InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Cayuse Mountain Fire Information August 30, 2016, 11 am NW Incident Management Team (IMT) 9, Brian Goff, Incident Commander Start date: Aug. 21, 2016 Current Size: 18,116 acres Percent Containment: 85% Structures lost: 14 houses, 9 other structures Location: Wellpinit, WA on the Spokane Indian Reservation The Cayuse Mountain Fire is now 85% contained. There has been a slight decrease in the size of the fire, due to better mapping. Currently, 289 personnel are assigned to the fire. Yesterday, firefighters continued to make good progress securing containment lines, mopping up around residences, and rehabilitating dozer and hand lines in the interior of the fire. Today, firefighters will continue this work and will also focus on reducing heat near a large unburned island in the interior of the fire near Matthews Lake. There is a slight chance of dry thunderstorms in the area today. Tomorrow morning, a Type 3 team led by Incident Commander Roger Brandom will take over...

Olympic National Park Fire Update Tuesday, August 30, 2016 Fire Information (360) 797-56778:00am-6:00pm Upcoming Weather Will Likely Decrease Fire ActivityMonday’s sunny weather allowed flights to resume for resupplying and moving fire crews after days of being unable to fly due to heavy smoke and cloud cover. With Tuesday’s weather, decreased fire activity is likely on the Hayes, Godkin and Ignar Creek fires. Tuesday temperatures are expected to reach the mid to upper 50’s with minimum relative humidity of 65% and winds out of the southwest from 5 to 9 mph. Fire activity is expected to continue to decrease as waves of cool, moist air arrive over the area throughout the week. Rain is forecasted Tuesday night into Wednesday and then scattered showers through Saturday. Light winds overnight may allow smoke to once again settle into the lower valley’s surrounding the park. The Ignar Creek fire remains south of the Quinault River about 1/2 mile from Upper O’Neil Creek. The...

LEAVENWORTH – After three days of firefighting, the Suncrest Fire is now 50 percent contained. Much of the success is attributed to aggressive initial attack resources, hot shot crews and heavy use of aircraft. Acreage figures have been reduced, taking unburned areas, such as orchards, into account. Operational concerns for today include increased traffic in the area as the Cascade School District opens the school year. As fire activity has decreased, structural protection firefighters from local fire districts activated by a state mobilization are being sent home, and one helicopter has been released. Fire commanders anticipate the fire will be fully contained by the end of shift Thursday, Sept. 1. As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30, the Chelan County Sheriff’s Office is reducing evacuation levels from Level 3 to Level 2 for homes north of North Road between Nibbelink and Fox roads. Roadblocks will remain at Fox and Nibbelink roads until further notice. A community meeting...

Cayuse Mountain Fire InformationAugust 29, 2016, 11 am NW Incident Management Team (IMT) 9, Brian Goff, Incident Commander Start date: Aug. 21, 2016 Current Size: 18,417 acres Percent Containment: 75% Structures lost: 14 houses, 9 other structures Location: Wellpinit, WA on the Spokane Indian Reservation The Cayuse Mountain Fire is now 75% contained. Yesterday, firefighters made good progress securing containment lines and mopping up toward the interior of the fire. There was no growth in the size of the fire area. Today, firefighters will continue to mop up and strengthen lines around the fire perimeter. In the interior of the fire, dozer and hand lines will be rehabilitated to reduce their impacts. Currently, 422 personnel are assigned to the fire. Fire behavior is expected to be mostly creeping and smoldering; fire is still making its way through the previously un-burned islands within the fire perimeter. A low pressure system approaching from the west coast will increase...

Olympic National Park Fire Update Monday, August 29, 2016Fire Information (360) 797-5677 8:00am-6:00pm Cooler, Moist Weather Arrived Sunday Sunday’s cool and damp weather reduced fire activity to smoldering on all four fires. The marine layer and associated rain showers brought low level clouds into the valleys of the park. The cloud cover mixing with residual smoke prevented all helicopter operations Sunday. Monday’s short lived sunny weather will allow flights to resume for resupplying and moving fire crews. With Monday’s warm weather there is the probability of some increased fire activity on the Hayes, Godkin and Ignar Creek fires. Monday temperatures are expected to reach the mid 60’s with minimum relative humidity of 47% and winds out of the southwest to 9 mph. Fire activity is expected to decrease as waves of cool moist air arrive over the area throughout the week. Rain is expected Tuesday night into Wednesday and then scattered showers through Saturday. Forecasted...

LEAVENWORTH – The Suncrest Fire two miles east of the city is 35 percent contained at 496 acres as crews enter the fire’s third day. Cause of the fire remains under investigation. It has progressed to the north, away from homes, through heavy timber and steep hills. The Type 2 Northwest Incident Management Team 12 assumed control of fire operations Monday morning, taking over for the Type 3 multiagency incident management team led by Chelan County Fire District 3, the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Forest Service. More than 300 firefighters are fighting the Suncrest fire with the goal of keeping the fire within its current footprint to protect private property and residences. A public meeting about the fire will be at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30 at the FD 3 Fire Station, 228 Chumstick Hwy, Leavenworth, WA 98826 Burnout operations overnight by crews were successful in strengthening portions of the fire line. Smoke from the burnouts and the fire...

SPOKANE – On Sunday, firefighters continued to focus efforts on mop-up activities, suppression repair and pulling equipment off the fire lines. The Wellesley Fire is 100% contained and is expected to stay within its perimeters. The Yale Fire is 99% contained – a 4% percent increase from yesterday with minimal fire activity. Smoke will continue to be visible for several days, however local fire units continue to patrol and monitor the fire lines.Additional fire resources, including aviation units, were released on Sunday and will continue to be released throughout Monday to return to their home units or other fires. On Tuesday at 6:00 a.m., operations will officially transfer to local fire districts and the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. The remainder of Northwest Incident Management Team 11 will be released. Today will be the last update.There are no evacuations. Please check with the Spokane County Sheriff or Spokane Emergency Management...

Residents of the Leavenworth area may notice some increased fire activity and smoke Sunday night as overnight crews will burn off unburned areas of the fire that are unsafe to send firefighters into.

Evacuations: Level 3 (Go) for 100 homes north of North Rd between Anderson Canyon and Fox roads. Level 2 (Get Ready) for some 60 homes south of North Road. Level 1 (Get Ready) for town of Peshastin, west to Anderson Rd and Alpine View

All evacuation levels have been lifted on the Deep North fire. Residents are asked to still be aware that firefighters will continue to be working on the fire and stay alert of fire

Cayuse Mountain Fire Information August 28, 2016, 10 am NW Incident Management Team (IMT) 9, Brian Goff, Incident Commander Start date: Aug. 21, 2016 Current Size: 18,417 acres Percent Containment: 65% Structures lost: 14 houses, 9 other structures Location: Wellpinit, WA on the Spokane Indian Reservation The Cayuse Mountain Fire perimeter did not grow yesterday during Red Flag conditions with low humidity and high winds. However, there were smoky conditions. Firefighters continued to strengthen lines around the fire perimeter and will continue that work today. Also yesterday, a structure group of engines provided point protection around residences and other structures. Today, firefighters will continue to mop up and strengthen lines and continue rehabilitation to minimize impacts of dozer lines. Currently, 468 personnel are assigned to the fire. Because of that progress, the Spokane Indian Tribe has determined: · Evacuation levels have been downgraded. Level 3...

Areas previously classified as Evacuation Level 3 have been lowered to Evacuation Level 2 ("SET") and areas that were previously Evacuation Level 2 are now Level 1 ("READY"). No changes have been made to road closures. The Spokane Tribal Pow Wow is take place as planned (Labor Day Weekend).Schools in Wellpinit, WA will open on Monday, August 28

Olympic National Park Fire Update Sunday, August 28, 2016 NEW FIRE INFORMATION NUMBER 360-797-5677 Obstruction Point Road Reopens Sunday at Noon Following a few days of minimal fire activity on the Cox Valley fire, fire managers are reopening the Obstruction Point road effective Sunday. Closures still in effect are the Elwha River Trail from the Hayes River Ranger Station south to Chicago Camp and the Hayen Pass Trail from Dose Meadows west to the Elwha River Trail for safety reasons. The Elwha River road remains closed at the Madison Falls trailhead, as flood damage repair work continues following winter floodingCooler Moist Weather Reduces Fire ActivityGodkin, Hayes and the Cox Valley fires were much less active on Saturday with little growth but continued to produce moderate smoke throughout the day. Smoke was less evident in the low land valleys surrounding the park throughout Saturday. The Ignar Creek Fire burning within the Quinault River basin, experienced moderate...

Deep North Fire UPDATE Sunday August 28, 2016 9:00 AM Fire Information: 360-480-2700 http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4977/ email: deepnorthfire2016@gmail.com Incident Summary: The Deep North Fire is currently burning approximately eight miles southeast of the town of Northport, Washington, on the hillsides above Deep Lake in Stevens County. The fire was reported to have started at approximately 2:30 pm on August 21, 2016 and is burning in heavy brush and Douglas fir tree stands. Establishing containment has been challenging for fire resources due to steep terrain and limited accessibility to the fire lines. This issue is being addressed by the addition of Hotshot and Type 2 Initial Attack crews in these areas. Planned Actions Today: Public and firefighter safety will continue to be the top priority. The predicted high winds associated with the cold front that came in overnight lead to minimal growth on the fire. The predicted strong winds stayed south of the...

Sunday, August 28, 2016 7:00 a.m. Fire managers brief community members on Buck Creek and Saul fires; Firefighters support new wildfire Leavenworth, WA – Saturday morning, fire managers from the Buck Creek/Saul Fire Complex talked with approximately 40 people about the goals of managing both fires and answered questions from concerned community members. However that afternoon, a fast moving wildfire broke out in the Fox Road area of Leavenworth and quickly became the focal point of both the public and fire resources. To support this immediate threat to life and safety, Wenatchee River Ranger District Crew 74 halted fire preparation work along the Chiwawa River Road and were transferred to assist with the Suncrest Fire. USFS Engine 373 was called in to help from the Wenatchee River Ranger Station. “We are fully ready to support firefighting efforts in Leavenworth,” said Buck Creek Fire Incident Commander Trainee Jon Tepley. “Our advanced work on the Buck Creek Fire...

SPOKANE - Yesterday firefighters focused efforts on mop-up activities and improving the fire lines during windy conditions for both the Wellesley and Yale fires. Today crews are focused on suppression repair and pulling equipment off the fire lines. The Wellesley Fire is 100% contained and is expected to stay within its perimeters. The Yale Fire is 95% contained – a 10% percent increase from yesterday. Today’s operations continue to focus on mop-up activities such as making sure hot spots are put out, removing unburnt fuel and securing burned out areas. Minimal fire activity is expected. Yesterday’s red flag warning was a good test for the fire containment lines. A new fire started south of the Yale incident early Saturday afternoon, but local fire districts were quick to extinguish the fire. A number of fire resources are being released and returning to their home units or other fires. Tomorrow will be the last update as Northwest Incident Management Team 11 wraps up work and...

Hart Fire Update - Final 8/28/2016 7:00 a.m. PT Fire Information: (509) 685-6900 Location –The Hart Fire is located 13 miles north of Davenport, WA and south of the Spokane River. The Incident Command Post is located at the Davenport Middle School. Yesterday’s Operations – All fire lines held through the wind event that occurred in the area. Mop-up continued on perimeter lines and near structures. Fire behavior was minimal again yesterday. Today’s Operations – Firefighters will continue to patrol along fire lines and near structures and will utilize infrared imaging devices to identify any residual heat near structures. Firefighters will continue fire line repair and rehabilitation work to limit future erosion. Weather and Fire Behavior – The Red Flag Warning expired yesterday evening. Today’s weather will be slightly cooler, with minimum relative humidity near 20%. Fire behavior is expected to be minimal. Evacuations and Closures –The entire fire area...

Valley Chapel Road is now open to all

Cayuse Mountain Fire Information August 27, 2016, 12 pm NW Incident Management Team (IMT) 9, Brian Goff, Incident Commander Start date: Aug. 21, 2016 Current Size: 18,417 acres Percent Containment: 60% Structures lost: 14 houses, 9 other structures Location: Wellpinit, WA on the Spokane Indian Reservation The Cayuse Mountain Fire is now 60% contained and remains at 18,417 acres. Yesterday, firefighters continued to strengthen lines around the fire perimeter, and also completed construction of a contingency line between the fire and Wellpinit. The contingency line will provide an opportunity to safely stop the fire progression if it escapes the current perimeter and advances towards Wellpinit. A red flag warning has been issued for today. Southwest winds could produce gusts up to 30 mph on the ridgetops, humidity may reach the teens. An Incident Meteorologist from the National Weather Service has been assigned to the fire to provide ongoing fire weather forecasts. A...

Olympic National Park Fire Update Saturday, August 27, 2016 Warm Dry Weather Produces Increased Fire Activity Godkin and Hayes Fires were much less active on Friday but continued to produce moderate smoke throughout the day. The smoke stagnated from Thursday’s activity within the Elwha Valley, Lake Sutherland and Lake Crescent areas, lifting late in the afternoon on Friday. The Ignar Creek Fire saw increased fire activity and grew to 30 acres by the end of Friday with active burning throughout the night. The Cox Valley Fire produced a small amount of visible smoke throughout the day and is holding at 57 acres. Fire activity is expected to decrease today due to an onshore flow producing higher relative humidity, cooler temperatures, and decreased winds. Temperatures are expected to reach lower 70-s with relative humidity at 34-64% and winds out of the west up to 9 mph. Smoke is likely to be transported to the east from predicted west winds.Structure Protection Continues With...