Single Publication

Big Horn Fire

10:00 PM, July 28, 2024

Estimated size: 50,061 acres

Containment: 68%

Start Date/Time: 7/22/2024 at 1:07 PM

Area of Origin: 7 miles SE of Bickleton, WA

Cause: Undetermined                                              

Structures Damaged: 4

Update: The fire line successfully withstood the test of today’s wind event.

The drone crew flew the Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) over some of the more difficult to access ground today. By utilizing Infrared (IR), they found hot spots, allowing crews to quickly respond and mop-up. Other crews continued to patrol the fire and mop-up any hot spots found.

Crews participated in a simulation for an “Incident Within an Incident” (IWI). This type of firefighter injury simulation gives our crews and overhead team members an opportunity to practice responding and managing an incident (example: injured firefighter) that may occur during the wildland fire.

 As a precautionary action due to the current winds, crews will patrol the fire for a partial shift tonight. They will continue to mop-up any hot spots that are found.

Evacuation Levels: There are only Level 1 evacuations in place. Please visit Klickitat County Emergency Management’s website or check Facebook for the most current information:

• https://www.klickitatcounty.org/249/Emergency-Management
• https://www.facebook.com/KlickitatDEM911

Road Closures: The west-bound shoulder of Highway 14 will be closed, please drive with caution as firefighters are working in the area. Alderdale Road from Linda Lane south to the intersection of Highway 14 remains closed. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Cooler temps will prevail across the incident through the weekend and into the beginning of the week. Winds are forecast to be 12 to 20 mph with gusts up to 28 mph. 

Smoke: Satellite imagery shows large swaths of smoke across the region.  With the large number of fires in the Pacific NW and continued westerly flow, smoke impacts should be expected in central and eastern Washington through the weekend. New Air Quality Alerts are in place for Klickitat, Benton, Walla Walla, Columbia, Garfield, and Asotin counties. If you are near fire locations, please stay up to date on evacuation orders.

While there are no current air quality alerts for Klickitat County, communities close to active wildfires could see air quality worsen as the fire and wind conditions change. Critical fire weather continues across Central and Eastern Washington; please continue to recreate responsibly as any fire starts could spread quickly. For more information on smoke and air quality, please visit: Washington Smoke Information (wasmoke.blogspot.com)

Resources: 34 engines, 11 water tenders, 4 dozers, 3 hand crews, 1 UAS module, 204 personnel total.