 6 through Saturday. Thursday, firefighters were challenged with winds gusting up to 25...

http://methowvalleynews.com/2017/08/25/diamond-creek-fire-progress-slowed/ Crews work to strengthen lines south of fire By Ann McCreary Fire crews continued to strengthen fire lines south of the Diamond Creek Fire this week in case the fire should make a run south. The fire’s southward progress down the Eightmile drainage has been halted for now, Peter D’Aquanni, an information officer with Southwest Areas Incident Management Team 5, said Tuesday (Aug. 22). The Diamond Creek Fire ignited just over a month ago, and as of Tuesday had consumed more than 30,000 acres, mostly in the Pasayten Wilderness about 12 miles north of Mazama. On the fire’s southeast perimeter the fire moved out of the wilderness early last week and burned down Eightmile Road past Billy Goat Trailhead. “We feel comfortable with that peninsula of fire” that extends down the drainage, D’Aquanni said. “The southern edge of the fire is in really good shape.” Crews have tied together old roads, skid...

Diamond Creek Fire Update Friday, August 25, 2017 Information: (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: Fire behavior was moderate on Thursday due to cooler temperatures and overcast conditions. Crews worked to strengthen alternate and contingency lines, and continued repair work. The Methow Valley Ranger District assumes command of the fire at 7:00 this morning. The District wishes to extend its thanks to the departing Southwest Team 5 for its excellent and successful work. Closures: Fire area closures remain in effect, and will continue until fall. Eightmile Creek 5130 Road is closed for its entire length, from West Chewuch 51 Road to Billy Goat Trailhead. This closure includes the...

If your interested in watching the Operational Videos that the Jolly Mountain Fire posted please feel free to checking them out https://goo.gl/tBgPv5. You can also click on the Links section

Actualmente hay una plantilla de 364 personas (1 equipo tipo 1, 8 equipos tipo 2, 18 camiones de bomberos, 4 equipos de talado, 2 buldócer, 2 tanques de agua, equipo pesado, y 2 helicópteros) trabajando en los incendios. Hoy se tiene planeado que 8 bomberos de la base de bomberos paracaidistas North Cascades se unan a los esfuerzos. Logros del jueves: El incendio de Norse Peak (2,073 acres) tuvo mínima propagación gracias a que los equipos completaron una línea de contingencia a lo largo de una cresta entre Fife’s Peak y la carretera 410. Si el extremo oriental del incendio pasa Survey Creek, esta línea ayudará a evitar que se extienda más hacia el este en el corredor de la carretera 410. Los equipos también continúan trabajando en la carretera 410 para remover materiales combustibles y restos de árboles. El incendio permanece al este y al norte de Union Creek, del lado norte de la carretera 410 y al oeste de Survey Creek. El incendio American (201 acres) continúa...

Location: Cle Elum Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee NF, 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA Start Date: August 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Size: 2707 Acres Percent Contained: 0% Vegetation: Timber between rock stringers and ridge tops Resources Assigned: 326 personnel Incident Commander: Alan Sinclair with the Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 3 Summary: The Southwest Incident Management Team 3 is transferring command of the Jolly Mountain Fire to the Great Basin Incident Management Team 4 at 6:00 a.m. Saturday, August 26, 2017. Future updates will come from the Great Basin Team. The Jolly Mountain Fire was very active again yesterday. The fire reached the bottom of the West Fork of Teanaway River on the southwestern edge and crossed to the west. It burned across the drainage and up the eastern ridge toward Sasse Mountain. Very little growth occurred to the north. A few spots occurred to east but were shaded by the smoke column and had...

Norse Peak Fires Update. Friday, August 25, 2017 - 9:00 a.m. There are currently 364 personnel (1 Type 1 crew, 8 Type 2 crews, 18 engines, 4 felling teams, 2 dozers, 2 water tenders, heavy equipment, and 2 helicopters) working on these fires. Today eight firefighters from the North Cascades Smoke Jumper Base are planned to join the effort. Thursday’s Accomplishments: The Norse Peak Fire (2,073 acres) saw minimal spread giving crews time to complete a contingency line along an unnamed ridge between Fife’s Peak and Hwy 410. Should the eastern edge of the fire pass Survey Creek this line will help keep it from spreading further east along the Hwy 410 corridor. Crews also continued working along Hwy 410 removing fuels and slash. The fire remains east and north of Union Creek, north of Hwy 410 and west of Survey Creek. The American Fire (201 acres) continues to back down slowly towards Hwy 410 and the American River where crews have installed hoselays and sprinklers to keep...

An Area Closure to public access is now in effect for National Forest lands in Upper Cle Elum valley due to the Jolly Mountain Fire. The closure will encompass all roads, trails, and campgrounds north of the Last Resort Restaurant on SR 903. This Area Closure is to provide for safety for the recreating public, local residents, and firefighters. As the weekend nears, recreationists will come to the area to visit trails and campgrounds. As the fire moves in a westerly direction, evacuations may become necessary. By closing the area roads, trails and campgrounds, fire managers will only have to notify local residents and landowners rather than numerous recreationists using the area. The Jolly Mountain Fire started on August 11, 2017 by a lightning strike. The fire is situated in steep, rugged remote terrain with numerous hazards such as dead standing tree, rolling rocks, and poor accessibility. For these reasons, the fire is not being directly suppressed. Fire managers are using an...

Diamond Creek Fire - Frequently Asked Questions Updated August 24, 2017 About the fire: Where is the Diamond Creek Fire and how big is it? The Diamond Creek Fire is burning 12 air miles north of Mazama, Washington, and approximately 5.5 miles (8.9 kilometers) south of the Canadian border. It is burning in the Diamond Creek, Dollar Creek, Lost River, East Pasayten drainages within the Pasayten Wilderness and the Eightmile drainage south of the wilderness boundary. The current size on August 20, 2017 is approximately 30,555 acres. When and how did the fire start? It was first noticed Saturday night, July 22, 2017 by a hiker who then made his way to a ridgetop to report it on Sunday morning. The fire is believed to be human caused, an investigation is underway. Why wasn’t retardant used on initial attack? We used 8 smokejumpers on initial attack. The Lost River Gorge and Diamond Creek are very steep and narrow. It is difficult to safely use our retardant planes in that...