Wildland fires

The Wildfire Log | Museum Fire in Arizona | 1

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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.

Image

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.

Museum Fire near Dry Lake

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 .

(c) 2019 NW Fire Blog – Updated @ 1630 hours MST.

 

The Wildfire Log | WA Fire Activity | July 8, 2019

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Thank you for reading our blog post!

Here is the Wildfire Log for today’s wildfire activity:

FERRY COUNTY

Smoke Check | Rose Valley | Call dispatched 2006 hours PDT. WA DNR Communications Center. Open Incident.

OLYMPIC PENINSULA 

Wildfire | Hogan Fire  | Burrows Rd on Intersection of Hogan’s Road. 0.1 acre. Grass, brush and logs. (IC) Ferneyhough. Dispatched at 1000 hours. Contained at 1025 hours. Controlled at 1100 hours PDT.  In Patrol status.

A Resource Order out of the Puget Sound Interagency Comm Center has deployed resources to assist with the SHOVEL CREEK FIRE in Alaska.

SPOKANE COUNTY

Wildfire | Chase Fire  Liberty Lake. 3.8 acres. Grass, brush and timber. Call dispatched @ 1316 hours PDT.  Resources o/s at 1345 hours PDT. (IC) Shcie. Resources:  AR29, 440, 442, C6201 OH.  Open incident.

STEVENS COUNTY

Wildfire | Garden Spot Fire | Garden Spot Road. 0.1 acre. Grass, brush and light timber. Dispatched call @ 1728 hours PDT. Resources on-scene @ 1728 hours PDT. (IC) AR 414. Resources:  AR108, 414, 441, 450 and 61. Open incident.

(c) 2019 NW Fire Blog – Updated @ 2105 hours PDT

The Wildfire Log | WA State Fire Activity | July 6 2019

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Due to the high number of wildfires here in Washington State, we will be grouping them together here.

COLUMBIA PLATEAU FIRE – Martindale – Franklin County

Fire resources dispatched at 1436 hours PDT to Martindale in Franklin County.  Assets and resources include:  BATT-603, Engines 341, 373, 6695, (BLM) 672.117 acres of heavy sage destroyed.

DEEP CREEK FIRE – Alladin Road – Stevens County

Fire resources include H344, NC 41+Crew, 7303 and 7304 are o/s of a wildfire which dispatched their agencies and equipment at 1746 hours PDT.  They arrived o/s at 1818 hours.  Less than one acre has been currently burned.

JOURNEY FIRE – Thurston County

Firefighters were dispatched at 1610 hours to a fire in an unknown part of this County for a wildfire that included fire fuels: grass and brush. Engines 8213, EIDE and IC Cooper are still out-of-service at the scene.  Less than one acre burned. No cause is known.

MOOSE JAW FIRE – Pend Oreille County

Fire crews are o/s of a wildfire located on Moose Jaw Road in Pend Oreille County, which were dispatched at 1751 hours and o/s at 1815 hours.  AR450, 451 and 62 have arrived.  0.01 acres. Cause unknown.

PK CANYON FIRE – Smith Canyon -Franklin County

Crew 6201 and a BLM (6696) engine were dispatched today at 1131 hours to a wildfire located in Smith Canyon in Franklin County.  104 acres of grass and brush destroyed.  Fire was contained this evening at 1830 hours PDT.

RIGGS CANYON FIRE – North Riggs Canyon – Kittitas County

Firefighters and equipment were dispatched today at 1255 hours PDT. Resources included:  Ahtanum 20 crew, crews 33, 83 and engines 331, 332. Helicopter 346.  SE 139, 426, 461, 463, 468, 561, 721 and SE Martin, Pollack and Slyfiel.  50 acres of grass, brush and timber have been burned.

SPRING FIRE – Boulder Cave – Kittitas County

Fire assets and resources include: Engines 381 and 382 to Boulder Cave at 1758 hours PDT. 0.12 acres. Fire fuels are timber and logs.

UPPER JOE FIRE – Grade Creek – Chelan County

Crews 52, 74 and Engines 321, 353 with SE 125, 146 and Escobar were dispatched at 1342 hours PDT to Grade Creek in Chelan County. The fire has consumed 14.5 acres of grass and brush.

 

Thank you for reading our blog posts! You can catch us on Live Updates on our Twitter page @nwfireblog   We’d love if you’d follow us here. – Ed.

(c) 2019 NW Fire Blog – Updated @ 1940 hours PDT

The Wildfire Log | AK Wildfires | July 6, 2019

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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 along Sterling Highway

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.

(c) 2019 NW Fire Blog – Updated 1900  hours PDT

 

 

The Wildfire Log: Upper Joe Fire in Chelan County, Washington

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Update 1 – July 6, 2019 – Saturday

WA DNR fire assets and personnel have been dispatched to the UPPER JOE FIRE located on Grade Creek in Chelan County, Washington at around 1342 hours PDT.

The fire has destroyed about 5 acres of grass and brush.

Resources include:  Crews 52 and 74; Engines 321 and 353. H-1MR, SE units: 1225, 146 and Escobar.

No word on the cause.

No reports of injuries or deaths to firefighters or civilians have been made.

(c) 2019 NW Fire Blog – Updated @ 1515 PDT

The Wildfire Log: WA’s Swanson Mill Fire | Final Update

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UPDATE 3 – JULY 4 (THURSDAY)

Final Update

A wildfire approximately 200 acres named the SWANSON MILL FIRE located south of Oneil Road in the Swanson Mill area, just north of Ellisforde and south of Oroville, Washington.

CALL 9-1-1 | To report Wildfires

The fire which prompted many air fire suppression aircraft that included 5 fire bosses, several helicopters, heavy airtankers with some of them from Canada and others were brought quickly in.  Additionally, they were dipping from nearby lake and continuously dropping over the fire line and tankers dropping retardant down below.

Overnight, fire crews worked tirelessly to contain the fire bringing the total of acres destroyed at 300 acres.  They are currently mopping up.

Fire was burning near homes and other structures but all were saved. None were reported as damaged.

No injuries to firefighters or to civilians were reported.

The cause is unknown and still under investigation.

(c) 2019 NW Fire Blog- Updated @ 1100 hours PDT

The Wildfire Log: Arizona’s Wander Fire Stopped in Its Tracks

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Posted:  7/3/2019 @ 1815 hours PDT

Arizona has been suffering wildfires on a daily basis with multiple starts across their State.  This wildfire, though small, was quickly contained by firefighters.

WANDER FIRE

The WANDER FIRE started on July 3, 2019, and located about .5 miles south of New River and about two miles north of the Anthem Outlets in Maricopa County, Arizona.

The fire was observed crossing over Highway 17, which was closed at mile post 232 by the County Sheriff’s Office.

At 1514 hours, winds began picking up which was of concern to Fire Officials.  They ordered aircraft while evacuations of approximately 36 residents were in effect from approximately 12 houses.

The 10-acre wildfire threatened about 12 structures around 1535 hours, but fire crews quickly stopped the forward rate of spread (1601 hours).  The Sheriff’s Office was expected to be opening the I-17 corridor and lift the evacuation orders.

(c) 2019 NW Fire Blog

The Wildfire Log: WA’s Swanson Mill Fire | 2

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UPDATE 2 – JULY 3 (WEDNESDAY)

A wildfire approximately 200 acres named the SWANSON MILL FIRE is located south of Oneil Road in the Swanson Mill area, just north of Ellisforde and south of Oroville, Washington.

About 125 personnel are assigned to the fire.

During the height of the incident, there were five fire bosses that included FB 206, 207, 210, 244 and 246.  They worked the fire and at the end of the fire around 1730 hours, they were sent back to Omak airport for a load and return until 1800 hours.  They were on stand-by in case, the Helicopters that were still assigned to the incident needed, were only minutes away from being recalled.

CALL 9-1-1 | To report Wildfires

Two Canadian air tankers 447 and 449 were in the mix with all of the aircraft. They worked their magic and did a great job.  They returned to another airport for a load and hold, but were ultimately released from the fire by 5 Alpha Romeo.

One dozer was on-scene working the dozer line but two more would be ordered and arrived to assist. They made great progress as well.

A TFR (temporary flight restriction) was discussed by Dispatch and the IC but agreed unnecessary due to the fire being quickly contained.  However, there was an incident where a low flying aircraft was flying over the area where it was a concern for some fire suppression aircraft attempting to make water drops.

(c) 2019 NW Fire Blog- Updated 1740 hours PDT

The Wildfire Log: Elko County’s Whiterock Fire

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Update 1 – Tuesday, July 2, 2019

A wildfire is burning near Osino, near Whiterock, Nevada that is now the size of about 2.4 acres.  Containment status is unknown at the time of this post.

Fire personnel and assets, which included 701, 702, 703, Brush 13, 232 and 52-32 were dispatched this evening around 1949 hours PDT to the fire line.

Due to limited scanner feed and pressers, we are waiting for more updates from our verified sources. Until that happens, this may be our last and final post on this incident.

Thank you for following our Official Fire Blog here.  We will be blogging on here and our Twitter @nwfireblog as wildfire incidents come online or if they are continued fires, we will be updating them as details emerge. – Ed.

(c) 2019 NW Fire Blog – Updated @ 2045 hours PDT

 

The Wildfire Log: Confusion with Wildhorse Fire Name | 5

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UPDATE 5 – July 1, 2019 – Monday

The Wildhorse Fire is not to be confused with the State of Nevada’s June 20th wildfire named the same time.

This fire is located off of I-90 at the Wild Horse Monument, a few miles from Vantage, Washington.  This was reported by multiple callers from a small area at the bottom of the hillside and running uphill.  The fire began as a small few acres as reported by the first due crews to exploding to a 200 acre-incident.

About two hours ago, WA DNR sent some personnel and resources to assist as mutual aid in Grant County.  The fire was said to be burning in sage and grass.  Conditions have been dry and weather has been somewhat unfavorable, making it right for fire season to make its move and more of a challenge to Fire Officials often promotion Prevention messages to the public.

Those assigned to this wildfire incident were WA DNR CREW 33, 6201 and a BLM engine #6695, assisted by multiple Fire Districts.

Thank you for joining us this evening and following us.  Please be sure to tell your friends, fellow Firefighters and 1st Responders who we are and what we are all about. You can also find us on our Twitter channel @nwfireblog for future live fire and disaster news unfolding in the Northwest, the United States and around the Globe. – Ed.

(c) 2019 NW Fire Blog – Updated @ 2200 hours PDT