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

California Wildfire | Snell Fire | 1

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

UPDATE 1 – Monday, September 10, 2018

Incident Summary

A wildfire named the SNELL FIRE is burning in the Sonoma-Lake Unit (CAL FIRE) service area or about 12 miles southeast of Middletown (Napa County), California.

The cause is unknown and under investigation.

Fire Map on September 9. Credit: Joseph Elfet @MappingSupport

Fuels

Fire fuels consist of grassy oak woodlands.

Resources

There are 1,241 fire personnel assigned to this incident along with 31 crews, 132 engines, 20 dozers, 20 water tenders and 7 helicopters.

Current Status

Fire behavior has been observed as active with uphill runs, single tree torching and flanking. Firefighters are beginning to make great progress. A cooling trend is expected and to assist crews with fire suppression.

The fire has burned 2,490 acres and there is a 45% containment status.

Threats

At this time, many structures including homes are being threatened. Evacuation orders were in effect but have since been lifted.

Damage Assessment

Firefighting suppression and containment costs have soared to $3.9 Million to date.

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.

OR Wildfire | Ramsey Canyon Fire | 2

August 25, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

UPDATE 2

August 25, 2018 -1115 PDT

Credit: ODF

A wildfire that started on Thursday, April 23, 2018 around 1245 hours PDT is located 12 miles north of Eagle Point on land managed / owned by the OR State Department of Forestry where the Medford unit is in Unified Command with the OR State Fire Marshal Office’s Green Team.

Heavy smoke previously hampered air operations has lifted enabling four helicopters with bucket drops and three air tankers assisting with reinforcement of containment lines with retardant drops. Fire control lines in the northern, eastern and southern areas were holding well and mop up ops had begun on some parts of the fire.

About 1,861 acres of timber and chaparral & short grass have been destroyed. There is a 17% containment status.

There are 315 structures that are currently being threatened along with private, BLM and Industrial lands.

Level 3 [Get Out NOW] beginning at the address of 17935, and continuing east including addresses 18505, 18509 (all accessed off of West Fork Evans Creek Rd.), then continuing to include the address of 19373 at the intersection of Meadows Rd; West Fork Evans Creek Rd., the addresses 18504 and 18508; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13469 and proceeding north to include 13001 and 14738 (accessed off of BLM 35-2-20) and continuing to the Meadows Rd. intersection; Meadows Rd, proceeding south from East Evans to include the address of 16880.

Incoming IMT Briefing. | Credit: ODF

Level 2 [Get Set] East Evans Creek Rd., beginning at the address 15513 and ending at 16995, and beginning at the address of 19395 and continuing to include the address of 21043 East Evans Creek Rd.; Meadows Rd, beginning at the address 16800 and 16821, then proceeding south to include the address 14765; Ramsey Rd., beginning at the address 13465 and proceeding south to include the address of 11655.

Shelter is located at Hanby Middle School at 806 6th Avenue, Gold Hill, Oregon. Phone # 1-888-680-1455.

Resources include 795 total personnel, 45 engines, 12 water tenders, 8+ helicopters, 26 hand crews, 9 bulldozers and air tankers as needed.

Incident Cooperators include Oregon Department of Forestry, BLM Oregon & Washington, Rogue Valley Fire Chiefs Association, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office – Oregon, Jackson County Emergency Management, American Red Cross, U.S. Forest Service – Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest.

Cost-to-date has reached $1.4 Million.

#RamseyCanyonFire #ORwildfires2018

Wildfire Sparked on Highway 18 | Covington, Washington

August 20, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

KING COUNTY, Wash. – At approximately 1602 hours PDT, Valley Com received an emergency call of a brush fire in the area of the 25000 block of 188th Avenue S.E. in Covington, Washington.

The first due engine reported rapid rate of spread and threatening a home. They (1st due engine) immediately went into structure protection mode, while two other engines began putting water on the fire.

After a Chief arrived, he assumed Command and ordered additional fire resources. A tender supply was established on the closest hydrant located .5 mile away.

Due to poor visibility and the fire advancing towards the Highway, the Washington State Patrol shutdown the two westbound lanes for safety to drivers.

A Washington State DNR helicopter responded from Olympia, was able to find a nearby pond to dip from. They began dropping water over the fire.

Image may contain: sky, tree, outdoor and nature

Photo Credit: Randi Valantine

Both photos were taken around 2130 hours on Sunday evening. (Written permission has been granted by the Photographer.)

One Social Media user reported two structures had been burned, but the official Fire presser states no homes or outbuildings were damaged. Fire crews would remain on-scene throughout the night.

A dozer was on order so they could put a containment line around the fire.

The fire behavior was said to be at around 2250 hours PDT, smoldering with hotspots.

Incident Cooperators included personnel and equipment from the Valley Regional Fire Authority (VRFA), Mountain View Fire & Rescue, Black Diamond and Puget Sound Fire. Zone 3 Fire Explorers provided Firefighter REHAB services.

Image may contain: fire, sky and outdoor

Photo Credit: Randi Valantine

The number of acres burned, containment status or cause was unknown at the time of this post.

No injuries to civilians or firefighters were reported.

Whiskey Fire | Graves Creek Oregon | 1

August 18, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

UPDATE 1 – AUGUST 18, 2018 – SATURDAY – 0016 PDT

A wildfire was sparked by lightning in the Graves Creek area in the service area of the Oregon State Department of Forestry.

Resources were dispatched on Friday, August 17, 2018, at 1300 hours where resources were said to be en route or on-scene. The fire was fully contained on Friday at 2121 hours.

There was 0.5 acre of grass burned.

Limited information available.

Watson Creek Fire | Oregon | 1

August 17, 2018August 17, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

UPDATE 1 – AUGUST 17, 2018 – FRIDAY

A wildfire is burning about 13 miles west of Paisley (Lake County) on the Fremont-Winema National Forest (Paisley Ranger District), Oregon. which started on August 15, 2018.

The cause is unknown and under investigation.

3 Surprise Fire-Medical Dept Wildland Firefighters & a Type 6 Brush Truck departed FH307 at 1400 hours today. | Credit: Surprise FD

Fire behavior is active with short crown runs, group torching and long-range spotting. When it started on the 15th, the fire had reached 350 acres with a 0% containment status.

The fire has burned about 8,500 acres of timber and brush. There is no containment or estimated as to when that will happen.

Resources include 100 personnel, two fixed wing Air Attack platform, four helicopters, 14 engines, eight water tenders, four dozers, four 20-person crews and two faller modules. A lead plane and air tankers are being deployed when there is good visibility.

Firefighters face challenges with difficult terrain, access and the dense large amounts of dead and downed debris on the ground making it a safety issue. A low visibility is also a factor for fire personnel on the ground and in the air.

Image may contain: mountain, cloud, sky, outdoor and nature

Photo taken on August 16, 2018. | Credit: SCOFMP

Incident Cooperators include Oregon State Police, rural fire districts and Lake County Sheriff’s Department. A Northwest Team 6, a Type II IMT took over fire command at 1800 hours this evening.

The total fire suppression and containment cost-to-date is $350,000.00.

Sands Fire | Spokane County | Washington State | 1

August 16, 2018 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

UPDATE 1 – AUGUST 16, 2018 – 2135 PDT

A wildfire broke out on Sands Road in Spokane County, Washington prompting fire suppression resources AR 444 and AR 25 (IC) deployed today at 1521 hours PDT.

IC AR 25 arrived on-scene on August 15, 2018 around 1607 hours PDT. The fire was said to be fully staffed today.

Fire fuels included grass, brush, reproduction and timber. The fire has burned 9.9 acres.

No further details are available on this wildfire incident.

Sources: WildCAD

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Oregon Wildfire | Klondike Fire | 2

California Wildfire | Snell Fire | 1

Washington Wildfire | Crystal Fire | 3