InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Weather and smoke: More showers in the mountains this morning. Winds shifting from southwest to west, then from the north tomorrow. Less breezy today with less chance of rain. Inversions in the river canyons will still trap any fresh emissions off the fires in Republic and Orient, probably Inchelium too with the shift to westerly winds today. North winds tomorrow will bring more smoke to Nespelem, Wellpinit and other sites south of the fires tomorrow. Fire and smoke: Cool and moist conditions again this morning in Colville and around most of the fires. Perimeters are largely stable. Notable suppression activity on the Okanogan Complex at the north end, and there was some firing on the order of 80-150 acres that occurred on the Northstar fire yesterday, both of which generated visible localized smoke. Wind shifting from SW to west today, then from the north tomorrow will change the pattern of smoke impacts from remaining fire activity. This will likely cause an increase in...

Yesterday’s Activities: With lower humidity levels, fire activity picked up on both the North Star and Tunk Fires yesterday. Firefighters responded to several reports of smoke on the Tunk Block Fire south of Tonasket. The smokes were well inside the perimeter of the fire. Crews on the Tunk fire were able to get some more control line in the Lone Pine area and are mopping up along the northern perimeter. Firefighters burned out on the on the west end of the North Star fire and air resources helped on south end to hold the line. The North Star fire was actively burning in the area where it turns north along Highway 155 and a pilot car was used to guide traffic while firefighters dealt with snags that posed a hazard along the road. The spot fire between the North Star and Tunk Block Fires is being successfully held in place. Today’s Operations: More resources are being added, including chippers, engines and crews. Crews will continue constructing line directly...

This will be the last update unless significant activity occurs.September 3, 2015 Paradise Fire: 2796 acres Hungry Fire: 4 acres Rainfall for the past week has greatly reduced activity on fires burning in the Olympic National Park. Since the rains began Thursday evening over 13 inches of rain has been recorded at weather stations near the Paradise fire. The Hungry fire has received nearly 6 inches of rain. Both fires are in monitor status. Fire officials will fly the fires as the weather permits. The team managing the two fires is scaling down and will be transitioning to a smaller local Type 4 organization on Friday. All fires that are burning in the Olympic National Forest are in monitor status and will be monitored by Forest personnel. The Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/pages/Paradise-Fire and paradisefireinfo@gmail.com will stay activated and continue to be monitored for the time being. An overview including pictures and maps of the fire from the start is...

Fire Update Thursday, September 3, 2015, AM Carpenter Road Fire – Fruitland, Washington Location: 35 miles NW of Spokane, WA; Incident Commander: Doug Johnson Information Center: 509-722-6010 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 45% containment. Despite a low relative humidity at 25%, fire growth is expected to be low. Winds from the south and with gusts up to 14 mph will result in a creeping fire. If embers hit the ground there will be a 50% chance of ignition with spotting at up to ¼ mile. The southern portion of the fire below Springdale – Hunters Road is in patrol status with crews mopping up by checking hot spots by hand, digging out smoldering vegetation and spraying water where necessary. Hand held infra-red heat detection devices are being utilized along these flanks to locate...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update September 3, 2015, 9:00 AM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ Okanogan Complex Size: 148,251 acres Containment: 50 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $29.2 million Injuries: 6 Residences Burned: 123 Total Personnel: 1,293 Committed Resources: 21 crews, 98 engines, 15 dozers, 25 water tenders, 9 helicopters Chelan Complex Size: 93,819 acres Containment: 65 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $13.9 million Injuries: 9 Residences Burned: 21 Total Personnel: 629 Committed Resources: 9 crews, 48 engines, 6 dozers, 22 water tenders, 4 helicopters CURRENT FIRE SITUATION With yesterday’s clear skies, wind, and dry air, the fires were more active than they have been in several days. Fire managers got a good perspective on the fires during a reconnaissance flight yesterday and more precisely identified areas that are still holding heat and actively burning. Both the Lime Belt and Chelan...

Fire Update – Thursday, September 3, 2015 – 9:00 a.m. Community Meeting: There are no public meetings planned for this evening. Note: Both the Pacific Crest Trail and the Forest Closure are being closely evaluated to determine if there is an opportunity to re-open and/or decrease the closure areas. A decision will be forthcoming. First Creek: Mop-up (extinguishing or removing burning material near control lines) is nearly complete on the First Creek Fire. Crews are now beginning to focus on a rehabilitation plan for the fire area. Wolverine: Fire activity and spread continued to be minimal yesterday on the Wolverine Fire. Hot spots linger in many areas of the fire perimeter. Although fire behavior remains fairly quiet, long hours and hard work continue with mop-up, fireline construction and the Community Protection Line. Although firefighters may be observed departing certain areas, the public is advised that all areas, including Blankenship, Pyramid, Castle Creek, Fourth of...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update September 3, 2015, 9:00 AM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-51487:00 AM to 9:00 PM http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ Okanogan ComplexSize: 148,251 acres Containment: 50 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $29.2 million Injuries: 6 Residences Burned: 123 Total Personnel: 1,293 Committed Resources: 21 crews, 98 engines, 15 dozers, 25 water tenders, 9 helicopters Chelan ComplexSize: 93,819 acresContainment: 65 percentEstimated Cost to Date: $13.9 millionInjuries: 9Residences Burned: 21Total Personnel: 629Committed Resources: 9 crews, 48 engines, 6 dozers, 22 water tenders, 4 helicopters CURRENT FIRE SITUATION With yesterday’s clear skies, wind, and dry air, the fires were more active than they have been in several days. Fire managers got a good perspective on the fires during a reconnaissance flight yesterday and more precisely identified areas that are still holding heat and actively...

Today crews will continue to build containment line along the north and west portions of the fire. Whenever possible crews will use natural barriers and improve existing roads and dozer lines to minimize disturbing soil and vegetation. Sections of completed containment line are being connected and mop up is occurring on many portions of the fire. The south end of the fire is being patrolled to monitor the integrity of the completed fireline. Dozers and felling teams continue to identify and mitigate fire line hazards, allowing ground personnel to access more areas of the fire. The main cold trough will continue across the region today to Southern Oregon before moving northwest on Saturday. A cold unstable air mass will bring the threat of showers and thunderstorms mainly this afternoon and evening. Storm systems could bring showers to continue into early Saturday. A warming trend with dry conditions is expected Saturday afternoon through Tuesday. Although cloudy skies and cooler...

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 Current as of 9/‎ 3 /‎2015‎ Current Situation Total Personnel 124 Other Assigned Resources 1 Dozers, 4 Engines, 5 Type 2 IA Hand Crews, 3 Misc. Heavy Equipment, 1 Type 3 Helicopter, Overhead Size 280 acres (17% Contained) Fuels Involved Closed canopy timber, with heavy dead and down Fire Behavior Minimal fire behavior observed due to precipitation over the incident. Fire continues to smolder in the heavy down and dead woody debris. Outlook Planned Actions Burnout as opportunities present themselves in Div A and...

NEWS FROM THE FIRELINE: Crews worked well into the evening yesterday mopping up around the last of the fire perimeter. Fire managers have now declared the Tucannon fire 100% contained. The type 3 incident management transfer command to the local unit at 6:00 AM today. There will be a small contingent of firefighters that will remain in the area for the next few days patrolling the fire perimeter. Firefighters and the NE Washington Interagency Incident Management Team would like to thank the community for their tremendous support throughout the incident. Hunting season began Tuesday and fire managers throughout the region remind hunters that conditions are still extremely dry. If you are planning on being outdoors, please use extreme caution. A statewide burn ban remains in place. The Tucannon fire started August 29, 2015 at 9:30 am, approximately 20 miles east of Dayton, WA. Local firefighters did an excellent job fighting a fast moving fire in steep terrain. Approximately 40...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update September 2, 2015, 9:00 PM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ Okanogan Complex Size: 148,251 acres Containment: 50 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $29.2 million Injuries: 6 Residences Burned: 123 Total Personnel: 1,293 Committed Resources: 21 crews, 98 engines, 15 dozers, 25 water tenders, 9 helicopters Chelan ComplexSize: 93,819 acresContainment: 65 percentEstimated Cost to Date: $13.9 millionInjuries: 9Residences Burned: 21 Total Personnel: 629Committed Resources: 9 crews, 48 engines, 6 dozers, 22 water tenders, 4 helicoptors CURRENT FIRE SITUATION With a little more wind and sun and lower relative humidity than the past few days, the fires were more active today. Fire managers got a good perspective on the fires during a reconnaissance flight. They identified which areas are still holding heat and actively burning. OKANOGAN...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update September 2, 2015, 9:00 PM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ Okanogan Complex Size: 148,251 acres Containment: 50 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $29.2 million Injuries: 6 Residences Burned: 123 Total Personnel: 1,293 Committed Resources: 21 crews, 98 engines, 15 dozers, 25 water tenders, 9 helicopters Chelan Complex Size: 93,819 acres Containment: 65 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $13.9 million Injuries: 9 Residences Burned: 21 Total Personnel: 629 Committed Resources: 9 crews, 48 engines, 6 dozers, 22 water tenders, 4 helicopters CURRENT FIRE SITUATION With a little more wind and sun and lower relative humidity than the past few days, the fires were more active today. Fire managers got a good perspective on the fires during a reconnaissance flight. They identified which areas are still holding heat and actively burning. OKANOGAN COMPLEX Lime Belt Fire (132,309 acres, 45...

Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 3 (Oregon Team 3), IC Doug Johnson, assumed command of the Carpenter Road Fire this morning. The Incident Command Post is located at the Fruitland Bible Camp and the Fire Information Center contact number will remain the same. Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire is estimated at 64,903 acres and 45% containment. Unseasonably cool weather conditions have slowed the Carpenter Road Fire expansion and allowed firefighters to make significant progress on containment. Perimeters where indirect containment lines were constructed are being reworked to construct line closer to the fire’s edge to reduce the burned acreage footprint. The southwest, south and southeast flanks of the fire are in various stages of mop-up and patrol. Impacts from suppression efforts are being documented and repaired to agency standards. Hand held infra-red heat detection devices are being utilized along these flanks to locate heat sources for mop-up....

Información para miercoles, el diá 2 de septiembre Reunión pública de la comunidad: No hay reuniones públicas para esta noche. El día miércoles, 2 de septiembre a las 7pm en Plain Community Church (12565 Chapel Dr.) En General: El poste de comando de incidente para el Wolverine, Blankenship y First Creek está localizado en Confluence State Park en Wenatchee. El número telefónico de información es 509-662-0145. El Southwest Area Incident Management Team 1 (IC Templin) continuara manejando estos fuegos. California Incident Management Team 5 (IC Minton) esta manejando Macfarland Creek, Antione Creek, Cagle, Black Canyon y Reach Fire conocido como Chelan Complex. Para información de Chelan Complex y Okanogan Complex favor de llamar al numero877-574-5148. First Creek: Líneas de contención de este fuego se han sostenido durante tres días. Los equipos siguen con el trabajo en esta área. Con la excepción de cambios significativos en el fuego, anoche fue la última noche...

Weather synopsis and smoke implications: Showers in the mountains this morning from a weak passing front. Clearing and breezy this afternoon with potential for some scattered thunderstorms, will allow for smoke levels to remain in the Good to Moderate at most sites. Inversions in the river canyons will still trap any fresh emissions off the fires in Republic and Orient. Precipitation forecasted for this weekend may not manifest, resulting in sunnier and drier weather (and more smoke) toward the weekend. Fire activity and smoke implications: Despite the showery and cool conditions, fuels are drying, and smoke production off the fires may ramp up slightly today and slightly more tomorrow as a result. As fuels continue to dry, it will be possible for fire crews to resume the firing operations to secure fire perimeters. This may mean small amounts of extra smoke in areas near to these operations, such as Republic and Orient. Monitoring: We are currently tracking smoke...

Yesterday’s Activities: The continuation of cooler, wetter weather allowed crews to take advantage of opportunities to build line closer to the fires edge where it was safe and effective to do so. Cooler temperatures across the fires, combined with relative humidity values of 40-50% subdued fire behavior. Fire continues to smolder and creep in forest debris such as needles, small twigs and branches. The fire was more active on the southwest edge and spread was kept in check by air support. Burnouts were performed on Rattlesnake gulch area as well as from Highway 155 to the north. Some evacuation levels were lowered to allow bus routes to operate for the beginning of school. Today’s Operations: The objectives for these fires continues to be, in order of importance, protection of life, protection of property and structures and protection of natural resources. Mitigating the threat to the communities of Republic, Nespelem, Aeneas Valley, Crawfish and scattered residences...

Weather synopsis and smoke implications: Showers in the mountains this morning from a weak passing front. Clearing and breezy this afternoon with potential for some scattered thunderstorms, will allow for smoke levels to remain in the Good to Moderate at most sites. Inversions in the river canyons will still trap any fresh emissions off the fires in Republic and Orient. Precipitation forecasted for this weekend may not manifest, resulting in sunnier and drier weather (and more smoke) toward the weekend. Fire activity and smoke implications: Despite the showery and cool conditions, fuels are drying, and smoke production off the fires may ramp up slightly today and slightly more tomorrow as a result. As fuels continue to dry, it will be possible for fire crews to resume the firing operations to secure fire perimeters. This may mean small amounts of extra smoke in areas near to these operations, such as Republic and Orient. Monitoring: We are currently tracking smoke...

Yesterday’s Activities: The continuation of cooler, wetter weather allowed crews to take advantage of opportunities to build line closer to the fires edge where it was safe and effective to do so. Cooler temperatures across the fires, combined with relative humidity values of 40-50% subdued fire behavior. Fire continues to smolder and creep in forest debris such as needles, small twigs and branches. The fire was more active on the southwest edge and spread was kept in check by air support. Burnouts were performed on Rattlesnake gulch area as well as from Highway 155 to the north. Some evacuation levels were lowered to allow bus routes to operate for the beginning of school. Today’s Operations: The objectives for these fires continues to be, in order of importance, protection of life, protection of property and structures and protection of natural resources. Mitigating the threat to the communities of Republic, Nespelem, Aeneas Valley, Crawfish and scattered residences...

Although there are still some road closures in the area, the Tucannon Road is open and local business are open for business. There is no smoke in the area. Please watch for firefighters working along the roads performing mop up

Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 3 (Oregon Team 3), IC Doug Johnson, assumed command of the Carpenter Road Fire this morning. The Incident Command Post is located at the Fruitland Bible Camp and the Fire Information Center contact numbers will remain the same. Oregon Team 3 wishes to thank the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team, IC Jay Esperance, for the herculean suppression efforts on the Carpenter Road Fire to date. Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire is estimated at 64,419 acres (from infra-red flight last night), 45% containment and 870 personnel. Unseasonably cool weather conditions have slowed the Carpenter Road Fire expansion and allowed firefighters to make significant progress on containment. Perimeters where indirect containment lines were constructed are being reworked to construct line closer to the fire’s edge to reduce the burned acreage footprint. The southwest, south and southeast flanks of the fire are in various stages of...