InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

DREW W. HYERGARFIELD COUNTY SHERIFFP.O. BOX 338POMEROY, WA 99347-0338 (509) 843-3494 · FAX (509) 843-1347FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:POMEROY, Washington – August 23, 2021GREEN RIDGE FIRE – EVACUATION LEVELS CHANGE FOR GARFIELD COUNTYEffective August 23, 2021, Garfield County Sheriff’s Office has updated the evacuation level 3 area of Clearwater Tower, Stentz Springs and Rose Springs to a level 2.  This evacuation reduction is due to the weather change and fire status as of today. Evacuation Levels are evaluated daily based on current and forecasted fire activity.  Again, the change in current evacuation levels is precautionary. Level 1: READY - Level 1 evacuations are an Alert. Residents should be aware of a danger that exists. Now is the time to “Get Ready”. Residents with special needs, or those with pets or livestock, should take note and prepare for relocating family members, pets and livestock. Refine your evacuation plans and gather the things you will need if you...

Please join us tonight, August 23rd, at 7:30 p.m. on the Schneider Springs Fire Facebook page for a LIVE virtual community meeting! This meeting will be recorded and posted to the page for viewing after the live event as well. Link provided below. Schneider Springs Fire Facebook

  Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest   Pincer Creek Fire Update   Contact:  James Chu Telephone:  971-334-7674 Date:  August 23, 2021 Email address:  2021.pincercreek@firenet.gov   Pincer Creek Fire Continues to Burn Warmer Weather Expected This Week   Everett, WA, Aug. 23, 2021 – Fire managers report that the Pincer Creek Fire was relatively quiet this weekend due to the cloudier and cooler weather.  The fire received periodic drizzle through the weekend.  The fire continues to burn more actively in areas where there are pockets of dead and down material from the 2003 fire and smolders in other areas.  Fire activity increased after the cloud cover lifted on Saturday afternoon, but resumed the creeping behavior later in the weekend.  The fire is approximately 865 acres and continues to burn within the Mineral Park Fire scar. Over the past several days, the weather has shifted to a more fall like pattern with cloudy, moist, cool weather.  “We are thankful that the...

Inchelium, WA – The Summit Trail Fire was started by lightning on July 12 and is burning on the Colville Reservation approximately 17 miles west of Inchelium. Firefighters are using direct handline, dozer line, and defensive burning tactics to minimize fire spread. Yesterday, cool temperatures and high humidity resulted in minimal fire activity across the landscape, allowing firefighters to build containment lines directly on the fire’s edge. Crews used a “skidgine”, which is a hybridized logging skidder and fire engine, to improve containment lines west of South Seventeenmile Mountain, northeast to Grizzly Trail Road. Tree fallers improved roads by removing hazard trees along Hall Creek Road. Firefighters scouted for opportunities to build containment lines southeast of Sitdown Creek Road to secure an uncontained portion of the fire line. Crews with heavy equipment were deployed to the northeast of Brush Mountain to shore up containment lines into Sugar Lake Road. On the...

Kettle Falls, WA – In cooperation with NW Team 7 and Ferry County Emergency Management, the Ferry County Sheriff’s Office has lifted all evacuation notices and orders related to the Bulldog Mountain and Mack Mountain Fires. The fires are not currently posing a threat to residential areas during this period of cool, wet weather. The continued mild weather has kept fire behavior minimal and this pattern is expected to persist for the next several days. Warmer temperatures and slightly increased winds are predicted by the end of the week which could increase fire behavior. On the Bulldog Mountain Fire the construction of direct containment lines along the fire’s edge is not possible in most of this steep and inaccessible terrain. Firefighters are building indirect containment lines where terrain and access permit, usually at some distance from the fire’s current edge. Additional work is underway to build contingency fire lines, which can be used if the fire escapes the primary...

Kettle Falls, WA – In cooperation with NW Team 7 and Ferry County Emergency Management, the Ferry County Sheriff’s Office has lifted all evacuation notices and orders related to the Bulldog Mountain and Mack Mountain Fires. The fires are not currently posing a threat to residential areas during this period of cool, wet weather. The continued mild weather has kept fire behavior minimal and this pattern is expected to persist for the next several days. Warmer temperatures and slightly increased winds are predicted by the end of the week which could increase fire behavior. On the Bulldog Mountain Fire the construction of direct containment lines along the fire’s edge is not possible in most of this steep and inaccessible terrain. Firefighters are building indirect containment lines where terrain and access permit, usually at some distance from the fire’s current edge. Additional work is underway to build contingency fire lines, which can be used if the fire escapes the primary...

Bull Complex Fire UpdateMonday, August 23 2021Contact Fire Information:  971.277.5075 or 2021.Bull@firenet.govhttps://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7773/#BullComplexhttps://www.facebook.com/mthoodnf or https://twitter.com/mthoodnfCooler temperatures minimized fire growth yesterday on the Bull Complex Fire and unseasonably cooler temperatures are forecast to remain over the fire area again today. Temperatures are expected to increase and normalize starting Tuesday through Friday, possibly increasing fire behavior and visible smoke. The fire is still smoldering, moving along the ground and burning in low brushes and small trees. Firefighters are working to remove vegetation with heavy equipment and chainsaws to prepare existing roads (Forest Roads 6580, 6355, 4696, and 70) to use as containment lines. In future days, if conditions are appropriate, firefighters may intentionally burn vegetation (known as a burn out) along these roads to remove fuel between the roads and main fire,...

  Email:  2021.blackbutte@firenet.gov Phone: 425-324-1267 (8am - 6pm) InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7770 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2021-Black-Butte-Fire-112941407659373 Twitter: https://twitter.com/MalheurNF   Acres: 22,348                                                                                                  Number of Personnel: 247 Percent Containment: 85%                                                Cause: Lightning Date/Time Detected: August 3, 2021, 10:00 a.m.         Origin/Location: South of Unity, OR   John Day, OR – Containment on the Black Butte Fire reached 85% yesterday as crews continued to mop up and patrol all areas of the fire perimeter. Some heat and smoldering stumps remain on the northwestern edge and near the borders of the interior islands of green vegetation....

 Evacuation status lowered as crews continue work to increase containment  Ford Corkscrew Fire Daily Update August 23, 2021      Acres:  15,787 acres  Personnel: 385  Cause: Under investigation  Containment: 44%    Start Date: Sunday, August 15, 2021  Location: Ford, WA  Fuels:  Timber (grass and understory); brush (2 feet)      Announcement:  Evacuation status updates occurred on Sunday, August 21. Residents should monitor the Steven’s County Emergency Management (https://www.facebook.com/stevenscountyem/) for the latest evacuation information. If you have any questions about evacuation status, have your address ready, and please contact the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 Public Information line at 509-508-3311. For structure status information, please email your name, contact information, and address of the property you are inquiring about to 2021.fordcorkscrew@firenet.gov or call 509-508-3311...

Green Ridge and Lick Creek Fire UpdateMonday, August 23, 2021, 10:00 a.m. Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team BlackTroy Hagan, Incident Commander Green Ridge Fire Statistics:Size: 39,422 acres Containment:  35% Total Personnel: 229Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla Reported: July 7, 2021 Cause: Lightning Lick Creek Fire Statistics:Size:  80,421 acres Containment: 97% Total Personnel: 14Location: 20 miles southwest of Asotin, WA Reported: July 7, 2021 Cause: Lightning  Drier conditions and cooler temperatures expected over Green Ridge FireCurrent Situation: Green Ridge Fire: The Green Ridge Fire is 39,422 acres and is 35% contained. Fire activity on the Green Ridge Fire was minimal again on Sunday as residual moisture from weekend rains tempered fire activity. Crews continued patrolling sections of uncontrolled line in divisions M and K to remove heat from the fire’s edge and ensure the fire stays within its current perimeter. Crews began removing hose and other...

FECHA DE INICIO: 3 de agosto de 2021 Causa: Relámpagos TAMAÑO: 68,193 acres Contención: 3% Recursos asignados: 517 /Cuadrillas (13); Camiones de Bomberos (41); Palas Mecánicas (6); Recursos Aéreos (11) Cisternas de agua (11); Otro equipo pesado (6) Una reunión pública virtual está programada para las 7:30 p.m. en la página de Facebook del Incendio Schneider Springs. Ayer: El viento fue una gran preocupación debido al clima pronosticado al comenzar del día, pero el fuego permaneció principal- mente en el suelo y los vientos no contribuyeron a un crecimiento significativo del fuego. Trabajando a lo largo de Bumping River Road, las cuadrillas construyeron líneas de contención preliminares conectando las carreteras existentes y elimi- nando los combustibles forestales para evitar la propagación del fuego. En la parte norte del incendio, las palas mecánicas también estaban construyendo una línea  de defensa desde Forest Road 1706 al oeste hacia Bumping River,...

Green Ridge and Lick Creek Fire UpdateMonday, August 23, 2021, 10:00 a.m. Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team BlackTroy Hagan, Incident Commander Green Ridge Fire Statistics:Size: 39,422 acres Containment:  35% Total Personnel: 229Location: 30 miles east of Walla Walla Reported: July 7, 2021 Cause: Lightning Lick Creek Fire Statistics:Size:  80,421 acres Containment: 97% Total Personnel: 14Location: 20 miles southwest of Asotin, WA Reported: July 7, 2021 Cause: Lightning  Drier conditions and cooler temperatures expected over Green Ridge FireCurrent Situation: Green Ridge Fire: The Green Ridge Fire is 39,422 acres and is 35% contained. Fire activity on the Green Ridge Fire was minimal again on Sunday as residual moisture from weekend rains tempered fire activity. Crews continued patrolling sections of uncontrolled line in divisions M and K to remove heat from the fire’s edge and ensure the fire stays within its current perimeter. Crews began removing hose and other...

Schneider Springs Fire Daily Update August 23, 2021START DATE: August 3, 2021 Cause: Lightning SIZE: 68,193 acres Percent Contained: 3% Resources Assigned: 554 resources Crews (13); Engines (41); Dozers (6); Air Resources (5); Other heavy equipment (17)A virtual public meeting is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on the Schneider Springs Fire Facebook page. Yesterday: Wind was a high concern from the predicted weather going into the day, but the fire remained mostly on the ground and the winds did not contribute to any significant fire growth. Working along Bumping River Road, crews con-structed preliminary containment lines by connecting existing roads and removing fuels to prevent fire spread. On the northern portion of the fire, dozers were also constructing fire line from Forest Road 1706 west towards Bumping River, following roads and natural topographic features. A structure protection group was added to the organization to coordinate with local fire districts and unify efforts around the...

Location: 13 miles N/NE of Tonasket, WA, surrounding Lake BonaparteFire Size: 23,404 acresContainment: 9 percentFire Start Date: August 3, 2021Cause: Under InvestigationResources: 661 personnel, including 9 crews, 44 engines, 43 heavy equipment, 3 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 1 Type 3 helicopter, Air AttackCurrent Situation:For structure loss or damage, contact your insurance agency and the Okanogan County Assessor Office at (509) 422-7190.Operational plan for today: Within the "bowl" area around Bonaparte Lake, engines, hand crews, and heavy equipment will mop-up hot spots, debris, and secure fire lines around structures.The Big River Hotshots are finalizing direct line in the Lost Lake Area.Around the Fourth of July Ridge, steep terrain long the Lost Lake Road has forced firefighters to use indirect tactics creating large areas of unburned fuel between the line and the main fire. If conditions allow, burnout operations are an effective tactic to reduce the risk...

  Middle Fork Complex update for Monday, Aug. 23    WESTFIR, Ore. – Firefighters and road guards are encountering many unauthorized motorists within the Middle Fork Complex closure area, which is impeding their progress toward suppression of the Middle Fork Complex.      Closures are enacted to protect the public from numerous hazards, including falling timber, dislodged rocks and burning debris rolling into roadways, firebrands and burnovers, as well as suppression activities that may block a road, such as strategic ignitions, chipping and mastication, tree felling, slower-moving engines and heavy equipment, and firefighters working within and along roadways. Work may be taking place in heavy smoke, making it difficult to see other vehicle traffic.    The emergency area closure for the Middle Fork Complex Fire was expanded Friday, Aug. 20, to incorporate the Gales-Ninemile Fire zone. This closure includes general forest areas,...

 Twentyfive Mile Fire UpdateAugust 23, 2021Size: 10,518 acresTotal Personnel: 539                                                               Containment: 8%Cause: Under investigationStructures Threatened: 772Structures Lost: 11 Yesterday weather conditions allowed for crews to reinforce lines put in place. The heavy winds fanned a small two-acre fire believed to have started from Friday’s thunderstorm. Initial attack was able to contain the fire quickly. Heavy equipment and crews continued to prepare lines to the south near Slide Ridge in anticipation for strategic firing operations when weather and fuel conditions align. Crews again maintained an overnight shift, reinforcing structure protection operations in and around properties and homes. Today, fire behavior is expected to increase as the warmer weather dries fuels back out following the rain. Heavy equipment and crews will construct line south of Junior...

      Muckamuck Fire Update  August 23, 2021  Fire Information: (509) 202-4184  Email: 2021.muckamuck@firenet.gov Start Date: August 4, 2021    Cause: Lightning    Size: 13,004 acres    Containment: 35% Location: Approximately three miles northeast of Conconully Resources Assigned:  285 personnel; approximately 400 other personnel shared by Cub Creek 2 Fire   Current Situation: The fire continues to smolder slowly following the weekend rainfall and cooler temperatures. Some tree torching was observed by fire personnel. Crews on Sunday took advantage of favorable weather conditions to increase containment by working hot spots in the north and continuing to build line. Evacuation levels were reduced for some areas, with Salmon Meadows-Kerr the only community still under a Level 3 mandatory evacuation order. On Monday, firefighters will hose down hot spots, mop up and patrol for increased fire activity. The Siniahekin Road, North Fork Salmon Creek Road,...

  Cedar Creek, Cub Creek 2, and Delancy Fires Daily Update August 23, 2021   Winthrop, WA — The Cedar Creek, Cub Creek 2, and Delancy Fires are burning on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and public and private lands within Okanogan County.   Fire Information Line: 509-557-0740 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily)   Cedar Creek Fire: The fire is 55,137 acres and is now 75% contained. Crews are continuing to mop up, secure and patrol containment lines. Line construction continues on the southwest side in the Little Wolf Creek area. Support will be provided by helicopter water drops to cool hot areas of burning fuel for the ground crew. Another focus will be backhauling, which involves removing equipment such as hose from the fireline back to the incident command post to be repaired and used for future fires. All evacuation level 1 (Advisory) areas associated with the Cedar Creek Fire have been removed.   Cub Creek 2 Fire: The Cub Creek Fire is 70,154 acres and 70%...

Location: 15 miles west of Tonasket, WAFire Size: 5,118 acresContainment: 11 percentFire start date: August 4, 2021Cause: Under InvestigationResources: 207 personnel, including 6 crews, 9 engines, 22 heavy equipment, 2 Type 1 helicopters, 1 Type 2 helicopter, 1 Type 3 helicopter, Air Attack Current Situation:Rain has given the opportunity for firefighters to aggressively work directly along the fire's edge. For the next couple of days, fire behavior is expected to be moderate as a result of the recent precipitation. Operational Plan for Today:Direct line that has been put in around the Mill Hill Road area is holding. Crews will continue to secure lines with heavy equipment and hoselays.Secondary containment lines along Cecile Creek Road continue to be expanded as contingency lines.Air resources will be used to assist firefighters on the ground in extinguishing hot spots along the fire's edge.The northern side of the fire is in steep terrain causing firefighters to go indirect...

 Cedar Creek, Cub Creek 2, and Delancy Fires Daily Update August 23, 2021   Winthrop, WA — The Cedar Creek, Cub Creek 2, and Delancy Fires are burning on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and public and private lands within Okanogan County.   Fire Information Line: 509-557-0740 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm daily)   Cedar Creek Fire: The fire is 55,137 acres and is now 75% contained. Crews are continuing to mop up, secure and patrol containment lines. Line construction continues on the southwest side in the Little Wolf Creek area. Support will be provided by helicopter water drops to cool hot areas of burning fuel for the ground crew. Another focus will be backhauling, which involves removing equipment such as hose from the fireline back to the incident command post to be repaired and used for future fires. All evacuation level 1 (Advisory) areas associated with the Cedar Creek Fire have been removed.   Cub Creek 2 Fire: The Cub Creek Fire is 70,154 acres and 70%...