InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

PENDLETON, Ore. - Fire management officials on the Umatilla National Forest are preparing to implement the Forest’s fall prescribed burn plan, which could impact camping and hunting opportunities in several hunting units across the Forest.  Any associated road and trail closures will go into effect prior to and during burn operations, which typically take 2-5 days to complete. Hunters are advised to plan ahead and avoid camping in the designated prescribed burn areas during the 2021 hunting season. Frequent, low-intensity fire is essential for healthy forests and reducing the risk of uncharacteristic wildfire caused by excessive fuel buildup. Prescribed burning is an effective tool for removing excessive amounts of brush, shrubs, and trees, while also encouraging the growth of native vegetation. Prescribed burning is also highly dependent on weather conditions, which must be within a narrow criteria window in order to use prescribed fire. Factors such as wind speed and direction,...

Prescribed Fire Operations Update John Day, Prairie City and Hines, OR. – (October 5, 2021) After carefully monitoring conditions across the Forest, fire officials have determined that conditions are within specific parameters, including temperature, relative humidity, and fuel moisture to start prescribed fire operations in specifically planned units. Prairie City Ranger District – may start ignitions Wednesday, October 6th   and continuing possibly till Saturday, on the Elk 16 IB Unit, 600 acres, located North of Crane Prairie between the National Forest Service (NFS) Road 1600-600 and the 1660-478 road.Emigrant Creek Ranger District – may begin implementation in Silvies 7, located south and east of the Silvies River and west of NFS Road 31, as early as Thursday, October 7th, depending on weather conditions. 1,000 acres.  Fuels have lost moisture over the long, hot summer. Burning under dry fuels conditions allows the fuels to potentially consume more completely and...

   Current Situation ·         Crews are removing slash and weakened trees from the fire area and fire’s perimeter. Great progress has been made but over 185 miles of suppression repair work remains.   ·         Firefighters will continue to monitor fire activity in the uncontrolled areas as isolated stumps, logs, and deep duff will hold heat. ·         A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team, made up of natural and cultural resource experts are surveying the burned areas. These experts so far have determined that overall, less than one percent of any of the fires resulted in high soil burn severity. Overall, the maps depict a mixed severity burn of moderate, low, and very low/unburned severity. View the maps at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/maps/7758/ ·         A Forest closure area remains in the Rough Patch Complex and Jack Fire areas. Please respect these closures as equipment and firefighters are working along roads in...

   Current Situation ·         Crews are removing slash and weakened trees from the fire area and fire’s perimeter. Great progress has been made but over 185 miles of suppression repair work remains.   ·         Firefighters will continue to monitor fire activity in the uncontrolled areas as isolated stumps, logs, and deep duff will hold heat. ·         A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team, made up of natural and cultural resource experts are surveying the burned areas. These experts so far have determined that overall, less than one percent of any of the fires resulted in high soil burn severity. Overall, the maps depict a mixed severity burn of moderate, low, and very low/unburned severity. View the maps at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/maps/7758/ ·         A Forest closure area remains in the Rough Patch Complex and Jack Fire areas. Please respect these closures as equipment and firefighters are working along roads in...

PENDLETON, Ore. (October 4, 2021) —With increased containment and reduced fire activity on the Forest, Umatilla National Forest officials will reopen National Forest lands on Wednesday, Oct. 6, leaving five roads temporarily closed to public access on the Pomeroy Ranger District. All closures associated with the Elbow Creek Fire on the Walla Walla Ranger District have been lifted. The remaining closures are in effect to protect public and firefighter safety. Hazards along the closed roads include burned or dead trees, erosion, unstable road or trail surfaces, uncontained fireline and ongoing suppression operations (such as the presence of firefighting resources or large equipment). Public entry is prohibited on the roads as identified in the closure and described below. Forest Service Roads (FSR) 4712 and 4713: all vehicles greater than 50-inches in width are prohibited from traveling on any part of FSR 4712 and on FSR 4713 from Panjab Campground to the end of the road....

This will be the final update unless conditions change Green Ridge Fire Statistics: Size: 43,694 acres, Containment: 61%, Total Personnel: 22, Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla, Reported: July 7, 2021, Cause: Lightning. Current Situation:  Fire behavior continues to be minimal, particularly with recent cooler temperatures and some light precipitation over the fire. Interior smokes remain visible as unburned fuels are consumed, primarily on the southwest corner of the fire near Godman Guard Station and to the south and southeast within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop up all containment lines on the west, north and eastern edges of the fire. Where containment lines are secured, firefighters are also completing suppression repair in the Clearwater Look Out area based on identified rehabilitation needs (such as constructing water bars to help reduce erosion potential and mastication to improve roadways used for containment lines)....

   Current Situation ·         A closure area remains in the Rough Patch Complex and Jack Fire areas. Please respect these closures as equipment and firefighters are working along roads in the fire area. ·         Crews are making great progress in removal of logs and slash, with increased hauling activity on the 5850 and 4750 roads. ·         In Division A, D, and F firefighters will continue to monitor fire behavior in the uncontained areas and suppression tactics will be taken if needed. There is potential for a minor increase in fire activity this afternoon. ·         Suppression repair objectives are to return the landscape to it’s natural appearance while preventing, minimizing and remediate impacts caused by suppression activities. Suppression repair includes creating water bars, which are used to divert flowing water, to minimize erosion potential in burned areas.       ·         Crews are working to remove fire...

    Monday October 4, 2021, 10:00 am    Current Situation ·         A closure area remains in the Rough Patch Complex and Jack Fire areas. Please respect these closures as equipment and firefighters are working along roads in the fire area. ·         Crews are making great progress in removal of logs and slash, with increased hauling activity on the 5850 and 4750 roads. ·         In Division A, D, and F firefighters will continue to monitor fire behavior in the uncontained areas and suppression tactics will be taken if needed. There is potential for a minor increase in fire activity this afternoon. ·         Suppression repair objectives are to return the landscape to it’s natural appearance while preventing, minimizing and remediate impacts caused by suppression activities. Suppression repair includes creating water bars, which are used to divert flowing water, to minimize erosion potential in burned areas.       ...

COUGAR PEAK FIRE UPDATE NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12 Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar October 4, 2021   The Cougar Peak Fire is currently burning approximately 15 miles northwest of Lakeview, Oregon. The Incident Command Post at the Lakeview Fairgrounds is closed to all but essential personnel to help ensure the health and safety of community members and firefighters.   Today is NW IMT 12’s last day on the Cougar Peak Fire. The fire will transition back to the local unit tomorrow morning. Thank you to the Lakeview community for your support and hospitality!   Weather Temperatures will cool by a few degrees today and tomorrow but will remain above normal. It will be windy and very dry today, with winds gusting 25-30 mph. A major pattern change will move into the region on Wednesday, bringing much cooler temperatures.    Operations High temperatures and low humidity led to more visible smoke from the interiors of the Cougar Peak and Patton Meadow...

  The Western Oregon Firearm Deer Season runs from October 2 to November 5, 2021. The fires on the Umpqua National Forest resulted in an “Emergency Fire Area Closure Order” which remains in effect and may limit the areas open for hunting. Managing agencies are evaluating the area closure surrounding the fires, with the intent to restore public access to more areas as soon as safely possible. Unstable roads and slopes, fire-weakened trees, rock fall, and firefighter traffic continue to pose risks to the public. Please respect the closure while we work towards restoring access to your public lands. Please stay tuned for updates.If you are heading out to hunt, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO and check out this interactive map by clicking on the link below to see how closures related to the Jack Fire, Devils Knob and Rough Patch Complexes will impact your trip. https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html... #RoughPatchComplex #JackFire #DevilsKnobComplex

The Western Oregon Firearm Deer Season runs from October 2 to November 5, 2021. The fires on the Umpqua National Forest resulted in an “Emergency Fire Area Closure Order” which remains in effect and may limit the areas open for hunting.Managing agencies are evaluating the area closure surrounding the fires, with the intent to restore public access to more areas as soon as safely possible. Unstable roads and slopes, fire-weakened trees, rock fall, and firefighter traffic continue to pose risks to the public. Please respect the closure while we work towards restoring access to your public lands.Please stay tuned for updates. If you are heading out to hunt, KNOW BEFORE YOU GO and check out this interactive map by clicking on the link below to see how closures related to the Jack Fire, Devils Knob and Rough Patch Complexes will impact your trip. https://nifc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html... #RoughPatchComplex #JackFire #DevilsKnobComplex

   Current Situation ·         A closure area remains in the Rough Patch Complex and Jack Fire areas. Please respect these closures as equipment and firefighters are working along roads in the fire area. ·         Firefighters are working closely with Resource Advisors to develop and prioritize suppression repair activities. Suppression repair objectives are to return the landscape to it’s natural appearance while preventing, minimizing and remediate impacts caused by suppression activities.      ·         Removal of logs and slash from the fire area will be ongoing as firefighters strive to protect the integrity of roadways and the effects of future sedimentation into the waterways. ·         Crews are working to remove fire weakened trees within the fire perimeter that could become a safety hazard. ·         As vegetation begins to dry, smoke may become visible again from the fire area. Firefighters will continue to...

Acres: 24,165Containment: 83%Personnel: 4 Current Situation: A closure area remains in the Rough Patch Complex and Jack Fire areas. Please respect these closures as equipment and firefighters are working along roads in the fire area. Firefighters are working closely with Resource Advisors to develop and prioritize suppression repair activities. Suppression repair objectives are to return the landscape to it’s natural appearance while preventing, minimizing and remediate impacts caused by suppression activities.     Removal of logs and slash from the fire area will be ongoing as firefighters strive to protect the integrity of roadways and the effects of future sedimentation into the waterways. Crews are working to remove fire weakened trees within the fire perimeter that could become a safety hazard.As vegetation begins to dry, smoke may become visible again from the fire area. Firefighters will continue to monitor the fire behavior and suppression tactics will be taken if...

     Schneider Springs Fire UpdateOctober 03, 2021  Fire Info Line: (509) 653-1468 Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.        Elk hunting season has started.  We know all you hunters want to get into your favorite spot which is now closed.  The elk have fled the fire area and will be found some where outside the closed area. Please do not try to go into the closed area. For more information on the fire closures please go to www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices.  Please be careful while you are hunting, make sure you know what you are shooting at. The weather has started its downward spiral into fall.  Yesterday was the warmest day and the days will get cooler as the week progresses.  We will start to see some clouds but there is no moisture attached to them yet.  Things are beginning to slow down, and a lot of the work will be the same each day.  Dozer lines are being repaired. Hazard trees are being removed and roads repaired. Resources are starting to demob as...

COUGAR PEAK FIRE UPDATE NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12 Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar October 3, 2021   The Cougar Peak Fire is currently burning approximately 15 miles northwest of Lakeview, Oregon. The Incident Command Post at the Lakeview Fairgrounds is closed to all but essential personnel to help ensure the health and safety of community members and firefighters.   Tomorrow is NW Team 12’s last day on the Cougar Peak Fire. On October 5, the fire will transition back to the local unit.    Weather Temperatures today will be in the 70s and 80s. Monday will slightly cooler, but temperatures will remain above normal. Relative humidity will continue to be very dry. A major pattern change will move into the region next week, with high temperatures in the 40s and 50s.   Operations Warm temperatures and low humidity led to visible smoke from the interiors of the Cougar Peak and Patton Meadow Fires yesterday, but containment lines on both fires...

 Current Situation ·         At 7:00 pm on Friday September 30, the type 2 Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team assumed command of the Rough Patch Complex and Jack Fire.   ·         Repairing roadways, handline and dozer line from suppression efforts prior to the recent precipitation will be ongoing. These activities include building water bars across hand and dozer line, spreading slash on bare soil, felling hazard trees, chipping cut material, and hauling logs and slash off site. ·         Minimal fire activity remains in the Bulldog Creek drainage, Horse Heaven Creek, and the eastern portion of the Buckhead Fire around Raven Rock Peak. Firefighters continue to monitor these areas and will take suppression actions where needed. ·         A Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team continues to assess the severity of fire effects across the landscape....

Current Situation • At 7:00 pm on Friday September 30, the type 2 Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team assumed command of the Rough Patch Complex and Jack Fire.   • Repairing roadways, handline and dozer line from suppression efforts prior to the recent precipitation will be ongoing. These activities include building water bars across hand and dozer line, spreading slash on bare soil, felling hazard trees, chipping cut material, and hauling logs and slash off site.  • Minimal fire activity remains in the Bulldog Creek drainage, Horse Heaven Creek, and the eastern portion of the Buckhead Fire around Raven Rock Peak. Firefighters continue to monitor these areas and will take suppression actions where needed.  • A Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team continues to assess the severity of fire effects across the landscape. https://www.fs.fed.us/naturalresources/watershed/burnedareas.shtml.     Fire Conditions and Weather • Large logs and stumps...

COUGAR PEAK FIRE UPDATE NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12 Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar October 2, 2021   The Cougar Peak Fire is currently burning approximately 15 miles northwest of Lakeview, Oregon. The Incident Command Post at the Lakeview Fairgrounds is closed to all but essential personnel to help ensure the health and safety of community members and firefighters.   Weather Temperatures will reach into the upper 70s through Monday, and relative humidity will remain very low. A major pattern shift into autumn weather is expected next week, which will result in much cooler temperatures and a chance for precipitation mid-week.   Operations Yesterday, a large amount of hose was backhauled from the southern area of the fire, and repair of dozer line on Cox Flat was completed. The southwestern area of the fire transitioned to patrol status as suppression repair was completed and equipment moved out of the area. In the northwest, heavy equipment...

 The revised closure order for Kwis Fire is linked

 DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. - The last remaining fire evacuation notice has been lifted in Douglas County. Based on current weather conditions and fire activity, the Sheriff's Office in consultation with the Devil's Knob Complex Fire Managers have removed all remaining evacuation notices. There are no evacuation notices in Douglas County at this time."The lifting of the evacuation notices, does not indicate that the fires have been extinguished or that fire season has been declared over, rather the threat to homes in the area has been eliminated to a degree that evacuation orders are no longer necessary," Lt. Brad O'Dell said. “This information comes as a relief to several of our neighbors. It's been a long summer of fire activity.”Residents who are interested in monitoring fire activity or need information may find the following resources helpful:Devils Knob Complex Fires:Facebook...