InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Forest Restoration and The North Star/ Tunk Block Fires – 9/9/15Omak, WA - Just north of the Colville Indian Reservation in Washington State is the Aeneas Valley, bordered by the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Like many valleys in the interior American West, it has ranches, private residences, and vacation homes. Prior to settlement by Euro-Americans, these forests were characterized by open large ponderosa stands with scattered Douglas fir and western larch. These ponderosa pine forests were kept open by frequent low intensity fires that were more often a ground fire carried by needles and bunchgrasses. With fire suppression that began over 100 years ago, Douglas fir and western larch have increased in these forests making them denser, and creating fuel ladders to the crowns of trees enabling the intense crown fires that are more common today.The USDA Forest Service has undertaken several forest restoration projects over recent years to move the native dry mixed conifer...

FIRE STATUSAcres Burned: Stickpin 54,278 acres Renner 13,524 acres Graves Mtn. 8,587 acres Total 76,389 acres Structures Destroyed: 2 Evacuations: Level 1 Containment: 58% RESOURCESCrews: 22 Engines: 12 Dozers: 9 Water Tenders: 17 Helicopters: 4 Total personnel: 892 Injuries: 18 Incident Summary: The Kettle Complex includes three fires – the Stickpin, Renner, and Graves Mountain fires – all burning in an area south of the Canadian border, west of Highway 395, north of State Route 20, and east of Highway 21. The fires have remained at approximately 76,400 acres since receiving precipitation over the weekend. Current Situation: Cooler and wetter weather has allowed crews to make progress securing fire perimeter. However, active and unsecured fire edge remains on the east flank of the Stickpin Fire, the northwest flank of the Renner Fire, and the north flank of the Graves Mountain Fire. Planned Actions Today: Firefighters are working to secure fireline on the east...

September 9, 2015, 9:00 AM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Okanogan Complex Fire Update Size: 132,634 acres Estimated Cost to Date: 33.3 million Containment: 85 percent Injuries: 7 Total Personnel: 982 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 123 Committed Resources: 19 crews, 41 engines, 5 helicopters, 7 dozers, 19 water tenders, 2 skidgines, 13 masticators On the west side of the fire along Forest Road (FR) 42 where the perimeter is uncontained, firefighters are waiting for favorable weather and fuel conditions to conduct defensive firing operations from an indirect dozer line. Tree-falling crews continue to remove fire-weakened hazard trees along FR 42. On the northwest and north sides, crews are patrolling the fire perimeter for smoke—usually coming from smoldering stump holes—and mopping up as needed. Along the eastern and southern perimeters, firefighters continue to patrol, mop up, and assist the suppression-repair group. The weather today will...

Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2015 Wolverine Fire Update First Creek: Additional resources are being assigned to the First Creek Fire area today. These personnel will continue to identify and extinguish remaining hot spots, as well as rehabilitate interior fire lines constructed earlier. Wolverine: Work continues on the Community Protection Line north of the Plain and Leavenworth areas. This effort is a contingency in case the Wolverine Fire activity picks up and the fire moves toward these communities. Weather: We expect a return to summer-like conditions with higher temperatures and lower relative humidity. This may lead to an increase in fire behavior over the next several days and residents can expect to see smoke inside the fire lines. Change of Command: WA Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the fires at 6 p.m. Tuesday. Fire managers say it has been a seamless transition and the new team looks forward to completing the job. Evacuation/Aid Information: LEVEL 1 areas: Entiat...

ORDER USDA-Forest Service Gifford Pinchot National Forest Service Mount Adams Ranger District - Trout Lake, WA SPECIAL AREA CLOSURE Cougar Creek Fire Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. 551 and 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Mount Adams Ranger District within Yakima County, Washington. Area Description: The following description serves as the exterior boundary and closes all lands encompassed within as depicted in attached Exhibit A: From the point where Forest Service road 82 and the 200 road crosses the boundary of the Yakama Indian Reservation, West to the 82, South on the 82 to the junction of Forest Service road 82 and the 181 spur, travel North on 181 spur to the junction of Forest Service road 8225, travel North on the 8225 road to the junction of 8225 and FS road 8020, then Southwest on 8020 to the junction of the 020, then travel West on the 020 to the junction of FS road 8040, then travel North on the 8040 to the 500...

Smoke Summary: Wednesday and Thursday forecast is for high pressure to build over NE Washington, with westerly winds turning to the northwest in the afternoon. Nocturnal downslope drainage will pool smoke in low lying valley areas near fires, increasing surface concentration of smoke in the mornings. Expect smoke to improve as the temperatures rise and inversions lift. Extended Outlook: Preparation for future burnout operations will continue. Warmer temperatures and drier conditions are expected this weekend with winds west to

September 9, 2015, 9:00 AMFire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Okanogan Complex Fire Update Size: 132,634 acres Estimated Cost to Date: 33.3 million Containment: 85 percent Injuries: 7 Total Personnel: 982 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 123 Committed Resources: 19 crews, 41 engines, 5 helicopters, 7 dozers, 19 water tenders, 2 skidgines, 13 masticatorsOn the west side of the fire along Forest Road (FR) 42 where the perimeter is uncontained, firefighters are waiting for favorable weather and fuel conditions to conduct defensive firing operations from an indirect dozer line. Tree-falling crews continue to remove fire-weakened hazard trees along FR 42. On the northwest and north sides, crews are patrolling the fire perimeter for smoke—usually coming from smoldering stump holes—and mopping up as needed. Along the eastern and southern perimeters, firefighters continue to patrol, mop up, and assist the suppression-repair group. The weather today will be...

Smoke Summary: Wednesday and Thursday forecast is for high pressure to build over NE Washington, with westerly winds turning to the northwest in the afternoon. Nocturnal downslope drainage will pool smoke in low lying valley areas near fires, increasing surface concentration of smoke in the mornings. Expect smoke to improve as the temperatures rise and inversions lift. Extended Outlook: Preparation for future burnout operations will continue. Warmer temperatures and drier conditions are expected this weekend with winds west to

Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire remains estimated at 65,068 acres and is 90% contained. The weather is predicted to be warm and dry for the next several days, with no precipitation in the forecast. Extreme drought conditions still exist. Trees that have been weakened from drought and fire pose an additional safety hazard to firefighters. Healthy looking trees are breaking well above eye level, causing overhead hazards. Crews will continue to patrol the entire perimeter and mop-up any hotspots. Firefighters are using hand held infrared cameras to detect heat along the perimeter of the fire and near structures. One portion of the fire, along the east side, still has visible smoke. Backhauling of hose and supplies that are no longer being used will continue around the fire. Water bars are being installed to divert run off water along fire lines on steep slopes, and on roads that were opened up for fire suppression. Washington State mobilized resources were released yesterday...

Pacific Northwest Team 3 will Transition with California Team 5, who will take command of the North Star and Tunk Block Fires at 6: 00 pm today. The Incident command post location at the Omak Stampede Grounds and the phone number for information remain unchanged. Yesterday’s Activities: Firefighters continued working to ensure that their containment lines were secure as the weather produced 0.02-0.06 inches of rain in the early morning on both the Tunk Block as well as the North Star Fire. The rain lasted until about noon. Most heat on the Tunk Fire was in the eastern portion and that was reduced and contained by aviation. On the North Star Fire, machine work, as well as hand crews, mopped up along the eastern edge. The southern end was patrolled and is looking good. Firefighters are going direct in the western portion. A burnout operation of about 50 acres was successful in helping strengthen containment lines on the southeast corner. A minor spot fire was controlled...

Pacific Northwest Team 3 will Transition with California Team 5, who will take command of the North Star and Tunk Block Fires at 6: 00 pm today. The Incident command post location at the Omak Stampede Grounds and the phone number for information remain unchanged. Yesterday’s Activities: Firefighters continued working to ensure that their containment lines were secure as the weather produced 0.02-0.06 inches of rain in the early morning on both the Tunk Block as well as the North Star Fire. The rain lasted until about noon. Most heat on the Tunk Fire was in the eastern portion and that was reduced and contained by aviation. On the North Star Fire, machine work, as well as hand crews, mopped up along the eastern edge. The southern end was patrolled and is looking good. Firefighters are going direct in the western portion. A burnout operation of about 50 acres was successful in helping strengthen containment lines on the southeast corner. A minor spot fire was controlled...

Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire remains estimated at 65,068 acres and is 90% contained. Despite the rains that fell over the weekend, fire season is not over, and the long term drought conditions remain. A warming and drying trend returns tomorrow. Larger fuels and deep duff, especially under dense tree canopies, still carry heat and will continue to burn into the fall. Expect to see smoke and burning of small fuel concentrations as the season progresses. Minimal fire behavior is expected. Crews continued patrol, mop-up and repair in and around the fire area. Firefighters have been gridding and using hand- held heat detectors to pinpoint hot spots. Heavy equipment was used on various flanks to repair roads and dozer lines. Crews continue to monitor and patrol the entire fire, vigilant of any changes in smoke and fire movement. Washington State mobilized resources were released at end of today’s shift. The National Guard resources will be demobilized tomorrow morning....

GLENWOOD, WA – This will be the final update from the incident. All questions about recreation and closures on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest should be directed to Forest Headquarters at (360) 891-5000. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest has opened the Pacific Crest Trail, Mt. Adams Climbing, and most of the Mt. Adams Wilderness. See the Maps tab for the reduced closure area. The fire will remain at 97% containment until crews can ensure the containment lines will hold during the forecasted above normal temperatures over the next few days. Demobilization of excess units will reduce the number of personnel over the next few days. These resources will be returning to their home units or re-dispatched to other fires. Suppression repair and rehabilitation as well as BAER will be ongoing in the fire area. Heavy equipment will be working in the fire area and on roads impacted by the fire. Warmer temperatures will increase the likelihood of interior smoke becoming...

Smoke Summary: Tuesday and Wednesday forecast is for high pressure that will bring a continuous stream of moisture and clouds over NE Washington. This warm and moisture- laden air mass may bring light and scattered showers. Monday nights’ downslope drainage will pool smoke in low lying valley areas near fires, increasing surface concentration of smoke Tuesday morning. Expect smoke to improve as the temperatures rise and inversions lift. Burnout operations will continue on portions of all fires, though clouds and humidity will moderate fire behavior. Extended Outlook: Expect warm, dry and breezy conditions by the

Reunión pública de la comunidad: No hay para hoy. First Creek: Los bomberos usarán dispositivos infrarrojos portátiles para buscar calor remanente en el interior del perímetro de fuego. Recordamos a residentes que pueden seguir viendo el humo dentro de las líneas de la contención del fuego de vez en cuando, sobre todo con el tiempo más caliente y/o más ventoso. Los bomberos continúan a monitor, patrulla y responderá cuando sea necesario. Los residentes, especialmente en First Creek, deben ser conscientes de la posibilidad de deslizamientos despues de las lluvias. Visite www.centralwashingtonfirerecovery.info/floodwatch para mas informacion. Wolverine: El fuego sigue ardiendo sin llama. Los equipos siguen el trabajo en la Línea de Protección de la Comunidad al norte de áreas de Plain y Leavenworth. La “línea” es una ruptura de combustible vegetada dejando árboles maduros en el lugar con el espaciado apropiado entre ellos. Esta línea asistirá en...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update 8 de septiembre, 2015 Línea de Información: 877-568-0458 o 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Okanogan Complex Size: 148,576 acres Containment: 85 percent Estimated Cost to Date: 36.9 million Injuries: 7 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 123 Total Personnel: 1,232 Committed Resources: 25 crews, 63 engines, 9 helicopters 17 dozers, 23 water tenders, 9 skidgines, 7 masticators Chelan Complex Size: 88,684 acres Containment: 75 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $17.9 million Injuries: 9 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 23 Total Personnel: 629 Committed Resources: 11 crews, 37 engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders, 4 skidgines, 1 masticator Situación actual de incendios: Ayer, los bomberos completaron el trabajo en muchas áreas para aumentar la contención del perímetro de los incendios. California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 (CIIMT 5), debajo del control de Mike Minton, quisiera agradecer a colaboradores y miembros de la comunidad...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update 8 de septiembre, 2015 Línea de Información: 877-568-0458 o 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM - 9:00 PM Okanogan Complex Size: 148,576 acres Containment: 85 percent Estimated Cost to Date: 36.9 million Injuries: 7 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 123 Total Personnel: 1,232 Committed Resources: 25 crews, 63 engines, 9 helicopters 17 dozers, 23 water tenders, 9 skidgines, 7 masticators Chelan Complex Size: 88,684 acres Containment: 75 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $17.9 million Injuries: 9 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 23 Total Personnel: 629 Committed Resources: 11 crews, 37 engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders, 4 skidgines, 1 masticator Situación actual de incendios: Ayer, los bomberos completaron el trabajo en muchas áreas para aumentar la contención del perímetro de los incendios. California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 (CIIMT 5), debajo del control de Mike Minton, quisiera agradecer a colaboradores y miembros de la comunidad...

GLENWOOD, WA – Firefighters continue to focus on mop-up and suppression repair on all divisions of the fire today. The warmer weather is aiding firefighters in locating and extinguishing hot spots within the containment lines, reducing any threat to the line. A warming and drying trend continues today as a ridge builds over the region. Temperatures will get warmer, winds will increase, and humidity levels will decrease. Weather for Wednesday will feature breezy, dry and unstable conditions. As the weekend approaches a trough is expected to bring cooler and more humid conditions. Many post fire surveys will be generated by a team of scientists. The BAER assessment team generates a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess watershed conditions and watershed response to the wildfire. The map identifies areas of soil burn severity by categories of low/unburned, moderate, and high which...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update September 8, 2015, 9:00 AM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Okanogan Complex Size: 148,576 acres Containment: 85 percent Estimated Cost to Date: 36.9 million Injuries: 7 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 123 Total Personnel: 1,232 Committed Resources: 25 crews, 63 engines, 9 helicopters 17 dozers, 23 water tenders, 9 skidgines, 7 masticators Chelan Complex Size: 88,684 acres Containment: 75 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $17.9 million Injuries: 9 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 23 Total Personnel: 629 Committed Resources: 11 crews, 37 engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders, 4 skidgines, 1 masticator CURRENT FIRE SITUATION Yesterday, firefighters completed work in many areas to increase fire-perimeter containment on both complexes. California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 (CIIMT 5), under the command of Mike Minton, would like to thank cooperators and community members for their support...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire UpdateSeptember 8, 2015, 9:00 AM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-51487:00 AM to 9:00 PM Okanogan Complex Size: 148,576 acres Containment: 85 percent Estimated Cost to Date: 36.9 million Injuries: 7 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 123 Total Personnel: 1,232 Committed Resources: 25 crews, 63 engines, 9 helicopters 17 dozers, 23 water tenders, 9 skidgines, 7 masticators Chelan Complex Size: 88,684 acres Containment: 75 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $17.9 million Injuries: 9 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 23 Total Personnel: 629 Committed Resources: 11 crews, 37 engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders, 4 skidgines, 1 masticator CURRENT FIRE SITUATION Yesterday, firefighters completed work in many areas to increase fire-perimeter containment on both complexes. California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 (CIIMT 5), under the command of Mike Minton, would like to...