An up-to-date Bench Lake Fire Area, Road and Trail Closure order and map can be found on the Sawtooth National Forest's Alerts and Closure's webpage. 

Incident Update
Wednesday, August 07, 2024

Fire Information: 917-921-5226, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Media Line: 917-921-5226, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Email: 2024.lightning@firenet.gov 
Inciweb Fire Info: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casqf-2024-sqf-lightning

Trout Fire: 23,559 acres | 68% contained 
Long Fire: 9,204 acres | 98 % contained
Total Personnel: 264                                                         

Trout Fire: Crews will continue to hold and mop-up Sherman Pass Rd from Bald Mountain to indirect line and improve former line to Sirretta Pass. Handline improvement will be underway from H37-H38. Chipping operations will continue along road systems that contain debris created during suppression operation. Suppression repair to continue in the Sirretta Meadows area. Continue to monitor and patrol the east flank of the fire. Crews will be working to improve line in steep country. The warming and drying trend will increase the threat of short-range spotting especially with the onset of stronger northwestern winds. Heavy surface and ground fuels will continue to generate heat.

Long Fire: Fire activity remains minimal with containment at 98 percent. A patrol status is being maintained to periodically reassess for any changes. Suppression repair assessments have begun in effected areas. Rehab work continues in Kennedy Meadows, along with grading operations and dozer line repair in effected areas. Crews are coordinating removal of structure protection wrap from The Rock House.

Weather & Air Quality: Warm, dry conditions will continue today with cumulus build-ups to the north of the fire. A slow cooling trend begins Thursday onward as pressure aloft gradually weakens. Max temperatures of 79-86 degrees are expected today with a minimum relative humidity (RH) of 13-20%. West/northwest wind speeds of 9-14 mph with gusts of 24 mph are expected after 2pm. On ridges/exposed areas wind speeds of 11-17 mph with gusts of 26 mph are expected. Tonight, minimum temps across the fire will range from 49-63 degrees with RH recoveries between 30-47 percent.

Sequoia National Forest & BLM Closures & Restrictions: Sequoia National Forest lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites around the Trout and Long Fires are temporarily closed under Forest Order No. 0513-24-13. All orders, maps, and accompanying appendices can be found on the Forest’s website: tinyurl.com/2en2d36k. The Bureau of Land Management Bakersfield Field Office has temporarily closed Long Valley Campground, Chimney Creek Campground, and portions of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). 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). 

Evacuation Center: Residents under an evacuation warning or order can go to either the Tehachapi Education Center (126 S. Snyder Ave., Tehachapi). Animal services are available to assist in sheltering companion animals at the center. Contact the American Red Cross at 1-800-733-2767. 

Large-Animal Assistance:

The rodeo grounds in Kernville (467 Scodie Ave., Kernville) is available for residents who need to move large animals or livestock. For more information, contact Orion, Kernville Chamber of Commerce, 661-340-0026.

Road Closures: The Trout Fire Closure Area boundary begins at the intersection of the Sequoia National Forest Boundary and Sierra Way (Mtn 99) in Section 14, Township 25 South, Range 33 East, Mount Diablo Base & Meridian, then continues approximately 76.5 miles south, east, north, and west along the Forest Boundary to its intersection with the North Fork of the Kern River in Section 1, T. 20 S., R. 34 E., MDB&M, then continues along Mtn 99 approximately 20.3 miles to the starting point. Visit the Forest Service Forest Orders and Forest Regulations website for more info on closures in the Sequoia National Forest (tinyurl.com/4zrmvnzy)

Evacuations: Everyone in areas of active fires should “Know Your Zone.” Go to Genasys Protect (tinyurl.com/jcdv55f9) to identify the zone you reside in.

• Kern County has multiple evacuation orders and warnings in effect due to the Borel Fire. The following zones are under an evacuation order: KRN-403-A, KRN-403B, KRN-735-B, KRN-736, KRN-737, KRN-738, KRN-739-A, KRN-740-B, KRN-741-A, KRN-747-A, and KRN747-B. 

• Tulare County has evacuation warnings and advisories in effect due to the Trout and Long Fires. The following zones are under an evacuation advisory: TLC-E250, TLC-E261-A, TLC-E261-B, TLC-E274-A, TLC-E274-B, and TLC-E297-A. 

Size: 1,335 acres

Start Date: July 20, 2024

Cause: Human – Under Investigation

Location: 6 miles SE of Cascade Locks, OR

Containment:  0%

Fuels: Scrub oak, timber, and grass

Highlights:

Firing operations were successful in the southeast corner of the fire yesterday. Crews were able to construct fireline down to the old Eagle Creek burn scar and connect to established control lines in the northeast

part of the fire.  Crews continued to improve contingency lines in preparation for future firing operations if conditions warrant. 

Operations:

Yesterday, helicopters dropped water along the southeastern edge of the fire to cool the area down and reduce fire spread.  Crews conducted firing operations with the goal of removing fuel between the control lines and the fire’s edge to reduce the fire spread potential.  Today, crews will improve existing handlines on the western side of the fire, and on the east and southeast flanks of the fire crews will monitor and hold lines where firing operations were conducted yesterday. 

Fire Behavior and Weather

Temperatures will begin to warm tomorrow as a ridge of high pressure builds over the area. Winds will generally be westerly around 10 mph or less with gusts to 18 mph and relative humidities will drop to 30 to 40 percent. Warmer and drier weather may increase fire intensity, but slightly less wind forecasted will reduce likely rates of spread. Winds should be terrain driven upslope/up valley. Fire activity and smoke production is expected in the afternoon as fine fuels dry and become more receptive to burning, but lighter winds should reduce rates of spread.  Smoke forecasts specifically for the Whisky Creek Fire area can be found at AirNow.gov.

Road and Trail Closures:

The Mt. Hood National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area closure information can be found at: Whisky Creek Fire Closures in Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. Hood River County has closure information that can be found on their  website. Closures are put in place for the safety of the public and fire crews – intrusion in a closure area can stop fire suppression activities, endanger life and property, and can result in fines.

Total Fire Resources Assigned:

• Approx. 449 personnel, 12 hand crews, 6 engines, 5 water tenders, 2 dozers, 5 masticators, 3 skidders, 1 feller buncher, and 2 helicopters.                 

Contact Information:                                                                                                                          

Email: 2024.whiskycreek@firenet.gov       

Phone: 541-208-1743, 8 A.M - 8 P.M        

Tamaño: 1,313 acres

Fecha de inicio: 22 de julio de 2024

Causa: A ser determinada

Ubicación: 5 millas al oeste de Mosier, OR

Contención:  89%

Combustibles: Arbustos, restos de madera y césped

Causa: A ser determinada

 Aspectos destacados:

Siguen quemándoes secciones de vegetación y escombros dentro del borde del incendio, resultando en humo que puede verse al viajar por la Interestatal 84. Tenga cuidado al andar por esta zona. No ha crecido el perímetro. Si tiene preguntas o inquietudes sobre el incendio o el humo, llame a la línea de información sobre incendios al 541-208-1744.

Operaciones:

Las temperaturas más altas junto con la humedad relativa baja, pueden contribuir a que se intensifíque un poco la actividad del fuego en el interior del incendio. A medida que la vegetación se quema en la sección empinada del norte, puede desprenderse, rodar cuesta abajo y quemar más material. Esto sucede dentro del perímetro del incendio y por eso las cuadrillas vigilan y extinguen los focos de calor donde se puede acceder a mano o al usar un sistema de mangueras y rociadores.

Las cuadrillas continuarán patrullando y neutralizando los cortafuegos sin contención para fortalecer el borde. Se sigue extinguiendo los incendios para reparar los daños y minimizar la posible erosión del suelo y otros impactos por las actividades de extinción. Mediante este trabajo se reparan las líneas manuales y de las topadoras, y los caminos y senderos que se usaron en las actividades de extinción para devolver las áreas perturbadas a un estado más natural. Manténgase alejado de estas áreas, ya que afecta el que los bomberos lleven a cabo su trabajo.

Clima e intensidad del incendio:

Hoy se espera un clima soleado, más cálido, y con brisa. Se formará una cresta de alta presión más adelante en la semana que resultará en temperaturas más calientes y condiciones secas.

Evacuaciones:

Siguen vigentes las evacuaciones de nivel 2 y 1 en el condado de Wasco: https://www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff

Sigue vigente la evacuación de nivel 1 en el condado de Hood River: https://www.facebook.com/hrcso

Caminos y vías cerrados:

Para garantizar la seguridad del público y de los bomberos, existen órdenes de cierre para el sendero Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail y carreteras en el condado Hood River. Podrá encontrar los detalles de estos cierres en sus páginas web: https://www.hoodrivercounty.gov/closures and https://stateparks.oregon.gov/ Para mantenerse informado sobre las condiciones actualizadas en la Interestatal 84, visite https://tripcheck.com/

Total de recursos asignados al incendio:

• Aprox. 58 personal, 1 equipo de obreros, 4 camiones de bomberos, 1 water tender, 1 tractor                                     

Información de contacto: 

Correo electrónico: 2024.microwavetower@firenet.gov,

Teléfono: 541-208-1744, de 8 a.m. a 8 p.m.                                            

Size: 1,313 acres

Start Date: July 22, 2024

Cause: Undetermined

Location: 5 miles west of Mosier, OR

Containment:  89%

Fuels: Brush, timber, and grass

Highlights:

Pockets of vegetation and debris continue to burn within the fire’s perimeter, producing smoke which may be visible while traveling on Interstate 84. Please use caution when venturing along this area. No perimeter growth has been observed. For questions or concerns about the fire or smoke, please call the fire information line at 541-208-1744.

Operations:

Rising temperatures coupled with low relative humidities may contribute to a slight increase in fire activity within the interior of the fire. Along the steep northern section, as vegetation burns it can break loose, roll downhill and ignite additional material. This has been occurring within the fire’s perimeter and crews are monitoring and extinguishing hot spots where accessible by hand or utilizing a system of hose lays and sprinklers. 

Crews will continue to patrol and mop-up uncontained fire lines to secure the edge.  Fire crews continue 

to repair damages and minimize potential soil erosion and other impacts resulting from firefighting activities. These activities repair the hand and dozer lines, roads, and trails used during firefighting activities to return disturbed areas to a more natural state.  Please stay out of these areas as it impedes firefighters ability to do their work.

Fire Behavior and Weather:

Breezy, sunny and warmer weather is expected today. A ridge of high pressure will build later in the week to bring warmer temperatures and dry conditions.

Evacuations:

Level 2 and 1 evacuations remain in effect for Wasco County: https://www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff 

Level 1 evacuations remain in effect for Hood River County: https://www.facebook.com/hrcso 

 Road and Trail Closures:

For public and firefighter safety, closures are in place for The Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail and for roads in Hood River County. Details of these closures are available on their websites: https://www.hoodrivercounty.gov/closures and https://stateparks.oregon.gov/

To stay informed on the most up-to-date road conditions on Interstate 84, visit https://tripcheck.com/ 

Total Fire Resources Assigned:

• Approx. 58 personnel, 1 hand crew, 4 engines, 1 water tender, 1 skidder.                                      

Contact Information: 

Email: 2024.microwavetower@firenet.gov,

Phone: 541-208-1744, 8 A.M - 8 P.M        

Falls and Telephone Fires Update for Aug. 7, 2024

Telephone Fire Quick Facts:

Size: 53,388                 Start Date: July 22, 2024                    Location: 12 miles NE of Burns, OR

Containment: 40%     Total Personnel: 484 personnel                     Cause: Lightning/Natural

Resources Assigned: 14 hand crews, 4 engines, 2 bulldozers, 2 skidders

Falls Fire Quick Facts: 

Size: 147,320               Start Date: July 10, 2024                    Location: 13 Miles NW of Burns, OR

Containment: 75%     Total Personnel: 554                           Cause: Human-caused, under investigation

Structures Triaged:    Residences: 386 / Commercial: 119 / Outbuildings: 760

Resources Assigned:  23 hand crews, 40 engines, 17 bulldozers, 24 water tenders, 6 masticators, 8 skidders

Sand Mountain Fire Quick Facts:

Size: 7,465                   Start Date: July 25, 2024                    Location: 17 miles SW of Seneca, OR

Containment: 0%       Total Personnel: Staffed by Falls Fire  Cause: Lightning/Natural

Other Fires Quick Facts:

Whiskey Mountain: 4,345 acres / Cow Creek: 86 acres / Parasol: 485 acres / Poison: 1,059 acres / Ritter: 461

Total Personnel: Staffed by Falls Fire   

Aerial resources assigned: Two Type 1 helicopters / One Type 1 Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) assigned and available to all fires in the area

Priorities for Wednesday, August 7: 

1. Initial Attack (IA): The potential for new fire starts remains significant; firefighters are ready to respond to any new threats and remain vigilant and focused on IA.
2. West side of the Telephone Fire/King Mountain area
3. Northeast side of the Falls/Sand Fire along the 31 road
4. Northeast side of the Telephone Fire

Fire Summaries:  Low relative humidity, surface winds, and unstable air continue to drive the potential for moderate fire activity. These conditions are challenging firefighters working to contain spot fires in some areas and increasing work on hand and dozer lines.

Telephone Fire: Winds lessened and relative humidities increased slightly Tuesday, but the Telephone Fire remained moderately active and firefighters, including 3 hotshot crews (Navajo, Wyoming, and Grand Hotshots), worked with dozers to build containment line south of King Mountain back to Trout Creek and 2820 Road.  Initial attack was the highest priority to limit new fire activity and keep the fire west of the 28 Road. Today, two divisions on the eastern side of the fire will merge and resources will be adjusted to allow for increased personnel in the west near 600 Road where spotting activity continues.  As our crews work along the 28 road, they are working in close partnership with the Burns Paiute Tribe to reduce the impact to values that are culturally important to the Tribe, including using specialized equipment with a lighter footprint as crews prepare shaded fuel breaks. A shaded fuel break is when a majority of, but not all, trees are removed, with 75-foot separation between trees, and surface fuels are removed to the extent possible. These breaks are still aesthetically pleasing but have enough separation to potentially limit extreme fire behavior.

Falls/Sand Mountain Fires:  The northern portion of the Falls Fire saw the most fire activity yesterday. On the northwest and west flanks of the Sand Mountain Fire, firefighters strengthened and improved fireline using crews and heavy equipment to remove fuels.  Efforts focused on keeping the fire from moving north toward Izee and protecting private property, range resources and livestock. Crews working on the northeast focused on installing hose lays in and around spot fires along the 31 Road and completing indirect fireline on the 488 and 31 Roads. Indirect line is line placed away from the fire edge that takes advantage of natural and man-made barriers and allows for burn out operations, which could take place today if needed.  Crews working along the southern and southwestern portions of the Falls Fire will continue monitoring and patrolling but will be assigned to initial attack if needed and will be available to move to other areas or the Telephone fire.

Weather:  Today, slightly cooler temperatures will prevail, but conditions remain dry with terrain driven winds in the morning. This afternoon, gusts of 25mph are possible along with moderate air instability. Looking ahead, conditions are expected to remain seasonably hot and dry with slightly weaker afternoon winds and a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms in the region.

Evacuations:  For the most accurate evacuation information, please visit the Harney County Sheriff’s evacuation map here: https://bit.ly/FallsFireEvac, or the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068819321423.

Closures:  A closure is in effect for portions of the Malheur National Forest west of 395B, north of Mt. Vernon and south of Long Creek, in the Fox Valley area, including all roads, trails, and camping locations within the fire closure area. Due to control and containment measures portions of the Malheur National Forest previously under the South Area Closure are now reduced. Areas remain closed to protect public health and safety while fire activity and fire suppression operations continue. This closure will be effective August 6, 2024, through December 31, 2024, unless rescinded sooner. This Forest Order rescinds and replaces the previous southern area closure (06-04-00-24-17). A detailed map of the closure is included and available on the Malheur National Forest website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1198892) and in U.S. Forest Service offices.

Investigation: U.S. Forest Service fire investigators are seeking the public’s assistance with any tips or information pertinent to the start of the Falls Fire on the Malheur National Forest. Please submit any information that could assist fire investigation efforts to SM.FS.R6TipHotLine@usda.gov.  

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): TFRs in the area have been changing; pilots should check the latest information on the Federal Aviation Administration TFR website prior to flying: https://tfr.faa.gov/tfr_map_ims/html/index.html

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/p/Falls-Fire-2024-61562126623985/

Falls Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ormaf-falls-fire

Telephone Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ormaf-telephone-fire

Fire Information Line: 541-208-4370, staffed 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Email: 2024.Falls@firenet.gov

Harney County Non-emergency Evacuation Questions: 541-589-5579

Air Quality Questions: 541-573-2271. Air quality information, searchable by zip code: https://fire.airnow.gov/

Smoke Outlooks: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook

For the Whisky Creek, Microwave Tower, and Sandstone Fires, nearby federal lands have been affected, prompting temporary closures. These closures are in place to protect public safety and support firefighting efforts.

Conditions are changing rapidly. Smoke and fire conditions pose serious risks to public health and safety. It’s essential to obey all closure orders and avoid affected areas.

For the latest information on the fire and closures, check the websites of relevant federal agencies and local authorities.

Please prioritize your safety and follow the guidance of local officials.

See attachments for the specific closure orders.

A road and trail closure is in effect at NFS Road #424, Elk Fork Road, and NFS Trail # 760, Elk Fork Trail. 

A copy of the road and trail closure order (#021404-24-03) can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1196718.pdf or printed from the PDF file below.

Elk Fork Campground is closed indefinitely.  Wapiti Campground and Clearwater Campground are closed until fire conditions allow otherwise. These closures provide public safety and increased access for fire resources. 

The Shoshone National Forest implemented Stage 1 fire restrictions due to very dry conditions of fuels and continued hot, dry weather.  A copy of the order is at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/shoshone/alerts-notices