Single Publication

Cougar Creek Fire Update for August 2, 2024

Incident Commander Jeff Dimke

Complex Incident Management Team Northwest 12

509-210-2928, staffed 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

2024.cougarcreek@firenet.gov 

Quick Facts

Size: 18,615  Acres               

Start Date: July 15, 2024        

Cause: Under investigation

Location: SW of Clarkston, 1 mile west of Hwy 129 and Grand Ronde River intersection

Containment: 29%              

Personnel: 510                       

Fire Strategy: Full suppression                       

Resources Assigned: 10 crews, 3 helicopters, 39 engines, 14 water tenders, 30 heavy equipment

The Cougar Creek Fire is burning within a mountainous and remote area on the Umatilla National Forest bordering the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. 

Operations: Due to the increased risks posed by the excessive heat advisory/warning and unstable atmosphere, firefighters and engines are patrolling the western and northern fire areas with increased vigilance. Firefighters are mopping up and securing fire control lines in the southwest portion of the fire perimeter, as well as grading roads in the Grouse Flats area. Preparation of indirect line from Grouse Flat to the west towards Saddle Springs Trail head continues, and firefighters are tying together contingency lines as they work to complete indirect line to the south on the west side of Grouse Flat.

Firefighters are continuing tactical firing operations on the western fire perimeter, along FSR 40, 43 and 44, as conditions warrant to strengthen and deepen fire control lines. These firing operations are often conducted at night with lower fire intensity to remove fuels in advance of the wildfire and create more secure and defensible fire control lines. Heavy and medium helicopters dropped about 40,000 gallons of water yesterday to slow and cool fire activity to support firefighters working on the ground in the area.

Firefighters used the UAS (Unmanned Aircraft System) with IR sensors to map the western fire perimeter yesterday; it has been several days since an overnight IR flight has been available to map the entire fire. Firefighters and engine crews are mopping up and securing small spot fires along Hansen Ridge while preparing secondary contingency line on Mallory Ridge. 

Evacuations and Closures: Forest closure descriptions and maps are available online on the Umatilla National Forest closure website. In Washington, evacuation notices are posted on the Asotin County Sheriff website and Asotin County Emergency Management Facebook website. Grande Ronde Road is closed from Troy, Oregon, to the 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 Road, north to the State boundary and the Garfield County line to Grande Ronde River. The Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been slightly reduced in size: https://bit.ly/4duptei. Drone activity is prohibited under the TFR as firefighting aircraft cannot fly with unauthorized drones present.

Weather and Smoke:  An incoming pattern of weak weather disturbances may support afternoon and evening thunderstorms through the weekend. The NWS Excessive Heat Warning and a Heat Advisory are expected to continue through August 3. These factors combine to cause poor overnight recoveries and a higher probability of increased fire behavior. Learn more about smoke at http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.