Single Publication

Cougar Creek Fire Update for Thursday July 25, 2024 

KEY MESSAGES:  

Incident priorities remain protection of community, rural residences, grazing allotments, and private timber. Yesterday morning, crews successfully added line on the southern edge of the fire, bordering the Grande Ronde River, resulting in an increase in containment. In the evening, lightning storms struck over the fire perimeter and surrounding communities. Crews responded throughout the night to new starts as the area was assessed.  Burning conditions will remain critical as fuels have not had enough prolonged moisture to slow fire growth. 

CURRENT STATUS: 

Crews are working to tie the fireline from the 40 Road going west, south of the 4039 Road to Three Forks Trailhead. Crews continue to support line construction on the eastern flank of the fire, from Wenatchee Guard Station down to Hansen Ridge in advance of the west winds. Protection efforts in the community of Grouse Flats continue around structures.  

FIRE BEHAVIOR AND WEATHER: 

Fire behavior continues to be active as topography acts as the main component of fire growth. The fire area will have westerly winds developing over the next few days. Temperatures will be in the high 70s and low 80s, with higher relative humidity at 20%. 

EVACUATIONS AND CLOSURES:  

Forest closure descriptions and maps are available online on the Umatilla National Forest Closure page. In Washington, evacuation notices are posted on the Asotin County Sheriff webpage and Asotin County Emergency Management  Facebook. Grande Ronde Road is closed from Troy, Oregon to Highway 129 junction in Washington.  In Oregon, a level 2 evacuation is in effect for Wallowa County, including all of Grouse Flat from Bear Creek Rd north to the State boundary and the Garfield County line to Grande Ronde River.