InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Air Quality Forecast-NE Washington Regional Fires- Thursday September 17, 2015 Prepared by Carolyn Kelly (ckelly8384@gmail.com), Air Resource Advisor Trainee Smoke Summary: Today is expected to be cool and showery as rain comes through later in the morning. Steady rains early on and light showers if any later in the day can be expected along with cooling air coming through. Fire behavior will be minimal today. Extended Outlook: The trend of improved air quality over the NE region will continue. Friday will see the start of some dry air and warming through the weekend and more winds are expected Sunday as several weak weather disturbances pass through the region. ·Monitoring stations for Tonasket, Orient, and Kettle Falls have been shut down due to machine malfunction as of 09/10/2015.

The Naches Ranger District is planning to assist those recreationists who left their camps and belongings when instructed to evacuate from the Meeks Table Fire vicinity on September 12 -15 by arranging opportunities for affected people to be escorted into the Fire Closure Area to retrieve their belongings. Affected people can contact the Naches Ranger District at 509 653-1468 after 8:00 am on September 17 for more information and to confirm and schedule the timing, availability and meeting points for official escorts. There will be different instructions for those whose belongings are within the Forest Road 1500 (Bethel Ridge Road) area and those whose belongings are within the Forest Road 1600 Clover Springs area, due to the proximity of the fire and fire traffic. This is a limited opportunity to retrieve belongings from camps or vehicles near roads. It is not an opportunity to hike long distances to retrieve dispersed equipment. All entries into the closed area will be...

Tunk Block Fire: Firefighters continue to improve constructed fire line and mop-up in the large unburned “island” in Tunk Valley and in areas along the east side of the fire. Crews are continuing to mop up any remaining heat near containment lines. Both Fires (Tunk Block and North Star Fire): The Tunk Block and North Star Fires are both very large. The fires combined are approximately 600 square miles. That is equivalent to approximately one third the size of the Grand Canyon. It is approximately 600 miles from Seattle to Redding, California. Smoke will likely be visible as Interior pockets continue to smolder and burn. Crews are actively mapping the extensive network of dozer line on the fires perimeters and the external contingency lines built beyond the fire perimeters. Firefighters have completed suppression repair on four miles of dozer lines. The suppression repair effort will continue for several weeks. The Washington Wildfire Response 2015 Joint Task Force 15-011 will...

North Star Fire: Crews continue to mop-up hot areas around the fire perimeter. Additional efforts are occurring in the Nanamkin Creek area to hold the fireline that was recently completed in this area. Both Fires: The Tunk Block and North Star Fires are both very large. The fires combined are approximately 600 square miles. That is equivalent to approximately one third the size of the Grand Canyon. It is approximately 600 miles from Seattle to Redding, California. Smoke will likely be visible as Interior pockets continue to smolder and burn. Crews are actively mapping the extensive network of dozer line on the fires perimeters and the external contingency lines built beyond the fire perimeters. Firefighters have completed suppression repair on four miles of dozer lines. The suppression repair effort will continue for several weeks. The Washington Wildfire Response 2015 Joint Task Force 15-011 will be leaving the fires today and tomorrow. Agency Administrators and California...

Air Quality Forecast-NE Washington Regional Fires- Wednesday September 16, 2015 Prepared by Mark Fitch (mfitch@nps.gov), Air Resource Advisor & Carolyn Kelly (ckelly8384@gmail.com), Air Resource Advisor Trainee Smoke Summary: The passing cold front will continue to bring cooler temperatures and breezy conditions are expected to last through Thursday. Spotty showers are possible but most likely Wednesday night into Thursday. Interior islands and pockets will continue to smolder and burn for the next few weeks. Light smoke and haze can be expected around these areas. Although burnout operations are ongoing, a decrease in fire activity and an increase in cloud cover, cooler temperatures, and higher humidity levels will allow for most areas to expect good air quality into the weekend. Extended Outlook: Changing weather patterns and forecasted rain should lower fire activity leading to improved air quality over the NE region of Washington. Drier, fall-like conditions can be expected...

Air Quality Forecast-NE Washington Regional Fires- Wednesday September 16, 2015 Prepared by Mark Fitch (mfitch@nps.gov), Air Resource Advisor & Carolyn Kelly (ckelly8384@gmail.com), Air Resource Advisor Trainee Smoke Summary: The passing cold front will continue to bring cooler temperatures and breezy conditions are expected to last through Thursday. Spotty showers are possible but most likely Wednesday night into Thursday. Interior islands and pockets will continue to smolder and burn for the next few weeks. Light smoke and haze can be expected around these areas. Although burnout operations are ongoing, a decrease in fire activity and an increase in cloud cover, cooler temperatures, and higher humidity levels will allow for most areas to expect good air quality into the weekend. Extended Outlook: Changing weather patterns and forecasted rain should lower fire activity leading to improved air quality over the NE region of Washington. Drier, fall-like conditions can be expected...

Wolverine Información para el diá 16 de septiembre 2015 Con el pronóstico de lluvia en el valle y nieve en las cumbres (parte alta de las montañas), los gerentes de fuego están describiendo el clima de hoy como una oportunidad para ayudar a disminuir/controlar el fuego. Se esperan fuertes vientos del sur, junto con lluvias por la tarde con temperaturas en los 50’s para áreas altas y temperaturas en los 60’s en el valle. La precipitación (acumulación) puede llegar a medir hasta .50 pulgadas en las crestas. Se esperan dos pulgadas de nieve en áreas altas a 5.000 pies de altura. Sin embargo, se espera que los combustibles más grandes se mantengan relativamente secos. El total de personal combatiendo los incendios Wolverine y First Creek ha disminuido a 563 de 662. Tres helicópteros de tipo 1 están disponibles para distribución de agua, conforme sea necesario.Veinte grandes incendios se siguen quemando en Washington y Oregon, la mayoría haciendo progreso hacia...

Burn out operations help secure line on north side of fire. Nile, Wash. – Yesterday’s partly sunny weather was warming enough and the fuels were dry enough to enable a successful burn out operation across the northeast perimeter of the 1,024-acre Meeks Table fire. Although it added slightly to the size of a fire’s footprint, the controlled underburning connected and secured the fire containment line south of several minor forest roads. Those areas will begin mop up today. Incident containment is now 15%. Firefighters are expected to continue making good progress to contain the Meeks Table fire in cool, mostly cloudy weather today. Humidity will remain above 40% with a chance of rain showers in the afternoon. Light winds (4-8 mph) will be from the northwest in the morning and from the southeast in the afternoon. The fire will consume material within its interior, but will stay on the ground and is not expected to spread. Mop-up is also underway on the west side of the...

Información actualizada sobre el Incendio Okanogan Complex 16 de Septiembre 2015 – 9:00 a.m. Para información sobre los incendios: 877-568-0458 o 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM- 9:00 PM Tamaño: 133,142 acres Cálculo aproximado de costo a la fecha: $43.4 millón Contenimiento: 90 por ciento Heridos/Lesionados: 7 Total de Personal: 575 Residencias dañadas o destruidas: 120 Recursos Asignados: 11 cuadrillas, 36 camiones de bombero, 2 helicópteros, 8 excavadoras, 18 tanques de agua, 6 demoledores SITUACION ACTUAL DEL INCENDIO Los bomberos continúan supervisando el fuego cerca de Cabin Creek mientras se quema costa abajo hacia la calle Forest (FR) 42, donde se hará mantenimiento/limpieza preventiva. El resto del área del incendio se encuentra siendo patrullada y se lleva acabo mantenimiento/limpieza preventiva, mientras que el exceso de material y suministros están siendo recogidos y eliminados. Se está haciendo reparación a las líneas de contención...

Wednesday, September 16, 2015 Fire Update With rain in the valley and snow on the ridge tops forecast, fire managers are describing today’s weather as a season-slowing event. Strong southerly winds are anticipated, along with afternoon rain showers with higher elevation temperatures in the 50s and valley temperatures not climbing much above 60. Rainfall may measure up to .50 inches over the ridges. Two inches of snow is forecast down to 5,000 feet elevation. However, larger sized fuels are expected to remain relatively dry. Total fire staff on the Wolverine and First Creek fires has fallen to 563 from 662. Three type 1 helicopters are available for water drops as needed. In Washington and Oregon, 20 large fires are still burning with most moving toward containment. Today’s predicted weather has fire officials calling for crews to observe extra situational awareness as they go about repairing and hauling equipment off the fire line. As the rain falls, firefighters will be alert...

Kaniksu Complex—Tower Fire Idaho Panhandle and Colville National Forests and Washington DNR Kaniksu Type 3 Team — Tom Kennedy, Incident Commander September 16, 2015, 7:00 a.m. For Immediate Release: Diane Mann-Klager, 509-445-1868 towerfireinfo@gmail.com The Kaniksu Complex, which includes the Tower Fire and six smaller fires, has a total acreage of 26,044 acres as of 6 p.m. Sept.15, 2015. The entire perimeter is not identified as requiring containment line. Of that identified for containment, 100 percent of the work is complete. Parts of the Colville and Idaho Panhandle National Forests are still closed to the public for the safety of all. Law enforcement officers are patrolling closed areas and violators may be cited. Please check with local ranger districts for more information. Kaniksu Type 3 team is driving ahead to get the most work accomplished before weather sets in and prevents rehabilitation from being completed. Most of the Tuesday’s activity consisted of...

SUMMARYStickpin: 53,925 acres; 65% containedRenner: 13,771 acres; 75% containedGraves Mountain: 8,593 acres; 75% containedTotal: 76,289 acres; 68% contained Committed Resources: 27 Crews, 38 Engines, 2 Helicopters, 7 Dozers, 18 Water TendersTotal Personnel: 952Incident Summary: The Kettle Complex includes three fires – the Stickpin, Renner and Graves Mountain fires – burning south of the Canadian border, west of Highway 395, north of State Route 20 and east of Highway 21. Acreage on the three fires remains the same.Yesterday’s Operations: Crews made progress securing active fireline; however much of the work being done involved mop-up (systematically checking, digging up, extinguishing and rechecking secured fireline), backhaul (removing pumps, hose and other no-longer-needed equipment), and suppression repair (fixing areas damaged by firefighting activities, including bulldozer lines, saw lines and safety zones). Cool weather and minimal fire behavior was observed throughout...

“Our crews are in the process of completing fire line suppression repair of hand lines, dozer lines, and roads in the fire area”, said Incident Commander Bob Allbee. “I am very pleased with the way the work is progressing. We hope to get most, if not all, of the repair done before we get any heavy rains.” A change to fall like conditions will be with the fire through the next few days. A deep low pressure system over the Pacific Northwest will result in cooler than normal temperatures, much higher relative humidity, and gusty/breezy winds at times. There is also a good chance for a wetting rain Wednesday night through mid-day Thursday. There will be a break in the weather Friday and Saturday with only slightly warmer temperatures. Another weather system will move into the region Sunday and Monday. The suppression repair work will continue to be the focused in the McFarland Creek area. Suppression repair includes damage repair to roads and fire lines. Crews will continue...

Tunk Block Fire: Firefighters continue to improve constructed fire line and mop-up in the large unburned “island” in Tunk Valley and in areas along the east side of the fire. These efforts will continue over the next day or two. Crews are continuing to mop up any remaining heat near containment lines. Both Fires (North Star Fire and Tunk Block Complex): The Tunk Block and North Star Fires are both very large. The fires combined are approximately 600 square miles. That is equivalent to approximately 10 percent of the area in Okanogan County or 25 percent of the area in Ferry County. It is approximately 510 miles from Republic to Boise, ID. Smoke will likely be visible as Interior islands and pockets continue to smolder and burn for the next several weeks. Crews are actively mapping the extensive network of dozer line on the fires perimeters and the external contingency line built beyond the fire perimeters. Four miles of suppression repair of dozer firelines has been completed....

Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire remains at 63,972 acres and 95% containment. Tuesday’s weather was partly cloudy and cool. Today is anticipated to be very similar until later in the day when rain showers are expected to develop. These showers are forecast to intensify and develop into a wetting rain spanning into Thursday. The laborious task of identifying remaining hidden heat sources near the containment lines is nearing completion. Trained infrared sensor operators are expected to have the entire perimeter monitored within the next two days. The data from their work aids firefighters in extinguishing hot spots and securing containment lines. Field scouts are actively searching the fire’s interior for additional damaged structures and early fire lines that were subsequently abandoned as they were burned over. The structures will be added to the damage assessment and the fire lines will be evaluated for repair needs. Heavy equipment and hand crews continue to do...

North Star Fire: The crews inserted by helicopter on the top of the cliffs east of Highway 21 near Bear Creek completed construction of the direct line. Firefighters continue to mop-up hot areas around the fire perimeter. Both Fires (North Star Fire and Tunk Block Complex): The Tunk Block and North Star Fires are both very large. The fires combined are approximately 600 square miles. That is equivalent to approximately 10 percent of the area in Okanogan County or 25 percent of the area in Ferry County. It is approximately 510 miles from Republic to Boise, ID. Smoke will likely be visible as Interior islands and pockets continue to smolder and burn for the next several weeks. Crews are actively mapping the extensive network of dozer line on the fires perimeters and the external contingency line built beyond the fire perimeters. Four miles of suppression repair of dozer firelines has been completed. These efforts will continue for several weeks. A night shift will be patrolling the...

Okanogan Complex Fire Update September 16, 2015, 9:00 AM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Size: 133,142 acres Estimated Cost to Date: $43.4 million Containment: 90 percent Injuries: 7 Total Personnel: 575 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 120 Committed Resources: 11 crews, 36 engines, 2 helicopters, 8 dozers, 18 water tenders, 6 masticators CURRENT FIRE SITUATION Firefighters continue to monitor the fire near Cabin Creek as it burns downslope toward Forest Road (FR) 42, where it will be mopped up. The remainder of the fire area is in patrol and mop up status, while excess equipment and supplies are being picked up and removed. Suppression repair is occurring wherever appropriate, while fire personnel continue searching for uninventoried dozer lines. WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR Today, heavy cloud cover will predominate over the fire area, with temperatures in the sixties in the valley and fifties above 5,000 feet in...

Información actualizada sobre el Incendio Okanogan Complex 15 de Septiembre 2015 – 9:00 a.m. Para información sobre los incendios: 877-568-0458 o 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM- 9:00 PM Tamaño: 133,142 acres Cálculo aproximado de costo a la fecha: $42.5 millón Contención: 90 por ciento Heridos/Lesionados: 7 Total de Personal: 564 Residencias dañadas o destruidas: 120 Recursos Asignados: 10 cuadrillas, 35 camiones de bombero, 3 helicópteros, 8 excavadoras, 19 tanques de agua, 5 demoledores SITUACION ACTUAL DEL INCENDIO Ayer, los bomberos no llevaron a cabo operaciones de quema defensivas por la calle Forest (FR) 42. Se está permitiendo que el fuego se extinga por si solo costa abajo hasta la carretera. Para mantener acceso a lo largo de la calle Forest, cuadrillas de tala (cortar árbol del tronco) continúan cortando arboles debilitados por el fuego. Las áreas restantes que necesitan mantenimiento/limpieza preventiva son principalmente al norte de la...

Información para el diá 15 de septiembre 2015 - Final El día de hoy, los bomberos están completando la línea indirecta en la zona Three Creek, un afluente (desemboca) al río Entiat. Esta ubicación es la parte más activa del incendio Wolverine. Además de terrenos muy empinados y escabrosos (montañoso), los equipos se enfrentan el desafío adicional de más clima frío y húmedo, menos horas de luz del día, y la mayor presencia de osos. No obstante, en algunas zonas, los bomberos están recogiendo pompas y manguera. Las estructuras que estaban envueltas con un material especial para refugio contra fuego están siendo desenvueltas. Pompas, mangueras y otras "tuberías de agua" establecidas alrededor de las estructuras están siendo recogidas. Material para combatir el incendio que está establecido en el área de Lake Chelan ha sido o está siendo devuelto por barco. Está en proceso la reparación de las líneas de contención. Los bordos de tierra se retiraron, y se...

Air Quality Forecast-NE Washington Regional Fires- Tuesday September 15, 2015 Prepared by Mark Fitch (mfitch@nps.gov), Air Resource Advisor & Carolyn Kelly (ckelly8384@gmail.com), Air Resource Advisor Trainee Smoke Summary: The passing cold front will continue to bring cooler temperatures and breezy conditions are expected to last through Thursday. Spotty showers are possible but most likely Wednesday night into Thursday. Cool and showery conditions can be expected through the week. Burn out operations are ongoing. Interior islands and pockets will continue to smolder and burn for the next few weeks. Light smoke and haze can be expected around these areas. Air quality will range anywhere from good to unhealthy for sensitive groups in the morning hours, improving in late afternoon to early evening. Extended Outlook: Changing weather patterns and forecasted rain should lower fire activity leading to improved air quality over the NE region of Washington. Drier, fall-like...