InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

See Closure Maps under Maps section COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST Three Rivers Ranger District Kettle Falls, Washington Order No. 15-21-15 FOREST ORDER Special Order Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b) the following acts are prohibited on designated portions of National Forest System land and trails within the boundary shown on the attached map, on the Three Rivers Ranger District of the Colville National Forest. 1. To go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection of public health or safety. For the purpose of this order, it is prohibited to occupy or be upon National Forest System lands north of 6110000-2030000 South Fork of Boulder Creek roads to the Canadian border, west of highway 395 and East of State Route 2l(Curlew Highway) and the Southern section North of State Route 20 (Sherman Pass Highway, west of 2000220 (Lane Creek road) east of the 2000450 (Graves Mountain Road and South of the 9565000 (Deadman...

Oregon Incident Management Team #1 took over command of this incident Sunday September 20th, at 1800. It is anticipated that command will be transferred to a Type 4 team on Sunday September 27th. At this morning’s briefing, IC Shawn Sheldon said that we still have a few days of hard work left before leaving this fire to the next team. Let’s not get complacent in our actions, and finish with a great safety record, along with leaving the complex in good shape for our fellow firefighters. Crews will continue in their efforts to finish the rehabilitation of the fires. There is still, chipping, back hauling of equipment, and road repair going on in numerous divisions. By Saturday plans are to have all but 3 divisions of the fire be in patrol status. Weather will be partly sunny today. Temperatures will range from 57-76 degrees on various areas of the fires. Minimum RHs will be in the 29-35% range. Winds will be out of the South at 8-12 mph, with gusts to 18 on the ridgetops....

Tunk Block Fire: Suppression repair is nearing completion and most of it will likely be completed this weekend. It has been the primary activity occurring on the Tunk Block Fire over the last several days. These activities seek to mitigate resource concerns caused by fireline construction and the use of roads to access the fire. As much as possible, fire and land managers want to restore the roads and areas where firelines were constructed to pre-fire conditions. This work is specifically designed to minimize sediment delivery into streams and rivers and minimize gully and surface erosion. Approximately 187 miles of suppression repair have been completed on the Tunk Block Fire. Weather: The weather is predicted to remain cool and dry today. There is a chance of gusty winds in the afternoon ahead of a cold front that may pass through the fire area on Friday morning. Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests have closures encompassing the entire fire areas and...

North Star Fire: Fire crews have been focusing their activities on suppression repair. The suppression repair is in full swing and good progress has been made over the last several days. Approximately 283 miles of suppression repair have been completed on the North Star Fire. Most of the suppression repair should be completed by Sunday. Weather: The weather is predicted to remain cool and dry today. There is a chance of gusty winds in the afternoon ahead of a cold front that may pass through the fire area on Friday morning. Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests have closures encompassing the entire fire areas and adjacent forested areas. Other areas outside of the burned areas remain open to recreation, hunting and woodcutting. Colville Indian Reservation forest and recreational areas within the fires are closed. See the maps at http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3854418.pdf and http://tinyurl.com/OkaWen-Closure-Map for more specific...

Winthrop, WA—Command of the McFarland/Black Canyon Fire was transferred to a Type 3 Incident Management Team operating out of the Methow Valley Ranger District in Winthrop, Washington on Monday. About 70 firefighters continue working on the Black Canyon Fire, which is contained on all flanks except along St. Luise Creek. While fire growth is minimal, smoke will be visible as the fire continues finding pockets of vegetation that are receptive to burning in the afternoon when weather conditions are drier and warmer. “Heavier traffic will continue to be present on the roads in the Gold Creek area in the mornings and evenings,” said Chad Bresnahan, Incident Commander. “We know this is an impact to residents and appreciate the extra caution and patience.” Fire camp has been closed down and logistical support, such as food and sleeping arrangements, is being provided out of the local community restaurants, grocery stores and lodging facilities. Those firefighters who remain...

Oregon Incident Management Team #1 took over command of this incident Sunday September 20th, at 1800. Incident Commander Shawn Sheldon said at briefing this morning, that the main focus of the job right now is suppression repair. We need to restore the forest as close as possible to the same condition as prior to the fire. This involves in part, repairing or removing, bulldozer lines, hand lines, safety zones, brush piles, and snags where appropriate. The fire has the capacity to weaken trees, both internally by burning inside the trunk, which hollows them out which isn’t readily visible, and reducing and loosening their root systems. With any wind or rainfall, the likely hood of them coming down increases. Trees along the roadways are being evaluated daily, for public and firefighter safety. There will be a meeting tonight to discuss when and what areas around the fires can be reopened. The USFS realizes how dependent the local people are, to their firewood cutting, to heat...

Tunk Block Fire: Suppression repair is progressing and is the primary focus of activities on the Tunk Block Fire. These activities seek to mitigate resource concerns caused by fireline construction and the use of roads to access the fire. As much as possible, fire and land managers want to restore the roads and areas where firelines were constructed to pre-fire conditions. This work is specifically designed to minimize sediment delivery into streams and rivers and minimize gully and surface erosion. Approximately 187 miles of suppression repair have been completed on the Tunk Block Fire. Weather: The weather is predicted to remain cool and dry with light winds today and tomorrow. Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests have closures encompassing the entire fire areas and adjacent forested areas. Other areas outside of the burned areas remain open to recreation, hunting and woodcutting. Colville Indian Reservation forest and recreational areas within the fires...

North Star Fire: Like the Tunk Block Fire, crews are focusing their activities on suppression repair. The suppression repair is in full swing and good progress has been made over the last several days. Approximately 243 miles of suppression repair have been completed on the North Star Fire. Weather: The weather is predicted to remain cool and dry with light winds today and tomorrow. Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests have closures encompassing the entire fire areas and adjacent forested areas. Other areas outside of the burned areas remain open to recreation, hunting and woodcutting. Colville Indian Reservation forest and recreational areas within the fires are closed. See the maps at http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3854418.pdf and http://tinyurl.com/OkaWen-Closure-Map for more specific information. Donation Information: The Long Term Recovery Group is accepting donations to benefit anyone affected by the Eastern Washington fires....

An interactive closure map for emergency fire closures is online

Fire Closure Areas Reduced on Entiat and Chelan Ranger DistrictsAn interactive map for emergency fire closures is online [HERE].Effective September 17, wildfire closures on the Entiat and Chelan Ranger Districts of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest were reduced, allowing additional recreation and hunting access on both ranger districts.The closure reduction was ordered because of decreased risk to public and firefighter safety in select areas. “People should be aware, while they are out recreating, they may see smoke coming from the fire area. There are islands of unburned fuels that will continue to burn through the fall,” said Acting Entiat District Ranger Randy Whitehall. “The fire perimeters are holding and have not moved significantly in several days. However, if the fire does start moving and threatening public safety, we will increase the closure area again,” he said. The Entiat River Road is open to the gate one mile past Silver Falls Campground, which has...

Fire Closure Areas Reduced on Entiat and Chelan Ranger DistrictsEffective September 17, wildfire closures on the Entiat and Chelan Ranger Districts of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest were reduced, allowing additional recreation and hunting access on both ranger districts.The closure reduction was ordered because of decreased risk to public and firefighter safety in select areas. “People should be aware, while they are out recreating, they may see smoke coming from the fire area. There are islands of unburned fuels that will continue to burn through the fall,” said Acting Entiat District Ranger Randy Whitehall. “The fire perimeters are holding and have not moved significantly in several days. However, if the fire does start moving and threatening public safety, we will increase the closure area again,” he said.The Entiat River Road is open to the gate one mile past Silver Falls Campground, which has reopened. National Forest lands east of the Entiat River Road are open...

The Forest Supervisor on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest issued an area closure order for the Chelan-Entiat areas because of wildfire danger. See related order for

The Echo Ridge Summer Trails area on the Chelan Ranger District was closed to access because of wildfire danger. See map for details.

On September 17 the Forest Supervisor on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest issued an area closure for the Wolverine Fire. See related closure order and map for details.

WENATCHEE, WA - Team members this week have made field trips to assess values at risk across burned areas. BAER specialists are collecting soil severity data on the Twisp River and First Creek fires, while some work remains to be finished on the Wolverine Fire. Team members expect to begin work on the Black Canyon and Lime Belt fires later this week. "It's all important," says team leader Greg Kuyumjian, "but some of it we will do first."Yesterday team members compiled data and classified values at risk for the First Creek and Wolverine fires, and they're working on modeling for the burned areas.

Oregon Incident Management Team #1 took over command of this incident Sunday September 20th, at 1800. The message of the day was, continue to keep doing the great job you have been doing, and don’t become complacent in your thoughts towards safety. It has been a long fire season, and as fatigue sets in, so do accidents. Watch out for yourself, and others, and also continue to treat each other with respect. Continued progress was made yesterday on all areas of the fire, from establishing more containment lines, to burning small brush piles that have been created during the suppression aspects of the job. The larger piles are being inventoried and covered with plastic, to be burnt next spring. Roads are continuing to be evaluated, along with chipping to clear debris. Some seeding is being done, in attempts to reestablish the area to its prior condition. Today the weather should be sunny, cooler, and drier. Temperatures will be in the 50’s to 70’s range, depending on...

Tunk Block Fire: Suppression repair is progressing and is the primary focus of activities on the Tunk Block Fire. These activities seek to mitigate resource concerns caused by fireline construction and the use of roads to access the fire. As much as possible, fire and land managers want to restore the roads and areas where firelines were constructed to pre-fire conditions. This work is specifically designed to minimize sediment delivery into streams and rivers and minimize gully and surface erosion. Approximately 160 miles of suppression repair have been completed on the Tunk Block Fire. Weather: The weather is predicted to remain cool and dry with light winds today and the next couple of days. Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests have closures encompassing the entire fire areas and adjacent forested areas. Other areas outside of the burned areas remain open to recreation, hunting and woodcutting. Colville Indian Reservation forest and recreational areas...

North Star Fire: Like the Tunk Block Fire, crews are focusing their activities on suppression repair. The suppression repair is in full swing and good progress has been made over the last several days. Approximately 240 miles of suppression repair have been completed on the North Star Fire. Weather: The weather is predicted to remain cool and dry with light winds today and the next couple of days. Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests have closures encompassing the entire fire areas and adjacent forested areas. Other areas outside of the burned areas remain open to recreation, hunting and woodcutting. Colville Indian Reservation forest and recreational areas within the fires are closed. See the maps at http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprd3854418.pdf and http://tinyurl.com/OkaWen-Closure-Map for more specific information. Donation Information: The Long Term Recovery Group is accepting donations to benefit anyone affected by the Eastern...

BAER Team Assembled: Central Washington Fires WENATCHEE, WA – An interagency Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team led by Greg Kuyumjian has been assembled in Wenatchee to conduct assessments of National Forest lands affected by the First Creek, Wolverine, Black Canyon, Twisp River, and Limebelt fires that burned in central Washington this summer. The 16-member interagency team includes hydrologists, soil scientists, biologists, geologists, and geographic information specialists. Team members and other contributors include resource specialists from the Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geologic Survey, and State of Washington. The BAER team gathers data about fire progression and burned fuels, and incorporates remote sensing imagery to compile its assessment. The team then conducts field surveys to evaluate soil burn...

WHAT IS BAER?Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) is the initial assessment and planned response to immediate protection needs after a wildfire. Program goals include protecting life, property, and natural or cultural resources. BAER is an emergency program for stabilization work that’s needed before the first damaging storms after a fire, focused on the following objectives:· Assess imminent post-wildfire threats to human life and safety, property, and critical natural or cultural resources on National Forest System (NFS) lands. · Identify emergency conditions and plan actions to manage unacceptable risks. · Initiate emergency responses to stabilize soils and to control water, sediment, and debris movement. · Manage risk to critical resources when actions will substantially reduce risks within the first year after a fire’s containment. · Monitor implementation and effectiveness of emergency treatments. In 2003 the Wildland Fire Leadership...