Road Closures

Elmer City Fire | Okanogan County WA | Update 5

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

ELMER CITY FIRE

Incident Summary

This first fire started  on the afternoon of September 11th  as a wind-driven wildfire driving the flames South and East.

Photo published for Elmer City Fire 9-13-2016

Courtesy of Okanogan County Emergency Management

At one point, the fire was located above Grand Coulee City Hall, prompting firefighters to enact immediate structure protection.

Resources

There are approximately 192 personnel assigned to this fire along with resources of 5 crews, 16 engines and 1 helicopter.

This fire was the original owner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.  Command was turned over to a Type 3 IMT on September 13th.

Location

The Elmer City Fire is located one (1) mile from  Elmer City (Okanogan County), Washington State.

Status

As of September 13th, the NW Interagency Coordination Center is reporting this fire to be at 100% containment status with 5608 acres burned.

At 1500 hours on September 13th, the Level 3 evacuation order had been lifted.

One (1) unknown type of structure has been lost.

Cause 

Cause of the fire is still under investigation, but power line slap (one wire touching the other due to gusty winds) is being looked at.

Cost-To-Date

$313,000.00

Ways to #PrepareNOW

Social Media

Hashtags being used for this fire are #WaWILDFIRE #NWFireBlogWA  #ElmercityFire  #OkanoganCoFire

Follow us here –> @nwfireblog (Twitter) and on Facebook

Thank You for reading our Post today.  May have you have a Safe Day!

 

 

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

 

 

 

 

Elmer City Fire | Okanogan County WA | Update 4

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

ELMER CITY FIRE

Multiple wildfires broke out in the Okanogan-Grant County area on September 11th that has caused much confusion to several of us, including mainstream Media.  Wildfire information from various sources has differed and has been sketchy at times leaving us to wonder.  But have no fear, we think we may have unlocked the mystery which in turn will be two separate posts.

Incident Summary

This first fire started  yesterday afternoon, as a wind-driven wildfire driving the flames South and East. Fire crews a great job protecting Elmer City as the flames pushed up the hillside and around the city while continuing South.

At one point, the fire was located above Grand Coulee City Hall, prompting firefighters to enact immediate structure protection.

Resources

Yesterday during the day, there were several aircraft working the fire, four (4) fire bosses (single engine scoopers), and a four (4) engine heavy fire bombers (BAE 146). Mt. Tolman Fire Center had two (2) dozers actively working the fire.

The fire made a long, narrow section of scorched path, almost reaching the Columbia River several miles upriver from Grand Coulee Dam which was a serious concern to many,

Location

The Elmer City Fire is located just North of Elmer City (Okanogan County), Washington State.

Status

As of September 11th evening, the fire is approximately 2000 acres with a 75% containment status. (reported by Mt. Tolman Fire Center air resources)

Another Fire Burns in Same Area

A second fire was burning between Elmer City and Coulee Dam but was quickly put out, limiting the size to less than a quarter acre.  No evacuations, cause or injuries were reported.

Cause 

Cause of the fire is still under investigation, but power line slap (one wire touching the other due to gusty winds) is being looked at.

Evacuations

Alert Level One is still in effect for the area as the fire has the potential to hook around and move back west towards Coulee Dam and Elmer City. The winds are predicted to pick up again today.

Ways to #PrepareNOW

Warnings

A Red Flag Warning is in effect until 1900 hours on September 12th for the following Counties:

  • Adams
  • Benton
  • Douglas
  • Franklin
  • Grant
  • Klickitat
  • Lincoln
  • Yakima

Social Media

Hashtags being used for this fire are #WaWILDFIRE #NWFireBlogWA  #ElmercityFire  #OkanoganCoFire

Follow us here –> @nwfireblog (Twitter) and on Facebook

Thank You for reading our Post today.  May have you have a Safe Day!

 

 

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

 

 

 

 

1 Fire Is Changed to New Name | WA | Update 3

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

Incident Summary

The Grand Coulee Fire name has been changed to the #230YardFire due to its proximity to the SV Switch yard near Grand Coulee Dam.

Resources

Firefighters from across Grant, Okanogan and Douglas counties are on the scene.

Courtesy: WSP Trooper/PIO Brian Moore

Grand Coulee Fire is now known as 230 Yard Fire

A wildfire is burning on the west side of the Columbia River located just North of Grand Coulee Dam that ignited on 9/11/2016.

As of 2000 hours this evening the fire had reached 500 acres.

State Mobe has been approved.

Elmer City Fire

A 2nd wildfire is burning on the west side of the Columbia River near Coulee Dam and Grand Coulee. Started 9/11/2016.  Both fires are approximately 5 miles from each other.

Photo of the fires burning on both sides of the Columbia River. (Credit: Grant County Sheriffs Office)

Evacuations

Grant County Sheriff states,

“People in  Elmer City areas need to remain aware of the fire conditions and stand by for any evacuation requests.

Grand Coulee/Crown Point/Coulee Dam remain aware of fire conditions. Please leave if fire threatens.”

Current Status

The Fire Department escalated the fire as a 3rd alarm.

No injuries or structures damaged/destroyed as being reported.

 

 

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

 

 

 

 

NEW! 2 Fires Burn In Same Vicinity | WA | Update 2

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

Incident Summary

There are 2 wildfires burning within five (5) miles of each other and in different counties and they are in 2 different counties.  So, you can clearly see how confusing this is but we are on it!

Resources

Firefighters from across Grant, Okanogan and Douglas counties are on the scene.

Courtesy: WSP Trooper/PIO Brian Moore

Grand Coulee Fire

A wildfire is burning on the west side of the Columbia River near Coulee Dam and Grand Coulee.  Start 9/11/2016. Unknown size, containment status or resources known at this time.

Elmer City Fire

A 2nd wildfire is burning on the west side of the Columbia River near Coulee Dam and Grand Coulee. Started 9/11/2016.  Both fires are approximately 5 miles from each other.

Road Closures

SR 155 is closed NB at Grand Coulee and SB at Elmer City.  SR 174 is closed at SR 155 (Grand Coulee).

Photo of the fires burning on both sides of the Columbia River. (Credit: Grant County Sheriffs Office)

Evacuations

Grant County Sheriff states,

“People in  Elmer City areas need to remain aware of the fire conditions and stand by for any evacuation requests.

Grand Coulee/Crown Point/Coulee Dam remain aware of fire conditions. Please leave if fire threatens.”

Current Status

The Fire Department escalated the fire as a 3rd alarm.

Weather 

Currently in Ephrata, which is not far from these burning fires – wind is said to be at 24, gusting to 31 m.p.h.

 

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

 

 

 

 

NEW! Elmer City Fire | WA| Update 1

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

Incident Summary

Fire crews from Grant County Fire units are en route as Mutual aid to a fire

Courtesy: WSP Trooper/PIO Brian Moore

burning in Elmer City, Washington.  Units from Grand Coulee Fire and Electric City Fire were paged out to respond as well and were said to be responding to this large wildfire.

There is no word on the size on how large this wildfire is.

Location

The fire is said to be burning off of Elmer City Road over the hillside just above the Grand Coulee  City Hall building.  Immediate structure protection was being put into place, as we heard on scanner feed.

Staging

Fire staging is located off of SR174 at the 230 switch yard.

Mutual Aid

Mutual aid responding are mostly brush trucks and tenders.  No word on if State Mobe has been requested, approved or deployed.

Road Closures

WSP Trooper Brian Moore (@wspd6pio) tweeted out some road closures and info for all of us to be aware of

  • Troopers & WSDOT are on-scene
  • Roads closed on SR155 @ Elmer City
  • Roads closed on SR155 @ SR174]

Current Weather Conditions

Current weather conditions are temps of 70*F, sunny with 0% precip and winds @ 18 mph. RH is at 22%.

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

 

 

 

 

Withers Fire | Oregon | August 24 2016

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

INCIDENT SUMMARY

photo of the community meeting in Paisley, OR

A Public Info Meeting in Paisley, Oregon (Courtesy: Inweb)

Fire Location

The Withers Fire is located on Lakeview District, BLM territory, approximately 1 mile north of Paisley, OR.

Fire Fuels

The Fire was burning in brush and short grass.

Current Conditions

It was burning minimal.  Fire report last updated 8/22/2016.

SEE SOMETHING?  SAY SOMETHING

This wildfire was started by human-intervention.  If you have any tips regarding the cause of this fire, please contact local Law Enforcement or 9-1-1 to report information.  #StandUp and #BeAHero.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Hashtags

#OrWILDFIRE –> #NWFireBlogOR –> #WithersFire

Follow us!

@nwfireblog (Twitter) –> The NW Fire Blog (Facebook)

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

Withers Fire | Oregon | August 22 2016

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

INCIDENT SUMMARY

Withers Fire near Paisley, OR

Photo Courtesy: Inciweb

Start Date

8/17/2016

Fire Location

The Withers Fire is located on Lakeview District, BLM territory, approximately 1 mile north of Paisley, OR.

Cause

Human-caused. Exact cause unknown and under investigation.

Fire Fuels

The Fire is burning in brush and short grass.

Current Conditions

Minimal fire behavior. Backing and creeping. It is currently at a 85% containment status.

Threats

About 30 homes  threatened.

RESOURCES

Fire Response

179 personnel are assigned to this incident.

Equipment / Add’l Resources

3 crews, 12 engines and 2 helicopters.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Hashtags

#OrWILDFIRE –> #NWFireBlogOR –> #WithersFire

Follow us!

@nwfireblog (Twitter) –> The NW Fire Blog (Facebook)

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

Withers Fire | Oregon | August 21 2016

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

INCIDENT SUMMARY

photo of Smokey Bear Prevention sign in Paisley

 

Fire Location

The Withers Fire is located on Lakeview District, BLM territory, approximately 1 mile north of Paisley, OR.

Fire Fuels

The Fire is burning in brush and short grass.

Current Conditions

Minimal fire behavior. Backing and creeping. It is currently at a 65% containment status.

Threats

Residences threatened.

Road Closures

  • Forest Road No. 33, also known as the River Road
  • From the junction with Forest Road No. 3315 (also known as the High Road) to Jones Crossing
  • Forest Road No. 3315 from the junction with Forest Road No. 33 to the intersection with Forest Road No. 3360 are closed.
  • Travelers must detour through Government Harvey Pass to access areas west and south of the fire zones.

RESOURCES

Fire Response

231 personnel are assigned to this incident.

EVACUATIONS

Orders

Lifted Level 1 evacuation yesterday. Planning to transfer to the local unit on 8/23/16 (Tuesday).

WEATHER

Current Weather

Today will be the fifth day of temperatures in the 90s, 5-10 degrees higher than normal, with the potential for gusty winds in the afternoon. A Red Flag Warning will be in effect from noon to 9 p.m.

Fire danger remains extreme.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Hashtags

#OrWILDFIRE –> #NWFireBlogOR –> #WithersFire

Follow us!

@nwfireblog (Twitter) –> The NW Fire Blog (Facebook)

(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog

Update 6 | Fort McMurray Wildfire | Alberta Canada

/ NW Fire Blog (TM)

Updated Sunday, May 8, 2016 @ 2300 Hours PDT

Multiple fires were reported in the Province of Alberta on May 1, 2016, blazing a patch towards the City.  Almost 100k residents have been evacuated, along with many hundreds – if not thousands from businesses and industrial facilities.

This fire is still growing by the minute into hours and days.  Fire Managers say it is only beginning and is expected to grow by midnight up to 200k hectares or up to 494,211 acres.  This calculates to just over 772 square miles.  If you can imagine this distance, you may have a somewhat imagination at the magnitude of this fire.  The fire images and videos are so surreal and overwhelming. It’s so hard to fathom this large of a Firestorm and its mighty power.

Courtesy: @BoucherMItch

Courtesy: @BoucherMItch

INCIDENT SUMMARY

Start Date & Time:    

  • 5/1/2016.
  • 1607 Hours MDT.

Cause:

  • Unknown
  • Under Investigation

Acres:

  • Expected to grow to 200,000 hectares or 494,211 acres, which equals to 772 square miles by the end of this evening.

Fire Behavior:

  •  Fire conditions remain extreme, with 4 new starts across Alberta, Saturday, 5/7/2016.
  • Expected to grow even larger.
  • A total of  34 wildfires are burning, with 5 out of control, and 23 under control.

State of Emergency:

  • 5/1/2016: Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
  • 5/3/2016:  Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation.
  • 5/4/2016:  Provincial State of Emergency for RMWB

INCIDENT COOPERATORS

FIRE RESOURCES

Across Province:

  • Firefighters:  1500.
  • Helicopters:  150.
  • Pieces of Heavy Equipment:  222.

Fort McMurray:

  • Firefighters:  500 fighting in and around Fort McMurray.
  • Canadian FF & Mutual Aid: have saved 80% of housing and infrastructure.

POLICE

  • RCMP – Wood Buffalo

PET RESCUE

  • Alberta Agriculture & Forestry
  • RMWB City
  • Calgary Humane Society
  • Alberta SPCA

EVACUATIONS

North Evacuees

  • Evacuated successfully by air and ground to Edmondton as a precautionary due to heavy smoke in the area.

Syncrude 

  •  Employees:  1500 employees were evacuated on 5/7/2016.
  • Operations:  facility shutdown.

Groups of Employees

  • Suncor:  All evacuated but facility may be still running.
  • Husky:  Same as Suncor.
  • Shell:  Same as Suncor.
  • CNRL:  Same as Suncor.

TRAVEL ADVISORIES

Traffic Alerts:

 BUSINESS PARTNERS

HOUSING

AirBNB:

  • Disaster Response activated.

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Emergency Financial Support:

  • Albertans can call 310-4455 for information and stay up to date on the Alberta Emergency Alert and Alberta Wildfire apps

COUNSELING

Mental Health Support:

  • Mental health support is available by calling Alberta’s 24-hour Mental Health Help Line at 1-877-303-2642.

PROPERTY DAMAGE

Insurance Claims: 

  • Anyone who has suffered a property loss should contact their insurance provider. They may also be entitled to additional living expenses under their insurance policies.

EVACUEE RESOURCES

PUBLIC ASSISTANCE

  • Government Assistance:  Assistance of $1,250 per adult and $500 per dependent to help meet immediate needs being provided by the Government.
  • Pre-loaded Debit Cards: This assistance will likely be provided in the form of pre-loaded debit cards.
  • More details:  when this assistance will be available and how to access it will be announced by May 11, 2016.  Government of Alberta offices will not have additional information until this time. When details are available they will be posted on this page and available through 310-4455.

RECEPTION CENTRES

  • Fort McKay. Fort McKay Business Centre
  • Lac La Biche. The Bolt Centre – 8702-91 Avenue
  • Edmonton. Northlands Grounds, Hall A – 7515-118 Avenue
  • St Paul . Centennial Recreation Centre – 4802-53 Street
  • Moose Haven. 1, Janvier *expected to close May 5
  • Grasslands. Community Hall, Main Street
  • Drayton Valley. Omniplex – 5737-45 Avenue
  • Smokey Lake Reception Centre
  • SAIT – Residence Tower 151 Dr. Carpenter Circle NW *For Suncor Employees and Evacuees in camps
  • Fort Chippewan Reception Centre  *For First Nation Band Members only
  • Town of Athabasca Reception Centre – Athabasca Multiplex, #2 University Drive
  • ESRD. Main Lobby.  Monday – Friday, 0815 – 1600 Hours.  Phone #780-310-3773.  Fax #780-427-4407.  Email:  ESRDInfo-centre@govab.ca

RESOURCES

EMERGENCIES

Environmental:

  •  800-222-6514.

 Report a Wildfire:  

  • 310-3473.

CLOSURES

ROADWAYS

Peace River District:

  •  Mile 80 of Alaska Highway area in the Peace River Regional District.

Hwy 63: 

  • Complete Hwy 63. Closed to the public. (as of 5/5/2016)

ALBERTA FIRE BANS

There is current a Fire ban across the whole Province of Alberta in Canada.

HOW TO HELP

HUMAN SERVICES

Red Cross Canada:

  • The Canadian Red Cross is accepting donations via phone, online or through text message. Details can be found at www.redcross.ca.

ALBERTA GOVERNMENT

Volunteers:

  • The government is currently sufficiently staffed. No volunteers are needed at this time.

HASHTAGS

  • #ymmfire  
  •  #ymfire    
  • #abfire    
  • #AlbertaStrong  
  • #FortMcMurrayFire    
  • #BCWildfire
(c) 2016 The #NWFireBlog