Published Sunday, September 4, 2022, 2310 hours PT
INCIDENT SUMMARY
The DOUBLE CREEK FIRE, is a wildfire that is burning about 10 miles southeast of Imnaha in the State of Oregon in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest.
It was a lightning-caused wildfire.
CURRENT STATUS
There is active fire with wind-driven runs, group torching, and spotting, after there was significant fire growth on the Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires on Saturday as a result of strong winds, hot temperatures, and extremely dry conditions.
About 37,862 acres have been destroyed.
There is a 0% containment status
EVACUATIONS
Level 1 – Be Ready to Leave: Freezeout south to Pallete Ranch & Imnaha River Woods
Level 2 – Get Set to Leave: Imnaha north to Fence Creek including lands east to Lightning Creek
Level 3 – Go – Evacuate the Area: Town of Imnaha and south to Freezeout and Freezeout Rd
CLOSURES
- Upper Imnaha Road
- Hat Point
- FS 39
RESOURCES
There are about 232 total fire personnel assigned, along with six crews, 16 engines and four helicopters.
The fire is under the direction of a Unified Command with OR Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Green Team, and, the Pacific Northwest Team 2.
INCIDENT COOPERATORS
Governor Kate Brown: “I’ve invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the Double Creek Fire, which grew rapidly in Wallowa County overnight. With many fires burning across the state and several weeks of fire season ahead, I am urging all Oregonians to be prepared and to do your part to prevent fires.” – 9/3/2022, 1246 PT
Oregon Office of the State Fire Marshal: “Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM) is mobilizing four task forces from Lane, Clatsop, Washington, and Yamhill Counties and an Incident Management Team to the Double Creek Fire. Our resources will be there to protect life and structures. The decision to mobilize was made with the local fire service and the resources fighting the fire. The fire is currently estimated at 10,000 acres in size. The Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office has issued Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1 evacuation orders for homes near the fire.” – 9/3/2022 1156 PT
Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue: “
At 2:15 p.m. today, firefighters from multiple fire agencies in Washington County headed off to support crews on the Double Creek Fire that is burning near the community of Imnaha in Wallowa County.
The task force from Washington County, which includes five TVF&R firefighters, a heavy brush rig, a command vehicle, and a cargo van, is being mobilized by the Office of the State Fire Marshal as the Emergency Conflagration Act was initiated by the governor earlier this morning.
As of Saturday morning, the fire was reported to be 10,000 acres and had prompted numerous evacuation orders for homes near the fire.” – 9/3/2022 1731 hours PT
Northwest Coordination Center
Wallowa County Office of the Sheriff
Cornelius Fire Department
Forest Grove Fire & Rescue
Hillsboro Fire & Rescue
Banks Fire District #13
Clatsop County Fire Departments: “As of Saturday evening, the fast-growing Double Creek Fire has spread to 23,650 acres — almost 37 square miles — in the Wallowa National Forest near the community of Imnaha in Northeast Oregon.
Burning since Tuesday, the fire is growing so fast that Saturday afternoon Gov. Kate Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act, allowing the Office of the State Fire Marshall to take unified command of suppression efforts. The wildfire is threatening some buildings and has forced evacuations.
Firefighters from Astoria, Seaside, Lewis & Clark, Gearhart, Knappa, and Warrenton Fire Departments have deployed as a Clatsop County Task Force. The Astoria Fire Department has sent a Type 6 Engine (2571) and Firefighter Royce Cone. Firefighters are focusing on keeping the fire east of the upper Imnaha Road and will work on removing flammable materials on the west side of the fire.” – Astoria FD, 9/4/2022, 0730 hours PT.
Photo Credit: Astoria Fire Department
Gaston Rural Fire District: “At the request of the Oregon Office of State Fire Marshal this afternoon we deployed Brush 1121 as part of the Yamhill County Taskforce to the Double Creek Fire in Wallowa County.
This will be Brush 1121’s and Firefighter Hunter Lawson’s first conflagration, but Captain Matt Aalto has deployed on numerous conflagrations over the years so they are in good hands.” – 9/3/2022 1438 PT
Double Creek Fire Command Team
Marion County Fire District #1
Photo Credit: MCFD1
Sweet Home Fire District: “Sweet Home Fire’s Brush 25 and crew were demobilized this morning from the Rum Creek Fire near Grants Pass and re-assigned to the Double Creek Fire in the Wallowas near Joseph.
They will be making the long drive today with the rest of their task force based out of Polk County. These guys have put in 7 days of hard work prepping houses and clearing brush to better prepare those structures to resist the fire. They have the potential to be gone for another 7 days assisting in the firefight at their new assignment.” – 9/4/2022 1157 PT
DAMAGE ASSESSMENTS
CTD: $2.6 Million.
SOCIALS
#DoubleCreekFire #ORwildfires2022
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