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New TFR Established for the 204 Cow Fire Effective Monday, Aug. 26 A new TFR (temporary flight restriction) is now in place over the 204 Cow Fire during daylight hours.The TRF includes Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), or drones, as well. Flying drones near wildfires could cause injury or death to firefighters as a result of a mid-air collision with tactical firefighting aircraft. NOTAM : 9/7890 Location : 15 NM SE PRAIRIE CITY, OR, Monday, August 26, 2019 through Tuesday, October 01, 2019 UTCPlease consult the FAA for a complete description at the

Firefighters working on the northeast and southeast areas of the fire were able to use hand and aerial ignitions to reduce surface fuels between the fire’s active edge and the control lines planned for final containment. The current weather has been favorable to this careful and deliberate process. On the fire’s north flank, handcrews and heavy equipment are building a control line along the 325 road to tie into an area where a previous fire reduced vegetation, creating a natural control feature. Along Forest Road 13, which will serve as the eastern control line, hand crews, and logging equipment are strengthening this control line by thinning and chipping brush and dead-and-downed lodgepole pine. On the fire’s south flank, crews have completed hand and dozer line west from Forest Road 13 toward Sheep Mountain, tying into another previous fire. These control lines are planned to establish containment of the fire and protect values at risk including a cow camp, the Short Creek...

JOSEPH, Ore. — August 26, 2019 — Cooler temperatures and higher humidity Sunday slowed the movement of the Granite Gulch Fire, which continues to do what nature intended clear the forest floor of excess fuels which encourages the growth of forage. "You couldn't plan a better burn in mid-elevation mixed conifer," Eagle Cap Ranger District Fire Management Officer Nathan Goodrich said. "Everything's cleaning up really nicely with very low levels of mortality in the overstory." Managing a wildfire for resource benefits works almost exactly like a controlled burns and is planned in the same way. The need is identified, objectives are developed, the right conditions are determined, and when everything comes together the plan is executed. Historically, mid-slope conifer density in the Eagle Cap Wilderness averaged less than 100 trees per acre, with skips and gaps in the forest canopy (tops of trees) that allowed sunlight to reach the forest floor and nurture new...

Crews, dozers and other heavy equipment are working to contain the 2,053-acre 204 Cow Fire. On the fire’s north flank, handcrews and heavy equipment are building a control line along the 325 road, heading westerly to tie into an area where a previous fire reduced vegetation and created a natural control feature. Extensive work is being done along Forest Road 13, which will serve as the eastern control line. Hand crews, assisted by logging equipment, have made significant progress to strengthen this control line by thinning and chipping brush and dead-and-downed lodgepole pine. On the fire’s south flank, three hotshot crews have completed handline west from Forest Road 13 toward Sheep Mountain an another previously burned area. These control lines are planned to establish containment of the 204 Cow Fire and protect values at risk including a cow camp, the Short Creek Guard Station, grazing allotments, and active timber sales.Over the next several days, crews will conduct operations...

Granite Gulch Fire aiding recovery of whitebark pine JOSEPH, Ore. — Aug. 25, 2019 — Despite strong winds, limited spotting and active burning were observed on the eastern edge of the Granite Gulch Fire late in the day Saturday. Overall, there was little movement of the fire's perimeter. Helicopter drops are keeping the fire's western progress in check and guiding it toward the top of the Last Chance drainage as planned. Managing the movement of the Granite Gulch Fire is accomplishing several resource objectives. Over the past century, white pine blister rust has decimated whitebark pine populations in the western U.S. Fortunately, those that survive produce seeds that are genetically resistant to the disease, but the species still needs help to reestablish. "The trees that are left are hardier," Incident Commander Adam Wing said. "Those will be the next generation of trees." Whitebark pine cones remain hard rather than opening and scattering their seed....

Work continues to contain the 1,650-acre 204 Cow Fire, with crews, dozers and other heavy equipment teaming up to construct lines on the north, south and east flanks of the fire in advance of a predicted increase in fire behavior this afternoon.Extensive work is being done along Forest Road 13, which will serve as the eastern control line. Hand crews, assisted by logging equipment, are preparing the road by thinning and chipping brush and dead-and-downed lodgepole pine.On the fire’s south flank, three hotshot crews are constructing handline west from Forest Road 13 toward Sheep Mountain, where a previous fire reduced vegetation and created a natural control feature.On the fire’s north flank, handcrews and heavy equipment are building a control line along the 325 road.These control lines are planned to establish containment of the 204 Cow Fire and protect values at risk including a cow camp, the Short Creek Guard Station, grazing allotments, and active timber sales.Firefighting...

JOSEPH, Ore. — Aug. 24, 2019 — Warmer, windy conditions this weekend could create visible columns of smoke on the Granite Gulch Fire this weekend. Fire managers say this is normal when a cold front moves into the area, and is not a cause for alarm. The fire's movement is being tracked by personnel on the ground and aerial surveys to ensure it stays well within established boundaries. In the interests of public safety, an area closure was issued Friday by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest for the area between Rock Creek Trail and Trail Creek Trail which drains into the Minam River, excluding Elk Meadows. The complete closure order, map and updated fire information can be found at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6498/ Firefighters are stationed at key locations within the fire zone to guide helicopters dropping water and observe fire movement and intensity. Water drops are being used to slow the fire's spread and encourage its movement in desired directions. ...

Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 9 Incident Commander Brian Goff and Prairie City District Ranger Ed Guzman will host a public meeting on the 204 Cow Fire at the Prairie City Senior Center at 5 p.m. on August 23. Fire managers will discuss the current fire situation and plans for containment, then be available to answer questions from the

Fire Size: 1,100 acres Containment: 0% Location: 15 miles southeast of Prairie City, Oregon Start date: August 9 Cause: Lightning Total Personnel: 289 Management: Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 9 Firefighters are building containment line and planning lines for full containment of the 1,100-acre 204 Cow Fire, burning southeast of Prairie City on the Malheur National Forest. Additional crews and resources have arrived at the fire, which is being managed by Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 9.Crews and heavy equipment are constructing and reinforcing containment line along Forest Road 13 to check the fire’s eastward progression, while scouting for defensible terrain suitable for line construction along the fire’s north and south flanks. This will enable suppression of the fire and protection of values at risk while minimizing firefighter exposure to hazards. Structure defense of a historic cow camp and the Short Creek Guard Station are a high priority;...

ORDER NO. 2019-0616-WMO-001 Fire Closure WALLOWA-WHITMAN NATIONAL FOREST Pursuant to 36 CFR, Sec. 261.S0(a), (b), the following acts are prohibited in the area described in this order within the Eagle Cap Ranger District of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. This Order is effective from August 23, 2019 and will be in effect until rescinded or October 1, 2019. PROHIBITION: (1.)Being in an area closed for Public Health and Safety as described below and shown on the attached map. 36 CFR 261.53(e) Granite Gulch Fire Closure Description: Beginning at the junction of National Forest System Trails #1922 & 1673, thence proceeding northerly to the summit of Brown Mountain, thence proceeding northwesterly to the summit of Glacier Mountain, thence proceeding northwesterly to the summit of Sturgill Peak, thence proceeding westerly to the summit of Katy Mountain, thence proceeding westerly to the junction of National Forest System...

JOSEPH, Ore. — Aug. 23, 2019 — Rain Wednesday night combined with cooler temperatures and higher humidity reduced the spread of the Granite Gulch Fire to a minimum Thursday, although heavier fuels continued to burn in the interior areas of the fire. “[Thursday], we flew in two new lookouts to watch the southeastern flank to monitor the fire and alert us to any changes in activity,” Incident Commander Adam Wing said, bringing the total number of fire line personnel on the ground to seven. Aerial mapping Thursday showed the total footprint of the fire has grown to 4,600 acres. Fire activity is expected to pick up in the next few days as warm, dry weather moves back in. Fire movement In Last Chance Creek drainage will be closely monitored. Under the right conditions, wildland firefighters can manage wildfire to reduce the natural buildup of vegetation on the forest floor. Forest Service personnel work with stakeholders to strategically select areas where...

Wednesday night's wind had little impact on fire activity and was followed by a light rain that lasted about 2 hours. Mule Peak Lookout reported total rainfall of 0.5" this morning.

Fire Size:900 acresContainment:0%Location:15 miles southeast of Prairie City, OregonStart date:August 9Cause:LightningTotal Personnel:220Management:Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 9This morning at 6 a.m., the Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 9, led by Incident Commander Brian Goff, took command of the 900-acre Cow Fire, burning on the Malheur National Forest approximately 15 miles southeast of Prairie City, Oregon.The fire is threatening multiple resource values, including a historic cow camp and the Short Creek Guard Station, along with bull trout habitat, active grazing allotments and timber sales. As the Type 2 Incident Management Team transitions into place, the firefighting objectives are to scout the fire and surrounding terrain for locations favorable to containment and suppression, such as prior burn scars, dozer line, and natural terrain features. This will enable suppression of the fire and protection of values at risk while minimizing...

JOSEPH, Ore. Despite highly visible smoke and active burning Tuesday, aerial reconnaissance showed minimal spread on the Granite Gulch Fire today. “Despite the intense burning yesterday in Wild Sheep Creek, the fire stayed out of the Lostine River canyon,” Incident Commander Adam Wing said. “The fire continues to meet management objectives and create more habitat for White Bark Pine.” Tuesday’s pluming activity burned Subalpine Fir along Wild Sheep Creek, in an area where several sharp, rocky ridges separate it from the Lostine drainage. Today, a Type 1 helicopter helped slow the progress of the fire’s western flank near Last Chance Creek and to prevent the fire from crossing the Minam River between Elk Creek and Lowry Gulch on the southern flank. Officials expect it to continue moving upriver beyond Wild Sheep Creek and backing down the slope toward Last Chance Creek. Fire officials expect rain tonight to further reduce fire activity Thursday, providing an...

Wednesday August 21, 2019 Fire: Cow Fire Containment: 0% Acres: 600 Start Date: August 9, 2019 Cause: Lightning Location: 44.284 latitude, -118.466 longitude Fuels/Topography: timber, predominately Lodge pole Pine Today: The fire increased to 600 acres. Today crews have been utilizing aviation, primary interest to limit fire spread to the east and north and protect two cabins in the general area. In brief with Type 2 Incident Command Team at 1800 Tomorrow: The Incident Command Type 2 Team will take over the fire, Thursday, August 22. Closure: An area closure is in effect. The closure area consists of the following description. Starting at Forest Service Road (FSR) 16 and its junction with FSR 1665 in T16S, R35E, Section 9, following FSR 16 North to the junction with FSR 13 in T15S, R35.5E, section 15, continuing North on FSR 13 to the junction FSR 13-420 T14S, R33.5E, Section 17, then southwest along the Grant County and Baker County line to the end of FSR 1665, T15S,...

An area closure is in effect. The closure area consists of the following description. Starting at Forest Service Road (FSR) 16 and its junction with FSR 1665 in T16S, R35E, Section 9, following FSR 16 North to the junction with FSR 13 in T15S, R35.5E, section 15, continuing North on FSR 13 to the junction FSR 13-420 T14S, R33.5E, Section 17, then southwest along the Grant County and Baker County line to the end of FSR 1665, T15S, R35E, section 35, south southeast along FSR 1665 to junction of FSR 16 in T16S, R35E, section 9. Forest Service Road 13, 16 and 1665 are open to thru traffic only through the area closure. For more information on the area closure, please visit Inciweb at that address listed below.

Area and road closures to be reduced on the HK Complex PENDLETON, Ore. – Forest officials will reduce the area and road closure for the HK Complex to provide access to Umatilla National Forest lands not impacted by the wildfire or suppression efforts. Effective Aug. 22, 2019, at 5 p.m. (pacific time), Forest Service Road (FSR) 21 will be open to through traffic. All roads that spur off FSR 21 between FSR 140 and FSR 2110 will remain closed. Both FSR 140 and FSR 2110 will be open. A full description of the area closure is available at the end of this release or on the Umatilla National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla. The HK Complex is estimated at 2,707 acres and 95% contained, but the fire is still active within the interior. The public is asked to avoid entering the remaining closure area, which is still in place for public and firefighter safety. Firefighters continue to conduct suppression and repair activities, including mopping up hot spots and hazard tree...

Malheur National Forest Incident Command Team Type 3 Brian Bishop-Incident Commander Tuesday August 20, 2019 Fire: Cow Fire Containment: 0% Acres: 560 Start Date: August 9, 2019 Cause: Lightning Location: 44.284 latitude, -118.466 longitude Fuels/Topography: timber, predominately Lodge pole Pine Today: The fire increased to 560 acres, with the majority of the growth in the Cow Creek drainage mostly due to an unstable air mass, which allowed for vertical air movement causing visible fire growth. Tomorrow: Utilize aviation, primary interest to limit fire spread to the east and north and protect two cabins sin the general area. In brief with Type 2 Incident Command Team at 1800. Thursday: The Incident Command Type 2 Team will take over the fire, Thursday, August 22. Smoke: Smoke has been very visible throughout the day due to the unstable air mass, which burned actively in the Cow Creek drainage. For more information on smoke, please...

JOSEPH, Ore.—Today, the Granite Gulch Fire made a highly-visible run up the Wild Sheep Creek drainage, as wind and fuel conditions aligned to produce active fire behavior. Exhibiting a pair of large smoke columns, the estimated 3,400-acre fire will continue to be active during this period of hot, dry weather. The Granite Gulch Fire remains well inside the Eagle Cap Wilderness, poses no threat to private property and continues to be managed by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest for resource benefits, including fuels

Smoke from the Granite Gulch Fire is causing reduced visibility in the Grande Ronde Valley today. Fire behavior has not significantly changed and the fire has not significantly grown; rather, weather and wind patterns have caused smoke to pool in the valley. The Environmental Protection Agency continues to report Good air quality in La Grande, so the smoke is not causing any health risks. A frontal system will move through Northeastern Oregon tomorrow, which is expected to disperse the