InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

   Middle Fork Complex Daily Update – September 7, 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 Origin/Location: North of Oakridge, OR Gales: 24,459 acres and 12% contained Date/Time Detected: July 29, 2021, 2:00 p.m. Kwis: 1,485 acres and 98% contained Number of Personnel: 710 Total: 25,944 acres and 20% contained Cause: Lightning   Westfir, OR – Fire behavior could be active today due to dry and unstable weather conditions. The main drivers will be extremely dry fuels, low relative humidity, and increased winds, with gusts up to 19 miles per hour in the afternoon.   Fire growth is anticipated along the south and east flanks of the Gales Fire, particularly in Delp Creek and Purdue Creek toward Ironside Mine above Christy Creek, in Portland Creek...

Tamaño: 17,864 acres  Personal total: 465   Contención: 40%   Causa: A ser determinada  Ayer: Las condiciones meteorológicas favorables permitieron a los bomberos realizar operaciones de quema desde la zona de Slide Peak hasta el sur, hacia Stormy Mountain. Estas operaciones se realizaron para hacer que el incendio se aleje de las líneas de contención y regrese hasta el borde del fuego activo, donde solo puede consumir vegetación superficial y así crear una línea de contención más fácil de defender. A pesar de que el incendio permaneció activo en la cuenca de Twenty-five Mile, la propagación al norte de Brennegan Creek fue baja. Los helicópteros vertieron agua para retrasar la propagación del incendio hasta que se puedan completar los esfuerzos para reforzar la línea. Hoy: Los equipos seguirán conteniendo, asegurando y limpiando las zonas calientes cerca de la línea de contención. Si las condiciones de humedad ambiental,...

Size: 17,260 acres   Total Personnel: 451   Containment: 40%   Cause: Under investigation     Yesterday: Fixed wing scoopers and helicopters were used extensively, dropping water to delay fire movement to the west and south. Delaying the fire's progression gives firefighters additional time needed to secure and improve containment lines. Helicopters were also used for aerial ignition, adding depth to previously burned containment lines near Slide Peak; and working in conjunction with firefighters hand lighting along the containment line from Crescent Hill to Junior Spike late in the day. Engines and crews continued mop-up and patrol from Twenty-five Mile Creek State Park to Chesapeake Saddle to better secure containment lines.   To the south, firefighters sought and extinguished areas of heat, improving fire lines around Slide Ridge.  Heavy equipment repaired sections of Forest Road 8410 to keep it viable for safe use by fire...

Conconully, WA: The Muckamuck Fire started by lightning on Saturday August 4, 2021. The fire is located in and around the Town of Conconully, Washington. The fire is in an area that has not burned in recent years. Mixed conifer with dead and downed materials are the primary fuel source along with ponderosa pine, sagebrush, and cured grass meadows. The fire has held at 13,314 acres and is now 74% contained. During the first phase of the fire there were 4 primary and 3 secondary structures lost. The fire is located on lands managed by the Colville National Forest. There are trails, recreation areas, and road closures in effect.  Today the fire was turned over from Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 9 (Type 2) to Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 2 (Type 3). The transition was seamless and Team 2 appreciated their hard work during the transition setting the Type 3 team up for success. Please note the updated contact and additional website...

WALKER CREEK AND CHICKADEE CREEK FIRES - DAILY FIRE UPDATE SEPTEMBER 7, 2021NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12 Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby ShindelarThank you to the community for hosting and supporting our firefighters! Today is the final day for Northwest IMT 12 on the Walker Creek and Chickadee Creek Fires. Transfer of command will occur tomorrow at 6 AM. Chickadee Creek Fire will transition to the local unit of the Washington DNR and Walker Creek Fire will transition to a NE Washington Type 3 IMT.  The Chickadee Creek Fire is located 15 miles west of Tonasket, Washington and the Walker Creek Fire is 13 miles east/northeast of Tonasket, Washington, surrounding Lake Bonaparte. The Incident Command Post at the Omak Stampede Grounds will continue to be utilized by the incoming team and is closed to all but essential personnel.  Warmer temperatures today could lead to increased smoke from the interior of the fires, particularly on the northwestern portion of the...

September 7, 2021Daily Update Acres: 48,092 acres Start Date: July 12, 2021 Cause: Lightning Containment: 64% Total personnel: 606 Location: 17 miles west of Inchelium Fuels: Timber (litter and grass understory), light logging slash  Highlights: Yesterday’s winds were light out of the north and west, contributing to successful operations across all areas of the fire. Today will likely be the warmest and driest day of the week. Winds are expected to switch direction and come out of the south, pushing smoke further north from the most active areas of the fire. Operations: Favorable conditions assisted crews in the successful completion of a burnout operation on the northwest corner of the fire. Firefighters worked quickly to burn out a stretch of control line near the eastern end of Seventeenmile Creek in under thirty minutes. West of Stall Creek, a half-acre spot fire was discovered and quickly suppressed. On the northeastern corner of the fire, firefighters completed direct...

WALKER CREEK AND CHICKADEE CREEK FIRES - DAILY FIRE UPDATE SEPTEMBER 7, 2021NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12 Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby ShindelarThank you to the community for hosting and supporting our firefighters! Today is the final day for Northwest IMT 12 on the Walker Creek and Chickadee Creek Fires. Transfer of command will occur tomorrow at 6 AM. Chickadee Creek Fire will transition to the local unit of the Washington DNR and Walker Creek Fire will transition to a NE Washington Type 3 IMT.  The Chickadee Creek Fire is located 15 miles west of Tonasket, Washington and the Walker Creek Fire is 13 miles east/northeast of Tonasket, Washington, surrounding Lake Bonaparte. The Incident Command Post at the Omak Stampede Grounds will continue to be utilized by the incoming team and is closed to all but essential personnel.  Warmer temperatures today could lead to increased smoke from the interior of the fires, particularly on the northwestern portion of the...

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7773/ Email: 2021.bull@firenet.gov Phone: 971-277-5075 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mthoodnf  or https://www.facebook.com/willamettenf Twitter: https://twitter.com/mthoodnf  or https://twitter.com/willamettenf  Cause: Lightning                   Size:  17,201 acres             Containment: 7 percent                                                 Personnel: 566   Incident Command: Type 2 Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 4, Rick Connell, Incident Commander Current Status: The fire was active yesterday with slow and consistent growth moving in light winds, dry fuels, and under the influence of slope driven runs. Along the southern side firefighters finished building and testing a hose line with tanks and pumps. Crews monitored fire activity on the slope between Battle Creek and Elk Lake Creek and used tactical firing to bring fire...

Schneider Springs Fire Daily Update September 7, 2021Start Date: August 3, 2021 Cause: Lightning Size: 94,206 acres Percent Contained: 14% Resources Assigned: 758 resources Crews (16); Engines (37); Dozers (7); Air Resources (9); Other Heavy Equipment (26) Yesterday: Fire activity was minimal despite above normal temperatures and low relative humidity. While firefighters continue to hold and improve control lines along Bethel Ridge, several crews that had been working on the southern portion of the fire were moved to the northern portion of the fire to assist with the ongoing indirect line construction and firing operations to limit fire growth toward the Lost Creek/Gold Creek area and values at risk along the Highway 410 corridor. Indirect line construction was conducted along Forest Road (FR) 1706 to provide additional control features on the fire. Fire activity continued as anticipated within the William O. Douglas Wilderness, exhibiting backing and flanking behavior and...

For the safety of firefighters and the public, approximately 3 miles of Road 6700 is closed to public traffic, from Lake Minotaur Trailhead (southwest edge of the fire) to Rainy Creek Campground (northwest edge of the fire). Please use alternate route when navigating the area around the Nason Fire.  Firefighters have been securing containment lines by burning vegetation along established roads on the north and west edges of the fire. This is a firefighting tactic that removes fuels at a low intensity heat in advance of the main fire's arrival. As the main fire approaches the already burned area, there is less fuel for the fire to consume. The main fire in turn loses intensity and is unlikely to spot over roads or burn through containment lines.  We ask the public to please use caution when driving open portions of Road 6700 and Road 6500. Watch for emergency vehicles and traffic congestion. Smoke may settle in drainages where these roads are located, possibly making visibility...

Actualización del Incendio Schneider Springs 7 de Septiembre de 2021Fecha de Inicio: 3 de agosto de 2021 Causa: Relámpagos Tamaño: 94,206 acres Contención: 14% Recursos asignados: 758 recursos Cuadrillas (16); Camiones de Bomberos (37); Palas Mecánicas (7); Recursos Aéreos (9); Otro equipo pesado (26) Ayer: La actividad del fuego fue mínima a pesar de temperaturas por encima de lo normal y una baja humedad relativa. Mientras los bomberos continúan manteniendo y mejorando las líneas de control a lo largo de Bethel Ridge, varias cua-rillas que habían estado trabajando en la parte sur del incendio se trasladaron a la parte norte del incendio para ayudar con la construcción de la línea indirecta y operaciones de disparo para limitar el crecimiento del fuego hacia el área de Lost Creek/Gold Creek y los valores en riesgo a lo largo del corredor de la autopista 410. La construcción de la línea indirecta se llevó a cabo a lo largo de Forest Road (FR) 1706 para proveer...

 Summary: The Rough Patch Complex and Jack Fires are being managed under a full suppression strategy. Fire activity is moderated by lingering smoke but may increase if it lifts. Firefighters will monitor and mop up fire lines as they cool to secure the fire perimeter. Air and ground operations are coordinating with the Devil’s Knob Complex fires as the complexes begin to share air space. Chaos and Little Bend Fires: The Chaos fire is at 22,860 acres and the Little Bend fire is at 7,744 acres.  Hoses were laid down along the 2460 road to support the containment line to the north. Nearby, burning operations along the 176 road are progressing well as crews make their way past Grouse Saddle to the 3829 road. South of the Little Bend Fire, heavy equipment is being used to stabilize road conditions along the 3810 as crews move east toward the 5850 road.  Jack and Buckhead Fires: The Jack fire is at 23,990 acres and the Buckhead fire is at 5,714 acres. The west, north, and...

Summary: The Rough Patch Complex and Jack Fires are being managed under a full suppression strategy. Fire activity is moderated by lingering smoke but may increase if it lifts. Firefighters will monitor and mop up fire lines as they cool to secure the fire perimeter. Air and ground operations are coordinating with the Devil’s Knob Complex fires as the complexes begin to share air space. Chaos and Little Bend Fires: The Chaos fire is at 22,860 acres and the Little Bend fire is at 7,744 acres.  Hoses were laid down along the 2460 road to support the containment line to the north. Nearby, burning operations along the 176 road are progressing well as crews make their way past Grouse Saddle to the 3829 road. South of the Little Bend Fire, heavy equipment is being used to stabilize road conditions along the 3810 as crews move east toward the 5850 road. Jack and Buckhead Fires: The Jack fire is at 23,990 acres and the Buckhead fire is at 5,714 acres. The west, north, and northeast end...

 Special Statement The latest Air Quality Alerts and Advisories issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality will be posted onthe "Oregon Smoke  Blog". Note that this Outlook is base on the 24-hour AQI, for current conditions go to "EPA's Airnow Fire and Smoke Map".   Fire and Weather The Middle Fork Complex is now at 26,031 acres and is 20% contained. Today will be hot, dry, and unstable. An approaching front will help to clear some of the lingering smoke with windier conditions, but it will also increase our fire potential. Little to no rain is expected on the fire with the passing front, but we should see cooler temperatures tomorrow.   Smoke We have one more day of smoke and unhealthy air quality in areas along and east of the Cascade divide. The winds ahead of the front should clear some of the smoke, moderating the 'Hazardous' conditions we have seen in Bend, La Pine, and McKenzie Bridge, with most of the improvement being later tonight. So, we have...

Fire and Weather: Low pressure moving northward west of the coast will bring gusty winds to inland areas Tuesday afternoon and evening. Gusty winds will continue Wednesday east of the Cascades. If the smoke clears enough today to launch aircraft the Devils Knob Complex is planning on burning up to 5,000 acres. The Rough Patch Complex is planning smaller scale ignitions as well. Both Complexes successfully completed burnouts yesterday. Facebook and Inciweb have additional fire information. Smoke: East wind along the I-5 corridor between Roseburg and Grants Pass will transport smoke into the corridor resulting in degraded air quality today. Expect Unhealthy to Hazardous air quality through the forecast area today with improvements Wednesday. Although high level SW winds have transported CA smoke over the forecast area the smoke is not expected to mix down and impact local air quality. Unfortunately, with two levels of smoke overhead, significant winds will be needed for extended...

South Oregon Cascades Rough Patch & Devils Knob Complex, and Jack Fire Issued at: 2021-09-07 07:24 PDTFire and Weather: Low pressure moving northward west of the coast will bring gusty winds to inland areas Tuesday afternoon and evening. Gusty winds will continue Wednesday east of the Cascades. If the smoke clears enough today to launch aircraft the Devils Knob Complex is planning on burning up to 5,000 acres. The Rough Patch Complex is planning smaller scale ignitions as well. Both Complexes successfully completed burnouts yesterday. Facebook and Inciweb have additional fire information. Smoke: East wind along the I-5 corridor between Roseburg and Grants Pass will transport smoke into the corridor resulting in degraded air quality today. Expect Unhealthy to Hazardous air quality through the forecast area today with improvements Wednesday. Although high level SW winds have transported CA smoke over the forecast area the smoke is not expected to mix down and impact local air...

Devil’s Knob Complex Update Tuesday, September 7, 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: Fire activity is expected to increase earlier in the day today, although activity will be dependent on an arriving low-pressure system which may bring additional smoke from California wildfires into the area. The presence or absence of the additional smoke will drive fire behavior; the smoke may contribute to increased shading and cooling and resultantly diminished fire behavior. However, without additional smoke, fires will be very active due to warm temperatures and low humidity. Air resource support will be dependent on visibility associated with smoky conditions. As lines are secured on the Big Hamlin Fire, additional ground resources will be shifted to the Smith Fire. Smith...

 GREEN RIDGE FIRE UPDATE Southern Area Incident Management Gray Team, Incident Commander, Mitch Ketron September 6, 2021 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 to protect firefighters and the public, so please respect the closed areas. Stay clear of fire-blackened areas for the many unseen hazards that exist, including live green, fire-weakened, trees which may fall without warning, and scalding hot stump holes.  Please maintain situational awareness of your surroundings when traveling and hiking in fire-damaged forests. Know before you go! Before going hunting, hiking or camping, be sure to check the forest, grassland or ranger district for fire restrictions or area closures. For a checklist of fire-safe actions when enjoying the outdoors, visit the USDA Forest Service at Know Before You Go. Green Ridge Fire...

 Bull of the Woods Lookout Lost to Fire on the Bull Complex  Sandy, Oregon, September 6, 2021 – Incident Management Team officials confirmed last night that the Bull of the Woods Lookout located within the Bull of the Woods Wilderness was lost due to fire activity yesterday. This Lookout was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and frequently visited by those who enjoy the history and background of Fire Lookouts. “We acknowledge that losing this historic Lookout is a loss that will be felt by many in the area and beyond,” said Rick Connell, Incident Commander of NR Team 4. Over the past several weeks as the fire moved towards the historic Lookout, several actions had been taken by firefighters to protect it. Plans to wrap the Lookout in structure wrap material were made several times but had to be cancelled due to dangerous conditions to firefighter safety and the unavailability of trained personnel. Working on dangerously high and structurally compromised...

Incéndio El incendio de Twenty-Five Mile aumentó su extensión a 17,260 acres y permanece a un 40% de contención. Para hoy se espera actividad de incendio moderada, y deberían llevarse a cabo operaciones de quema durante los próximos días, si las condiciones lo permiten. Para tener información actualizada sobre el incendio información, visite: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7804/ Humo En general, se espera buena calidad de aire en la zona, con humo/niebla visible en el cielo en algunas áreas. Es possible que las comunidades más cercanas al incendio experimenten condiciones moderadas en la mañana y una mejora a medida que avanza el día. Es probable que desde Leavenworth se vea humo del incendio de Nason en las horas de la noche. Salud y seguridad La exposición al humo de incendios forestales puede aumentar la vulnerabilidad ante infecciones respiratorias, incluyendo el COVID-19. Visite el siguiente enlace con información sobre humo en Washington para...