InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

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: 529 Acres Percent Contained: 0% Vegetation: Timber between rock stringers and ridge tops Resources Assigned: 261 personnel Incident Commander: Alan Sinclair with the Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 3 Summary: Moderate fire behavior continued yesterday with minimal backing movement overnight as the relative humidity increased. Fire movement is expected to continue backing through the beetle kill timber area with isolated torching expected as winds increase this afternoon. Construction of indirect fire control lines along the southwest side of the fire continues with the assistance of hand crews and heavy equipment. Crews will continue scouting fire line locations for point protection of property and values at risk. A public meeting will be held tonight at 6:00 p.m. located at the Centennial...

Friday, August 18, 2017 – 9:00 a.m. Naches, Washington. Summary: Thirteen fires were ignited by lightning on August 11, in the vicinity of the William O. Douglas and Norse Peak Wilderness Areas on the Naches Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The fires are burning in steep rocky terrain, with difficult access. Most of them are showing no signs of growth. Two of the fires have reached significant size and remain active: the Norse Peak Fire (currently approximately 1200 acres, burning north of State Route 410 (SR410) near Union Creek) and the American Ridge Fire (currently approximately 70 acres, burning between SR410 and Bumping Lake). These fires are all being managed collectively as “Norse Peak.” Resources are being shared between the fires. Separate information will be provided when useful. Yesterday: Following a day of very active fire behavior, the Norse Peak Fire returned to more moderate burning on Thursday. A helicopter assisted...

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: 510 Acres Percent Contained: 0% Vegetation: Timber between rock stringers and ridge tops Resources Assigned: 238 personnel Incident Commander: Alan Sinclair with the Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 3 Summary: Moderate fire behavior yesterday resulted in isolated and group tree torching within the beetle kill timber area as the fire continued moving west into the Teanaway drainage. Heavy equipment is being used in continuing efforts to construct an indirect control line along the southwest edge of the fire. Crews will continue scouting fire line locations to point protection for property and values at risk and assess conditions for additional control line locations. Safety of the public, firefighters and cooperating agencies remains the highest priority. We will be holding a public meeting on Friday, August 18,...

Effective three p.m. on Wednesday, August 16, the Washington Department of Transportation (DOT) closed State Route 410 from Chinook Pass (mile post 69) to Hell’s Crossing (mile post 84). Heavy smoke, fire suppression activity and the threat of fire-weakened trees falling on the roadway prompted the decision. Warming temperatures and expected winds are likely to support active fire behavior into the weekend. DOT officials anticipate the closure to extend over several days. Advisories and updates will posted on the DOT

Metaline Falls, WA - Fire crews continue to patrol containment lines and assess fire activity within the footprint of the Noisy Creek fire. There remains significant areas of unburned fuels within the perimeter of the fire and other crews will be scouting those areas of high burn potential, particularly those areas with southern and southwestern exposures. Hot spots within the fire currently pose little threat of spread outside of containment lines. Crews are assessing trees along Sullivan Creek Road that have been made hazardous from wildfire, taking action where appropriate. The Nation and the Pacific Northwest are now under Preparedness Level 5 (PL5), the highest fire preparedness rating. PL5 allows more federal and state employees to be available for mobilization if needed. As the fire activity on the Noisy Creek fire winds down, firefighters and equipment are being demobilized and reassigned to other fires throughout Pacific Northwest. Please be cautious driving around...

Yesterday: Strong overnight winds pushed the Norse Creek Fire down to State Route 410 Wednesday morning and it continued to burn actively through the day. Current estimates are that the fire is approximately 1,000 acres. The movement and increase in size prompted several actions including evacuations and closures. Evacuations: The Yakima Valley Office of Emergency Management (509-574-1900) issued a Level 3 evacuation notice for the Union Creek Summer Home Tract (6 cabins), effective 10 a.m. Wednesday. Later that afternoon they extended the Level 3 for the Pleasant Valley Summer Home Tract (7 cabins). A Level 3 “Go” notice “indicates current conditions present immediate threat(s) to the life and safety of persons within this area. It is recommended that you evacuate your home and head to a safe area.” Closures: National forest officials instituted a closure that encompasses a large area around the fire. It prohibits entering National Forest System lands or...

The firing operation has begun on the Bridge Creek Fire. As the fire grows, firefighters are beginning to burn out the fuels between the fire and the fire breaks they have created. This will eventually require the use of aerial ignition, but for now it is being done by hand around the edges of the “box” – the ring of firelines that have been constructed over the last 6 days. The burnout operation was close to Bridge Creek Road last night, yet the road was clear from smoke because the fire and smoke was pulling in toward the main fire. The flames were low over most of the area with a few single trees torching occasionally. Crews reported that the fire burned actively throughout the night. The firing operation around the edges of the “box” will continue today and may produce increased smoke. This was discussed at last night’s well-attended community meeting in Inchelium, and almost everyone seemed to agree that a burnout operation that...

Diamond Creek Fire Update August 17Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 Fire Information: (503) 765-5724 - 8 am – 8 pmEmail: diamondcreekfire@gmailWebsite: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5409/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiamondCreekFire2017Smoke Conditions: http://wasmoke.blogspot.comLocation: Methow Valley Ranger District on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; 12 miles north of Mazama, WA.Summary: Yesterday afternoon, winds from the west and northwest pushed the fire into an area of unburned fuel, contributing to a smoke column visible for miles. Today’s operational plans include utilizing helicopter bucket drops and handcrews to maintain lines along the fire perimeter, concentrating in the Pat Creek drainage. Mop-up efforts are planned for the east and west side of Eightmile drainage. Contingency line scouting and construction will continue around the southern edge. Expect smoke from burning in upper Drake Creek, north of Billy Goat mountain to be visible...

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOREST SERVICE OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST CLE ELUM, WA ORDER NO. 06-17-03-17-1007 Fire Closure Pursuant to 16 USC 551 & 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b), 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 will be effective beginning August 15, 2017 and ending October 15, 2017, unless rescinded. PROHIBITION 1. To go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection of public safety. For the purpose of this order, this restriction prohibits entry onto National Forest System Land and includes all methods of travel within the boundary of the area described below. [36 CFR 261.53(e)]: AREA CLOSURE DESCRIPTION The fire closure area boundary begins at the intersection of FS Road No. 4600 and...

Summary: Fire activity has increased slightly, with movement towards the beetle kill timber area on the southwest corner of the fire. Firefighters are scouting an opportunity to go more direct with the fire on its northern perimeter. Heavy helicopter bucket work was utilized yesterday to slow fire spread on the southwest perimeter. Crews will continue scouting fire line locations to plan protection for property and values at risk and assess conditions for additional control line locations. Efforts continue to tie in contingency lines on the southwest side of the fire. “We are looking for the best areas to engage fire with the highest probability of success, ensuring the consideration of firefighter safety is at the forefront of all decisions.” stated Incident Commander Alan Sinclair. Weather: A weak dry front is passing through this afternoon. The forecast is calling for an increase n winds with gusts up to 20 miles per hour. Although no precipitation is expected...

Wednesday, August 16, 2017, 8:30 amSouthwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 5Jeff Andrews, Incident Commander Fire Information: (503)-765-5724 - 8 am – 8 pmEmail: diamondcreekfire@gmailWebsite: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5409/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DiamondCreekFire2017Smoke Conditions: http://wasmoke.blogspot.comLocation: Methow Valley Ranger District on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest; 12 miles north of Mazama, WA.Summary: Temperatures are predicted to be seasonal with W to NW winds 10-25mph. The tail end of a dry cold front will pass through the Diamond Creek Fire on Wednesday, causing a discernible increase in west-northwest wind. A warming and drying trend will continue, with temperatures at the fire’s elevation expected to reach the mid to upper 70s, and RH values dipping into the lower 20s.Hand crews continue to hold line in the Eightmile drainage, both by hand lines and helicopter water drops, as needed. Resources are constructing additional...

There will be a Community Meeting tonight at 6:00 p.m. in the Inchelium School, 1 Hornet Ave., Inchelium, WA. Tribal fire managers and members of the Incident Management Team will discuss the Bridge Creek Fire, including plans to contain it, and will be available to answer questions after their presentations. The fire was active on Tuesday, and grew to 1343 acres. Water and retardant were dropped in various places around the fire to bolster lines, slow the fire’s progress, and to support a burnout operation along the south side of the fire. The fireline connecting Upper Bridge Creek Road with Summit Trail has been completed and will be improved today. Small burnout operations will be conducted along the west, south, and east lines in order to increase their effectiveness at stopping the fire’s progress when it moves against the lines. Intentional burning to widen the fire lines is done carefully at a pace that attempts to keep the fire from building energy, and is chiefly aimed...

Lightning ignited 13 fires within the Naches Ranger District west of Yakima, Washington on August 11. Ten of these fires, all initially less than 15 acres, were in the William O. Douglas and Norse Peak Wildernesses approximately 50 miles northwest of Naches, Washington. Slightly warmer temperatures on Monday resulted in increased fire activity on the fires north of State Route 410. Two previously separate fires in the Union Creek drainage merged and grew to one fire, named Norse Peak, which is now estimated to be approximately 500 acres. The increased size estimate reflects both fire movement and more accurate mapping. Another blaze near Crow Creek grew to 26 acres. South of SR 410, the fire near Pleasant Valley Lake on American Ridge reached 27 acres. All other fire starts covered less than five acres. Smoke production increased and resulted in some heavy concentrations downwind of the fires. Overall, fire behavior was within what fire managers had expected. ...

Quick Facts Fire size: 4,000 acresLocation: East of Sullivan Lake near Metaline Falls, WA Containment: 58%Cause: Lightning on 7/15/17Resources: 1 Hotshot crew, 2 Type II Initial Attack Crew, 2 Type II Crew, 1 Type III Helicopter, 2 Type II Helicopter, 1 Fixed Wing Aircraft, 3 Dozers, 4 Type 6 Engines, 4 Water Tenders, 2 Masticators, 1 AmbulancePersonnel: 229Email: noisycreekfire@gmail.com Metaline Falls, WA - There has been no growth on this fire for several days and much of the perimeter lines around this fire are in patrol status. Therefore, the command of the Noisy Creek Fire will be transitioning from a Type II fire management organization to a Type III organization, made up primarily of local fire officials. Firefighters have begun to pull nearly three miles of hose lays from around the perimeter of the fire. Repairs to disturbed sites on the Noisy Creek fire, including firelines and access roads, have commenced. Crews will continue to monitor the control lines and mop up where...

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: 334 Acres Percent Contained: 0% Vegetation: Timber between rock stringers and ridge tops Resources Assigned: 207 personnel Incident Commander: Alan Sinclair with the Southwest Area Type 2 Incident Management Team 3 Summary: Minimal fire activity has been observed following the moisture two days ago. Weather is expected to dry out and warm up over the next few days. Due to the location of the Jolly Mountain fire, minimal spread is expected. The Southwest Area Type 2 Team is responsible for initial attack of any new starts with a five mile radius of the center of the main fire. As air attack circled the area yesterday one small new start was discovered. Firefighters inserted into the new start, lined the fire. All fires are being monitored by air today. Crews will continue scouting fire line locations...

Air quality due to smoke will generally be good with occasional moderate incursions especial in the 10p to8a time periods. The extended outlook is for much of the same smoke conditions through the remainder of the week. Note: This is the final Air Quality Report for the Diamond Creek Incident. For smoke information check out:

Fire Location: Diamond Creek Fire is burning within the Pasayten Wilderness approximately 12 air miles north of Mazama, Washington and 5.5 miles (8.9 kilometers) south of the Canadian border. Fire History and Activity: Firing operations were completed from handlines in the Eightmile drainage, south of Billy Goat Trailhead, reducing heavy fuels in the path of the fire. Crews have been holding the blackened handlines associated with the firing operation and are beginning to mop up along portions of handline in the Eightmile drainage. Current Status and Projected Operations: The current acreage and map are from yesterday morning’s infrared mapping. Helicopter reconnaissance late in the day showed little change in the fire perimeter. Additional crews and resources have been arriving over the last fews days. Today, crews will continue with holding and mopping up operations in Eightmile drainage. Contingency handlines and dozer lines in the Eightmile, Falls Creek, Cub Creek, Ortell, and...

Burning debris rolled across the line in the southwest corner of the fire on Monday morning, igniting a 1/8th-acre spot fire that was stopped by water drops and fire crews. The north side also required aerial assistance to keep the fire in place. Total aviation resources used yesterday, which may also be available today as shared resources, included three air-attack aircraft, two very large air tankers (VLATs), five Fire Boss water-scooping airplanes, two lead planes, two heavy-lift helicopters, three medium-lift helicopters, and two single-engine air tankers (SEATs). The west side has now been brushed out with a line established between the fire and Bridge Creek upstream to the end of Upper Bridge Creek Road. The fireline is being reinforced with hose and pumps. Construction of the tie-through fire break from Summit Trail to the end of Upper Bridge Creek Road has begun. Hose-lays, port-a-tanks, and pumps are beginning to be put in place along Summit Road. A culvert was installed on...

Quick Facts Fire size: 4,000 acresLocation: East of Sullivan Lake near Metaline Falls, WA Containment: 49% Cause: Lightning on 7/15/17 Resources: 1 Hotshot crew, 2 Type II Initial Attack Crew, 2 Type II Crew, 1 Type III Helicopter, 2 Type II Helicopter, 1 Fixed Wing Aircraft, 3 Dozers, 6 Type 6 Engines, 5 Water Tenders, 3 Masticators, 1 Ambulance Personnel: 254 Email: noisycreekfire@gmail.com Madeline Falls, WA - Aided by cooler temperatures, higher humidity and nearly 0.10 inch of rain, fire activity was light across the burned area, and nearly absent along the fires edge. Containment lines have been extended around most of the fires perimeter and a hose lay with sprinklers is keeping the forest wet along Noisy Creek. As fire activity across Noisy Creek is winding down, fire suppression repair and rehabilitation standards are being considered in order to minimize the impact to forest resources. Helicopters will be used to remove hoses, pumps and other appliances used throughout...