Single Publication

Start Date: July 20, 2024
Fire size: 151 Acres
Cause: Human, under investigation
Containment: 0%

Whisky Creek Fire is located five miles southeast of Cascade Locks, OR and is within the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. An infrared flight last night mapped the fire at 151 acres. Fire managers use infrared technology to detect heat and help track fire growth.

Crews made great progress clearing Gorton Creek Trail #408 yesterday. Today they will continue to improve Trail #408 then move to work on Herman Creek Trail #406 and Green Point Ridge Trail #418. Resources on the south end of the fire were able to locate an area to put in a potential direct handline along the south end of the fire and will continue to scout the area today.

The weather forecast today will be similar to yesterday but with reduced wind speeds in the Columbia River Gorge. The fire was sheltered from the yesterday’s high winds and experienced minimal growth.

Because of minimal fire behavior yesterday, Whisky Creek air resources were able to support a new fire start west of Mosier, OR where there was immediate threat to life and safety.

Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team #6 arrived yesterday evening. They will use today to shadow the Type 3 resources and will assume command tomorrow morning, Wednesday, July 24.

The Mt. Hood National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area are issuing a joint emergency closure for the fire area.
Closures:
• Developed Recreation Sites: Rainy Lake Campground, Black Lake Campground, Wahtum Lake Campgrounds, Indian Springs Trailhead, Warren Lake Trailhead, Wahtum Lake Trailhead, Mt. Defiance South Trailhead, Wyeth Trailhead, and Herman Creek Trailhead
• Trails: Gorge #400, Herman Creek #406, Herman Bridge #406E, Gorton Creek #408, Wyeth #411, Green Point Ridge #418, Deadwood #422, North Lake #423, Rainy Lake #423A, Ridge Cut-off #437, and Nick Eaton #447
• Roads: Forest Service Roads: 1310, 1310-640, 1310-641, 1310-660, 1310-661, 1310-662, 1310-664, 1310-669, 2810, 2810-630, 2810-650, 2820 beginning at its junction with Forest Service Road 2820-620, 2820-011, 2820-013, 2820622, 2820-631, 2820-632, 2820-633, 2820-634, 2820-635, 2820-636, 2820-650, 2820-651, 2820-660, 2820-661, 2820-662, 2820-663, 2820-670, 2820-685, 2821, 2821-620, 2821-621, 2821-630, and 2821-640

The cause of the fire is from human activity and is currently under investigation. The public is reminded that fire restrictions are in effect and campfires are prohibited across both Mt. Hood National Forest and Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area lands.