Oregon Wildfire | Klondike Fire | 2

September 11, 2018September 11, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM) / Leave a comment

UPDATE 2 – Monday, September 11th

A view of the firing operation near Fish Hook Creek on 9/7/18

Firing operation near Fish Hook Creek on September 7, 2018. Credit: USFS

The KLONDIKE FIRE is burning on the Rogue-Siskiyou National Forest, about nine miles northwest of Selma, Oregon. It was ignited by lightning on July 15, 2018.

Fire behavior has been reduced to a minimal status. About 132,420 acres of timber and brush have been destroyed but crews have been able to successfully gain a 51% containment status.

There are 1,206 personnel along with 30 crews, 72 engines and eight helicopters.

Total fire suppression and containment costs-to-date have topped out today of $63.2 Million.

#KlondikeFire #ORwildfires2018

Washington Wildfire | Iron East Fire | 2

September 11, 2018September 11, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM) / Leave a comment

UPDATE 2 – Tuesday, September 11th

Credit: OK-WEN NF

A wildfire named the IRON EAST FIRE was started around 2200 hours by lightning that sparked two fires in the Blewett Pass area on Friday.

Level 2 evacuations are still in effect for structures .5 to the northeast of the fire with Hwy 97 still closed all week to enable WSDOT workers to install culverts.

The required types and number of crews all have arrived and can now safely work on both fire lines. They have been tasked with prepping on both fires with improving line, installing hose lays, chipping removed brush and getting ready to remove fuels through burnout operations.

Air resources are still working to cool both fires and slow forward spread of the fire. A Type 1 Helicopter will be assigned solely to this fire today working on the western side of the fires.

The fire has burned 125 acres

Weather is expected to be cooler in the 50’s with a moisture in the air for the next four days. This will allow crews to suppress and contain both fires with weather supporting them.

Washington Wildfire | Iron East Fire | 1

September 10, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM) / Leave a comment

UPDATE 1 – Monday, September 10th

A wildfire named the IRON EAST FIRE was started around 2200 hours by lightning that started two fires in the Blewett Pass area. About 32 acres are burning to the east of Forest Service Rd 9714 and eight acres to the west of FS Rd 9714.

Credit: OK-Wen NF

Level 2 evacuations were issued for homes about .5 miles north of the fire. Engines were dispatched to the area neighborhoods for structure protection.

A VLAT (very large air tanker), a heavy tanker and helicopters were dropping retardant over the fire line. Water was also being implemented to slow the fire’s forward spread. Dozers were used to improve the overgrown roadways on the eastern side of the fire.

Hand crews drove over one-hour and hiked 1.5 hours to the fire line. Some of the crews would be “spiking out” overnight to lessen their response time. There are about 283 firefighters assigned to this fire with more due to arrive.

Both fires seen via the air. Credit: OK-Wen NF

All fire suppression gear which include hoses and valves/nozzles etc. will be delivered by helicopter.

Highway 97 has been closed for one week while WSDOT installs culverts.

Hikers and campers have been evacuated near the fire by the Forest Service.

Tuesday’s weather is expected to be cooler with a higher relative humidity and gusty winds. A chance of thunderstorms are expected.

California Wildfire | Fork Fire | 1

September 10, 2018September 10, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM) / Leave a comment

UPDATE 1 – Monday, September 10th

Fire resources on HWY 39 with fire above

Credit: Steve Shinn/USFS

Incident Summary

A wildfire named the FORK FIRE is burning on the Angeles National Forest, on Hwy 39 near the East Fork junction in the San Gabriel Canyon area. It was reported on Sunday, September 9th around 1158 hours PDT.

Fire Status

The fire has burned 166 acres of grass, brush and chaparral and has a 54% containment status. The fire is expected to be fully contained by Friday of this week.

Credit: Steve Shinn/USFS

Cause

The cause is unknown and the USFS Law Enforcement agency is currently investigating.

Resources

There are currently 32 personnel still assigned to this incident with an unknown number of resources.

Oregon Wildfire | Tepee Fire | 2

September 10, 2018September 10, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM) / Leave a comment

UPDATE 2 – Monday, September 10, 2018

The TEPEE FIRE also known as a TEPEE 1144 NE is burning on the Deschutes National Forest and about 17 miles southeast of Bend, Oregon. It was determined to have been started by an abandoned campfire, or as what we like to call them as “human intervention”. It is still being investigated as to the whom the responsible party is.

Photo Credit : USFS

Firefighters were being tasked with patrolling of all the lines last night and with resuming mop-up operations today in cooling hot spots about 150′ into the interior.

Moderate fire behavior has been reported along with creeping and smoldering. The fire burned 2,064 acres and has a 40% containment status.

Fire management expect to transition to a Type 4 IMT by Tuesday afternoon and expect containment to be completely reached by September 30th.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office downgraded all evacuation orders with the following:

Level 2:

South of Forest Service Rd 2015 (Ford Road)
West of FS Rd 2016 (outside of Forest boundary)

Level 1:

West of FS Rd 23 (Spencer Wells Rd)
North of Forest Boundary
East of FS Rd 2016

As of this post, there are 270 total personnel assigned along with 10 crews and 18 engines.

Fire suppression and containment costs-to-date have reached a high of $450,000.00.

Oregon Wildfire | Tepee Fire | 1

September 8, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM) / Leave a comment

UPDATE 1 – Saturday, September 8, 2018

A wildfire is burning on the Deschutes National Forest and 17 miles southeast of Bend, Oregon that was human-caused and that started on Friday, September 7th from an abandoned campfire.

Photo Credit : USFS

The fire has burned about 2,000 acres with a 0% containment status.

This is a wind-driven wildfire that is active with spotting. Gusty winds have caused the fire to spot outside of its containment lines. A dozer and several SEATs attacked the spot fire stopping it at 50 acres. The overall fire has been 100% lined.

Washington Wildfire | Crystal Fire | 3

September 2, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM) / Leave a comment

East Wenatchee, Washington | Crystal Fire | Sunday, September 2, 2018 —

Incident Summary | A wildfire broke out near the Pangborn Airport in Douglas County on September 1, 2018. It was said to have started on County land, one mile from East Wenatchee, Washington. Fire crews were dispatched just after 0530 hours PDT on Saturday after reports of the fire behavior being very active and burning downward towards homes, orchards and near the airport sparking evacuation notices to be issued to residents.

Situation Report | As of today, the fire is estimated at 2,610 acres with no fire growth overnight. All evacuation notices have been removed along with roads being reopened. 3 Divisions are working the fire today in strengthening containment lines.

Fire Fuels | Grass and brush are fire fuels.

Cause | No word on the cause but it is under investigation.

Resources | State Fire Mobe was approved and en route around 1100 hours PDT. Initial resources included AHTANUM 20 BLM-13 CREW-52 CREW-74 E-6695 BLM E-6696 BLM were dispatched around 0537 hours this morning.

Several aircraft were ordered back to Pangborn Memorial Airport in East Wenatchee and hold. We caught these choppers at Pangborn after we left the fire incident on Saturday afternoon.

One of two rotors at Pangborn Memorial Airport.

Cost-to-Date | CTD has reached approximately $20,000.00.

Thank you for reading and following our blog! You can also find us on our Social Media pages @nwfireblog on Twitter and Facebook.

#CrystalFire #WAwildfires2018

Washington State Wildfires | Sit Rep | August 30 2018

August 30, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM) / Leave a comment

Thank you for reading our Blog and today’s Sit Rep for Washington State wildfires. All active wildfires will be posted as separate incidents. Here is your fire recap for Thursday, August 30, 2018.

# # #

CENTRAL WASHINGTON INTERAGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

RED FIELD FIRE – Wildfire – Pine Canyon. Douglas County. Units dispatched 1312 hours PDT. Grass and brush fire fuels. Contained and controlled at 1521 hours PDT. 0.1 acre.

HOT SPRINGS FIRE – Wildfire – Hot Springs. Units SE-641, SE-642, SE-TSUBOTA dispatched at 1716 hours PDT. Resources on-scene. 10 acres.

POLE PICK FIRE – Smoke Check – Frazer Creek. Units dispatched at 1901 hours PDT. Div-4 resources on-scene.

# # #

NORTHEAST WASHINGTON INTERAGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

WELCOME ROAD FIRE – South Welcome Road. Spokane County. Dispatched at 1106 hours PDT. Handled by WFS, not a DNR call.

PASCAL CEMETERY FIRE – Spring Road. Stevens County. Dispatched at 1255 hours PDT. Resources AA 444 TS responded. Another Agency (SPA) not DNR.

# # #

OLYMPIC REGION DISPATCH

TARBOO 3 FIRE – Tarboo Lake Road, Olympia. Brush and slash fire fuels. Units dispatched at 1348 hours PDT. Contained at 1417 hours PDT. 0.1 acre.

# # #

PACIFIC CASCADE DISPATCH CENTER

HOT SPRINGS FIRE – Hot Springs. Skamania. E281 and E283. Dispatched at 1640 hours PDT. Resources on-scene.

# # #

COLVILLE AGENCY MT TOLMAN DISPATCH CENTER

PETER DAN II FIRE – Colville. Resources dispatched at 1354 hours PDT. Grass fire fuels. Contained & under control at 1809 hours. 0.1 acres.

# # #

COLUMBIA CASCADE COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

BIG CREEK FIRE – Big Creek. Resources dispatched at 1508 hours PDT. 0.1 acres. Controlled at 1750 hours PDT.

NW Wildfires | Sit Rep | August 27, 2018

August 27, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Thank you for reading our blog! You can also catch us at @nwfireblog on Facebook and on Twitter.

To make it more simple (yes, we are changin’ up things again), we have combined current and past fire incidents that have occurred today and those that are still actively burning.

OREGON

CENTRAL OREGON FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

Active Fire Behavior North flank Jennies Peak Fire - August 23rd

Jennie’s Peak Fire. | Credit: Prineville District

JENNIE’S PEAK 1039 RN FIRE. 14 miles S of Fossil. Transferred from IMT 2 Command back to the local unit. Min fire behavior. — 45,956 acres. 95% contained. — $2.1 Million cost-to-date.

FREMONT – WINEMA NATIONAL FOREST

Image of night firing operations also known as burnout operations

Watson Creek Fire. | Credit: USFS

WATSON CREEK FIRE. 13 miles W of Paisley. Moderate fire behavior with group torching, wind-driven runs and short-range spotting. Numerous structures threatened. Closures in effect. — 56,185 acres. 50% contained. — 1,043 personnel. 28 crews. 76 engines. 5 helicopters. — $10.2 Million cost-to-date.

BLM – MEDFORD UNIT

A Baker River Hotshot manning the hose as they burnout dozerline behind Thunderbird Ranch near Taylor Creek, August 3rd..

Taylor Creek Fire. | Credit: USFS

TAYLOR CREEK FIRE. 10 miles W of Grants Pass. Min fire behavior. — 52,838 acres. 95% contained. — 390 personnel. 8 crews. 22 engines. — $29.9 Million cost-to-date.

OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY

Ramsey Canyon Fire. | Credit: NWS IMET Operations.

RAMSEY CREEK FIRE. Medford Unit. 12 miles N of Eagle Point. Moderate fire behavior with backing, single-tree torching and spotting. Home and structures threatened. Road closures in effect. Evacuation orders have been lifted. — 1,971 acres. 40% contained. — 942 personnel. 27 crews. 51 engines. 3 helicopters. — 1 structure lost. — $4.4 Million cost-to-date.

OREGON PRIVATE LANDS

STUBBLEFIELD 1008 RN FIRE. 7 miles W of Condon. Minimal fire. — 54,221 acres. 95% contained. — 20 personnel. — 1 crew. 2 engines. — 2 structures lost. — $2.2 Million cost-to-date. — Started on private land.

ROGUE RIVER – SISKIYOU NATIONAL FOREST

Night operations firing August 23, 2018 photo by Weston Smith

Klondike Fire. | Credit: Weston Smith via Inciweb

KLONDIKE FIRE. 9 miles NW of Selma. Active fire behavior with uphill runs, single tree torching and flanking. Structures threatened. Closures in effect. — 89,597 acres. 37% contained. — 1,046 acres. 20 crews. 47 engines. 3 helos. $29.3 Million cost-to-date.

Lacey and Australian Firefighter. | Credit: Lacey FD13

NATCHEZ FIRE. 14 miles SE of Cave Junction. Moderate fire behavior with backing, torching and flanking. Structures threatened. Closures in effect. — 24,605 acres. 70% contained. — 504 personnel. 11 crews. 16 engines. 6 helicopters. — $32 Million cost-to-date.

SOUTH GILLIAM COUNTY RURAL FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT

LONEROCK 1057 RN FIRE. 8 miles SE of Condon. Min fire behavior. — 5,056 acres. 95% contained. — 0 personnel. — $560,000 cost-to-date.

UMPQUA NATIONAL FOREST

COLUMBUS FIRE. 5 miles E of Tiller. Active fire behavior with backing, creeping and isolated torching. Closures in effect. — 10,226 acres. 56% contained. — Total 317 personnel. 3 crews. 13 engines. 2 bulldozers.

Miles Fire. | Credit: Miles Fire Information

MILES FIRE. 5 miles NE of Trail. Active fire behavior with isolated torching, backing and creeping. Structures threatened. Closures in effect. — 35,741 acres. 54% contained. 317 personnel. 3 crews. 13 engines. 2 helicopters. 2 structures lost. $77.4 Million cost-to-date.

SNOW SHOE FIRE. Approximately, 7 miles NE of Trail. 3,816 acres. 100% contained. Part of the 2018 South Umpqua Complex Fire. — Total 317 personnel. 3 crews. 13 engines. 2 bulldozers.

ROUND TOP FIRE. 154 acres. 7 miles NE of Trail. 154 acres. 100% contained. Part of the 2018 South Umpqua Complex Fire. — Total 317 personnel. 3 crews. 13 engines. 2 bulldozers.

WILLIAMETTE NATIONAL FOREST

Terwillinger Fire. | Credit: NWS IMET Operations

TERWILLINGER FIRE. 5 miles SE of Blue River. Active fire behavior with flanking, spotting and group torching. Structures threatened. Closures in effect. Rain fell over the area on Sunday. — 5,398 acres. 2% contained. — 382 personnel. 9 crews. 16 engines. 4 helicopters. — $2.1 Million cost-to-date.

WASHINGTON STATE

COLVILLE NATIONAL FOREST

HORNS MOUNTAIN FIRE. 19 miles N of Evans. Transferred from IMT2 back to the local unit on Tuesday, August 28, 2018. Moderate fire behavior with backing, isolated torching and smoldering. Rain fell over the area on Sunday. — 5,439 acres. 85% contained. — 516 personnel. 13 crews. 10 engines. 3 helicopters. — $9.6 Million cost-to-date.

NE WASHINGTON INTERAGENCY COMMUNICATIONS CENTER

CORBETT FIRE. Corbett Creek Road. Stevens County. Crown, grass and brush. PC277 IC at 1630 hours. Dispatched resources at 1556 hours. Controlled/contained at 1615 hours. 0.01 acre. Unknown cause.

The light of the burnout operations glows through the trees (Photo: Seth Merrit)

Boyds Fire | Credit: USFS

BOYDS FIRE. 3 miles W of Kettle Falls. Transfer of IMT2 command back to local unit to occur on August 29, 2018. Min fire behavior. — 4,549 acres. 81% contained. — 502 personnel. 12 crews. 30 engines. 4 helicopter. — 9 structures lost — $11 Million cost-to-date.

OKANOGAN – WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST

Crescent Mountain Fire. | Credit: USFS

CRESCENT MOUNTAIN FIRE. 18 miles W of Winthrop. Minimal fire behavior. Structures threatened. Closures in effect. Rain fell over area on Sunday. — 42,784 acres. 24% contained. — 559 personnel. 10 crews. 29 engines. 7 helicopters. — $15.9 Million cost-to-date.

Firefighters use tactiacal firing along 8-Mile Road in advance of the McLeod Fire.

McLeod Fire. | Credit: USFS

MCLEOD FIRE. 8 miles N of Mazama. Min fire behavior. Structures threatened. Closures. Rain fell over area on Sunday. — 21,585 acres. 5% contained. — 391 personnel. 9 crews. 35 engines. — $3.8 Million cost-to-date.

HOLMAN FIRE. 19 miles NW of Mazama. Min fire behavior. Structures threatened. Closures in effect. — 284 acres. 1% contained. — 0 resources — $4,000 cost-to-date.

Photo of nightime burning operations with fire visible along the ground a firefighter adjacent to it holding a drip torch.

Cougar Creek Fire. | Credit: USFS

COUGAR CREEK FIRE. 12 miles NW of Ardenvoir. Min fire behavior. Structures threatened. Closures in effect. Rain fell over area yesterday. — 41,324 acres. 45% contained. — 762 personnel. 18 crews. 27 engines. 9 helicopters. — $30 Million cost-to-date.

BANNOCK LAKES FIRE. 14 miles SW of Stehekin. Min fire behavior. Closures in effect. Rain fell over the area on Sunday. — 485 acres. 0% contained. — 0 resources. — $39k cost-to-date.

Fire crew is testing the ignition quality of fuels.

Miriam Fire. | Credit: USFS

MIRIAM FIRE. 15 miles E of Packwood. Min fire behavior. — 4,228 acres. 40% contained. — 281 personnel. 5 crews. 3 engines. 4 helos. — $11.5 Million cost-to-date.

OLYMPIC NATIONAL FOREST

Maple Fire. | Credit: Olympic Forest

MAPLE FIRE. 2,600 acres. 45% contained. Rain fell over the area last night.

NW Wildfires | Sit Rep Report | August 26, 2018

August 26, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Here is a combined report on Northwest wildfires in the Washington and Oregon states.

OREGON

Oregon State Department of Forestry

Ramsey Canyon Fire. Medford Unit. 12 miles north of Eagle Point. Timber, chaparral and short grass. Active fire behavior with backing, isolated torching and spotting. Structures and infrastructure under current threat. Evacuations and road closures in effect. — 1,861 acres. 25% contained. 1,072 personnel. 30 crews. 66 engines. 8 helicopter. 1 structure lost. — $3.6 Million Cost-to-date.

BLM – Medford District

Taylor Creek Fire. 10 miles West of Grants Pass. IMT also managing the Klondike Fire. Timber and brush are fire fuels. Minimal fire behavior. Structures threatened. Closures in effect. — 52,826 ares. 95% contained. 403 personnel. 9 crews. 22 engines. — $29.8 Million Cost-to-date.

Fremont – Winema National Forest

Watson Creek Fire. 13 miles west of Paisley. Timber and brush are fire fuels. Active fire behavior with single-tree torching, short crown runs and long-range spotting. Structures threatened. Evacuation orders have been lifted. Closures in effect. — 50,144 acres. 40% contained. 1040 personnel. 27 crews. 75 engines. 5 helos. — $8.7 Million Cost-to-date.

Payette National Forest

Aerial view showing fire moving across ridges

Caton Fire. 7 miles Southwest of the Village of Yellowpine near Indian Point. Started August 26, 2018 at 1547 hours. Fire was detected on August 24 around 1200 hours. Lightning caused. 400 acres. Initial attack completed by smokejumpers, helirappellers and ground crews, aided by a SEATs and Air Tankers. Due to hot, dry and windy conditions on August 24 and 25th, the fire grew.

Rogue River – Siskiyou National Forest

Natchez Fire. 15 miles southeast of Cave Junction, OR. Timber and Chaparral. Moderate fire behavior with backing, torching and flanking. Numerous structures threatened. Closures in effect. Evacuation orders lifted. — 24,224 acres. 70% contained. — 491 personnel. 11 crews. 17 engines. 6 helicopters. — $31.3 Million Cost-to-date.

Klondike Fire. 9 miles Northwest of Selma. Timber and chaparral are fire fuels. Active fire behavior with uphill runs, single tree torching and spotting. Homes threatened. Closures in effect. — 108,530 acres. 41% contained. — 1,240 personnel. 24 crews. 42 engines. 3 helos. — $28.1 Million Cost-to-date.

Willamette National Forest

Terwillinger Fire. 5 miles southeast of Blue River. Timber is fire fuel. Active behavior with running, spotting and group torching. Structures being directly threatened. — 4,721 acres. 1 % contained. — 321 personnel. 7 crews. 13 engines. 4 helicopters. — $1.5 Million Cost-to-date.

WASHINGTON STATE

Colville National Forest

Firefighter dripping fire from drip torch into brush along fireline to burn up fuel ahead of wildfire

Horns Mountain. | Credit: USFS

Horns Mountain Fire. 19 miles north of Evans. Transfer of command from an IMT 2 back to the local unit to happen on August 28. Timber and heavy logging slash are fire fuels. Moderate fire behavior with backing, isolated torching and smoldering are being reported. Homes threatened. Closures in effect. — 5,439 acres. 85% contained. — 540 personnel. 13 crews. 10 engines. 3 helos. — $7.1 Million Cost-to-date.

Northeast Region – WA DNR

Boyds Fire. 3 miles West of Kettle Falls. Timber and brush are fire fuels. Moderate fire behavior with baking, isolated torching and flanking. Structures are threatened. — 4,549 acres. 73% contained. — 529 personnel. 13 crews. 30 engines. 4 helicopters. — 9 structures lost. — $10.5 Million Cost-to-date.

Okanogan – Wenatchee National Forest

Crescent Mountain Fire. 18 miles west of Winthrop. IMT also managing McLeod and Holman incidents. We are reporting them separately from this one. Moderate fire behavior with running, flanking and backing. Homes threatened. Trail closures in effect. Some rain fell over the area on Saturday. — 42,784 acres. 24% contained. — 584 personnel. 11 crews. 33 engines. 6 helicopters. — $15.1 Million Cost-to-date.

McLeod Fire. 8 miles north of Mazama. Timber as fire fuel. Moderate fire behavior with isolated torching, flanking and backing. Numerous homes threatened. Closures in effect. Rain fell over the fire line yesterday. — 21,585 ares. 5 % contained. — 497 personnel. 14 crews. 36 engines. — $3.4 Million Cost-to-date.

Holman Fire. 19 miles northwest of Mazama. Timber as fire fuel. Moderate fire behavior with flanking, backing and creeping. Structures and communications infrastructure are being threatened. Closures in effect. — 284 acres. 0% contained. — 0 resources. — $3,000 Cost-to-date.

Miriam Fire. 15 miles East of Packwood. IMT 2 transferring command to the local unit on Monday, August 27, 2018. — 4,228 acres. 40% contained. 281 personnel. 5 crews. 8 engines. 4 helicopters. — $11.2 Million Cost-to-date.

Cougar Creek Fire. 12 miles northwest of Ardenvoir. IMT also managing the Bannock Lakes Fire. Timber is fire fuel, along with medium logging slash and closed timber litter. Moderate fire behavior with flanking, backing and isolated torching. Homes threatened. Closures in effect. — 41,324 acres. 45% contained. — 818 personnel. 19 crews. 28 engines. 9 helicopters. — $28.8 Million Cost-to-date.

Bannock Lakes Fire. 14 miles southwest of Stehekin. Timber and brush are fuels. Minimal fire behavior. Trails are the only closures in the area. — 485 acres. 0 % contained. — 0 resources. — $39,000 cost-to-date.

Olympic National Forest

Credit: Olympic National Forest

Maple Fire. 23 miles north of Shelton and 5 miles west of Hwy 101 on the Olympic Peninsula. Started August 4, 2018 at 1100 hours PDT. Human caused and under investigation. Heavy timber (litter, grass and understory) as fire fuels. Fire behavior is moderate, flanking, backing and creeping.

NW Fire Blog

"Fire News in the NW and Beyond"

Acres

Oregon Wildfire | Klondike Fire | 2

Washington Wildfire | Iron East Fire | 2

Washington Wildfire | Iron East Fire | 1

California Wildfire | Fork Fire | 1

Oregon Wildfire | Tepee Fire | 2

Oregon Wildfire | Tepee Fire | 1

Washington Wildfire | Crystal Fire | 3