InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

 Bull Complex update for Friday, Sept. 17                                 RIPPLEBROOK, Ore. – Firefighters continue to reinforce primary line around the Bull Complex as part of their first operational shift under the command of Northwest Incident Management Team 13.  Firefighters are continuing to focus on values at risk, including the Gold Butte Lookout.   “We are working on continuing the full suppression actions initiated by previous Incident Management Teams,” said Incident Commander Brian Gales with Northwest Incident Management Team 13, which took over suppression efforts today. Some interior burning could continue into the winter before the fire is fully extinguished after the perimeter is contained.   “We’ll be building on the investments made by the Northern Rockies Team 4 with indirect line construction, looking for opportunities to go more directly at the fire’s edge when it is safe to do so,” Gales continued.   Weather:...

Cougar Peak Fire Update Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander Kevin Stock September 17, 2021   Lakeview Ore. – Overall, it was a quiet day on the fire yesterday, the winds that were felt in Lakeview and the valley floors were not as brisk in the higher elevations on the fire. The south-southwest portion of the fire continued to experience the most active fire yesterday and through the night. Fire spread down the hillsides toward the pre-planned indirect contingency line. Firefighters worked the edge of the active fire area, putting in direct line with support from helicopter water drops. Helicopters will again support this area first thing this morning. The heavy equipment group continues to put in indirect line on the west side of the fire.   Aviation assets were available all day yesterday supporting ground crews with helicopter water drops on hotspots. Efforts of mop-up and cold trailing along the north, east and southern portions...

The local Northeast Oregon Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Steve Carlson, assumed management of the Green Ridge Fire today at 7 a.m. Future updates will be shared by the Forest on a recurring basis, but will no longer be sent daily unless conditions change. Green Ridge Fire Statistics: Size: 43,588 acres, Containment: 40%, Total Personnel: 114, Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla, Reported: July 7, 2021, Cause: Lightning. Current Situation: No spots were observed yesterday. Areas that were burned out yesterday consumed nicely and created a buffer of black along control lines. Fire behavior was moderate as areas crept through unburned fuels with occasional torching. Winds pushed smoke and backing edge inward towards the black. Firefighters continued to patrol and mop up throughout the fire perimeter. Today firefighters will continue to focus on the southwest portion of the incident using direct attack. On the southern perimeter,...

Tonasket, WA:  Fire behavior on the northwest flank of Bonaparte Mountain increased yesterday. Wildland crews continue to monitor this area for fire movement as the fire burns to indirect fire lines.  Crews continue to patrol the perimeter of the fire as well as around houses for any remaining hotspots within those areas.  Additional excavators and other equipment have arrived on the fire and are being assigned to repair work on dozer lines and other impacts from suppression efforts.  Rehabilitation will primarily be focused in the Diamond Bell, Bunch and Fox road areas. Attention Hunters: The Walker Creek Fire area (within the 204 GMU) on public lands remains closed to hunting.  Please respect closed road signs in the area.  Crews are continuing with suppression and repair efforts around the fire. Fire weakened trees and ash pits still exist throughout the landscape. Please help keep our firefighters working on the fire safe and avoid the area. The USFS Bonaparte Lake...

Fire and WeatherMuch needed precipitation is expected to arrive later this evening. Ahead of that, low humidity and a bit more wind will help keep fire activity from calming altogether. Fuels will continue to support fire on the ground, creeping through lighter fuels, and smoldering in heavier fuels. Localized areas of active fire behavior can be expected today with low rates of spread, particularly where dry fuels are exposed to sunlight and wind. Occasional flareups are possible where wind and slope align. SmokeYesterday upper level winds from the east pulled smoke westward into the Willamette Valley, and into Eugene. The weak W/NW upslope/up valley and ridge top winds weren’t strong enough to push smoke out of the valley bottoms and Oakridge and Fall Creek/Cascara’s air quality dropped into the Unhealthy range. Terrain driven winds will be light again today, and the inversion, being very low this morning, will hold smoke at lower elevations. Light ridgetop winds will be from...

Size: 21,943 acres Total Personnel: 297 (6 crews, 15 engines, 4 helicopters, 17 water tenders, 2 heavy equipment) Containment: 50% Location: 12 miles NW of Chelan, WA Cause: Under investigation  Reminder about Drones: If you fly, we can’t. All aerial suppression efforts are grounded when drones are detected within the restricted flight area of the fire. Yesterday: In the northeast section of the fire, where a flare up occurred within the containment lines, firefighters concentrated efforts on wetting and mopping up hot areas. A helicopter made bucket drops while firefighting crews and four engines installed hose lay and mopped up any warm areas. Monitoring and patrolling containment lines continued along the perimeter of the fire. Chipping along the 8410 Road was completed. Firefighters also repaired and rehabbed hand lines from the end of Lakeshore Road to the west along the fire’s edge. Road crews continued to work on road repairs to ensure safe access for fire...

Fire and Weather: Today will be windier, warmer and drier than yesterday which may result in large fire growth. However, beginning Saturday morning and through Sunday the National Weather service forecasts heavy rains which should put a damper on the fires in this area. The Rough Patch Fire is 48,237 acres. The Devils Knob Complex is 67,159 acres. Both are 36 - 47% contained. Smoke: With the likelihood of more fire activity there follows a good chance of increased smoke production today. Low winds in the morning will carry smoke to the areas around the fires, however it should lift around 2:00 PM. Tonight smoke may be trapped closer to the ground by a shallow inversion, but early morning winds and rain should clear the air by

Tamaño: 21,943 acres Personal total: 297 personas (6 equipos, 15 camiones de bomberos, 4 helicópteros, 17 buldóceres, 2 tanques de agua, 2 maquinaria pesada) Contención: 50% Ubicación: 12 millas al NO de Chelan, WA Causa: a ser determinada  Recordatorio sobre drones: si usted vuela, nosotros no podemos hacerlo. Todos los esfuerzos de contención aérea se quedan inactivos en tierra cuando se detectan drones dentro del área restringida del incendio. Ayer: los bomberos concentraron los esfuerzos en humedecer y neutralizar las zonas calientes en la parte noreste del incendio donde se produjo un brote dentro de las líneas de contención. Un helicóptero realizó descargas mientras los equipos contra incendios y operadores de cuatro camiones de bomberos instalaron mangueras y neutralizaron zonas calientes. Continuaron las actividades de monitorización y patrullaje de las líneas de contención en el perímetro del incendio.  Se completaron las operaciones de tala en la...

Fire and Weather: Today will be windier, warmer and drier than yesterday which may result in large fire growth. However, beginning Saturday morning and through Sunday the  National Weather service forecasts heavy rains which should put a damper on the fires in this area. The Rough Patch Fire is 48,237 acres. The Devil's Knob Complex is 67,159 acres. Both are 36 - 47% contained.  Smoke: With the likelihood of more fire activity there follows a good chance of increased smoke production today. Low winds in the morning will carry smoke to the areas around the fires, however it should lift around 2:00 PM. Tonight smoke may be trapped closer to the ground by a shallow inversion, but early morning winds and rain should clear the air by

Incident Summary: Dry air will continue over the fire area today ahead of the awaited moisture system. Rain is expected to arrive late Friday evening through early Saturday morning. Its arrival will be marked by a sharp wind shift from the southwest (blowing from the direction of the approaching storm) with wind gusts expected up to 25mph. Humidity recoveries will be poor, especially on the ridges. This critical weather will increase fire behavior across active areas of the fire. Firefighters worked late into the evening on Thursday conducting firing operations with the emphasis on increasing and reinforcing containment lines along the northeast side of the fires. These actions will create additional reinforcement to the north and east side of the fire, providing the greatest defense for the expected southwest winds. Areas of the fire are expected to receive three quarters to one- and one-half inches of precipitation by the end of the weekend.   Chaos and Little Bend Fires:  ...

Incident Summary:  Dry air will continue over the fire area today ahead of the awaited moisture system. Rain is expected to arrive late Friday evening through early Saturday morning. Its arrival will be marked by a sharp wind shift from the southwest (blowing from the direction of the approaching storm) with wind gusts expected up to 25mph. Humidity recoveries will be poor, especially on the ridges. This critical weather will increase fire behavior across active areas of the fire. Firefighters worked late into the evening on Thursday conducting firing operations with the emphasis on increasing and reinforcing containment lines along the northeast side of the fires. These actions will create additional reinforcement to the north and east side of the fire, providing the greatest defense for the expected southwest winds. Areas of the fire are expected to receive three quarters to one- and one-half inches of precipitation by the end of the weekend. Chaos and Little Bend Fires:  The...

 Devil’s Knob Complex Update Friday, September 17, 2021 – 9:00 a.m. Rocky Mountain Type 1 Incident Management Team Dan Dallas, Incident Commander Information phone: 541-900-6133 Email:2021.DevilsKnob@firenet.gov  Information staffing hours: 8:00 am – 8:00 pm Current Situation: Yesterday, firefighters were successful in increasing containment on the Smith Fire by going direct on the uncontained parts of the fireline. In Division H of the Big Hamlin Fire, active fire behavior was observed, although it did not pose a threat to firelines because the activity was in the interior. In Division J, and in divisions of the Smith Fire, crews worked carefully along the edge to make sure that no heat remained close to the fire perimeter. During this work, extra caution is required because of the dangers from burned-out trees that are ready to fall, stump holes that are burned out, and snags. In preparation for the active fire behavior expected today, firefighting...

The USFS BAER team has completed their assessment and treatment recommendations for critical values at risk in the area burned by the Cedar Creek Fire. The BAER team was comprised of experts in natural resource disciplines that assessed potential effects and risks to life and safety, soils, geology, hydrology, roads and bridges, recreation sites and trails, and native plant communities. These findings provide the information needed to prepare and protect against post-fire threats.To access the report summary follow the links

 Reunión virtual pública: Viernes, 17 de sept. 7:00 p.m. en Facebook @SchneiderSpringsFire. Ayer y anoche: Los fuertes vientos no provocaron actividad inesperada del incendio. Los bomberos y recursos aéreos concentraran los esfuerzos de contención del fuego activo en las secciones del incendio cercanas a las comunidades y alrededores de Cliffdell, Goose Prairie y Bumping Lake. Los equipos continuaron las operaciones de quema para reforzar el cortafuegos norte/sur (a una milla y media al noroeste de Cliffdell) para evitar que el fuego activo se desplace hacia el oeste. Los bomberos comenzaron a instalar líneas de excavadoras desde el extremo oeste de la Forest Road 1706 hasta el norte, hacia American Ridge. Los equipos monitorearon y reforzaron la protección de estructuras (mangueras, rociadores, limpieza de combustibles) en Goose Prairie, Bumping Lake, Bumping River Road, y en las zonas norte/sur del corredor de la Carretera 410. Como estaba previsto, el incendio continuó...

 Conconully, WA: FINAL UPDATE: The Muckamuck Fire started by lightning on Saturday August 4, 2021. The fire is located in and around the Town of Conconully, Washington. Mixed conifer with dead and downed materials are the primary fuel source along with ponderosa pine, sagebrush, and cured grass meadows. The fire is estimated at 13,297 and is now 99% contained. During the first phase of the fire there were 4 primary and 3 secondary structures lost.The fire is now in full patrol status and a small group is continuing to repair dozer and handlines. This will go on for several more days. There is a chance you will see smoke in the area at times. This is unburned fuels in the middle of the fire and well within the containment lines. This is one of the main reasons we leave a few crews to patrol the fire. Thank you to the community and all other agencies that have supported the firefighters.  Weather today is expected to be mostly sunny with a max temperature 55 degrees at the peaks and...

   Green Ridge Fire Update Thursday September 16, 2021 Fire Information Line: (509) 542-7964 Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7628/Email: 2021.GreenRidge@firenet.govFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/greenridgefire2021      Green Ridge Fire is being managed by the Southern Area Incident Management Gray Team with Mitch Ketron as the Incident Commander. This will be the final daily update from the Gray Team, which took command of the fire on September 4, 2021 at 0600. The Umatilla National Forest team, with Steve Carlson as Incident Commander will take command of the fire tomorrow at 7:00 AM.Green Ridge Fire: Size: 43,465 acres, Containment: 40%, Total Personnel: 148, Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla, Reported: July 7, 2021, Cause: Lightning. Please, stay clear of firefighting operations and drive safely! The public should watch out for fire crews and equipment while traveling on forest roads. Some roads remain closed with barriers. Barriers are in place...

   Middle Fork Complex Daily Update – September 16, 2021 Northwest Incident Management Team 6 Shawn Sheldon, Incident Commander   Phone: 425-324-1267 (8am-8pm) Email: 2021.middlefork@firenet.gov InciWeb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7745 Facebook: facebook.com/MiddleForkComplex Twitter: twitter.com/willametteNF Size: 29,793 acres Origin/Location: North of Oakridge, OR Contained: 37% Date/Time Detected: July 29, 2021, 2:00 p.m. Number of Personnel: 695 Cause: Lightning   Westfir, OR – Yesterday, crews continued to mop up and remove heavier 1000-hour fuels (dead wood 3 to 8 inches in diameter) near the fireline along the west and northwest perimeter of the fire. Additional firing operations were conducted along the southwest to secure the line near Helispot -13. Hose lays are being pulled out along contingency lines in Division M and backhauled to be cleaned, rolled and returned to the cache. With precipitation in the forecast, crews are constructing water bars...

Smoke Outlook for 9/16 - 9/17Middle Fork Complex Fire Fire and WeatherThe fire weather forecast expects light winds out of the NW today. Locally, winds will be terrain driven. The inversion will likely dissipate by mid-morning. Fire will continue to creep through fuels, with most of the activity being along the southern edge where control efforts have included strategic burnout operations to strengthen and improve control lines. Interior unburned pockets will continue to burn. There is potential for some movement where wind and slope align with preheated fuels. We still expect wet weather starting Friday. It's looking like as much as 0.5" of rain could fall on the fire, possibly more. Stay tuned!Smoke This morning, winds will be primarily terrain driven. Smoke that settled into low lying areas overnight should be expected to remain captured under the inversion until the it begins to dissipate. Surface heating will be somewhat limited due to smoke cover, and upslope/up valley wind...

Burns, OR – The Big Meadow Fire did not grow measurably during the past 24 hours. Firefighters made good progress on the fire yesterday, taking advantage of cooler weather and higher humidity to complete a combination of dozer and hand line on the eastern and southern flanks.    Firefighters used helicopter water drops along the southern flank to suppress some hot spots. One spot fire was detected outside the perimeter which was successfully controlled. On the northern flank near Upper Valley, crews patrolled and  mopped up 100 feet inside the perimeter. On the east near Egypt Canyon, crews have established hose lays into the fire, into rugged terrain inaccessible to engines.    On the south near Dry Mountain, firefighters will work to fell hazardous trees killed or weakened by fire that pose a risk to firefighters and could threaten the fireline. Crews will work to install hoses on the southern flank.   Today the weather will be slightly cooler,...

Size: 21,552 acres Total Personnel: 293 (6 crews, 14 engines, 4 helicopters, 17 water tenders, 2 heavy equipment) Containment: 50% Location: 12 miles NW of Chelan, WA Cause: Under investigation  Reminder about Drones: If you fly, we can’t. All aerial suppression efforts are grounded when drones are detected within the restricted flight area of the fire. Yesterday: Due to the high winds, a flare up occurred within the containment lines in the northeast section. Firefighting crews, engines, and a helicopter were able to respond quickly. The suppression efforts were effective and kept it within the containment lines. Road crews continued to work on road repairs to ensure safe access for fire personnel. Work on containment lines and mopping up continued. Firefighters patrolled and monitored the perimeters of the fire area. Today: Firefighters will monitor and patrol containment lines. Mop up operations will continue in the burned areas. Chipping will be conducted along the...