InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Highlights: Lightning started the White River and Irving Peak Fires on August 11. They are burning on the Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest, approximately 15 miles northwest of Plain, WA. Both fires are under an “indirect” suppression strategy. Brush and small trees are being cleared and chipped along the White River and Little Wenatchee Roads, to prepare these roads for use as containment lines if the fires reach them.Operations: Yesterday, mop up continued on a small lightning-caused fire north of the White River Road caused by Monday’s lightning. Chipping operations along White River Road near Sears Creek Road were completed. Chipping was completed along the lower five-mile stretch of the Little Wenatchee Road. Work now will move northwest up the Little Wenatchee Road. Dozer fire line and chipping are moving from Peavine Creek eastward to strengthen containment south of the Irving Peak Fire.Today, firefighters will monitor the lightning strike fire. Firefighters will work...

Perimeter lines holding on Rum Creek Fire MERLIN, Ore. – Firefighters continue to hold on the Rogue River north perimeter control feature, and are working to minimize the size of the fire footprint. Since Northwest Incident Management Team 13 assumed command Sunday, helicopters have dropped more than a half‐million gallons of water on the Rum Creek Fire. Fixed‐wing aircraft have dropped a quarter‐million gallons of retardant. An additional helibase is being established north of the current footprint to provide additional support. “This is a full suppression fire in rugged country with heavy fuels,” said Eric Riener, incident commander trainee for NW13. “Our strategic plan is being implemented to continue full suppression strategies.”Last night, crews extended operations to contain three spot fires on the south side of the incident west of Galice Road. Suppressing and containing spot fires continue today. Continued aviation support combined with cooler weather and...

The Huckleberry Mountain Trailhead and the entirety of Forest Service Trail #780 (Huckleberry Mountain Trail), at its inception at Forest System Road #26 (Suiattle River Road) and continuing north to its terminus, located within T32N, R11E; Sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, & 14, and within T33N, R11E, Section 36, as shown in the

Thor Fire Update 08.26.22 Size: approx. 190 acresContainment: 0% Cause: lightning Location: east of Sullivan Lake Fuels: TimberPersonnel Assigned: 33Fire information contact: ‪(509) 720-7418‬ | https://www.facebook.com/colvillenf | www.fs.usda.gov/colville ‬‬Newport, Wash., (August 26, 2022) —The Thor Fire received significant rainfall yesterday, slowing fire spread and cooling down interior pockets of burning material. Lightning strikes across the region yesterday created new fire starts in several places on the Colville National Forest. Some resources from the Thor Fire were utilized for initial attack on these new incidents. Today, crews and heavy equipment will continue work along the Forest Service 2200300 road to secure containment lines.This will be the last daily update for the Thor Fire unless significant changes occur. If you have questions about the fire, please contact‪ (509) 720-7418.For an interactive air quality map and predicted smoke conditions, visit...

Aspectos destacados: Unos rayos empezaron los incendios de White River y Irving Peak el 11 de agosto. Están ardiendo en el Bosque Nacional Okanagan-Wenatchee, a unas 15 millas al noroeste de Plain, WA. Debido al terreno inaccesible y extremadamente empinado, los oficiales de incendios están gestionando ambos incendios con una estrategia indirecta. Las cuadrillas están cortando y astillando arbustos y árboles pequeños a lo largo de las carreteras existentes para usarlos como cortafuego si es necesario, y construyendo algunas línea de mano y líneas de topadora alejados del borde del incendio.Operaciones: Ayer las cuadrillas terminaron el trabajo a lo largo de White River Road y el astillado en Sears Creek y Windmill Lane. Se completaron las evaluaciones y los preparativos de estructuras y las mangueras y tanques están en su lugar para los hogares en el área de White River. Hoy los bomberos se centrarán en preparar las carreteras a lo largo de FS Road 6500 y el sistema de...

Highlights: Lightning started the White River and Irving Peak Fires on August 11. They are burning on the Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest, approximately 15 miles northwest of Plain, WA. Because of the inaccessible and extremely steep terrain, fire officials are managing both fires with an indirect strategy. Crews are cutting and chipping brush and small trees along existing roads to be used as fire line if needed, and constructing some hand line and dozer line away from the fire’s edge. Operations: Crews yesterday finished work along the White River Road and chipping at Sears Creek and Windmill Lane. Structure assessments and preparations are complete and hose lays and tanks are in place for residences in the White River area. Firefighters will focus today on road preparation along FS Road 6500 and the road system near Irving Peak using dozers and a masticator. Helicopters will support firefighting efforts this morning. Firefighters responded to three new lightning fires from...

Fire: The White River and Irving Peak Fires are burning close to each other on steep slopes a few miles west of Lake Wenatchee. They have burned 2,267 acres. Firefighters are chipping and brushing, as well as using heavy equipment, to improve existing roads into fire lines. Slightly increased winds are forecast for portions of the fire, and there are pockets where active fire behavior is expected today. Smoke:  Winds are still gentle enough to keep most of the smoke in the vicinity of the fire and Lake Wenatchee in the morning. As seen in recent days, some smoke will move down the Wenatchee River drainage. Expect overall GOOD conditions from Leavenworth to Wenatchee, with some smoke noticeable in late morning and afternoon. Winds from the W and SW in late afternoon will move the smoke eastward. It is expected that the Columbia Basin beyond Wenatchee will see GOOD conditions, but haze may be visible there.  Health and Safety:  Even moderate air quality can affect some people. Plan...

Windigo-Potter-Big Swamp - Fire UpdateAugust 25, 2022 Fire Information Phone: 541-625-0687 (8am - 7pm)                             Email: 2022.Windigo@firenet.govPotter Fire InciWeb:    https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8291/Windigo Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8292/Big Swamp InciWeb:    https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8323/Facebook:                    https://www.facebook.com/WindigoPotterBigSwampFireInfo/ The Umpqua National Forest has reduced the Emergency Fire Closure for the Windigo fire (details below). Weather: Today will be hot and dry, with a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms possible. Temperatures are expected to cool starting Friday with a slight chance of showers by Saturday. For smoke information visit AirNow.gov. Big Swamp Fire:  Isolated pockets of moderate fire activity were well within control lines yesterday. Firefighters continue to utilize the sprinkler system along the 2153 Road to...

Información Actual de los Incendios Windigo-Potter-Big Swamp -25 de agosto, del 2022 Línea de Información: 541-625-0687 (8am - 7pm)                             Email: 2022.Windigo@firenet.govIncendio Potter InciWeb:        https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8291/Incendio Windigo InciWeb:      https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8292/Incendio Big Swamp InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8323/Facebook:                    https://www.facebook.com/WindigoPotterBigSwampFireInfo/ El Bosque Nacional de Umpqua, ha reducido la Orden de Cierre de Emergencia para el Incendio Windigo (más detalles a continuación).Condiciones Climáticas: El día de hoy se espera un clima caliente y seco, con la posibilidad de tormentas. En esta semana a partir del viernes, se espera una disminución en las temperaturas y con cierta posibilidad de lluvia para el sábado. Para información acerca de la presencia del humo visite: AirNow.gov.Incendio...

Información Actual de los Incendios Windigo-Potter-Big Swamp -25 de agosto, del 2022 Línea de Información: 541-625-0687 (8am - 7pm)                             Email: 2022.Windigo@firenet.govIncendio Potter InciWeb:        https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8291/Incendio Windigo InciWeb:      https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8292/Incendio Big Swamp InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8323/Facebook:                    https://www.facebook.com/WindigoPotterBigSwampFireInfo/ El Bosque Nacional de Umpqua, ha reducido la Orden de Cierre de Emergencia para el Incendio Windigo (más detalles a continuación).Condiciones Climáticas: El día de hoy se espera un clima caliente y seco, con la posibilidad de tormentas. En esta semana a partir del viernes, se espera una disminución en las temperaturas y con cierta posibilidad de lluvia para el sábado. Para información acerca de la presencia del humo visite: AirNow.gov.Incendio...

Thursday's weather should be much like Wednesday except a little warmer and the winds will blow most of the day and overnight out of the west. We should see light smoke in most of the forecast area. Oakridge will probably experience some smoke from early morning downslope winds near the fire, but it should lift by noon. Areas east of the fire, including Waldo Lake, will probably receive much more smoke than yesterday. Cresent Lake will probably have overall Moderate air quality with periods of lighter smoke on and off all day. The Windigo Fire is not producing significant amounts of

Rum Creek Fire closure area expanded  Galice Road closed from Almeda County Park to Grave Creek                                                                                         MERLIN, Ore. – Due to increased fire activity, officials have closed the Galice Road and surrounding public lands on both sides of the river between Almeda County Park and Grave Creek for public and firefighter safety.  Josephine County Sheriff has issued a Level 1 - BE READY evacuation notice for the areas south and west of the Rogue River and north of Bear Camp Road, including Rand, Galice, and Galice Creek Road.  A structure protection division is working to reduce fuels around homes in the area in case blowing sparks or embers start new fires near residential areas.   Tuesday, crews structure-wrapped the historic Whiskey Creek Cabin with an aluminum fire blanket material designed to protect structures from...

Current Situation: Ground operations on the south and southeastern portion of the fire continued to be supported by helicopter water drops. Handcrews in Waldo Lake Wilderness completed a quarter mile of fireline to the west using primarily water from small streams.  Heavy equipment crews continue building a fireline east from Koch Road along the fire’s edge toward the wilderness with a goal of joining both the hand and equipment line. Timber sawyers and heavy equipment are making progress removing fire-weakened trees from Black Creek Road for firefighter safety and continued access. Handcrews continue improving Fuji Mountain trail as an alternate fireline while heavy equipment crews improved Eagle Creek Road (#5853) with the goal to tie these lines together. Firefighters are improving Forest Road 2023, with the goal of slowing fire spread to the west.  On the Slapjack Fire, operations move into mop up within the perimeter of 8.7 acres.  Today’s Activities: Increased fire...

Windigo-Potter-Big Swamp - Fire UpdateAugust 25, 2022 Fire Information Phone: 541-625-0687 (8am - 7pm)                             Email: 2022.Windigo@firenet.govPotter Fire InciWeb:    https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8291/Windigo Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8292/Big Swamp InciWeb:    https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8323/Facebook:                    https://www.facebook.com/WindigoPotterBigSwampFireInfo/ The Umpqua National Forest has reduced the Emergency Fire Closure for the Windigo fire (details below). Weather: Today will be hot and dry, with a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms possible. Temperatures are expected to cool starting Friday with a slight chance of showers by Saturday. For smoke information visit AirNow.gov. Big Swamp Fire:  Isolated pockets of moderate fire activity were well within control lines yesterday. Firefighters continue to utilize the sprinkler system along the 2153 Road to...

Crockets Knob Fire Update – August 25, 2022   Location: 19 miles north of Prairie City, OregonStart Date: August 22, 2022Cause: LightningCurrent Size: 225 acresContainment: 0%  Current Situation: The Crockets Knob Fire was reported the morning of August 22 after abundant lightning moved through the Malheur National Forest. The fire is predominantly moving south/southeast, burning through timber and brush within the 1996 Summit Fire scar, but active fire behavior is observed along all flanks. Due to the rugged terrain and level of fire activity, there is limited access for fire crews to safely engage the fire directly. Firefighters and heavy equipment are making good progress along the 45 and 537 Roads, removing brush and timber to create a fuel break, with the intent to establish indirect containment lines. There are currently 140 personnel working on the incident including two Interagency Hotshot Crews, fire engines, heavy equipment, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft. There...

Windigo-Potter-Big Swamp - Fire UpdateAugust 25, 2022 Fire Information Phone: 541-625-0687 (8am - 7pm)                             Email: 2022.Windigo@firenet.govPotter Fire InciWeb:    https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8291/Windigo Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8292/Big Swamp InciWeb:    https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8323/Facebook:                    https://www.facebook.com/WindigoPotterBigSwampFireInfo/ The Umpqua National Forest has reduced the Emergency Fire Closure for the Windigo fire (details below). Weather: Today will be hot and dry, with a slight chance of isolated thunderstorms possible. Temperatures are expected to cool starting Friday with a slight chance of showers by Saturday. For smoke information visit AirNow.gov. Big Swamp Fire:  Isolated pockets of moderate fire activity were well within control lines yesterday. Firefighters continue to utilize the sprinkler system along the 2153 Road to...

Thor Fire Update 08.25.22 Size: approx. 190 acres Containment: 0% Cause: lightning  Location: east of Sullivan Lake Fuels: Timber Personnel Assigned: 27 Fire information contact: ‪(509) 720-7418‬ | livia_stecker@firenet.gov | https://www.facebook.com/colvillenf | www.fs.usda.gov/colville ‬‬Newport, Wash., (August 25, 2022) —Yesterday, The Thor Fire displayed minimal activity, creeping and smoldering in dense ground fuels. Occasional single tree torching was observed in some areas, producing smoke that was visible from Sullivan Lake and surrounding areas. The fire is continuing to back slowly towards established containment lines. The fire currently remains at zero percent containment. Containment of the fire is determined once the fire has reached identified lines and firefighters have a high level of confidence that it will not cross, even if tested by wind and higher temperatures in the

Road, trail, campground, and area closures are in

EMERGENCY CLOSURE OF PUBLIC LANDS  AGENCY: Bureau of Land Management, Medford District, Oregon.  ACTION: Temporary Closure of Public Lands  SUMMARY: Pursuant to 43 CFR 9268.3(d) and 43 CFR 8364.1, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) hereby provides notice that effective immediately, the public lands described below are closed to all forms of public access. This action is in response to the Rum Creek Fire that is currently active in the area. The BLM is closing public lands in order to reduce conflicts with emergency crews and allow for fire suppression, as well as to ensure public safety.AFFECTED AREA: Please see attached map. All BLM-managed public lands, roads, sites, and trails in Josephine County west of the Rogue River from Almeda to Grave Creek, then north to the junction of BLM Road 33-8-13 and 33-8-13.1 West and north to the junction of 33-8-26.0 and the 19.3 Road and south to 34-9-27.1, East to 35-9-1.2 then east to junction of Peavine Road and North Fork Galice Creek...