Sit Rep 2 | July 22, 2023, Saturday, 1300 hours PT

INCIDENT SUMMARY

A wildfire named the NEWELL ROAD FIRE for its location on Newell Road near Goldendale (Klickitat), Washington, ignited from an unknown cause on Friday afternoon around 1445 hours, prompting a very large fire response including a State Mobe (resources from across the State) approval just after 1915 hours PT.

(L) Fire Photo taken on Friday, July 21, 2023. Credit: ALERTwildfire

UNIFIED COMMAND

WA DNR, BLM, and Klickitat County FD2. 

RESOURCES

Fire Management has been assumed on July 22, 2023, at 0600 hours by the SE WA IMT 3. A Type 2 IMT is mobilizing for this incident. (as of 1250 PT)

Resources include 40 engines, four dozers, and a large aircraft response from various areas across the State.

Klickitat County – 13 Fire Districts: Rural 7 Fire & Rescue.

Skamania County – 3 units.

FIRE FACT | There are multiple wildfires burning in Washington with the NEWELL ROAD FIRE, there is the HAIGHT CREEK FIRE, 14 miles SW of Veneta, OR at 110 acres, and the SIMNASHO FIRE, 16 miles NW of Warm Springs, OR at 300 acres. – NIFC

State Mobe Resources – Montesano FD, WA DNR.

American Red Cross.

Klickitat County 911 Dispatch/Emergency Management.

Franklin County – FCF3 (diverted on 7/21/2023 from the Badger Fire)

Pullman Fire

Walla Walla County – WWFD4, WWFD, WWFD5

Benton County – BCFD1, BCFD2

WILDFIRE-TURNED-FIRESTORM

As of last night’s update, the fire was said to be at 6,000+ acres, jumping from a mere 600 acres when the fire initially broke out. Today, on Saturday, the fire has increased five-fold and jumping again, but this time to 30,000 acres of timber, brush, and grass with a continued 0% containment status. This is no longer just your random wildfire, but more or less an out-of-control firestorm burning everything in its path.

HIGH-VALUE THREATS

Currently, as of 1020 hours this morning, the fire is threatening residents, their homes, farm structures, livestock, crops, solar and wind farms, the Williams Natural Gas Pipeline, and the Roosevelt Landfill. Evacuations are in effect along with structure protection of towns, communities, and many areas.

EVACUATION UPDATES

Evacuations include the following:

LEVEL 1 (BE READY) | Town of Bickleton

LEVEL 2 (GET SET) | Town of Roosevelt

LEVEL 3 (GO NOW) | S of Hooker Rd to Brannon Rd, W of Dot Rd to East Rd, Sundale area.

SHELTER INFORMATION

Shelter: Red Cross Shelter at Goldendale Middle School, 520 E. Collins Street, Goldendale, Washington 98620.

STATE OF EMERGENCY DECLARED

A State of Emergency was declared on Friday evening at 2155 PT by the Chairman of the Board for the Klickitat County Commissioners.

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

A preliminary damage assessment has been released with 30,000-plus acres along with an unknown number of structures.

WEATHER REPORT

A high winds warning was issued by the National Weather Service at 1240 hours for today and until Monday.

Current weather conditions (7/22/2023 1245PT): Temps are 87*F, Precip is 0% with winds at 12 mph and relative humidity at 24%. The high is expected to reach 92*F and the low dropping down to 62*F.

(c) 2023 NW Fire Blog