Wildland Fires Cause Units Run From One Fire to Another

July 11, 2020July 11, 2020 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Othello, Washington | Fire units that were previously on the Vantage Road Fire were in the process of going back into service, when another call came in.

Fire resources were responding to a new incident located at 262 East near Othello, Washington. Units heading to the new location are 3121, 1130 and 1138.

This is for an unnammed fire.

The Reporting Party states there was a previous fire in the location. There are now embers flying in the area dropping to the ground but the fire has now gone out.

Units are responding this call listed as an Outside Fire.

UPDATE: As of 2347 PT, the first arriving brush truck reported there were multiple small spot fires which he could handle, all other resources were cancelled.

Colorado Wildfire Activity Log | 560 Fire | 1

April 26, 2020April 26, 2020 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Update 1 – Sunday, April 26, 2020

Photo Credit | Evergreen Fire & Rescue

The 560 FIRE was reported on Saturday, April 25, 2020 at 1230 hours MDT (or 1130 hours PDT). It is burning in the Old Hayman Burn Scar in the Pike National Forest.

Photo Credit | Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District

Firefighters and equipment were dispatched to the fire located off of 560 Road and about three miles northwest of Cheesman Reservoir in Colorado.

Personnel on the fire ground include those from the US Forest Service (Lead Agency), North Fork Fire , Elk Creek Fire, Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District, Evergreen Fire & Rescue, and Indian Hills Fire, Jefferson County Sheriffs Office.

23 Firefighters are currently assigned to this incident.

Resources include: 2 engines, 1 bulldozer, 1 water tender.

There has been 68 acres of grass and standing dead and downed trees destroyed.

This was an out-of-control fire but crews have successfully reached a 60% containment status.

No structures are under threat.

Wildland fire crews will continue to secure the firelines and mop up hotspots. A bulldozer has been building a fireline in areas where it is safe and accessible.

Danger to crews remain as dead and downed trees could pose a fall hazard.

Photo Credit | Inter-Canyon Fire Protection District

Smoke will be visible as fuels continue to burn on the interior.

#560Fire #ColoradoWildfires #FireSeason2020

The Wildfire Log | Museum Fire in Arizona | 1

July 21, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

UPDATE 1 | JULY 21, 2019

Incident Summary

A wildfire prompted fire personnel and equipment to be dispatched around 1142 hours MST on Sunday, July 21, 2019.

The fire was reported by multiple calls from the general public and from fire lookouts around 1100 hours.

Almost one hour later, multiple engines, crews, helicopters, fixed wing aircraft along with nearly 100 personnel were on-scene of the five-acre fire.

The fire’s cause has not been released and is currently under investigation.

Credit | Coconino NF

Location

The fire is located north of Flagstaff, near Schultz Pass Road.

Size

By almost 1330 Hours MST, the fire slowly grew to 20 acres. Now at 1630 hours MST, the fire has been reported to have reached 400 acres of ponderosa pines and mixed conifer with a 0% containment status.

Resources

There are a total of 182 personnel and assets, which included 7 engines, 4 fuels crews, 2 hotshot crews, 14 patrol units, 2 dozers, 2 water tenders, 4 heavy air tankers, 4 SEATs (single engine air tankers), 3 Type Type-1 helicopters, 1 Type 3 helicopter, a VLAT (very large air tanker) and an air attack plane.

A Type 1 IMT Team 2 (SW IMT) is on order and will take command over this wildfire at 1800 hours MST on Monday evening.

Fire photo taken at 15 hours MST | Credit: Coconino NF

EOC Activated

The Coconino County Emergency Management and City of Flagstaff collectively, have activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) in support of this wildfire named the MUSEUM FIRE.

Evacuations

An evacuation notice has been issued for the areas of Forest Road to Highway 89 (Mount Elden Lookout) and Schultz Pass Road to private land. A pre-evacuation notice has also been issued for the area of Forest Road 420 to Friedlein Prairie.

The Coconino County Sheriff SAR members are assisting with evacuations.

Notifications

An American Red Cross Shelter has been established at the Sinaqua Middle School. 3950 E. Butler Avenue, Flagstaff, Arizona 86004.

For emergency notifications and other notices, go to coconino.az.gov/ready .

The Wildfire Log | Otero County (CO)’s Grass Fire Human Caused

July 14, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

A grass fire sparked by a driver on Highway 350 in Otero County, Colorado was charged for starting the wildfire on July 14, 2019, in the early afternoon on Sunday.

Photo Credit | Otero Co SO

Otero County Sheriff’s Office and Fire units from the outlining areas responded to the fire which at the time was determined to be likely from a vehicle.

Firefighters were in mop up operations at 1448 hours PDT. The estimated amount of acres burned were around 20 but this could have been so much more worse.

Nice work, firefighters and Sheriff’s Office for your great egress and teamwork! – Ed.

Opinion | Did You Know? You can prevent these types of Fires

Never park your vehicle on grass on the side of the highway as the hot vehicle exhaust pipe can burn the grass underneath and cause a fire. If it is a windy day, the wind can pick up the fire and spread it around on very dry fire fuels around your vehicle.

Not only is this preventable, but also will be a cost saver for the one that is being charged for fire suppression assets and law enforcement costs. We are pretty sure, there is a hefty fine that will be sure to included in that amount too.

The Wildfire Log | AK Wildfires | July 6, 2019

July 6, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Thank you for reading and following our post! Here is the compiled list of wildfires for the State of Alaska on Saturday, July 6, 2019, for fires greater than 1,000 acres.

1 | .Bearnose Hill Fire – ANCSA lands

Started 6/29/2019. Lightning caused.

1,744 acres. 59 personnel.

Active fire behavior with 50 ft. flame lengths, crowning, running and spotting. Fire fuels include spruce and hardwood mix. Fire moving to the north.

Additional crews arrived o/s today.

Incident #407.

2 | Foraker Fire – Denali National Park

Started 6/26/2019. Lightning sparked.

11,970 acres. 6 personnel.

Some fire activity on the southeast flank of the fire.

Incident #389.

3 | Boundary Fire – ANCSA lands

Started 6/23/2019. Lightning ignited.

15,250 acres with a 250 acre increase on 7/4/2019. 170 personnel.

Crews to engage in direct attack strategies with point protection activities on values at risk. Structure protection in and around homes north of the fire and in Northway.

Incident #362..

4 | Lloyd Mountain Fire – AK State lands

Started 6/23/2019 by lightning.

16,239 acres. 20 personnel.

Fire behavior active increased on the north and east flanks mostly with minimal growth on the interior. Working to prep for structure protection in the north and south areas of the fire.

Incident #361.

5 | Hurst Creek Fire – AK State lands

Started by lightning on 6/22/2019.

39,179 acres. 6 personnel.

Air recon flight this afternoon and in the evening detected increased fire activity with running to the southwest prompting structure protection. Heliltack responded and with remain in the area. Fire has crossed the Dishna River on the northeast corner and western perimeter.

Incident #352.

6 | Chandalar River Fire – Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge

Started 6/22/2019 by lightning. 2,004 acres. Acreage increased by 177.5 since 7/4/2019. 56 personnel. Active fire behavior with wind-driven runs to the east.

Incident #349

7 | Hadweenzic River Fire – Yukon Flats National Wildlife Refuge

Started by lightning on 6/22/2019.

27,161 acres. 8 personnel.

Increased fire behavior with short runs and backing. Spreading mostly to the north and east.

Incident #337.

8 | Hess Creek Fire – 29 miles SE of Steven’s Village

Nevada Type 3 Team 2 IMT take command of fire on 6/28/2019 at 0700

NV Type 3 Team 2 on 6/27/2019. | Courtesy: Inciweb

Started on State land on 6/21/2019. Lightning caused.

104,218 acres. Increased by 70,830.5 on 7/4/2019. 70 personnel.

Being managed by an IMT3. If fire continues to grow, concerns for high assets may become threatened which include multiple structures, camps and communication equipment. Burnout operations in effect.

Incident #324.

9 | Nugget Creek Fire – 35 miles E of Fairbanks

Smoke and fire backing down the ridge to the cliffs above the Chena River.

View of fire from Chena River | Courtesy: Inciweb

Fire caused by lightning on 6/21/2019. Located on State lands.

6,937 acres. 6 personnel.

Increased fire activity on the interior and burning at a low rate of spread with the west side more actively burning along with uphill runs and backing down the ridge. No structures threatened.

Incident #323.

10 | Shovel Creek Fire – 20 NW of Fairbanks

Crewmember from the Golden Eagles IHC serves as a lookout for crews working on Division C, on the southern flank of the fire.

Lookout keeps watch over the Shovel Creek Fire Courtesy: Inciweb

Fire caused by lightning began on 6/212019.

10,808 acres. 12% contained. 753 personnel.

Fire weather has been consisting of sunny skies, temps in the upper 70’s, lower RH of 38-45% range and winds that were terrain driven.

Working to secure fire perimeter along the east and north along the Chatanika River area.

Command consists of: Deputy IC is Chris Schulte. Incident Meteorologist is Jon Bonk with Fire wx. Fire Behavior Analyst is Dana Skelly assisting with prediction for movement.

Incident #319.

11| Bergman Creek Fire – Central Yukon Field Office (BLM)

Fire started on BLM owned lands on 6/21/2019 by lightning in the Central Yukon Field Office area.

10,889 acres. 16 personnel. Fire behavior has had minimal activity but there is still heat located on the northeastern and eastern areas of the fire.

Incident #312.

12| Black River Fire – Eastern Interior Field Office (BLM)

Fire ignited after lightning hit the area, spark this fire on BLM owned lands in the Eastern Interior Field Office’s response area. The fire started on 6/18/2019.

24,891 acres. 47 personnel. Fire behavior is active with smoldering, creeping, running and torching. It is burning in spruce, mixed hardwoods and tundra.

Incident #255.

13 | Yukon Charley Fire – Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve (NPS)

Fire started on 6/10/2019 by lightning.

1,049 acres. 8 personnel. Air recon flight completed and fire is about 30% active with smoldering and creeping in white and black Spruce.

Incident #217.

14 | Swan Lake Fire – 5 miles NE of Sterling

Smoke plume on the Swan Lake Fire 5 days ago | Courtesy: Inciweb

Fire started on 6/5/2019 by lightning and is burning in the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge (USFWS).

92,657 acres have been destroyed. 14% contained. 400+ personnel assigned. Fire growth on 7/4/2019.

Containment lines are holding in Divisions A, R and K. Div P had growth to the northeast. Air fire suppression activities are primary focus. Crews are continuing to maintain mop up operations north of the Homer Electric transmission line and along the East Fork Moose River. Night shift is patrolling the Sterling Hwy for smoke conditions which AK State Troopers are monitoring and providing traffic control when heavy smokey conditions arise for traffic on the Hwy.

Incident #181.

15 | McArthur Creek Fire – AK State lands

Fire started on 5/21/2019 by lightning. 15,000 acres. 12 personnel assigned. Air recon flight on 7/5/2019 showing high fire growth on the west side of the fire.

Incident #133.

Fire Stats – Current AK Fires Burning

There were 5 new wildfires that occurred within the last 24 hours that were under 1 acre Four of the 5 were human caused. 1 was undetermined and reached a total of destroyed 40 acres. 9 personnel are still assigned to the incident.

There are 20 wildfires that are fully staffed and have a total of 375,620 acres that have been destroyed while there are 94 being monitored for a total of 299,412 acres. 1 of the fires has been put out. There are 2 RX fires for a total of 13,615 acres. The grand total of acres destroyed has reached an all-time high of 688,688.

Of the 374 wildfires, 190 were human caused while 181 were lightning caused for a total of 681,708 acres destroyed.

The Wildfire Log: Benton County’s Toothaker Fire

June 21, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

Benton County, Wa. – A wildfire ignited from an unknown cause on Thursday, June 20th, at approximately 1540 (3:40 pm) hours PDT in the area of South Meals Road and East Toothaker Road, near Finley, Washington. The location is also approximately 80 miles ESE of Yakima, Washington.

Fire Resources

Additional resources were dispatched via the Central Washington Interagency Communications Center at 1607 (4:07 pm) Hours PDT on June 20, 2019.

Incident Cooperators include Benton County Fire Districts 1, 2 and 4; West Benton Fire and Rescue, Richland Fire Department, Pasco Fire Department and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Fire Status

The fire has destroyed 100 acres of grass and brush in the Heaven Hills area. It was limited to this number of acreage due to a precipitation producing storm that fell over the fire line on Thursday night. Fire Managers estimated there was a 75% containment status reached.

As of this morning (6/21/2019), the fire response had been reduced to just two engines. They were being tasked with mop-up operations and putting out any new hot spots.

Damage Assessment

There was no injuries to civilians or firefighters reported.

No homes or outbuildings were reported as damaged or destroyed.

Fire Danger is High

No photo description available.

Eastern Washington State has increased their Preparedness Level and they are reporting the Fire Danger at an all “HIGH” level for the time period of June 19 – July 3, 2019. The Fire Service all across this portion of the State is asking for you to be very careful when burning outside. The only fires allowed are: recreational and warming fires, as well as agricultural burning. NO residential burning is being allowed.

Image Courtesy of: Benton County Fire District #1

The Wildfire Log’s East Kachess Fire

June 21, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON STATE

A wildfire broke out on Friday, June 21,2019 around 1301 (1:01 pm) hours PDT from an unknown cause on the Kachess Dam in Kittitas County, Washington.

Firefighters quickly contained and brought the fire under control today at 1415 (2:15 pm) this afternoon.

Fire fuels included Duff. The total acreage loss was less than one acre.

The Wildfire Log | Dry Sage Fire | WA | 3

June 10, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

YAKIMA COUNTY, WASHINGTON

Update 3 | June 10, 2019 | 2100 hours PDT

Incident Summary | A wildfire, called the DRY SAGE FIRE is burning on Durr Road in Yakima County, Washington State. Fire assets were dispatched on June 8th around 1006 hours.

Current Fire Status | The fire has destroyed about 397 acres of short grass and brush. Crews have reached a 70% containment status.

Resources | There are about 31 total personnel assigned along with 10 engines.

Costs-To-Date | Total expenses as of today’s date have reached $75,000.00.

Social Media

#DrySageFire #WAwildfires2019

The Wildfire Log | Bear Creek Fire | WA | 1

June 10, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

KITSAP COUNTY, WASHINGTON

UPDATE 1 | June 10th – Monday | 1830 hours PDT

Incident Summary | Fire personnel and assets were dispatched today at 1340 hours PDT to a brush fire in the town of Tahuya is near Crosby in Kitsap County, Washington.

Fire Fuels, Size Up | The fire, as of 1700 hours, has destroyed 22 acres of brush, slash and reprod timeber.

Resources | DNR personnel and equipment – BRADSHAW BRADY, M DOZER-1 DOZER-2 DUNCAN E804 E808 E8213 EXCAVATOR1 H341WN H343WN H345WN JEWELL MCREYNOLDS PROVENCHER. A Type 4 IC has arrived on-scene.

Status | Windy conditions are challenging ground firefighters and helicopters working on the wildfire.

Cause | Cause is unknown at the time of this posting.

Social Media | #BearCreekFire #WAwildfires2019

The Wildfire Log | Dry Sage Fire | WA | 2

June 9, 2019 / NW Fire Blog (TM)

YAKIMA COUNTY, WASHINGTON

SUNDAY, JUNE 9TH @ 0115 HOURS PDT

Incident Summary

A wildfire, called the DRY SAGE FIRE is burning on Durr Road in Yakima County, Washington State.

Fire assets were dispatched on June 8th around 1006 hours.

Current Fire Status

There has been about 397 acres of grass and brush destroyed.

Resources

SE 540 and SE 700 are showing attached to this incident.

Social Media

#DrySageFire #WAwildfires2019

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