Single Publication

Whisky Creek:

Size: 1,743 acres

Cause: Human – Under Investigation

Start Date: July 20, 2024

Location: 6 miles SE of Cascade Locks, OR

Fuels: Scrub oak, timber, and grass

Sandstone:

Size: 588 acres

Cause: Lightning

Start Date: Aug. 5, 2024

Location: 9 miles SW of Ripplebrook, OR

Fuels: Timber and grass

Whisky Creek Highlights:

Crews on the Whisky Creek Fire worked on improving fireline yesterday and will continue creating handline today. Due to weather conditions, crews did not burn yesterday but are continuing to hold and secure Thursday’s firing operations.

Sandstone Highlights:

Hand crews and heavy equipment are working on establishing primary control lines as close to the fire as safely possible due to the terrain.  While there was minor fire growth yesterday, the fire didn’t move much from where it was.

Operations:

Crews on the Whisky Creek Fire will continue creating handline to secure the perimeter.  

Two masticators were released from the Whisky Creek Fire yesterday and will be starting work today on the Sandstone Fire.  On Sandstone, crews have been prepping for the masticators and dozers and will continue cutting handlines where the heavy equipment can’t safely go.  The small Blister Creek Fire, just to the northwest of the Sandstone Fire, has hardly moved, and is not expected to cause issues while the fire lines are being built.   

Fire Behavior and Weather

A trough coming in off the coast will lower temperatures and raise humidity. It also brings a chance of thunderstorms and lightning over the next two days.

Additional smoke is expected in the afternoon as fine fuels dry and become more receptive to burning.  Smoke forecasts specifically for the Whisky Creek Fire area can be found at AirNow.gov.

Road and Trail Closures:

The Mt. Hood National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area closure information can be found at: Whisky Creek Fire Closures in Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. Evacuation and closures for the Sandstone Fire can be found at: Sandstone Fire closures; evacuations in effect. Hood River County has closure information that can be found on their  website. Closures are put in place for the safety of the public and fire crews – intrusion in a closure area can stop fire suppression activities, endanger life and property, and can result in fines.

Total Fire Resources Assigned:

• Whisky Creek – 7 crews, 4 initial attack crews, 5 engines, 2 helicopters, 1 dozer, 4 water tenders, 2 masticators, 2 skidgines 
• Sandstone - 7 crews, 1 initial attack crew, 2 engines, 1 dozer, and 2 masticators                 

Contact Information:                                                                                                                          

Email: 2024.whiskycreek@firenet.gov, 2024.sandstone.or@firenet.gov

Phone: 541-208-1743, 8 A.M - 8 P.M