InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Diamond Creek Fire UpdateJuly 30th, 2017 Diamond Creek Fire is burning in the steep slopes of the Diamond Creek drainage of the Pasayten Wilderness. It is approximately four air miles from the Billy Goat Trailhead and sixteen air miles north of the community of Mazama, Washington. The San Juan Hotshots and Whiskeytown Fire Use Module along with local fire personnel have been on scene for the past three days gathering intelligence and placing protective wrap on historic administrative cabins located in Hidden Lakes area. It is important that firefighters gather intelligence at the ground level about the types and conditions of the available fuels in the path of the fire. Personnel are assessing how much burnable material is located within the ’03 Farewell and ’06 Tatoosh fire scars, located to the east and west of the path of the fire, to determine if these scars will serve as a fire break. An infrared flight is planned for Sunday evening and will provide better mapping. ...

Sullivan Creek Road to Pass Creek Pass will be closed as of 0800 on July

All travel is prohibited on National Forest System (NFS) Road No. 2200500 from its intersection with NFS Road No. 2200 to its terminus at the Hall Mountain Trailhead. All travel is prohibited on the following National Forest System (NFS) Trails: Lakeshore Trail No. 504; Noisy Creek Trail No. 588; Hall Mountain Trail No. 540; Hall Mountain-Grassy Top Trail No. 533; Grassy Top Trail No. 503 from Pass Creek Pass to its intersection with Hall Mountain-Grassy Top Trail No. 533 These closures are in addition to Trail No. 312 (Hughes Fork Trail) and a portion of Trail No. 512 (Shedroof Divide Trail from trail 311 to 312) due to the North Fork Hughes Fire in the Salmo Priest Wilderness. Sullivan Lake Campground is open and the fire has not impacted any of the campgrounds or recreation opportunities along the Pend Oreille River. As a reminder, the Colville National Forest is under Stage 2 Fire Restrictions. For more information on fire restrictions, please visit:...

Diamond Creek Fire Closure July 30th, 2017 Description of Area Closure: The fire closure area boundary begins at the intersection of Larch Creek Trail #502 and Billygoat Trailhead, then continues directly west to Eightmile Peak. The closure boundary then follows the Pasayten Wilderness boundary to Sunrise peak, and then continues northwest to Three Pinnacles Peak. It then follows the ridge north to Lost Peak and continues north to Many Trails Peak. From Many Trails Peak, the closure boundary heads west to Ptarmigan Peak, then continues north to the top of Tatoosh Buttes. From Tatoosh Buttes, the closure boundary continues northwest to Ptarmigan Ridge, then follows the ridge northeast to the junction of the Hidden Lakes Trail #477 and the Boundary Trail #533. The closure continues along the northern side of the Hidden Lakes trail #477, headed east to the junction with the East Fork Pasayten Trail #451. It then follows along the northern side of trail #451 to the junction with the...

July 29, 2017 North Mill Fire UpdateThe North Mill Fire started Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at 3:30 pm. It is approximately 13 miles northeast of Colville on U. S. Forest Service land. The size of the fire is approximately 40 acres. The fire is presently completely enclosed by hand and dozer perimeter line. It is 30% contained.Initial Attack crews from the U. S. Forest Service and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources responded and engaged in suppression actives from the start of the fire through Thursday evening. Since Thursday afternoon, only smoldering stumps and hot spots have remained. The fire has been in a mop-up status since.To the general populace the fire looks out but these stumps and hot spots must be extinguished and cold or the fire could restart. This process is called mop-up. Mop-up is a dirty, tedious task and must be done systematically, mostly by hand. Compounding the task on this fire is the steep terrain, deep ash layer, down slash and tree snags....

Update: Friday, July 29, 20171300 HoursMetaline Falls, WA –The Noisy Creek Fire located on Hall Mountain is now 795 acres, burning in heavy timber on a steep, rugged slope.Closures: National Forest System (NFS) Road No. 2200500 is closed from its intersection with NFS Road No. 2200 to its terminus at the Hall Mountain Trailhead. Noisy Creek Campground is closed for public and firefighter safety. All travel is prohibited on the following NFS Trails: Lakeshore Trail No. 504; Noisy Creek Trail No. 588; Hall Mountain Trail No. 540; Hall Mountain-Grassy Top Trail No. 533; Grassy Top Trail No. 503 from Pass Creek Pass to its intersection with Hall Mountain-Grassy Top Trail No. 533.Yesterday the overall fire behavior was moderate. The edges of the experienced some lateral growth, downhill movement was evident with occasional pockets of intense burning in the interior. The fire continues to move East/Northeast. Firefighting crews continued to hold the fire line at Noisy Creek on the south...

North Mill Fire Update July 28, 2017The North Mill Fire started Wednesday, July 26, 2017, at 3:30 pm. It is approximately 13 miles northeast of Colville on U. S. Forest Service land. The size of the fire is approximately 40 acres and is presently completely enclosed by hand line and dozer line.Initial Attack crews from the U. S. Forest Service and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources responded and engaged in suppression actives from the start of the fire through Thursday evening. By late Thursday afternoon only smoldering stumps and hot spots remained.To the general populace the fire looks out but these stumps and hot spots must be extinguished and cold or the fire could restart. This process is called mop-up. Mop-up is a dirty, tedious task and must be done systematically, mostly by hand. Compounding the task on this fire is the steep terrain, deep ash layer, down slash and tree snags. Tree snags are very hazardous to the personnel working. Trees may fall at any...

Diamond Creek Fire is about 18 air miles north of Mazama, Washington in the Pasayten Wilderness. “The hot weather and no rain for the past month is contributing to extremely dry conditions in the area,” said Methow Valley District Ranger Mike Liu. “Those same conditions contribute to rapid fire spread, as seen with the 1,500 acre growth of Diamond Creek Fire over the past 24 hours.” Visitors to the Pasayten Wilderness are reminded to check conditions before embarking and to register at the trailheads, as this information is critical to timely and effective evacuation, should it be needed. “The Pasayten is vast,” said Liu, “and there are many trails and areas not under imminent threat by the Diamond Creek Fire. However, a hike in to contact visitors to Crow lake, for example, can take three days in one direction. It’s important that we know where people are and it’s also important that individuals check conditions before beginning their trip.” Yesterday: Active...

Diamond Creek Fire is about 18 air miles north of Mazama, Washington. Yesterday: Twenty mile per hour wind gusts accompanying a dry cold front caused active burning in the afternoon and evening on Thursday, producing a smoke column easily visible from communities throughout Okanogan County. Fire growth was primarily toward the east, up the Diamond Creek drainage. The infrared flight last night detected intense heat at the eastern perimeter and on the northern flank of Nanny Goat Mountain. Evidence of spot fires was detected outside of northern, eastern and southern perimeters of the fire. Because conditions with wildand fire are dynamic, managers develop contingency plans to be implemented should fire reach predetermined geographic locations. With input from the Whiskey Town Wildland Fire Module, management action points are being established. Should the fire reach one of these geographic locations, the management strategy for that portion of the Diamond Creek Fire would be altered...

BISSELL FIRE FINAL UPDATEJULY 28, 2017 8AM NEWS FROM THE FIRELINE: Firefighters assigned to the Bissell fire started to be released from the incident last night. The remaining personal are working on the fire today securing equipment and patrolling the fire line. The type 3 incident management team will transfer command of the Bissell fire back to the local agencies at 7:00 pm tonight. Residents should expect to see firefighters patrolling the fire for the next several days. The NE Washington Interagency Incident Management Team would like to thank the community for their support of the firefighters who did a great job under very difficult conditions. The Bissell fire started July 23, 2017, just after 7pm north of Hunters, WA. Local resources responded along with air resources. Thanks to their great work no primary structures were lost and there were no injuries reported. Approximately 25 residents were put on level 2 and 3 evacuation orders and a Red Cross shelter was...

The North Boulder 2 is located 3 ½ miles southwest of the town of Orient, Washington. The fire is burning in heavy mixed conifer with a large amount of standing dead trees and heavy surface fuels. Washington Incident Management Team 2 (WAIMT2) is managing the North Boulder 2 fire, working closely with the Colville National Forest fire managers. With limited road access, firefighter safety is of utmost concern. Yesterday, firefighters had good success in continuing to brush out roads and open old trails to provide an indirect fire line around all sides of the fire, using dozers and excavators to remove dead and down trees, logs, and other debris. Additionally, hand crews began building direct fire line around two sides of the fire and have scouted locations for additional fire line around the rest of the fire. Cooler more humid weather has allowed them to work closer to the fire. An inventory of structures is complete and a Structure Protection Plan is in place, if the fire were to...

Diamond Creek Fire Update Wednesday July 27, 2017 at 10:45 a.m. Diamond Creek Fire is about 18 air miles north of Mazama, Washington. Yesterday: Continued hot and dry weather with poor humidity recovery led to increased activity and fire growth overnight on Wednesday. The fire spotted across Diamond Creek and is now established on the north side of that drainage. Firefighters will determine a new estimated acreage when they fly over the fire later today. There was no Infrared flight on Wednesday night. Whiskey Town Wildland Fire Module was flown in to the fire area and is gathering data, planning and will begin implementation of a long term strategy for confinement of the Diamond Creek Fire. Considerations when developing the strategy include public and firefighter safety first then minimizing damage to natural resources and infrastructure. Habitat for threatened and endangered species such as Canada lynx and bull trout are among the resource concerns being considered. Smoke...

BISSELL FIRE UPDATEJULY 27, 2017 8AM NEWS FROM THE FIRELINE: Firefighters will continue important mop up work around the Bissell fire today. Residents in the area may see increased smoke activity over the fire as more wind is forecasted for the region. Firefighters will be monitoring conditions closely. One helicopter is assigned to the fire and is available to assist firefighters on the ground. Crews made excellent progress yesterday and did not see any new fire growth. Thermal imaging equipment, used to identify any remaining hotspots, will be back in use around the fire perimeter. The Bissell fire started July 23, 2017, just after 7pm north of Hunters, WA. Local resources responded along with air resources. Thanks to their great work no structures were lost and there were no injuries reported. Approximately 25 residents were put on level 2 and 3 evacuation orders and a Red Cross shelter was established at Columbia School in Hunters. Monday evening, Stevens County...

Today: Suppression efforts so far have allowed for safe evacuation of hikers and outfitters in the area and are allowing time for improving exit routes from the fire area. This includes brush clearing along the upper portion of Eightmile Road. Given the steep terrain, limited access and available resources, continued direct suppression of the Diamond Creek Fire would not be sustainable. Now that evacuations are complete, other options can be considered. Crews will continue reconnaissance, identifying opportunities to confine the Diamond Creek Fire. Where beneficial, and safe to do so, firefighters are slowing fire spread to lessen impacts and reduce tree mortality. The Whiskey Town Wildland Fire Module, will arrive today and after an orientation briefing, will be transported, by helicopter, to the Diamond Creek Fire area. Initially, their focus will be on making observations, gathering data, planning and beginning implementation of a long term strategy for confinement of the Diamond...

Bissel Road is now open. Motorists using the road should be cautious as firefighters are still working in the

BISSELL FIRE UPDATEJULY 26, 2017 8AM NEWS FROM THE FIRELINE: Crews will continue the process of mopping up around the fire to ensure that the fire line is secure. Firefighters will be checking 100 feet and in some cases 200 feet inside the fire perimeter for hot spots. One helicopter is assigned to the fire and is available to assist firefighters on the ground. Firefighters will also start the process of using thermal imaging equipment. This specialized equipment is used to make sure all remaining hot spots that threaten containment lines are found and extinguished. The Bissell fire started July 23, 2017, just after 7pm north of Hunters, WA. Local resources responded along with air resources. Thanks to their great work no structures were lost and there were no injuries reported. Approximately 25 residents were put on level 2 and 3 evacuation orders and a Red Cross shelter was established at Columbia School in Hunters. Monday evening, Stevens County Emergency Management...

Diamond Creek Fire Update Tuesday July 25, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. Yesterday: Diamond Creek Fire has grown to 250 acres since it was first reported by a hiker on Sunday morning. The eight smoke jumpers and a twenty person crew were supported by helicopters as they worked to hold the fire at Diamond Creek. Fire behavior included short range spotting, single and group tree torching and upslope runs. The fire spotted across Diamond Creek Monday afternoon. Most fire growth was toward the east. Suppression efforts have been successful in slowing the progression of the fire, allowing for the safe evacuation of hikers and outfitters from the Hidden Lakes area. Fire personnel are making in-person contacts with hikers along the evacuated trails to inform them of the closure and provide information about alternate routes. Given that the Pasayten Wilderness is more than 500,000 acres, there many alternate trails and camping areas under no immediate threat from this 250 acre fire. Weather: The...

BISSELL FIRE UPDATEJULY 25, 2017 8AM NEWS FROM THE FIRELINE: Helicopters will be over the fire once again today assisting firefighters on the ground to extinguish hot spots and keep the fire with in its established perimeter. Crews will begin the process of mopping up around the fire to ensure that the fire line is secure. Power was been restored by utility crews overnight. The Red Cross shelter at Columbia School in Hunters is closed. Stevens County Emergency Management has lifted all evacuation orders for the Bissell fire. The Bissell fire started July 23, 2017, just after 7pm north of Hunters, WA. Local resources responded along with air resources. Thanks to their great work no structures were lost and there were no injuries reported. Approximately 25 residents were put on level 2 and 3 evacuation orders. Bissel Road is remains closed. Please use caution if you are traveling on State Route 25 north of Hunters as there is a lot of firefighting traffic in the area. ...

Stevens County Emergency Management has lifted all evacuation orders in relation to the Bissell fire.