OREGON
Whiskey Complex
8/1/13 – 1630 Hours
There will be a community meeting regarding the Whiskey Complex Fire, held Friday August 2, 2013, at the Tiller School located at 27450 Tiller Trail Hwy, Tiller Oregon 97484. The meeting is open to the public, and will start at 7:00 P.M.
Please attend to find out the current situation with the fire, and have your questions answered. For any further information you can call the Information line @ 541-839-3099
* * *
1200 Hours
Oregon Incident Management Team #1 In Unified Command with Douglas Fire Protective Association
Ross Williams and Tim Keith, Incident Commanders
Fires within the Whiskey Complex continue to increase in size even as progress is made in establishing firelines in some strategic areas.
The Whiskey Fire proved its stubbornness on Wednesday as a spot fire was discovered to the south of Beaver Creek. The line in Beaver Creek had held for several days, but a spark from the fire or a holdover from Friday’s lightning storm ignited in heavy timber on steep slopes, and even immediate attack by crews and helicopters was not enough to stop its growth. As of last night it was estimated at 10 acres, but was expected to grow through the night. Plans are being made to surround the fire over the next few days and try to stop it at Stampede Creek to the west and the 600 road to the south, if direct attack proves unsafe or unsuccessful.
Action continued on the Buckeye Fire near Ash Valley as crews worked through the night to strengthen lines by burning out adjacent fuels, working south from the southernmost private land to FS Road 28. To secure the safety of the nearby homes, additional burnout operations will be conducted when conditions are favorable.
The Big Brother Fire burned most actively downhill to the north, where the up-valley winds are strongest. The Big Brother and Whiskey fires, which are separated by just a half-mile of terrain, are being managed as a single fire.
Crews will be mopping up on the Smith Ridge Fire today, working toward containment as they contend with dangerous hazard trees.
Low clouds cover the area this morning, and relative humidity has increased. Fire behavior today is expected to diminish temporarily, but helicopter activity will be hampered by reduced visibility.
Fire at a Glance
Total Size: 4000 Acres
Whiskey and Big Brother combined acreage – 3160 ac
Buckeye –813 acres
Smith Ridge –27 acres
Containment: 15%
Personnel: 886
Air Resources: 2 Type, 1 Heavy helicopters, 2 Type, 2 Medium helicopters , 2 Type 3 Light helicopters and Air Tankers as needed
Closures:
-FS Road 29.
-FS Road 28 from Boulder Creek to French Junction.
-FS Road 31 from jct of FS Road 29 to jct w/ spur 3100-600.
-FS Road 2925 from jct 29 to jct of 3114-600 and 2925-700 spurs.
-FS Road 3114-600
-Ash Flat Campground
-South Umpqua Campground
-South Umpqua Day Use Area
Location: 6 mi east of Tiller,OR.
Cause: Lightning 7-26-13
Fire Information Number: 541-839-3099
For more information:
Blog site for Whiskey Complex:
Smoke information:
http://www.oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/
#####
Labrador Fire Wildfire
8/1/13 – 0800 Hours
Jeanne Klein – Incident Information Officer
Incident Command Post located at Lake Selmac, near Cave Junction, OR. E-mail: labradorfire13@gmail.com
Start date: 7/26/13 06:00
Cause: Lightning
Estimated Size:1,970 acres
% Contained: N/A
# of Firefighters: 573
Injuries to date: None
Estimated Containment:N/A
Closures: Forest Roads 4103, 4105 and 4103152. The entire Illinois River Trail.
# of 20-person hand crews: 16
# of helicopters: 4
SOUTHWEST OR – The Labrador Fire is burning in an area south and west of the Illinois River in inaccessible country 30 miles southwest of Grants Pass, Oregon.
A public meeting will be held tonight at the Josephine County building at 102 South Redwood Highway in Cave Junction at 7 pm. Information will be shared along with maps and presentations by fire managers.
The low pressure arrived yesterday afternoon and cleared the sky over the Labrador Fire. On the northern and eastern flanks near Oak Flat community in Josephine County the fire has backed down to the Illinois River. The fire is also burning further into the Nome Creek drainage on the western flank and south further into the Salmon Creek drainage. Temperatures today are expected to be slightly cooler than normal with gusty winds up to 20 mph on the ridges. When the inversion lifts early this afternoon we expect less smoke cover and pockets of very active fire behavior. Firefighters will be working to keep the fire from spotting across the river near the Oak Flat community. Mechanical brush clearing equipment will be used along the contingency lines east of the Illinois River.
Five engines continue to be stationed at Oak Flat to provide structure protection. No injuries have occurred on the fire. The community of Oak Flat is still under a Level 2 or “advisory evacuation.” There is a Level 1 or “alert advisory evacuation” for the area between Kerby Flat to McCaleb Ranch. These are no mandatory evacuations levels at this time.
High pressure weather system is expected over the area beginning Friday for a return to warmer and drier conditions with conducive to move active fire behavior.
To prevent the spread of Port Orford Cedar root disease firefighters are mixing bleach with the water used in water trucks and engines. This mixture kills the Port Orford Cedar spores. Also, water for helicopter bucket drops is coming from dip sites in uninfected watersheds.
For more information please contact the Fire Information Line at (541) 597-1160.
#####
Big Windy Complex Wildfire
8/1/13 – 1500 H0urs
The Recreation section of the Wild and Scenic Rogue River is still open to rafters. However, the Graves Creek takeout is closed and law enforcement officials will not allow anybody into Graves Creek. Rafters floating on this section of the river should use the Argo, Almeda, or Rand river exits.
* * *
1300 Hours
Yesterday had some of the worst air quality observed so far in southwest Oregon, except for the Illinois Valley, including Cave Junction. Late afternoon winds finally dispersed some of the smoke in Grants Pass and Medford for a few hours but air quality is deteriorating again today. Daily average concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) from yesterday, July 31, 2013 are shown below, along with the associated air quality index (AQI) and level of health concern.
#####
Douglas Complex Fire
7/31/13 – 0900 Hours
ORDF 2- Dennis Sifford – IC Oregon State FMO Green Team – John Ingrao – IC Ph Nos: (541) 832-0136; (541) 832-0137 – Douglas County Info: (888) 459-3830 – Hours of operation: 0800 – 2100 Hours.
Special Message: Evacuations are still in effect for Reuben Road, Mt. Reuben Road and McCullough Creek Road in Douglas County. Josephine County is also continuing evacuations for Poorman Creek, Lower Graves Creek Road, Graves Creek Road, and Lower Wolf Creek.
On Tuesday the Governor declared a State of Emergency for Josephine and Douglas Counties.
Current Situation: The Douglas Complex has added a fourth branch to the complex – the Complex currently consists of Milo, on the east side of Interstate 5; Rabbit Mountain, on the west side of Interstate 5, northwest of Glendale, Dad’s Creek, west of Glendale, and the Farmer’s Fire, south of Glendale. Firefighters are contending with hazards, like falling boulders and trees, and old mine shafts, which are affecting access into some of the fire area. Values at risk include homes, commercial timberland, and critical wildlife habitat. There are no reports of homes burned. Two minor injuries have been reported. Two outbuildings have been destroyed.
MiloMilo Branch is a group of smaller fires, all less than 20 acres in size. Firefighters are patrolling these fires today. No further control problems are expected on these fires.
Rabbit Mountain Near Middle Creek, firefighters continue to make progress on line construction as well as setting up hoses and water for use in extinguishing heat along the fire line. Spread of the fire was slowed by the cooler temperatures and increased humidity yesterday.
Dad’s CreekThe south end of the fire continues to burn actively near Grave Creek; however, growth has slowed with the increased humidity and cooler temperatures. Overnight, on Dad’s Creek Fire, structure protection resources assigned in the Cow Creek Road area and Rattlesnake Road area made good progress helping Oregon Department of Forestry crews prepare the area for burn out operations that are expected to take place in the next 24-36 hours. The structure protection task forces assigned to that division reported good results with continued active fire behavior.
In Josephine County, overhead personnel spent a large part of the day accessing the area and reported challenging terrain, limited access, and active fire conditions. Approximately 30 homes are being threatened in the Grave Creek, Poorman Creek, and Lower Wolf Creek areas. Personnel will continue reconnaissance in these areas to get an accurate count of the number of structures threatened and formulate structure protection plans.
The fire is expected to burn actively again in the afternoon when temperature increases and winds start to affect fire movement. Smoke and erratic winds may impact air operations. Areas around Glendale will continue to see more smoke in the area.
Weather: A Red Flag warning has been issued for the area. The warning indicates an increased risk of fire potential. This warning is based on high fire activity in the area and the dry fuel conditions. The threat of dry lightning and thunderstorms continues through Wednesday, with a chance for rain as the storm progresses. A drying trend is forecast for the weekend.
Evacuations and Closures:
• Cow Creek Road from Riddle into the fire area and from Glendale into the fire has been closed. The public is asked to honor the road blocks and not interfere with firefighters working in the area. • Evacuations have been ordered for McCullough Creek Road, Reuben Road, and Mt. Reuben Road in Douglas County, and Poorman Creek Road, Lower Grave Creek, Grave Creek, and Lower Wolf Creek in Josephine County.• An additional three hundred sixty five residences are considered threatened. This means evacuations could be necessary at some point in the future. Any official evacuation orders would be issued by the Douglas County or Josephine County Sheriff’s Offices.
Fire Information Meetings: A public meeting is planned in Wolf Creek for Thursday night, August 1, at 6:00 pm at the Community Center.
Public Safety/Prevention: Due to winds transitioning from the northwest and inversions setting in at night, thick smoke from the Dad’s Creek fire is settling into Glendale during the morning hours. To address any concern as a result of smoke in the area, an air quality sensor has been installed in Glendale. Go to www.oregonsmoke.blobspot.com to track air quality measurements.
Douglas Forest Protective Association has increased prevention restrictions to IFPL 3, where a 1 p.m. shutdown is in effect. Public restrictions are also in place. Check www.dfpa.net before commencing your activities.
Fire Statistics: Location: 7 miles north of Glendale, ORPercent Contained: 5%Complex Size: 25,396 acresCause: Lightning Start Date: 7/26/13Total Personnel: 1,387 Resources Include: 41 Type 2 hand crews, 86 engines, 15 dozers, 27 water tenders, and overhead personnel
Air Resources: 3 Type 1 helicopters, 6 Type 2 helicopters, and 2 Type 3 helicopters
Places to get information:
Douglas Forest Protective Association – www.dfpa.netTwitter –www.twitter.com/DouglasFPAFacebook –www.facebook.com/DouglasForestProtectiveAssociationInciWeb –http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3559/ODF PIO Blog –http://wildfireoregondeptofforestry.blogspot.com/.ODF Southwest Oregon District –www.swofire.comAmerican Red Cross – www.redcross.org/nssAir Quality – www.oregonblobspot.com
#####
MONTANA
Firestone Flats Fire
7/31/13 – 0900 Hours
Jurisdiction: Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes, LakeCounty
Wednesday, July 31th – 0900 Hours.
Size – Estimated 1750 acres 60% Contained
Discovered: 6 miles east of Arlee, MT on Saturday / July 27th @ 1358 Hours
Cause: Human, Investigation continues.
Fuels: Mixed conifer with grass. Fuels remain very dry.
General public message – Exercise caution when using any power equipment with regard to hot exhaust, metal striking rocks, etc. Ensure that vehicle exhaust systems and qualified spark arrestor systems are in good working order.
Weather: Upslope winds @ 8 – 15 mph in the morning with local gusts up to 25 mph, changing to westerly at 15 – 20 mph this afternoon. Temperatures 70 – 75 with lows 50 – 60. Daytime Humidity 30 – 40 %. Again today, moderate inversion breaking at around 11:00 a.m. today.
Road Information: Jocko Canyon Road, Pistol Creek Road, North Placid Road currently remain closed to the public. Evacuation orders have been lifted, however access remains for residents and assigned emergency vehicles only. Jocko Canyon residents were allowed to return to their homes. (Current information will be available at the at Jocko Road & Jocko Canyon Junction).
Resources Assigned: Bob Fry, Incident Commander, Western Montana Incident Management Team
365 firefighters and support personnel
3 Hotshot Crews 5 Hand Crews
13 Engines 4 Helicopters
12 pieces of Heavy Equipment 3 Water Tenders
2 Heavy Air Tankers available as needed today
Resources Threatened: Residences, watershed, cultural resources, bull trout habitat, and valuable commercial timber on tribal lands.
Management Strategy: Full suppression with all available resources.
Informational updates on this fire will be provided daily go to InciWeb.Org then reference tab for theFiretone Flats Fire
Fire Information: 406 – 726 – 7015 / firestoneflats@gmail.com
#####
WASHINGTON STATE
Moore Point Wildfire
7/31/13
Chelan— Forest Service officials estimate the Moore Point Fire to be approximately 500 acres, as of Tuesday evening. The fire is burning along the Lakeshore Trail, southeast towards the Meadow Creek drainage and backing north into Fish Creek. Structure protection is the primary suppression emphasis on the fire. A combination of factors continues to pose high risk for firefighter suppression efforts including falling dead trees from the 2001 Rex Creek Fire, steep terrain, and rolling material.
“The firefighters on the ground are constantly assessing their situation to mitigate the terrain and snag hazards. We strive to balance direct suppression actions with minimizing firefighter exposure to unnecessary risks. Much of the Moore Point Fire, especially on the face of Round Mountain, is extremely steep and unsafe for direct suppression actions by firefighters. So the focus is on structure protection and finding opportunities to safely corral the fire,” describes Kari Grover Wier, District Ranger on the Chelan Ranger District.
Chelan County Sheriff officials have issued Level III evacuation for the two private residences south of Moore Point campground within the fire area. At this level, residents are advised to leave the area immediately due to the fire danger. Four additional private residences north and south of the fire perimeter are placed on a Level II evacuation notice where they have been advised either relocate or to be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.
Firefighters on the Moore Point Fire have been successful in their efforts of protecting the private residences along Lake Chelan in the Round Mountain and Moore Point vicinity. “Most of these homes have cleared defensible space and have sprinkler systems in place. The homeowners have done a good job preparing their property for wildfire. These precautionary efforts significantly help our firefighting efforts,” states Jeff Bouschor, Assistant Fire Manager for the Chelan Ranger District.
Moore Point Campground and the Lakeshore Trail #1274 between Meadow Creek and Flick Creek campground remain closed for public and firefighter safety.
Suppression efforts have been successful on the three additional lightning fires in the Chelan area.
Firefighters have made good progress constructing fire line and limiting the fire spread on Skookum Puss Fire located south of the Moore Point Fire near Rex Creek. Currently, the fire size is estimated between three to five acres.
The two smokerjumpers staffing the Wolverine Creek Fire located three miles north of Lucerne, successfully constructed fire line around the fire perimeter holding the fire at one quarter acre in size.
The Jungle Fire, located about two miles north of Graham Harbor, is reported to be 50% contained with limited fire growth at two tenths of an acre. Two smokejumpers will continue to staff this fire over the next few days.
The Chelan Ranger District would like to remind forest visitors that all outdoor burning is restricted and campfires restrictions are in place on National Forest Lands in Chelan County. Please contact the local U.S. Forest Service ranger station for more information.
#####
Mile Marker #28 Wildfire – Goldendale
8/1/13 – 1000 Hours
57
WEBSITE: Inciweb.org/incident/35
INFO CENTER: (509) 773-7136 or 7059
EMAIL: MileMarker28Fire@gmail.com
ACRES: 26793
CONTAINMENT: 65 %
TOTAL PERSONNEL: 1291
The Mile Marker 28 Fire is located 15 miles northeast of Goldendale, Washington along Highway 97. The fire continues to burn in grasslands, shrub brush, timber, and timber litter. Resources from several states are working on the Mile Maker 28 Fire.
FIRE SITUATION: US Highway 97 reopened yesterday between Toppenish and Goldendale. Drivers should expect delays of up to one-hour while a pilot car guides traffic through a 7-mile stretch of US Highway 97 from the Yakima/Klickitat county line to Satus Pass. Due to safety concerns, the speed limit has been reduced to 40 mph along 13 miles of US Highway 97 between the Yakima/Klickitat county line and Allen Creek Road. For additional information call the US Highway 97 closure hotline: (509) 577-1617. (Note— All pilot cars are marked vehicles from WSDOT. Fire suppression equipment is not involved in guiding motorists through the reopening of US Highway 97.)
Crews will spend another day working on the fire perimeter, reinforcing the fireline and completing mop-up operations. Firefighters continue to experience difficulty in completing line construction along the western boundary within the Satus Creek drainage. However, the weather forecast today is favorable with winds changing back around from the west and southwest which should help push the fire back into the interior of the fire. The challenging topography and erratic winds increased fire activity making it difficult for firefighters to construct line. At one point, firefighters temporarily disengage due to a lack of visibility while working in the drainage. Once visibility increased, firefighter continued suppression activities. Several interior areas of unburned fuel will continue to be consumed and fire officials have indicated that smoke will likely continue to be present from the interior of the fire throughout the summer. Fire crews continue to work extensively with the local resource advisors minimizing the impacts of the fire and suppression activities.
Challenges on the Mile Marker 28 Fire include warm weather conditions, potential for dehydration, increased traffic on many roads, and the steep, rugged terrain. Only minor injuries related to the heat have occurred on the Mile Marker 28 Fire.
Four two-person teams of firefighters using handheld infrared devices will be walking the perimeter of the fire during night shifts identifying hot spots and directing mop-up crews to extinguish those areas.
Incident Commander Nathan Rabe and the members of the Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 2 appreciate the support from the public during fire suppression efforts. Firefighter and public safety is the priority on the Mile Marker 28 Fire.
A Burn Ban is in effect on all Department of Natural Resources administered lands. No campfires are permitted on state protected lands, even in developed campgrounds: www.dnr.wa.gov .
EVACUATIONS: (Information from the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office). Yesterday the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office lowered the Level 2 (Precautionary) emergency notice to Level 1 (Advisory) from Satus Pass south to Box Canyon Road. All other levels remain unchanged.
The Cleveland/Bickleton area Evacuation Levels set on July 28, remain unchanged.
The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office urges the public to be cautious and aware of emergency vehicles, including fire trucks, supporting vehicles and personnel which will remain in the area.
SHELTER: The Red Cross Shelter located at Fathers House Fellowship has been closed. For information please call the National Red Cross at 888-610-1455.
CLOSURES: US Highway 97 opened yesterday July 31st with a pilot car guiding traffic through the fire burn area. Go to WSDOT website for additional information: www.wsdot.wa.gov .
RESOURCES: 33 Crews, 6 Helicopters, 76 Engines, 19 Dozers, 22 Water Tenders, 237 Overhead, 4 Camp Crew = Total Personnel 1,291
#####
Colockum Tarps Wildfire – Wenatchee
8/1/13 – 0900 Hours
Yesterday, consistent east winds pushed the fire upslope along the west shore of the Columbia River. As the fire moved toward populated areas, the Kittitas County Sheriff implemented Level 3 evacuations, notifying people in more than 100 homes to leave immediately. These people and their animals were offered shelter in Ellensburg, Wash.
Although firefighting efforts could continue in some areas, smoke filled the most actively burning section of the western flank, preventing aircraft from applying retardant or water. For several hours, it was also too dangerous for ground staff to engage the fire. When extreme conditions moderated, ground crews returned to point protection, supported by 14 aircraft.
Meanwhile, excellent progress was made improving the fire lines that are parallel to the wind direction. Dozers and elite fire crews constructed and widened firelines along the south and northwest flanks. Aided by long lines of retardant applied the night before, the fire front could not grow beyond those boundaries. Over the entire fire, containment has reached 25%.
A night shift was deployed for structure protection, line construction and patrolling the lines that are in place.
The priority of work today continues to be along the southern and western flanks to confine the fire. Significant resources have been assigned to those sections, with more crews and engines arriving today to help strengthen existing fire lines and construct new ones to close gaps. Hotshot crews intend to burn-out and enhance firelines in the upper part of the western flank. Strings of timber that have caught fire must be cut off so fire cannot continue moving uphill to the west. Dozers and hand crews are working along the south. Engines from around the state continue their assignment to protect homes and structures. Six helicopters, two single engine airtankers (SEATs) and two retardant planes are standing by to drop water and retardant to slow the spread of the fire and extinguish hot spots as needed, where visibility and weather allow.
All fire personnel continue to watch the weather closely. Steep canyons and the Columbia River can funnel and concentrate winds. The area is under Red Flag Warnings for thunderstorm activity with the potential for dry lightning until 11 p.m. tonight. Although lightning could start more fires, the larger concern is the erratic winds that come with thunder cells and push the fire in unpredictable directions.
A public meeting will occur at 6 p.m. tonight at Central Washington University’s Student Union Recreation Center Ballrooms B&C, second floor, 400 East University Way, Ellensburg.
People who are affected by smoke can obtain current air quality monitoring information is available online from the Washington State Department of Ecology at https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/.
Fire Facts – Thursday, August 1, 2013 – 0900 HOURS
Fire Size: approximately 72,000 acres Percent Contained: 25%
Evacuations: In effect in Kittitas and Chelan Counties County. Numerous road closures in the fire vicinity. Red Cross Shelter at Mercer Creek Church, 1407 North E Street, Ellensburg. An animal shelter is available at the Kittitas Valley Event Center. For more information contact the Kittitas County Emergency Operations Center 509
Fuels: Grass, brush, with timber at the higher elevations
Air Resources: One light, four medium, and one heavy helicopter. Two SEATs. Two air tankers. Two small air attack coordination planes.
Total Personnel: Approx. 700
Source: Inciweb.org
2013 The NW Fire Blog
NW Fire Blog 