InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Fire Update – September 13, 2015 8:00 a.m. (PT) North Star and Tunk Block Fire Information 509-826-7140 North Star Fire: Firefighters conducted a small burnout operation east of Cornell Butte to remove remaining ground fuels near containment lines. With this operation complete crews will work to remove any remaining heat near control lines. Efforts were successful to complete direct line on the fire’s edge southwest of Cornell Butte. Excellent progress was made at establishing both direct and indirect line north and south of Barrett Butte on the fire’s western flank. Other crews were inserted by helicopter on the top of the cliffs east of Highway 21 to construct direct line. Suppression repair plans for the fire area are being prepared. Weather: The weather is expected to be cooler yet dry Sunday with increased winds as the result of several passing cold fronts tonight and again on Sunday evening. Light winds will test containment lines and could help firefighters find...

Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 3 invites the public to tour the Incident Command Post located at the Fruitland Bible Camp Sunday, September 13 at 2:00 pm. The tour will include an overview of incident management system and the operation of a fire camp. The camp is located at the junction of West End and Mudgett Lake Roads off of SR 25 south of Fruitland, Washington. Follow the Tour Parking signs to the parking area south of West End Road. Please wear sturdy shoes and bring a hat.

A guided tour of the Incident Command Post at Fruitland Bible Camp will be offered to the public Sunday at 2:00 pm. Guests will learn about the Incident Command System and the functions of an Incident Management Team during large incidents. Please wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for touring in the sun. Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire acres have been reduced to 63,972 due to more accurate mapping and is 90% contained. For an incident to be declared 100% contained, the fire managers’ confidence level must be very high all perimeters lines will hold during a high heat and/or significant wind event. Today’s temperature of 91 degrees, gusts of winds to 15 mph and relative humidity at 17% tested containment lines on the Carpenter Road Fire; all lines held. The higher temperatures forecasted for the weekend across the Pacific Northwest could create conditions for increased fire behavior in existing wildfires and any new fire starts. Crews and heavy equipment used this...

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For the Spanish version of today's update, click on the link (right) under "related

For the Spanish version of today's update, click on the link (right) under "related

September 12, 2015, 9:00 AM Okanogan Complex Fire Update Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Size: 132,682 acres Estimated Cost to Date: $38 million Containment: 85 percent Injuries: 7 Total Personnel: 982 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 120 Committed Resources: 19 crews, 41 engines, 5 helicopters, 7 dozers, 19 water tenders, 2 skidgines, 13 masticators Today will be the last day of hot, dry weather over the fire area before a dry cold front moves in this evening. The high temperature range today will be from the mid-70s to mid-90s. The minimum relative humidity will be from 13 to 20 percent. The fire was moderately active yesterday as unburned pockets of fuel in the fire’s interior burned and produced smoke visible to residents in surrounding communities. The same fire behavior can be expected today. Firelines remain secure, and the fire does not pose a threat to structures or communities near the perimeter. Smoke from Canadian fires might be...

Información para el diá 12 septiembre 2015 Con el pronóstico del tiempo caliente, seco e inestable para hoy, recreacionistas, los cazadores y los cortadores de leña se les piden tener cuidado extremo y observar cierres forestales durante el fin de semana. Los gerentes del fuego también están pidiendo al público que no se alarman si ven en ocasional humo. Las áreas del fuego activas serán patrulladas hoy por cuadrillas, caminos de bomberos, buldóceres, tanques de agua, y helicópteros. Wolverine: El incendio Wolverine creció 185 acres ayer, según lo medido por la tecnología de infrarrojos durante la noche. La mayor parte de ese crecimiento ocurrió en las áreas de los drenajes de Three Creek y Shetipo Creek pero el incendio no se movió. Los bomberos estarán observando por la tarde el cambio de dirección del viento que podría intensificar el encendio en los drenajes. First Creek: La reparación de las líneas de fuego para minimizar el riesgo de erosión futura...

September 12, 2015, 9:00 AM Okanogan Complex Fire Update Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Size: 132,682 acres Estimated Cost to Date: $38 million Containment: 85 percent Injuries: 7 Total Personnel: 982 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 120 Committed Resources: 19 crews, 41 engines, 5 helicopters, 7 dozers, 19 water tenders, 2 skidgines, 13 masticators Today will be the last day of hot, dry weather over the fire area before a dry cold front moves in this evening. The high temperature range today will be from the mid-70s to mid-90s. The minimum relative humidity will be from 13 to 20 percent. The fire was moderately active yesterday as unburned pockets of fuel in the fire’s interior burned and produced smoke visible to residents in surrounding communities. The same fire behavior can be expected today. Firelines remain secure, and the fire does not pose a threat to structures or communities near the perimeter. Smoke from Canadian fires might be...

Air Quality Forecast-NE Washington Regional Fires-Friday September 12 2015 Air Resource Advisor Smoke Summary: Saturday forecast is for the high pressure to continue to dominate over NE Washington. The upper air winds are forecasted to increase; and the surface temperatures are also going to be higher than Friday. Fires may become more active Saturday. The upper air inversion will be lower, capping smoke around 3000 foot above ground level. Winds at the surface will be light down slope in the morning, increasing through the day. Saturday smoke will be wind spread and will effect communities throughout northeastern Washington. Smoke will be anywhere from good to unhealthy for sensitive groups throughout the day. Highway visibility will be lightly effected, drive with caution. Extended Outlook: Cooler temperatures and with a slight raise in nighttime humidity is expected late Sunday to early next week. Moderate instability may increase fire activity and smoke. ·Monitoring...

Air Quality Forecast-NE Washington Regional Fires-Friday September 12 2015 Air Resource Advisor Smoke Summary: Saturday forecast is for the high pressure to continue to dominate over NE Washington. The upper air winds are forecasted to increase; and the surface temperatures are also going to be higher than Friday. Fires may become more active Saturday. The upper air inversion will be lower, capping smoke around 3000 foot above ground level. Winds at the surface will be light down slope in the morning, increasing through the day. Saturday smoke will be wind spread and will effect communities throughout northeastern Washington. Smoke will be anywhere from good to unhealthy for sensitive groups throughout the day. Highway visibility will be lightly effected, drive with caution. Extended Outlook: Cooler temperatures and with a slight raise in nighttime humidity is expected late Sunday to early next week. Moderate instability may increase fire activity and smoke. ·Monitoring...

Fire Update - Saturday, September 12, 2015 - 9:00 a.m. With hot, dry and unstable weather forecast for today, recreationists, hunters and firewood cutters are asked to exercise extreme caution and to observe national forest and road closures as they go about their weekends. Fire managers are also asking the public to not be alarmed about the occasional sighting of smoke. Fire staff are aware of possible increased fire activity today and are taking all necessary precautions. Active fire areas will be staffed today by ground crews, engines, dozers, water tenders and five helicopters. Aerial support includes 3 heavy, 2 light and 1 Type 2 helicopters that will be directed as needed. Wolverine: The Wolverine Fire grew a modest 185 acres yesterday, as measured by overnight infrared technology. Most of that growth occurred in the Three Creek and Shetipo Creek drainage areas, but within existing fire perimeters. No infrared heat was detected on the north boundary. Firefighters will be...

Air Quality Forecast for Northeast Washington - 9/12/15Smoke Summary: today's forecast is for the high pressure to continue to dominate over Northeast Washington. The upper air winds are forecasted to increase; and the surface temperatures are also going to be higher than Friday. Fires may become more active Saturday. The upper air inversion will be lower, capping smoke around 3,000 feet above ground level. Winds at the surface will be light down slope in the morning, increasing through the day. Saturday smoke will be wind spread and will effect communities throughout Northeastern Washington.Smoke will be anywhere from good to unhealthy for sensitive groups throughout the day. Highway visibility will be lightly effected so please drive with caution.Extended Outlook: Cooler temperatures with a slight raise in nighttime humidity is expected late Sunday to early next week. Moderate instability may increase fire activity and smoke.

Tunk Block Fire: Fire managers are calling most of the west side of the fire contained and fairly cold. Good progress was made along other uncontained areas on the eastern perimeter and mop up continues. Suppression repair has begun to the north along some dozer line and plans for further repair efforts are underway and fire managers are expecting the arrival of resources to conduct those repairs. North Star Fire: Firefighters found some of the firing operations to the north and east had left portions of the line unevenly burned those areas will be mopped up, and burning off ground fuels completed, as weather and other conditions allow. A few areas continue to burn actively in the warmer temperatures and smoke was visible on Friday, but good progress was made holding the line. Mop up and firing for strategic objectives will continue as opportunities become available to clean up green islands and widen the black line. Assessments are beginning to build a suppression repair plan for...

Guided tours of the Incident Command Post at Fruitland Bible Camp will be offered to the public Saturday at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm and again Sunday at 2:00 pm. Guests will learn about the Incident Command System and the functions of an Incident Management Team during large incidents. Please wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for touring in the sun. Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire acres have been reduced to 63,972 due to more accurate mapping and remains at 90% contained. For fire managers to call an incident 100% contained the confidence level that all perimeters lines will hold during a high heat and/or significant wind event must be very high. The higher temperatures forecasted for the weekend across the Pacific Northwest could create conditions for increased fire behavior in existing wildfires and any new fire starts. Higher temperatures near 90 degrees, light winds and relative humidity in the 20% will test containment lines today. Crews and heavy equipment have the...

SUMMARYStickpin 54,278 acres, 55% containedGraves Mountain: 8,587 acres, 65% containedRenner: 13,524 acres; 70% contained Total 76,389 acres; 60% contained Total Personnel: 973 Committed Resources: 26 crews, 39 Engines, 3 Helicopters, 8 Dozers, 17 Water TendersIncident Summary: The Kettle Complex includes three fires – the Stickpin, Renner, and Graves Mountain fires – all burning south of the Canadian border, west of Highway 395, north of State Route 20, and east of Highway 21. The fires remain at approximately 76,400 acres.Planned Actions Today: Today firefighters are working to find and extinguish hot spots in the burned area, and monitor existing fireline on all fires. Burnout operations will continue on the north side of the Renner fire and smoke may be visible from this operation. Crews will work to secure fireline on the west side of the Renner fire. Firefighters will continue to secure fireline on the east side of the Stickpin Fire; mop-up, patrol, and suppression repair...

Fuego de Tunk Block: Los directores de incendios llaman el incendio del lado oeste mas bien contenido y relativamente frio. Se ha hecho buen proreso a lo largo de las otras áreas no contenidas todabia en el perímetro oriental donde la limpieza de fuego continúa. La reparación de supresión ha comenzado en la parte norte a lo largo de alguna línea de bulldozer, y planes para otros esfuerzos de reparación están en marcha y los directores de incendios están esperando la llegada de recursos para llevar a cabo estas reparaciones. Fuego de North Star : Los bomberos encontraron que algunas de las operaciones incendiarias hacia el norte y el este habían dejado porciones de la línea irregularmente quemadas. Para completarlo, aquellas áreas se limpiaran y se quemaran los combustibles del suelo, siempre y cuando el clima y otras condiciones lo permitan. Algunas áreas siguen ardiendo activamente con las temperaturas más cálidas y el humo era visible el viernes, pero se ha hecho...

North Star Fire Update 9-14-15 8:00 a.m. (PT) North Star Fire: Firefighters found some of the firing operations to the north and east had left portions of the line unevenly burned those areas will be mopped up, and burning off ground fuels completed, as weather and other conditions allow. A few areas continue to burn actively in the warmer temperatures and smoke was visible on Friday, but good progress was made holding the line. Mop up and firing for strategic objectives will continue as opportunities become available to clean up green islands and widen the black line. Assessments are beginning to build a suppression repair plan for the fire area. Weather: The weather is expected to be even warmer and dryer Saturday and people can expect to see increased fire activity and smoke. Sunday’s forecast is for slightly cooler temperatures although the lower humidity will continue. EOC: Damage assessments are continuing, however, the final number of structures that were damaged and...

Today we pause to remember the anniversary of 9/11. Please honor the families affected and pay tribute to those who keep our nation safe. Guided tours of the Incident Command Post at Fruitland Bible Camp will be offered to the public Saturday at 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm plus Sunday at 2:00 pm. Guests will learn about the Incident Command System and the functions of an Incident Management Team during large incidents. Please wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for touring in the sun. Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire acres have been reduced to 63,972 due to more accurate mapping and remains at 90% contained. Warmer temperatures over the fire area are expected to increase the likelihood of more smoke becoming visible. Firefighters will patrol looking for these heat sources and mopping-up these areas up while adhering to agency guidelines. Crews are conducting repair work on all perimeters of the fires. Firefighters are focusing on the 93 miles of suppression repair to perimeter and...

Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 3 invites the public to tour the Carpenter Road Fire Camp. Tours will be offered at 2:00 and 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 12 and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 13. The camp is located at the Fruitland Bilble Camp at the intersection of Mudgett Lake and West End Roads south of Fruitland, Washington. Follow the fire camp signs from SR 25 to the designated tour parking area. Sturdy shoes (no open toes or heels) and hats are strongly recommended. Uneven ground makes strollers inadvisable for transporting small children.