InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Thanks to less active winds yesterday, the Dry Creek Fire only grew by 50 acres during the last 24 hours. The fire is now estimated at about 400 acres. Most of the fire is located west of State Route 141 with only minimal spotting on the east side. Today’s operations will focus on checking the progression of the fire in all directions, building new and securing existing fire lines, reinforcing fire anchors, and scouting existing roads. The fire perimeter east of Highway 141 is currently being worked on, with the ultimate goal of it being 100 percent mopped up. Hot and dry conditions will continue through the next few days, though temperatures are expected to be cooler and less windy than yesterday. Temperatures of 73 to 78 are forecast, as are relative humidities of 30 to 35 percent with winds of 10 miles per hour gusting to 25. Smoke activity yesterday was minimal. Steep ground, heavy timber and the potential for falling snags will present challenges to firefighter...

White Salmon River closed from BZ Corner Boat Launch north White Salmon, Washington – With fire management efforts underway to contain the Dry Creek Fire, sheriff and emergency management officials with Klickitat County have closed recreational access to portions of the White Salmon River from BZ Corner Boat Launch north to Warner Road. The closure went into effect early Sunday and water access areas have been signed. Vehicle traffic along State Highway 141 from BZ Corner to Sunnyside Road is closed to all traffic. A detour is in place using BZ Glenwood Highway and Trout Lake Glenwood Highway. Today’s fire operations A Type 2 incident management team – NW 6 - will be arriving at base camp today to assume command of the fire. Interagency DNR Southeast Region Type 3 Team 2 assumed command 10 a.m. this morning and will transition to the NW 6 Team due to the fire’s complexity at 8 p.m. Initial attack efforts yesterday kept the fire at 20 to 25 acres until hot afternoon...

This website will continue to be updated for a few more

Mitchell Fire is 100% contained! No one is under any evacuation

Those Level 2 Evacuation notices that were in effect for residences in the Badger Mountain area, east to Ski Hill Rd. and north from Rd. 3 SW to Pine Canyon will be eliminated at 7:00 pm

BE SURE TO CHECK THE NEW MAP. (Under "Maps"

Thanks to the local residents and agencies for their cooperation during the Mitchell Fire. Of note, but not limited to, Douglas Fire District #1 and #4, the Red Cross, Eastmont Jr High, Orondo Schools, PUD, and those impacted by the Level 2 Evacuation Notice. Thank

Containment – 100%Acres - 30,984 Personnel - 131 Start Date – Sunday July 2, 2017 Location – 30 miles NW of Richland, WA Cause – Unknown Fuel Type – Grass/Brush This will be the final update for the Silver Dollar Fire unless significant fire activity occurs. Working in the temperatures that exceeded 100 degrees, firefighters continued securing the fire perimeter and extinguishing smoldering debris within containment lines. The majority of repair work to address the impacts resulting from the fire suppression effort was also completed yesterday. This work includes; smoothing out berms along dozer lines, constructing water bars on steep slopes to limit erosion and repairing fences cut for access during the fire suppression effort. Today fire crews will patrol the fire area and extinguish any heat they find. A transfer of fire management responsibilities back to the local agencies will occur today at 8:00 pm. Fire managers will adjust the number of firefighters to...

Silver Dollar Fire Update: July 5 2017: Acres – 23,350 Containment - 85% Yesterday firefighters completed a burnout yesterday along Midway Substation Road that secured the northwest section of the wildfire. Fire crews patrolled the fire perimeter and extinguished smoldering debris 50 to 100 feet inward from the fire’s edge. Unburned pockets of fuel well inside containment lines and located along steep, rocky slopes above the Columbia River may continue to burn as supervisors are reluctant to assign firefighters to these areas. A drone intrusion occurred over the fire area yesterday morning at about 11:20 am, and as a precautionary measure, all aircraft assigned to the fire was temporarily grounded. For the third consecutive day, a night shift was implemented to ensure the fire did not escape containment lines. Fire managers do not anticipate a night shift this evening and will adjust staffing based on the current and expected workload.Firefighters will continue securing firelines...

Acres – 20,000+ Containment - 60% Personnel - 400 Start Date – Sunday July 2, 2017 Location – 30 miles NW of Richland, WA Cause – Unknown Fuel Type – Grass/Brush There are NO evacuation notices and NO closures at this time. Firefighters worked long, arduous hours building containment lines and securing the perimeter of the Silver Dollar Fire. Burnout operations effectively stopped fire growth along many portions of the fire including State Highways 24 and 240, which promoted fire managers and Washington Department of Transportation officials to issue a temporary closure of these roads. Air tankers and helicopters supported ground personnel with retardant and water drops. A night shift was implemented last night to continue the fire suppression effort and ensure the fire did not escape established containment lines. Today, crews will secure the containment lines and mop up burning debris as they work towards full containment. Repair work to address the impacts...

Acres – 20,000+ Containment - 30% Personnel - 400Start Date – Sunday July 2, 2017 Location – 30 miles NW of Richland, WACause – Unknown and under investigation Firefighters continue working to contain the Silver Dollar Fire, and some of the fire personnel have been working since yesterday afternoon. Dozers are being utilized to construct containment lines and crews to conduct burnout operations. Air tankers and helicopters are supporting ground personnel with retardant and water drops. A Southeast Washington Region Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 is currently managing the wildfire. An Incident Command Post will be established in Richland at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratories site. Homes, orchards, vineyards and other infrastructure including power lines and communication sites are threatened. Multiple jurisdictions and agencies are involved. Fire mapping has not been completed, however a GPS flight occurred today and accurate maps will be ready soon. ...

Evacuations: Level 1 evacuations are in place for Highway 24 in the Barrell Springs area and Level 2 evacuations are in place for the Gold Creek area. There are no structures lost or damaged to date. Closures: Road closures are in place for State Route 240 milepost 0 (Yakima Barricade) to milepost 21 (Junction SR-225) and State Route 24 milepost 30 (Silver Dollar Café) to milepost 43 (Vernita Bridge). #SilverDollarFire

The fires are located in Grant and Douglas counties. Ownership includes Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and private lands, including critical Sage Grouse habitat. The 29,433-acre Sutherland Canyon Fire is 90 percent contained and the 8,458-acre Straight Hollow Fire is 90 percent contained. For the second day, minimal fire activity was observed and no increase in acreage was reported on either wildfire. Yesterday, firefighting personnel conducted patrol, mop up and repair operations. Repair work includes; building water bars to limit erosion on steep slopes, smoothing out berms from fireline construction, and repairing fences cut during fire suppression activities. Aircraft equipped with an infrared thermal imaging system flew over the fire area to detect and map any remaining heat sources. Fire managers lifted the temporary flight restriction in place over the fire area. A Washington DNR Engine assigned to the fire...

Spartan and Sutherland Canyon Fire Information: Saturday July 1, 2017 The fires are located in Chelan, Grant, and Douglas Counties. Ownership includes Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), and private lands, including critical Sage Grouse habitat. The 29,433-acre Sutherland Canyon Fire is 74 percent contained and the 8,458-acre Straight Hollow Fire is 75 percent contained. The 8,730-acre Spartan Fire is 100 percent contained and was transferred back to local jurisdictions (Chelan Fire District 1 and Washington State DNR) at 6:00 am Saturday. This is the last update for the Spartan Fire from NW Team 11. Containment lines held on all three wildfires and no increase in acreage was reported yesterday. With a significant decrease in fire activity, fire management officials released many firefighting resources and will downsize the number of personnel to meet current and expected needs. Approximately 400 personnel worked...

On June 26, 2017, numerous grass fires were reported approximately 9-20 miles south of Wenatchee, WA. The fires are located in Chelan, Grant, and Douglas Counties. Ownership includes BLM, state, and private lands, including critical Sage Grouse habitat. Due to more accurate mapping and better visibility for aerial observations, the number of acres burned has been reduced, and it was discovered that the Sutherland Canyon and Straight Hollow fires did not burn together. They did however burn to within ¼ mile of each other. The Incident Command Post was moved to Quincy High School to be closer to the active parts of the wildfires. Fire: Sutherland Canyon FireContainment: 50%Acres: 29,433Location: 6 miles NW of Quincy, WA Fire: Straight Hollow FireContainment: 75%Acres: 8,458Location: 11 miles northwest of QuincySutherland Canyon and Straight Hollow fire Summary: Taking advantage of light winds and decreased fire activity, firefighters have been able to make good progress building and...

Grant County: All level 2 evacuation notices have been downgraded to level 1. Douglas County: Level 3 evacuations have been downgraded to a level 1 along the Palisades Road corridor beginning at the Highway 28 juncture. Chelan County: Level 1 evacuations are in place for the Spartan Fire along Colockum Road, Kingsbury Road, Moses Carr Road, Ingersoll Road, and Tarpiscan Road.

NEW level 2 evacuation notice now in effect for these locations:• From Baird Springs Road-NW and Road L-NW: north to Road 20-NW, south to top of Monument Hill and east to Sagebrush Flats Road.• Level 2 notice remains in effect for areas north and northeast of Quincy, but NOT the City of Quincy.Yesterday's level 2 evacuations for residents of NW edges of Quincy (Monument Hill) have been downgraded to a level 1. Level 2 evacuations indicate there is a significant risk to your area. The fire is moving closer to you. A mandatory evacuation order may be issued at any time. Now is the time to prepare for immediate evacuation. Residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the area, or, be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.Level 3 evacuations remain in place for the Sutherland Canyon Fire along the Palisades Road corridor beginning at the Highway 28 juncture. Level 2 evacuations are in place the Trinidad area along Mansfield Road. Shelter...

Due to the expanding nature and complexity of the Spartan and Sutherland Canyon fires, Northwest Team 11, a Type 2 Incident Management Team under the leadership of Nathan Rabe, was assigned and assumed management responsibilities of the wildfires at 6am Thursday June 29, 2017. These fires are burning in Chelan, Grant, and Douglas Counties across BLM, state, private and other lands. Thursday June 29, 2017 Fire: Sutherland Canyon Fire Containment: 20% Acres: 47,500 Start Date: June 26, 2017 Cause: Lightning Location: 15 miles S of East Wenatchee, WA Total Personnel: 275 Fuels/Topography: Grass, brushy fuels Sutherland Canyon Fire Summary: For the second day in a row, dry and gusty red flag conditions resulted in extreme fire growth in steep and rugged terrain. Both the Sutherland Canyon Fire and Straight Hollow Fire burned together with the east and southeast flanks of the fire being most active. Crews reported limited effectiveness of water and retardant drops due...

Evacuations: New Level 2 evacuations for residents of NW edges of Quincy (Monument Hill). Level 2 evacuations indicate there is a significant risk to your area. The fire is moving closer to you. A mandatory evacuation order may be issued at any time. Now is the time to prepare for immediate evacuation. Residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the area, or, be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Level 3 evacuations remain in place for the Sutherland Canyon Fire along the Palisades Road corridor beginning at the Highway 28 juncture. Level 2 evacuations are in place the Trinidad area along Mansfield Road. Shelter is available for evacuated residents at the Columbia Grove Covenant Church at 19 McElmurry Lane in East Wenatchee, WA. Shelter for pets is also available at the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society in Wenatchee, WA. Level 2 evacuation levels remain in place for the Spartan Fire along Colockum Road, Kingsbury Road, Moses Carr...

Evacuations: Level 3 evacuations are now in place for the Sutherland Canyon Fire along the Palisades Road corridor beginning at the Highway 28 juncture. Level 2 evacuations are in place the Trinidad area along Mansfield Road. Shelter is available for evacuated residents at the Columbia Grove Covenant Church at 19 McElmurry Lane in East Wenatchee, WA. Shelter for pets is also available at the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society in Wenatchee, WA. There are approximately 30 structures threatened. Level 2 evacuation levels remain in place for the Spartan Fire along Colockum Road, Kingsbury Road, Moses Carr Road, Ingersoll Road, and Tarpiscan Road. Level 2 means to be ready to leave in an instant. There are approximately 80 structures threatened in this area. There have been no reported loss or damages to structures. Closures: Traffic is limited to local traffic only beyond milepost 8 along the Alcoa/Malaga Highway. There are no other closures in place at this time for either the Spartan,...