Fire Information: (541) 903-2069 daily from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Email: 2024.microwavetower@firenet.gov

Microwave Fire Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2024MicrowaveTowerFire/

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/or954s-microwave-tower

14% Contained

704 Acres

5 miles west, southwest of Mosier, OR

Burning in brush, timber, and grass 

Highlights

The Microwave Tower Fire is now at 14% containment. Further containment is expected as the south end of the fire moves into mop up. Because the area has difficult terrain, crews are leveraging local knowledge and experience to enhance the effectiveness of using the railroad tracks as a line tie-in feature for the west and east ends of the fire. When completed, this would remove fuels and reduce the risk of fire spread. 

Fire Behavior

The fire continues to show moderate activity with the potential for increased spread through spotting, single tree torching and group torching in the timber draws. We may see an increase in fire behavior depending on changing weather conditions. Along the north end of the fire, pockets of burning and smoldering smoke can be seen from I-84. 

Today, crews will work to improve dozer line connecting to the Historic Columbia River Highway State trail. There are 115 personnel assigned to the fire, up 43 from the previous day. The weather forecast predicts cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and lower winds that will provide an opportunity to increase progress for firefighters.  

Evacuations 

The evacuation preparedness level was set to Level 1 - Be Ready, west of the fire as a precautionary measure. Existing evacuations remain in place. Power was restored to the City of Mosier, but a Red Cross center remains open at the Hood River Middle School for anyone needing a place to go.

The Mosier Senior Center at 500 E. 2nd Ave., is being used as a cooling center for the public where they can also charge their devices. For up-to-date information on evacuations please visit https://www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff. 

###   

Trout Fire: 22,231 acres - 10% containment

Long Fire: 9,204 acres - 25% containment

Borel Fire: 941 acres - 0% containment

Total Personnel: 1,095

Current Situation: Yesterday around 1 p.m., firefighters responded to a vegetation fire—Borel Fire—burning on both sides of State Route (SR) 178, east of Democrat Springs. Despite an aggressive initial attack with numerous interagency resources—crews, engines, aircraft, dozers—the fire spread quickly up steep canyon walls in hot, dry, windy conditions. California Interagency Incident Management Team 14 is managing the fire as part of the 2024 SQF Lightning incident. Kern County Fire Department issued an evacuation warning for zone KRN-403-A. SR 178 is closed from 4.1 miles east of the junction of SR 184 to Democrat Springs (Kern Co).

Trout Fire: Fire growth was minimal Wednesday despite gusty winds and minimal precipitation from afternoon thunderstorms. On the fire’s east side, crews extended and strengthened the containment fireline from Bald Mountain Lookout near Sherman Pass Road to Lunch Meadow. Today, crews will be flown in by helicopter to work and camp for several days on the southern and southeastern perimeter. On the west side, heavy-equipment operators are constructing containment line southward from Sherman Pass Vista toward Big Meadow. 

Long Fire: Crews continue to make progress containing the fire on the northwest side from Palome Creek as they advance northeastward to the head of the fire where other firefighters are constructing handline from the head of the fire near the Pacific Crest Trail southwestward toward Palome Creek. Engine crews are also working along control lines to extinguish any smoldering fires that could lead to the fire escaping its perimeter.

Borel Fire: Numerous resources are working to fully contain the fire. Fire behavior Thursday is expected to be extreme with rapid rates of spread. SR 178 remains closed in the fire area.

Weather & Air Quality: Near all three fires, drier and slightly cooler conditions are expected today with wind gusts up to 30 mph possible. A daily smoke outlook is produced for the areas and communities affected by the 2024 SQF Lightning fires (tinyurl.com/452x2uzr).

Closures & Restrictions: State Route 178 is closed from 4.1 mi east of the junction of SR 184 to Democrat Springs (quickmap.dot.ca.gov/). Sequoia National Forest lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites around the Trout and Long Fires are temporarily closed under Forest Order No. 0513-24-12. Fire restrictions are also in effect under Forest Order No. 0513-24-10. Both orders, maps, and accompanying appendices can be found on the Forest’s “Forest Orders” web page: tinyurl.com/2en2d36k. The Bureau of Land Management’s Bakersfield Field Office has temporarily closed Long Valley Campground, Chimney Creek Campground, and portions of the Pacific Crest Trail. View the emergency closure order here: tinyurl.com/4mprcb9b. The PCT is closed between Hwy 178 at Walker Pass (mile 653) and the South Fork of the Kern River bridge (mile 717.7).

Evacuations: A Kern County evacuation warning is in effect for zone KRN-403-A. Tulare County evacuation warnings are in effect for zones TLC-E274-B and TLC-E261-B. Tulare County evacuation advisories are in effect or zones TLC-E297-A, TLC-E250, TLC-E274-A, and TLC-E261-A. 

City of Huntington Evacuation Level Update-

After conferring with fire officials and evaluating the situation, Baker County Sheriff's Office reduced the evacuation level for the City of Huntington to a Level 1 (BE READY).

Check back tomorrow for additional updates on evacuation level: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064434892363

Smoke Outlook 7/25 - 7/26 Eastern Oregon Multiple Fires

Special Statement

An Air Quality Alert has been issued by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for Harney, Wheeler, Grant, Umatilla, Morrow, Counties.

Fire

There are multiple fires affecting the forecast area. For more information on these incidents, please visit Inciweb.

Smoke

Smoke from numerous fires is impacting the area. Winds are expected to be from the west-northwest throughout the day, leading to more smoke in areas southeast of fires. Monument is expected to have VERY UNEHALTHY air quality due to its proximity to multiple fires. Spray is also close to many fires and is expected to have UNHEALTHY air quality. Burns, John Day, and Seneca are expected to have UNHEALTHY air quality. In these areas, air quality will improve during the day and worsen overnight as smoke settles in. Smoke from outside the outlook area will occasionally impact Fossil, Heppner, and Pendleton, where MODERATE conditions are expected overall, with some hours of GOOD as well.

Ore Fire Update
Thursday, July 25, 2024 – 9:30 a.m.

Size: 1050 acres | Reported Date: July 16, 2024 | Cause: Under Investigation | Containment: 2%
Total Assigned Personnel: 285 | 8 engines | 4 hand crews | 3 dozers | 18 water tenders | 4 masticators | 4 feller bunchers

(Blue River, Ore.) – Fire suppression efforts continue on the Ore Fire, which is burning 7 miles northeast of Blue River, Oregon. Challenges include steep and rugged terrain, falling rocks, rolling debris and fire-weakened trees. Firefighter and public safety remain the number one priority on the incident. Fire managers are focusing on activities with a high probability of success while minimizing risk to firefighters and protecting values such as communities, infrastructure and forest, recreation and cultural resources. Due to increased fire activity, smoke is having a greater impact on surrounding communities. Monitors are being set up to assess air quality. 

Complex Incident Management Northwest Team 10 is utilizing the Incident Strategic Alignment Process (ISAP) in coordination with the local unit to make informed, risk-based decisions during the ongoing Ore Fire. This process establishes a shared understanding and alignment on prioritizing work and protected values while managing risk.

Yesterday, crews secured and monitored slopovers (the fire’s edges that crossed over the control line) on the FS 1509 Road which continue to hold. Fire activity increased in the afternoon and aviation support helped to cool hot spots. The FS 1509 Road was plumbed with hose lines and sprinklers to wet the green side of the control line and make the fuels less receptive to fire. Graders improved road conditions north from the FS 15 Road up the FS 1513 Road. Firefighters working the night shift monitored active fire behavior well into the evening hours. 

Today, firefighters will place hose lines and sprinklers along the FS 15 Road. Rolling debris and falling trees continue to threaten the line as firefighters monitor and patrol the FS 1509 Road, where the fire is slowly backing down the hillside. Increased fire activity is expected in the afternoon. 

Weather: Mostly cloudy skies associated with the marine layer are expected to move out of the area by the morning hours leaving sunny skies in the afternoon. Complete inversion breakup may be delayed until mid-afternoon, allowing smoke to linger. Slightly warmer and drier conditions are expected on Friday.

Safety: While the Ore Fire is not threatening homes, wildfire season is just beginning. Sign-up now to get critical alerts about wildfires and other emergencies at https://www.lanecounty.org/sign_up_for_notifications. Fire restrictions are in place within the Willamette National Forest. For more information visit https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/willamette/fire. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area.

Smoke: Smoke from numerous wildfires burning throughout the region will affect air quality in many areas over the coming days. A daily smoke outlook can be found at https://wildlandfiresmoke.net.  Being prepared for smoke is important to everyone’s health. For more information, go to: www.airnow.gov/wildfires/be-smoke-ready.org/ 

Forest Closures: Closures in the Willamette National Forest have been established around fire-impacted areas. These closures include the following sites: Buck Mountain Trail, Tidbits South and West Trail, Gold Hill Trail, Mona Campground, Lookout Campground, and Saddle Dam Boat Launch. For a complete list of recreation and roads in the Ore Fire closure order, visit  https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices

Durkee, Cow Valley, and Bonita Fires Update for Thursday, July 25, 2024

541-208-4371, staffed 7AM to 7PM PDT

2024.durkee@firenet.gov

DURKEE FIRE: Start date: July 17, 2024 | Location: 5 miles southwest of Durkee, OR | Personnel: 514 | OSFM Task Forces: 4 | Fire size: 268,492 acres | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 0%

Today, moderate fire behavior is expected. 

Moderate post-frontal weather conditions are forecasted (including a slight drop in temperature, higher humidity, calmer winds and a low probability of thunderstorms). Firefighters will seize the opportunity to employ direct strategy with handline, heavy equipment and other means to continue their full suppression efforts.

Today’s fire operation priorities include containment in the Bridgeport, Shirttail Creek Road and Rye Valley areas. Where firefighters were successful holding the fire edge in the I-84 corridor, mop up around structures is also a focus.

Yesterday, gusty and erratic winds, lightning and flash flood warnings were present. At higher elevations, red flag outflow winds brought on by back-to-back thunderstorms initially formed a southeast front with 45 mph gusts. Observed near Unity, winds increased to 66 mph. 55 mph gusts were seen throughout the night.  

Although yesterday’s weather conditions caused spot fires (also known as a slop-over) in many areas, firefighters saw a lot of successes catching them. During the height of extreme fire behavior conditions and heavy gusts, one report noted a 30-acre slop-over across HWY 30 at 3:30pm. The Oregon State Fire Marshal and NW Team 6 operations acted in partnership with railroad operations to contain fire that threatened three structures.

Aerial resources will be coordinated and prioritized between the Badlands Complex, Durkee Fire and Vale BLM going forward due to state-wide fires and resource availability. 

Areas in the Durkee fire footprint experienced up to ½ an inch of precipitation and reports of debris flows are expected. However, the north end of the Durkee fire only saw 2/10 of an inch of rain and fire behavior is still expected to be active in days to come, across the Durkee fire footprint. 

Be aware, hazardous air warnings are in place across the Durkee Fire footprint. For current smoke information, visit airnow.gov

The Malheur County Sheriff’s Office and the Baker County Sheriff’s Office have issued evacuations for multiple areas. Residents in Level 3 Evacuations “GO NOW”, should leave immediately. Residents should not return to their property until evacuation levels have been removed. Carry enough supplies to support you and your family for multiple days. A real time map of fire evacuations can be found at the State of Oregon Fire Dashboard.

Weather and fire behavior could impact transportation, power transmission, cell service and other utilities. Monitor these resources for additional information.

• Oregon Department of Transportation - TripCheck.com
• Idaho Power - IdahoPower.com
• American Red Cross of Eastern Oregon and Idaho - https://www.redcross.org/local/idaho.html

The Durkee Fire is located west of Interstate 84 (I-84). The Thompson Fire, a convergence of lightning fires that started near Thompson Creek on July 22, is located east of I-84. Both have grown rapidly with the persistent high temperatures, strong winds, and extremely dry fuels. Although moderate fire behavior and weather conditions are expected today, be aware of the possibility of fire growth.

BURN BAN: A burn ban is currently in effect for all of Malheur County, including all BLM lands. For more information, visit https://www.malheurco.org/category/public-notices/.

TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION: There is a temporary flight restriction over the Durkee Fire, please remember, if you fly we can’t! If a drone or other aircraft enters the air space, all firefighting aviation equipment will be grounded.

--

COW VALLEY FIRE: Start date: July 11, 2024 | Location: 9 miles east of Ironside, OR | Personnel: 0 | Fire size: 133,490 acres | Cause: Human caused |Containment: 91%

BONITA FIRE: Start date: July 11, 2024 | Location: 9 miles south east of Ironside, OR | Personnel: 0 | Fire size: 2,727 acres | Cause: Human caused |Containment: 90%

--

Durkee and Cow Valley Facebook Page

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. 

The Mestenas Canyon Fire is now fully surrounded by control lines. Crews on Wednesday cut handline on the fire’s northwest edge, increasing containment on the now 837-acre blaze to 65 percent.

The fire’s north end remains the only uncontained area, however the control line is Forest Road 312N, which has been blacklined.

“We’re keeping an eye on this area because upslope winds out of Mestenas Canyon could create a slop-over,” said Jicarilla District Ranger Jim Eaton, referring to when a fire crosses a control line. “We’ll call it fully contained when we are confident the fire won’t move.”

The lightning-caused Mestenas Canyon Fire was first reported July 11. It is in the canyon of the same name, about 14 miles southwest of Dulce, N.M., and two miles north of Highway 64, where smoke may cause limited visibility to drivers.

The public can keep updated on the fire by visiting InciWeb or calling a public information officer at 505-216-6793.

KEY MESSAGE
Red Flag Warning issued for the Missoula area starting at noon 07/25/24 Continues on until 2100 on 07/25/2024.

CURRENT STATUS
Following strong winds over the fire area last night, crews will focus on assessing the fire and patrolling for spots or flair ups outside the fire perimeter. An infrared equipped UAS (drone) will be utilized to aid in the search for any new areas of heat. Presently there is line around the perimeter of the fire that is secured with hand dug lines, machinery and cold burned areas. Divisions are well prepared to prevent breach of the line, focusing on the northeastern side of the fire. In the southeastern section of the fire, crews have halted progression of the fire with special focus on the values at risk and connecting lines to the Northeast. The I-90 corridor remains a vital value and is the priority for the heavy equipment and air attack on the east side.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Hot and dry conditions combined with gusty westerly winds and afternoon storms create critical fire weather conditions. Winds are forecasted to increase over the fire area over the next 24 to 36 hours. As a result of these conditions the fire location is under a Red Flag Warning by the National Weather Service starting at noon on Wednesday. There were record breaking wind speeds recorded for the Missoula area. Mount Sentinel was showing gusts of 109 mph. The fire area received up to ¼ inch of rain.

CLOSURES
Lower Miller Creek Road is closed from debris due to the storm. A temporary flight restriction is in effect over the fire area. An area and road closure around the fire is in effect due to hazardous conditions resulting from fire activity. Stage II fire restrictions are in effect in the area. Specific closure information and maps are posted on InciWeb at https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/mtlnf-miller-peak-fire and https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/lolo/alerts-notices as they are implemented.