InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Alder Lake Fire Update The Alder Lake Fire was ignited by lightning and first reported on Tuesday, August 11, 2015. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest, in coordination with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, is currently managing the fire that is approximately 4 miles East of Elbe, Washington on the south side of Alder Lake. A Type 3 Incident Management Team is assigned to the fire. Note: Fire Information number is now 360-496-5429. The community has supported the Alder Lake Fire in so many ways, we are all so grateful for your generous contributions! Current as of 9/‎ 6 /‎2015‎ Current Situation Total Personnel 157 Other Assigned Resources 1 Dozer, 4 Engines, 3 – 11 person Type 2 Hand Crews, 1 – 9 person Type 2 IA Crew, 2-20 person Type 2 IA Crew, 1-12 person Type 2 IA Crew, 3 Misc. Heavy Equipment, Overhead Size 280 acres (17% Contained) Fuels Involved Closed canopy timber, with heavy dead and down Fire Behavior ...

Fire Update Saturday, September 5, 2015, PM Carpenter Road Fire – Fruitland, Washington Location: 35 miles NW of Spokane, WA; Information Center: 509-722-6010 or 509-722-6040 Incident Commander: Doug Johnson Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4549/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarpenterRoadFire Washington Smoke Information: http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire is estimated at 64,903 acres and 60% containment. Significant amounts of precipitation fell over the fire area last night and today. The incident command post at Fruitland Bible Camp received over 1 inch of rain. The remote automated weather station (RAWS) at the south end of the fire measured 1.5 inches of rain and the RAWS at the north end approximately .6 inches. This rain kept fire behavior to a minimum and helped to cool areas of smaller fuels. The risk to firefighters versus the gain by engaging on the fireline was considered when deciding on the firefighting tactics for...

There was limited growth of the Kettle Complex yesterday as crews continued constructing and improving fireline. Burnout operations were conducted to strengthen containment lines. Work today will be focused on securing fireline in areas where needed, mopping up burned areas, and initiating repair work where appropriate. Helicopters will continue to be used for air attack, reconnaissance of the fires, and water drops to support firefighting work on the ground, as weather permits. Firefighting crews also remain in a state of readiness to initial attack any new starts that are detected. An additional National Guard crew arrived yesterday. Nearly 1,000 personnel are still assigned to the complex. Stickpin Fire: Yesterday, two crews continued a burnout operation on the fire’s western perimeter. Today, firefighters will start suppression repair work to mitigate sedimentation and erosion from the burnout. Line construction and improvement will continue on the northern half of the fire....

Reunión pública de la comunidad: No hay para hoy. En español el domingo, 6 de septiembre a las 6:30pm en el Spanish Assembly of God, 55 S. Quetilquasoon Rd., Manson. El Pacific Crest Trail ya está abierto en el Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Los cierres forestales todavía están en su lugar, pero han sido modificados. Favor de chequear el sitio de Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest para más detalle. Los negocios alrededor de Lake Wenatchee están abiertos este fin de semana. Como comportamiento del fuego disminuye y todos disfrutan un cielo claro y bonitas costas le pedimos que recuerde que las restricciones de fuego siguen. El Aumento de vientos y las temperaturas puede traer más comportamiento activo del fuego en los combustibles afectados por la sequía. First Creek: Los equipos siguen patrullando y trabajando en rehabilitación. Pedimos que residentes recuerden que los humos interiores seguirán ocurriendo. Ya que los residentes están regresando al área, se les...

Yesterday’s Activities: Crews continued a burn-out along the northeast corner of the North Star Fire to better protect the Republic community. Another burnout was successfully implemented at the eastern end of Aeneas Valley, and one was initiated between the fire and a portion of Hwy 21 to protect houses in that corridor. Hand and dozer lines to control fire spread continued to be constructed along the southwest and west portions of the North Star Fire, and the north part of the east boundary of the Tunk Block Fire (NE Tunk Mountain). A large portion of the Tunk Block Fire and the southern edge of the North Star fire are in mop-up and patrol. Today’s Operations: Crews will continue burnout in portions of the Hwy 21 corridor as conditions allow. Fireline construction and mop-up will continue. Work continues on the contingency line northeast of Tunk Mountain to better protect private land and homes in Aeneas Valley, and the lookout. Firefighters are coordinating with range...

Sizes: 210,115 acresEstimated Cost to Date: $21.1 millionContainment: 40 percentInjuries: 0Total Personnel: 1,317Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 1Committed Resources: 33 crews, 73 engines, 5 helicopters, 16 dozers, 23 water tenders, 1 skidder The Ferry County Sheriff, in collaboration with DOT and the Colville Tribal Police, announced the full opening of Highway 21 between Republic and Keller within Ferry County. Fire equipment will remain in the area, so please use caution and watch for equipment on or near the highway. There may be smoke from the fire. Additionally, the last remaining level 3 evacuation zone North of the reservation line has been released to level 2 (no longer mandatory evacuation). Continued strategic firing operations to remove fuel between the main fire and containment lines to better protect nearby communities, especially Republic, are the priority. About 1,000 acres were burned last night in the vicinity of Cornell Butte Crews will take advantage of drying...

Smoke Summary: Cold front moved through last night bringing rain to the fires in Eastern WA. Winds shift from NW to W Saturday into Sunday. Mixing heights and transport winds are favorable for smoke transport from local areas. Expect dryng trend starting Monday. Firing operations will continue on the N side of Northstar and the Kettle complex. Downwind communities such as Republic, Oriente and Nespelum may experience elevated smoke impacts for short periods of time in the afternoon hours. Monitoring: We are currently tracking smoke concentrations at 11 communities surrounding the wildfire areas. No changes to the monitoring locations from yesterday.

Yesterday’s Activities: Crews continued a burn-out along the northeast corner of the North Star Fire to better protect the Republic community. Another burnout was successfully implemented at the eastern end of Aeneas Valley, and one was initiated between the fire and a portion of Hwy 21 to protect houses in that corridor. Hand and dozer lines to control fire spread continued to be constructed along the southwest and west portions of the North Star Fire, and the north part of the east boundary of the Tunk Block Fire (NE Tunk Mountain). A large portion of the Tunk Block Fire and the southern edge of the North Star fire are in mop-up and patrol. Today’s Operations: Crews will continue burnout in portions of the Hwy 21 corridor as conditions allow. Fireline construction and mop-up will continue. Work continues on the contingency line northeast of Tunk Mountain to better protect private land and homes in Aeneas Valley, and the lookout. Firefighters are coordinating with range...

September 5, 2015, 9:00 AM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Okanogan Complex Size: 148,780 acres Containment: 60 percent Estimated Cost to Date: 32 million Injuries: 7 Residences Burned: 123 Total Personnel: 1,107 Committed Resources: 16 crews, 72 engines, 11 dozers, 21 water tenders, 9 helicopters Chelan Complex Size: 93,896 acres Containment: 75 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $16 million Injuries: 9 Residences Burned: 23 Total Personnel: 659 Committed Resources: 11 crews, 42 engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders CURRENT FIRE SITUATION Firefighters on the Okanogan and Chelan complexes will have help from overcast skies again today as they continue to build and strengthen containment lines around the fires. The clouds and cooler temperatures help moderate fire activity. While the fire is staying within containment lines, fire behavior analysts caution that fuels remain very dry and...

Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire is estimated at 64,903 acres and 55% containment. Today’s rain over the fire will keep fire behavior to a minimum. The higher humidity and precipitation will be beneficial to reduce heat while cooling areas still smoldering in lighter fuels. Personnel will be adjusting assignment locations to assist in areas that are safe to access. The expected amount of rain should not cause major runoffs however it could hinder crews from accessing the lines due to the slick and steep conditions. Firefighters will work off established roads today monitoring hot spots and mopping up where possible. Areas of the fire that are considered contained, crews are holding the lines and mopping up 100 feet toward the interior. Crews will also mop any hot spots in a 200 feet perimeter around structures. Hand held infra-red heat detection devices, palm IR, support crews by locating heat sources along the fire edges. Work continues to create tighter containment...

Alder Lake Fire Update The Alder Lake Fire was ignited by lightning and first reported on Tuesday, August 11, 2015. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest, in coordination with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, is currently managing the fire that is approximately 4 miles East of Elbe, Washington on the south side of Alder Lake. A Type 3 Incident Management Team is assigned to the fire. Note: Fire Information number is now 360-496-5429. The community has supported the Alder Lake Fire in so many ways, we are all so grateful for your generous contributions! Current as of 9/‎ 5 /‎2015‎ Current Situation Total Personnel 144 Other Assigned Resources 1 Dozer, 4 Engines, 1 – 20 person Type 2 Hand Crew, 3 – 11 person Type 2 Hand Crews, 1 – 9 person Type 2 IA Crew, 1-20 person Type 2 IA Crew, Misc. Heavy Equipment, Overhead Size 280 acres (17% Contained) Fuels Involved Closed canopy timber, with heavy dead and down Fire...

Fire Update – Saturday, September 5, 2015 – 9:00 a.m. Community Meeting: There are no public meetings planned for this evening. Note: The Pacific Crest Trail is now open on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Forest closures are still in place but have been modified. Please check the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest webpage for details. The businesses around Lake Wenatchee are open this holiday weekend. As fire behavior diminishes and everyone enjoys the clear skies and beautiful shorelines, we ask you to remember that fire restrictions remain in effect. Increasing winds and temperatures may usher in more active fire behavior in drought-stricken fuels. Please remain vigilant and prevent human-caused wildfires. First Creek: Crews continue to patrol for any hot spots and work towards the rehabilitation of fire lines. We ask residents to remember that interior smokes will continue to occur. As residents return to the First Creek area, they are asked to be aware of the...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update September 4, 2015, 9:00 PM This will be the final evening update. A morning update will continue at 9:00 AM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Okanogan Complex Size: 148,780 acres Containment: 60 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $32.433 million Injuries: 7 Residences Burned: 123 Total Personnel: 1,107 Committed Resources: 16 crews, 72 engines, 11 dozers, 21 water tenders, 9 helicopters Chelan Complex Size: 93,896 acres Containment: 75 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $15.9 million Injuries: 9 Residences Burned: 23 Total Personnel: 659 Committed Resources: 11 crews, 42 engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders CURRENT FIRE SITUATION Overcast skies and higher humidity helped with direct firefighting suppression efforts today. In general, the fire was minimally active with creeping and smoldering within containment lines. OKANOGAN COMPLEX Lime Belt Fire (132,838 acres, 55 percent contained): Good progress...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update September 4, 2015, 9:00 PM This will be the final evening update. A morning update will continue at 9:00 AM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Okanogan ComplexSize: 148,780 acres Containment: 60 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $32.433 million Injuries: 7 Residences Burned: 123 Total Personnel: 1,107 Committed Resources: 16 crews, 72 engines, 11 dozers, 21 water tenders, 9 helicopters Chelan ComplexSize: 93,896 acresContainment: 75 percentEstimated Cost to Date: $15.9 millionInjuries: 9Residences Burned: 23Total Personnel: 659Committed Resources: 11 crews, 42 engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders CURRENT FIRE SITUATION Overcast skies and higher humidity helped with direct firefighting suppression efforts today. In general, the fire was minimally active with creeping and smoldering within containment lines. OKANOGAN COMPLEX Lime Belt Fire (132,838 acres, 55...

Friday, September 4, 2015, PM Carpenter Road Fire – Fruitland, Washington Location: 35 miles NW of Spokane, WA; Information Center: 509-722-6010 or 509-722-6040 Incident Commander: Doug Johnson Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4549/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarpenterRoadFire Washington Smoke Information: http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire is estimated at 64,903 acres and 55% containment. The Springdale – Hunters Road has reopened to the public and drivers are asked to drive cautiously due to continuing fire related operations and heavy traffic. The Hunters Campground in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area has also reopened. Recreationists will see occasional water tenders near the lake drawing water for fire suppression use. Wind gusts to 25 miles per hour will be seen in the fire area tomorrow, however, the wind will be followed by a wetting rain which should help to...

Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest Closure Order No. 947Incident: Chelan Complex WildfireReleased: 5 days agoRelated InformationOkanogan Wenatchee NF Closure Order No. 947 (PDF 114 kb)As a result of the Chelan Complex fires, the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest has issued an area closure order, effective Friday, September 4, 2015. The public is not allowed on federal lands, roads, and trails within the area closure. PDFs of the closure order and map are linked (right) under "related

This weekend, residents from the area surrounding the Kettle Complex fires have two opportunities to get in-person updates on the status of the fires, safety information for entering burned areas after a fire, and details on creating defensible space around property. The same information will be shared at both meetings. Saturday: Orient School, 2:00pm Sunday: Malo Grange, 2:00pm After a fire status update from the Deputy Incident Commander of Pacific Northwest Team 2, representatives from Washington State Dept. of Natural Resources, Ferry Conservation District, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service will share information about programs available to help people who are impacted by the burned area. The agenda includes a presentation on how to create defensible space on your property using Firewise techniques, and how to prepare yourself and your family in case evacuation is needed. Light refreshments will be available.

Yesterday’s Activities: Continued lower humidity levels, fueled fire activity on both the North Star and Tunk Block Fires yesterday. Firefighters also responded to smoke reports, but most were well inside the perimeter of the fire. There was little growth to either fire. Firefighters gained more control on the northeast and southeast potion of the Tunk Block fire as well as well as the north west portion of the North star fire. Today’s Operations: Arial operation ignition will continue today if weather permits in the northeast corner, of the North Star Fire south of Republic as well as southwest corner north of highway I 55 to strengthen containment lines in these areas. More resources are being added, including chippers, engines and crews. Crews will continue constructing line directly adjacent to the fires edge where it is safe and effective to do so. They are also connecting roads and natural features to establish indirect line. On the North Star Fire, crews with the help...

Yesterday’s Activities: Continued lower humidity levels, fueled fire activity on both the North Star and Tunk Block Fires yesterday. Firefighters also responded to smoke reports, but most were well inside the perimeter of the fire. There was little growth to either fire.Firefighters gained more control on the northeast and southeast potion of the Tunk Block fire as well as well as the north west portion of the North star fire. Today’s Operations: Arial operation ignition will continue today if weather permits in the northeast corner, of the North Star Fire south of Republic as well as southwest corner north of highway I 55 to strengthen containment lines in these areas. More resources are being added, including chippers, engines and crews. Crews will continue constructing line directly adjacent to the fires edge where it is safe and effective to do so. They are also connecting roads and natural features to establish indirect line. On the North Star Fire, crews with the help of...

Reunión pública de la comunidad: No hay para hoy. El Pacific Crest Trail ya está abierto en el Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Los cierres forestales todavía están en su lugar, pero han sido modificados. Favor de chequear el sitio de Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest para más detalle. First Creek: El atención del fuego de First Creek ha cambiado a rehabilitación. Ya que las temperaturas aumentan, esperan que el humo interior siga. Debido a la severidad del fuego del área de First Creek, es muy importante que los residentes que pueden volver al área sean excepcionalmente conscientes de la posibilidad de deslizamientos de tierra después de los eventos de lluvia. Visite http://www.redcross.org/prepare/disaster/landslide o contactan su gestión de emergencias local para más información de deslizamientos de tierra. Wolverine: Equipos continúan patrullando las áreas críticas del fuego. Detener el avance de este fuego fue un logro y se mantiene el fuego lejos de las...