Whisky Creek Fire Daily Update / Información actualizada para el Incendio Whisky Creek 

August 5, 2024 / 5 de agosto, 2024

Size / Extensión: 1,174 acres

Start Date / Fecha de Inicio: July 20, 2024 / 20 de julio, 2024

Cause / Causa: Human – Under Investigation / Humano – Bajo Investigación

Location / Localizado: 6 miles SE of Cascade Locks, OR / 6 millas SE de Cascade Locks, OR

Containment / Contención:  0%

Fuels / Materia de combustión: Scrub oak, timber, and grass / Matorrales de roble, madera y hierba.

Highlights / Resumen:

Fire activity increased yesterday as the relative humidity dropped and dead fuels continue to dry out and become more available for ignition. Smoke was visible from the local communities, who will continue to see an increase in smoke production, despite early morning rain, as drier and warmer temperatures continue over the region. Fire is active and established in steep terrain. If conditions are favorable firing operations may be conducted to reduce fuels which will also increase visible smoke.

La actividad de los incendios aumentó ayer a medida que se dio una disminución en la humedad relativa y el material de combustión continuó secándose y convirtiéndose en materia viva para ignición. El humo era visible desde las comunidades aledañas, las cuales continuaran observando un aumento en la producción de humo, a pesar de la lluvia recibida en la madrugada, debido a que las temperaturas más secas y cálidas continúan dándose sobre la región. El fuego está activo y establecido sobre un terreno abrupto. Si las condiciones son favorables se lograrán llevar a cabo operaciones de quemas para reducir la materia de combustión, lo cual aumentará la presencia del humo.

Operations / Operaciones:

Helicopters conducted water drops on the western edge of the fire where it is slowly backing downslope into the Herman Creek watershed below Wooly Horn Ridge. As necessary, firefighting aircraft will be used as conditions allow for a safe mission. Construction of primary indirect line and strengthening of secondary line continues.

Los helicópteros derramaron agua en el borde occidental del incendio, donde está retrocediendo lentamente hacia abajo de la cuenca Herman Creek debajo de Wooly Horn Ridge. En caso necesario, se utilizarán aviones de extinción de incendios mientras las condiciones lo permitan. Continúa la construcción de la línea indirecta primaria y el refuerzo de la línea secundaria.

Fire Behavior and Weather / Comportamiento del incendio y Condiciones Climáticas: :

Warm and dry weather is expected to continue into next week. Early morning rains fell over the fire area but will have minimal effect. Fire behavior over the past week has been moderate, with creeping and smoldering behavior, but is expected to increase in the afternoon with slight to moderate spread and increased smoke production as warm and dry conditions persists. 

Se espera que las condiciones cálidas y seco se continúen hasta la próxima semana. Las primeras lluvias de la mañana que cayeron sobre la zona del incendio tendrán un efecto mínimo sobre el mismo. El comportamiento del fuego durante la semana pasada fue moderado, arrastrándose y ardiendo, pero se espera que se incremente en horas de la tarde con una propagación de ligera a moderada y una mayor producción de humo a medida que persistan las condiciones climáticas mencionadas anteriormente.

Road and Trail Closures / Cierres de caminos y senderos::

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.

La información acerca del cierre del Bosque Nacional de Mt. Hood y para el Área Escénica Nacional de Columbia River Gorge puede encontrarse en: Whisky Creek Fire Closures in Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. El website  del Condado de Hood River también ofrece la información acerca de las ordenes de cierres.

Total Fire Resources Assigned / Recursos asignados al Incendio::

• Approx. 456 personnel/personas, 13 hand crews/escuadrillas de bomberos, 2 engines/camiones de bomberos, 4 water tenders/cisternas, 3 dozers/buldóceres, 5 masticators/trituradoras, 2 skidders/arrastradoras and/y 2 helicopters/helicópteros.   

Contact Information / Contacto Informativo:                                                                          

Email / Correo electrónico: 2024.whiskycreek@firenet.gov       

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

Red Fire

August 5, 2024

Daily Fire Update

Online: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/ordef-red-fire

Facebook: 2024 Red Fire Information https://www.facebook.com/2024RedFireOR/ 

YouTube Channel: EA CIMT

Fire Information Line: 541-208-1766, 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Email: 2024.red@firenet.gov

Red Fire Quick Facts

Size: 490 acres

Start Date: July 17, 2024

Origin: 5 miles west of Crescent Lake Junction, OR

County: Klamath

Cause: Lightning

Total Staff: 327

Containment: 0%

Shaded Fuel Break Completed: 1.8 miles

Hand Line Completed: 0.8 mile

Operations: Limited growth was recorded on the Red Fire yesterday. Firefighters have completed fuel reduction work along the southwest shore of Odell Lake. The shaded fuel break between Crescent Lake and Odell Lake is nearing completion and now extends north from Crescent Lake Resort past Crescent Lake State Airport. Crews have completed structure protection assessments around Odell Lake Resort and surrounding homes, preparing structure protection gear that can be deployed if needed. Over 550 structure assessments have been accomplished in total. Crews have also completed about 70 out of 100 acres of ladder fuel reduction between Forest Service Road 60 and the residential service road by removing grass, brush, small trees, and low-level limbs that can convey fire into tree canopies. Road crews continued to improve Forest Service Road 6010 to Summit Lake with a dozer, making it safer and more accessible for heavy equipment.

Today, firefighters will resume their efforts to protect homes, infrastructure, and natural resources and will focus on structure assessments at the Diamond Peak community. Hand crews and heavy equipment will begin working on the shaded fuel break west of Crescent Lake Resort along Forest Service Road 60. Resource advisors from the Deschutes National Forest are working closely with firefighters to protect sensitive areas and unique forest habitat. Crews will soon finish extending the northern section of the shaded fuel break between Crescent Lake and Odell Lake. The work on the ladder fuel removal between Forest Service Road 60 and the residential service road is nearly complete, which will help create defensible space for residences in the area. Smoke may be visible today as the fire moves into larger trees.

Round Mountain & Wickiup Fires: Please be aware fire operations will continue around these fires.

Round Mountain Fire is 108 acres and 85% contained. Firefighters continue to patrol, mop-up, and complete repair work. 

The Wickiup Fire is 168 acres and 90% contained. Firefighters continue to patrol and mop-up.

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office lifted the evacuation order around the Wickiup Fire. The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office has dropped all evacuation levels around the Wickiup Fire. Temporary emergency closures remain in effect for areas around the Wickiup Fire and Round Mountain Fire.

Closures: The Deschutes National Forest has implemented an emergency closure around Crescent Lake and in the Diamond Peak Wilderness. Closure information is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/deschutes/alerts-notices/?aid=89091 

Evacuation Notices: The WILDFIRE! Level 1 – BE READY to Evacuate notice issued by Klamath County Emergency Management for the Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, and Crescent Junction areas remains in effect (INCENDIO FORESTAL! Nivel 1 - ESTÉ PREPARADO para evacuar de las siguientes zonas: Crescent Lake, Odell Lake, Crescent Junction). For information, or to sign up for alerts, visit: www.klamathcounty.org/300/emergency-management 

Fire Restrictions: Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions which prohibit open fires, including in developed campgrounds, are in effect for the Deschutes National Forest.  Visit the Deschutes National Forest’s website fs.usda.gov/detail/deschutes/home/?cid=stelprdb5297376 for more information. The Industrial Fire Precaution Level is currently Level IV “General Shutdown”.

Weather: Sunny with a high near 82°, relative humidity 25% and west winds gusting to 18 mph.

Smoke: Smoke may be more visible today as the Red Fire encounters heavier fuels. Air quality information can be found at https://fire.airnow.gov/. 

Falls and Telephone Fires Update for Aug 5, 2024

Telephone Fire Quick Facts:

Size: 52,130              Start Date: July 22, 2024                         Location: 12 miles NE of Burns, OR

Containment: 31%.  Total Personnel: 412 personnel          Cause: Lightning/Natural

Resources Assigned: 13 hand crews, 29 engines, 7 bulldozers, 11 water tenders, 5 skidders

Falls Fire Quick Facts: 

Size: 146,250               Start Date: July 10, 2024                    Location: 13 Miles NW of Burns, OR

Containment: 75%     Total Personnel: 754               Cause: Human-caused, under investigation

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

Resources Assigned: 33 hand crews, 41 engines, 16 bulldozers, 23 water tenders, 6 masticators, 8 skidders

Sand Mountain Fire Quick Facts:

Size: 5,958                Start Date: July 25, 2024                        Location: 17 miles SW of Seneca, OR

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

Other Fires Quick Facts:

Whiskey Mountain: 4,345 acres; Cow Creek: 86 acres; Parasol: 485 acres; Poison: 1,047 acres; Ritter: 461

Total Personnel: Staffed by Falls Fire personnel.     

Aerial resources assigned: 2 Type 1 helicopters and One Type 1 Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) assigned and available to all fires in the area.

Community Meetings Scheduled: 

Tuesday, August 6 at 7 pm, at the Harney County Chamber of Commerce in Burns 

Leaders of the Alaska Incident Management Team will be in Burns for a community meeting to provide an update on the Telephone Fire, Falls Fire, and several other fires we are working to suppress in the area. The meeting will also be shared on the Malheur National Forest Facebook page, as well as the Falls and Telephone Fires Facebook page. 

Priorities for Monday, August 5: 

1. Initial Attack (IA): The potential for new fire starts in the area remains significant, and firefighters remain vigilant and focused on IA, ready to respond to any new threats
2. Northwest side of the Telephone Fire
3. Northwest side of the Falls/Sand Fire
4. East side of the Telephone Fire

Fire Summaries:

Telephone Fire: 

With containment line around the majority of the east side of the fire and tie-in to Pine Creek on the northeast corner of the fire complete, crews are focusing on mop up operations and increasing depth into the containment area. In parts of the northeast corner, as much as 50 feet of containment within the line has been attained, and crews will continue increasing depth today. A portion of the southeast part of the fire near Poujade road north of dozer line, which had been a concern, is now looking really good, with direct line complete, and great mop up work being done by Oregon National Guard crews to secure line. Today, crews will continue securing line around unburned pockets of fuel. The southwest portion of the fire is looking good, and on the northwest side, hotshots along with aerial resources doing retardant drops have made good progress catching a slopover from a few days ago, keeping its footprint small.

The most active part of the fire lately has been west of the 28 road, and great progress was made in this area yesterday. Dozer line was added along the 2820 road and power line off King Mountain. Today, hotshot crews will continue securing a slopover, working from King Mountain to tie into the 600 road in the Trout Creek area. On the northwestern side, hotshots and aerial resources continue working to minimize spread of the fire. Crews are scouting this area for opportunities to tie into road systems to go direct where available. Crews will also continue to address the slopover across the 2820 road. In the northwest corner, hotshots and aerial resources dropping retardant have been working to minimize the spread of fire with positive results. An Uncrewed Aircraft System (UAS) flew last night to look for heat in the fire area, and there appeared to be none within the existing footprint.

As our crews work along the 28 road, they are working in close partnership with the Burns Paiute Tribe. The leader of the Burns Paiute Tribe, along with Agency Administrators and Alaska Incident Management Team 1 have had numerous meetings to discuss the best strategies to reduce the impact to values that are culturally important to the Burns Paiute Tribe. Our Resource Advisors are currently hosting Tribal Cultural Resource Technicians (CRTs), escorting them to the line each day to be a part of our day-to-day operations, working with us to minimize cultural impacts in the fire areas.

Firefighters have made tremendous progress on the fire, task forces have completed structure protection measures, and evacuation levels have begun to diminish. Due to that progress, this morning the remaining Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) task forces and its Green Incident Management Team will be returning to their home agencies.

Hundreds of firefighters remain on the Telephone Fire and are dedicated to continuing their great progress. Additionally, Alaska Incident Management Team 1 has structural protection capabilities should fire activity increase.  The OSFM Green Team and all of its structural firefighters would like to thank the communities impacted by the Telephone Fire for their support and hospitality.

Falls/Sand Fires: 

Crews made great progress yesterday on the Falls Fire. Crews have continued to monitor and patrol the southern portion of the Falls Fire, and are increasing mop up depth along the Whiskey Mountain Fire, backhauling equipment which is no longer needed, including over 7 miles of hose. On the northwest edge of the Sand Fire, crews were successful Sunday on securing slops and securing line. On the south side of Gilbert Ridge from the 3150 to 3160 roads, crews have finished laying hose and are in mop up status, continuing today. A recent slopover in the Myrtle Creek area was addressed and is holding well. Crews will begin small-scale ignition operations today along the 31 road, if conditions allow, to reduce burnable vegetation and increase containment along this corner of the fire. This will be a multi-day operation, and additional crews will assist. 

Residents along the northwest side of the Falls/Sand Fires should be aware of the Crazy Creek Fire, on the Ochoco National Forest, it is located 16 miles north of Paulina, Oregon, and is 64,288 acres as of August 4. Given the current fire conditions in the area, stay alert in case conditions should change. More information on the Crazy Creek Fire can be found at: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orocf-crazy-creek.

Poison Fire: There was no movement on the Poison Fire despite yesterday’s weather. Crews are continuing to clean up pockets of fuel to more deeply secure the control line. 

Weather: Seasonably hot and dry conditions will continue across the fires as high pressure remains over the region. Light winds in the morning will give way to west to southwesterly winds in the afternoon with gusts to 20 mph possible. Overnight temperatures will be mild with moderate humidity recovery.

Evacuations: Aug. 4 Evacuation Update: With the continued progress on the Falls and Telephone Fires 2024, the Harney County Sheriff’s Office is lowering evacuation levels in some areas. Refer to the map here https://bit.ly/FallsFireEvac 

Downgrading from Level 3 to Level 2 (Be Set): Zone 025A & 025B: South from the Grant/Harney County line to Crane Flat then east to where Hog Flat meets the Malheur River and south to Zone 049C 

Downgrading from Level 2 to Level 1 (Be Ready): Zone 052, east of House Butte (which is in Zone 025B), north of Highway 20, includes Kimball Flat and Drewsey area 

Downgrading to No Level:  Stinking Water Mountain

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 the two portions of the Malheur National Forest that run 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. A detailed map of the closure if included and available on the Malheur National Forest website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur/) and 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

Acres: 59,340 

Containment: 68%

Total Personnel: 1,473

Current Situation: The Borel Fire remains at 59,340 acres and is 68% contained. There was minimal fire activity overnight and containment lines were held. As the warming trend continues, we will continue to see hotter and dryer conditions. This will likely cause flare ups in the areas within the fire perimeter where fuels have been smoldering. Wind will be out of the west/northwest at 8-12mph and will peak at 20-22mph at the hottest part of the day. Operational videos posted to the Sequoia National Facebook page will be reduced to one daily update beginning today.

Borel Fire: The northern portion of the fire was not active overnight, however crews will continue to monitor and patrol the area. There is an area of line in the Sunrise Highway/02 Road area that needs to be stitched together near Bald Peak on the northeastern portion of the fire. Crews will work to hem this into the fire perimeter and will address interior fuels. Firefighters will continue to work towards gaining more containment in the area over the next several days. On the eastern side of the fire, crews will be improving handline in the south fork of Erskine Creek. On the southern edge of the fire, crews will monitor, patrol, mop up as necessary and work towards suppression repair which could begin as early as today. Contingency operations continue Erskine Creek at Gold Standard Mine Road on the eastern edge of the fire. Ensuring the safety of residents and protecting property remain top priorities.

Trout and Long Fire: For continuing information, please visit: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casqf-2024-sqf-lightning

Weather & Air Quality: The warming and drying trend will continue, for several days, into the middle of the week. Westerly winds will remain over the fire today with gusts up to 18 mph and a slight chance of rain. 

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. 0513-24-12. Lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites around the Borel Fire are closed under Forest Order No. 0513-24-14. Fire restrictions are in effect under Forest Order No. 0513-24-10. 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 the Tehachapi Education Center located at 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: Portions of Caliente Bodfish Road are also closed. Visit the Kern County Public Works Department website for the most up to date information on county road closures (tinyurl.com/z6crvp6t) 

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. Several changes to evacuation orders and warnings have been announced, as described below. Those that remain under an evacuation warning should stay PREPARED to leave.

Be advised, the Borel Fire is not fully contained, only the zones listed below have been reduced. All other evacuation orders and warnings are still in effect. Please be aware that firefighting activities will continue for several more days or weeks. If any other areas become threatened, additional warnings and instructions will be issued. 

Zone 735: Genasys Zone KRN-735 has been split North and South at Ball Mountain. The southern portion, now KRN-735-B, will remain in an Evacuation ORDER. The northern portion, now KRN-735-A, has been downgraded to an evacuation WARNING.

Zone 739: Genasys Zone KRN-739 has been split East and West at Caliente Bodfish Road. The eastern portion, now KRN-739-A, will remain in an Evacuation ORDER. The evacuation order for the western portion, now KRN-739-B, has been LIFTED. There are no further advisories for KRN-739-B. 

Zone 740: Genasys Zone KRN-740 has been split North and South at lower Thompson Canyon Ave. and Indian Oak Road. The northern portion, now KRN-740-B, will remain in an Evacuation ORDER. The evacuation order for the southern portion, now KRN-740-A, has been LIFTED. There are no further advisories for KRN-740-A. 

Zone 750: The southern portion, KRN-750-A, will remain in Evacuation Warning status. Those that remain under an evacuation warning should stay PREPARED to leave. 

The Genasys Protect zone status is listed below.

• 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, KRN-747-A, and KRN747-B.
• The following zones are under an evacuation warning: KRN-735-A, KRN-748, and KRN-750-A.

Hay recursos disponibles para ayudar en caso de que se inicien nuevos incendios

Acres: 20,018 acres | Fecha de inicio: 21 de Julio 2024 | Causa: Rayo | Combustibles: Madera, hierba, arbustos.

Contención: 57% | Recursos: 415

Lunes, 5 de Agosto de 2024

Puntos Sobresalientes: A raíz de la tormenta eléctrica que atravesó el este de Oregón el domingo cerca del incendio Courtrock, los recursos asignados al incendio principal de Courtrock ahora están ayudando a las agencias locales en los ataques iniciales a medida que comienzan a llegar informes de humo o nuevos incendios.
Descripción general: Los bomberos estuvieron ocupados el domingo extinguiendo y eliminando la materia en llamas cerca de las líneas de control. Recursos operativos y personal adicionales están llegando hoy al puesto de comando de incidentes de Long Creek para ayudar en los esfuerzos de limpieza y contención. El área del incendio que experimentó cierta actividad durante el fin de semana fue en el área superior oriental del incendio y dentro del interior. Esta actividad no representa una amenaza para el borde del incendio y el crecimiento continuará consumiendo los combustibles disponibles que aún se encuentran dentro del perímetro del incendio Courtrock. 
 

En el borde este del incendio, se avanza en la mejora de la profundidad de la línea de control. El sábado por la noche se realizó un vuelo infrarrojo, que detecta la intensidad y actividad de un incendio. Los datos revelaron significativamente menos señales de calor en comparación con la noche anterior. Esta reducción del calor fue resultado del arduo trabajo de los bomberos, tanto durante el turno de noche como de día. Hoy continúan los trabajos para extinguir aún más los puntos críticos dentro del perímetro.
 

Clima: Las temperaturas serán similares a las del domingo, entre 80 y alrededor de 100 grados en toda el área del incendio. Se esperan vientos tranquilos del norte/noreste, con ráfagas en las crestas de 15 a 20 mph. No se pronostican preocupaciones climáticas significativas, aunque existe una ligera posibilidad de tormentas eléctricas al este del área del incendio esta tarde.
 

Evacuaciones: No hay evacuaciones de Nivel 3 (Evacuar de inmediato) vigentes.

• Para obtener información sobre la evacuación del Condado de Grant, visite la página de Facebook de la Oficina de Manejo de Emergencias del Condado de Grant o regístrese en el Sistema de Alerta de Emergencias del Condado de Grant: https://member.everbridge.net/825462649520134/login.
• Para obtener información sobre la evacuación del Condado de Morrow, visite la página de Facebook de la Oficina del Sheriff del condado de Morrow.

Refugios: 

• El centro de evacuación está establecido en Grant Union High School, 911 S Canyon Blvd., John Day, OR 97845.

Cierres:

• El Servicio Forestal de EE. UU. ha emitido cierres para el Bosque Nacional Malheur. Para obtener información sobre los cierres del Bosque Nacional Malheur, visite https://www.fs.usda.gov/news/malheur/news-events

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HOMESTEAD COMPLEX 

 FIRE UPDATE 

Fire Information          Monday, August 5, 2024 

Phone: 541-208-7100 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) 

Email: 2024.homesteadcomplex@firenet.gov  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/HomesteadComplexFireInfo 

Inciweb: http://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orupf-homestead-complex 

Smoke Outlook: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/d393fd74 

Clearer Air Allows for Increased Helicopter Support 

The Homestead Complex includes seven fires that total 2,673 acres and are currently 9% contained. There are 492 personnel currently working on the fire. Fire managers are directing resources to fires based on threats to property, infrastructure, industry, and areas with the highest probability of success.  

Yesterday, a Douglas Forest Protective Association helicopter took advantage of the clearing smoke to respond to firefighter requests for bucket drops. As the West continues to experience a very active fire year and firefighting resources are limited, sharing resources across agencies is essential for success. A warming and drying trend is forecasted across the fire area today, which may encourage more active fire behavior in parts of the Homestead Complex. As smoke decreases, fire managers are able to request air resources, such as helicopters, to drop water on these more active locations. 

The No Man Fire (993 acres) was fairly active on the north and west sides yesterday. Crews performed successful burning operations on the west flank of the fire. They will continue burn out operations today if conditions allow in order to remove unburned fuels between the fireline and the fire as well as decrease the risk of spot fires. Crews will be securing any spot fires and continue building contingency line. The priorities in this area remain protecting important values including private and forest timber, communications infrastructure, and wildlife habitat. 

Today crews on Horse Heaven Creek Fire (740 acres) will complete the handline between Forest Road 3831 and the 920 road to the north. They continue to strengthen the northwest line and evaluate contingency lines as a precaution. 

The north side of Bullpup Fire (258 acres) was active yesterday and is expected to continue to be active today. Crews are using infrared imaging to look for heat signatures and hot spots out on the ground and will work to maintain and improve the line on the 300 road. On the 200 road at Fuller Lake Fire (141 acres), heavy equipment and hand crews are removing brush and felling snags to prepare the road as an indirect line. 

On the Reynolds Butte Fire (302 acres), crews are continuing to mop up along the fire’s western edge and improve the line on the south side of the fire. On the Salmon 33 Fire (205 acres), crews are continuing to patrol and improve containment lines. The Lost Bucket Fire (34 acres) was contained on July 29 and continues to show minimal fire activity.  

Today is the last day for Great Basin CIMT #5. Beginning tomorrow morning, Northwest CIMT #8 will begin management of the Homestead Complex. 

Current forest fire restrictions and danger ratings are: Fire Danger Rating: Very High. Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPLs): 3. Public Use Fire Restrictions (PURs): 3. 

CLOSURES: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Roseburg District, has issued a closure order for portions of BLM land which border the Umpqua National Forest Emergency Fire Closure north of Steamboat. The closure order can be viewed here: https://www.blm.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2024-07/orwa-fpo-rbg-072624.pdf. Umpqua National Forest Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-03 and ORDER NO. 06-15-02-24-01 remain in effect and can be found here: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. 

Firefighters hold lines amid hot, gusty weather and lightning

UKIAH, Ore. – Overnight, fire crews received a mixed bag of weather. Most of the complex saw lightning with roughly 100 down strikes within the fire’s Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) zone and Team’s area of responsibility. Firefighters also saw wind gusts close to 58 miles-per-hour, which created low visibility when mixed with ash and dirt, and up to a quarter inch of rain on the middle and northern portions of the burn. 

While the humidity helps moderate fire weather some, it’s not appreciable enough to cool the fire and is expected to drop throughout the day. Firefighters are on watch as the day heats and smoldering lightning strikes have a higher chance of smoking and revealing themselves, especially as the wind gusts dropped branches from trees and cast needles and other burnable materials. 

Today, helicopter bucket ships will begin flight operations earlier in the day to patrol for new starts and deliver water for initial attack. firefighters will be ready to identify new starts and quick to suppress any new fires within the complex, especially with weather in the 90s and more chances of lightning and wind gusts.

Overnight, firefighters pushed containment to 36% as they continued to extinguish lingering hot spots and increasing mop-up depth. Overnight, crews used handheld heat-sensing devices to identify and mark hotspots for dayshift crews. 

Today, firefighters will continue work in the Potamus drainage as they bring the fire to control features to stop its advance and begin mop up. Elsewhere, crews will continue mop-up operations around the entire perimeter of the fire and suppression repair work along lines considered fully contained. Suppression repair work consists of burying firelines and diverting runoff to minimize potential soil erosion and environmental impacts. 

Residents should continue to expect to see smoke in the interior and the unburnt island within the fire perimeter as unburnt vegetation burns well within the fire’s footprint. Crews will continue to patrol the fire perimeter throughout the summer to check fire behavior and ensure the fire doesn’t escape. 

Heppner Community Meeting: Fire officials invite the public to join them at the Heppner City Hall, 111 North Main Street, at 6:00 p.m. for a community meeting tonight, Monday, August 5. Fire officials, public leaders and community partners will share information about current operations and have time for breakout question and answer sessions. This event will be recorded and published after the event.
 

Evacuations: Learn more about current evacuation levels for each county at:
• For Umatilla County, follow www.facebook.com/UmatillaCountySheriff or sign up for Umatilla County Emergency Alert System at https://member.everbridge.net/index/2590041373147145.
• For Grant County, visit the RAPTOR arcgis site or sign up for alerts at: https://member.everbridge.net/index/825462649520134.
• For Morrow County, visit https://experience.arcgis.com/experience/de78333b0d2544f7a320142174aa20ae 
Public Land Closures: 

The Bureau of Land Management has closed public lands along the John Day River from Kimberly to Dale, and from Kimberly to Service Creek. More information here: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions.

The Umatilla National Forest has implemented a closure for public lands within the Heppner Ranger District and the North Fork John Day Ranger District. More information at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD1194462 and https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/alerts-notices/?cid=stelprdb5286768.

FIRE AT A GLANCE
Total Estimated Complex Size: 181,941 acres
Monkey Creek Fire: 177,457 acres
North Fork Owens: 4,484 acres
Total Containment 36%
Cause: Under Investigation 
Estimated Cost: $47,439,592

All Resources 
Hand Crews: 59 
Engines: 75 
Water Tenders: 37
Dozers: 24
Helicopters: 9
Total Personnel: 1,861
 

Limepoint and Cliff Mountain Fires

Fire Information 208-992-3032

2024.limepoint@firenet.gov

Limepoint: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idpaf-limepoint-fire

Cliff Mountain: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idpaf-cliff-mountain

https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest/

Monday, August 5, 2024

The Limepoint and Cliff Mountain Fires are burning in the Hells Canyon area, located on the Payette National Forest in west-central Idaho, east of the Snake River bordering Oregon. 

Note: Tonight a community meeting about the Limepoint and Cliff Mountain Fires will be held 7:00 pm at the Adams County Recreation Center at 104 S. Galena Street, Council, Idaho 83612. An operational briefing about the fires at the meeting will be presented via Facebook Live on the Payette National Forest’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/payettenationalforest/).

Limepoint Fire

The Limepoint Fire is west of Cuprum and Bear communities to the Snake River in Adams County, Idaho and was started by lightning on July 24th, burning in tall grass, brush and timber. The southern part of the fire was once a smaller, separate fire named the Oxbow Fire, but both fires burned together and are now collectively known as the Limepoint Fire. It is now 25,295 acres (increase of 690 acres) with 5 percent containment. The fire threatens homes in several areas, including Cuprum, Bear, Wildhorse, Paradise Flat and Ditch Creek. Idaho Power transmission lines to the south of the fire are threatened. 

The fire remained active yesterday, but firefighters made good progress. Aircraft, including three helicopters, large air tankers, and single engine air tankers worked throughout the fire area to support ground crews and equipment. Agency drones are now assigned to the fire to help with reconnaissance and burning operations. Do not fly personal drones within the fires’ temporary flight restricted area. If you fly, we cannot fly! Structure protection specialists continued to work throughout the fire yesterday and will continue work today in Bear, Cuprum, Paradise Flat, Ditch Creek, Wildhorse, Mill Creek and OX Ranch. 

On the southeastern flank near Barber Flats, the fire burned in patchy fuels up to the edge of Wildhorse Canyon. A hotshot crew, supported by helicopters doing bucket drops, worked to keep fire out of Wildhorse Canyon. Firefighters constructed bulldozer line and conducted tactical burning last night along the rim of Bear Creek Canyon. A hotshot crew completed handlines around the fire down into Flat Creek Canyon. 

On the eastern flank, two hotshot crews completed a handline to Indian Creek from a bulldozer line paralleling Boulder Creek. Tactical burning was done last night along this fireline. Mop up continued along Forest Road 071 (Calf Pen Road). Firefighters also improved fireline from Forest Road 071 to the Indian Creek/Huntley Gulch confluence and improved a contingency line west of Bear with feller bunchers, skidgens (firefighting vehicles that are a cross between a skidder and a fire engine) and other heavy equipment. 

On the northern flank, the fire continued to back down into Kinney Creek west of the Horse Mountain Lookout. The fire is still within about a half mile of the lookout, which has been protected by a hotshot crew clearing burnable vegetation around the lookout and other infrastructure. Air tankers dropped retardant around the lookout yesterday to help protect it should fire reach that location. 

The southwestern flank near Oxbow and western flank along Forest Road 454 (Hells Canyon Road) south of Big Bar had minimal fire activity yesterday. Several areas along this flank are contained.

Ten hand crews, 21 engines, seven bulldozers, six helicopters and 519 people are working on the Limepoint Fire. 

Today crews will improve firelines and mop up the spot fire in Flat Creek on the southeastern flank. Crews will continue constructing and improving bulldozer line in Barber Flat. They will also work with ranchers to relocate cattle in the Paradise Flat area. 

On the eastern flank, a priority for two hotshot crews is improving firelines and burning out unburned vegetation along the fireline north of Boulder Creek. Crews will continue to improve a fireline between Forest Road 071 and Indian Creek/Huntley Gulch and a fireline west of Bear using bulldozers, a feller buncher (logging equipment) and other heavy equipment. 

On the northern flank, crews will continue assessing opportunities for indirect firelines along defensible ridges and natural barriers, and they will evaluate possible defensive firing opportunities, possibly with the use of drones, around the lookout. 

On the western flank, firefighters will continue to mop up and check for hot spots along the Snake River.

Cliff Mountain Fire

The Cliff Mountain Fire started by lightning on July 25th in Hells Canyon National Recreation Area in wilderness just below Hells Canyon Dam 25 miles east of Joseph, Oregon in Adams and Idaho Counties, Idaho. It also was once two fires, the Muddy Fire and the Cliff Mountain Fire, which burned into each other. It is 1,108 acres with 20 percent containment, burning mostly in wilderness, with growth slowed in some areas due to steep rocks. Hells Canyon Dam and associated powerlines are threatened by the fire. Minimal fire activity was observed on the fire yesterday. One ground personnel is assigned to the fire.

Weather/Fire Behavior: Last night some rain and lightning occurred near the western side of the fire temporarily increasing moisture and humidities. Today will have a chance of afternoon thunderstorms and some breezy winds. Clear skies this morning and afternoon will allow for rapid warming, with maximum temperatures reaching 94. Minimum relative humidity could drop to 20 percent. Winds will be from the southwest 6 to 10 mph with gust up to 20 mph.

Dead and down fuels will continue to dry, making all types of vegetation available to burn. In heavy grass, a new start could burn 122 acres in an hour if undetected. Unburned areas along the Snake River corridor could result in uphill runs where fuels are available. With southerly winds the fire could move into drainages to the northeast. Steep and rugged terrain in the Cliff Mountain Fire pose challenges for firefighter access if the fire spots outside of its current footprint.

Air quality information is available at www.airnow.gov and www.wildlandfiresmoke.net. 

Evacuations: Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuations are still in effect for Cuprum, Bear, Wildhorse and Barber Flats per Adams County Sheriff’s Office. A Level 2 (Get Set - Be prepared to leave) evacuation notice is in effect for Ditch Creek and Paradise Flat, and a Level 1 (Get Ready) is in effect for Mill Creek. If you have evacuated areas under Level 3 evacuations, please do not go back. Fire personnel work closely with the sheriff’s office with recommendations to reenter evacuated areas when safe to do so.

Closures and Restrictions: The Payette National Forest issued a Forest Closure to protect public safety during the Limepoint and Cliff Mountain wildfires. The closure includes, but is not limited to, the following recreation areas: Big Bar, Black Lake, Sheep Rock, Kinney Point and Horse Mountain Lookout. Huckleberry Campgrounds is also closed. For more information, see the full closure orderand map at https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/payette/fire.

Kleinschmidt Grade (Forest Road 050), Calf Pen Road and Landore Roads are closed. The Council-Cuprum Road is closed at the Forest boundary at the snowmobile parking lot. Forest Road 454, which runs along the river, is open, but please drive with caution. You may see active fire, rolling debris, firefighting equipment and firefighters on and along the road. For your safety and the safety of firefighters, do not stop on the road.

A temporary flight restriction is in effect in and around the fire area. This includes use of personal drones. If you fly, we cannot fly.

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions are in effect for the Payette National Forest and all state, private and BLM lands in the fire area. Prohibited: Building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within a designated recreation site, or on your own land, and only within a permanent landowner-provided structure; and smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle, building, or designated recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable materials.

Today, the Northern Rockies Complex Incident Management Team 3, Incident Commander Mike Behrens, assumed command of the Diamond Complex and Middle Fork Fire.  

The Diamond Complex on the Umpqua National Forest consists of 27 lightning-caused fires totaling approximately 6,315 acres, with 513 people assigned. The containment percentages vary per fire. Resources are shared with the Middle Fork Fire, which is also being managed by the Northern Rockies CIMT3. The Middle Fork Fire in the northwest corner of Crater Lake National Park has 30 people assigned. Crater Lake National Park remains open. 

KEY MESSAGES: Due to an active fire season, resources are stretched thin in the Pacific Northwest and across the nation. Fires are prioritized to address those most threatening critical values at risk. The highest priorities for protection are the fires threatening life, property, transportation, hydropower infrastructure and developed recreation areas.  

OPERATIONS:  

Middle Fork Fire (1,938 acres, 1% contained): Crews are using heavy equipment to open old fire lines from the 2015 National Creek Complex fires to stop the Middle Fork’s northward spread and confine it within the park. Firefighters are doing some structure protection work around the north entrance. On the west side, crews are working on a shaded fuel break and opening roads that parallel Highway 230. The Pacific Crest Trail from the Dutton Ridge Intersection to Hwy 138, Lightning Springs, Bald Crater Loop, Bert Creek and Boundary Springs Trails (within the park) are closed.     

Diamond Complex Fires 

Pine Bench Fire (North of Hwy 138 near Dry Creek, 2,143 acres, 15% contained): Yesterday, firefighters used helicopters to drop water where fire crossed Boulder Creek two days ago. On the east side, crews are mopping up (cooling hot spots). To the west, firefighters are constructing handline up a ridge system to tie into a road system. Structure protection assessments are also occurring to the east of the fire. 

Potter Fire (North of Hwy 138, 2 miles southeast of Potter Mountain, 989 acres, 0% contained): South of the fire, crews are prepping critical Pacificorp hydropower infrastructure. This work includes clearing vegetation from around trestles, wrapping supports, and setting up sprinkler systems. 

Trep Fire (About four miles south of Hwy 138, 252 acres, 0% contained): This fire saw increased activity yesterday. Fire managers are putting more resources and equipment on this fire, looking for opportunities to pick up spots to the east and keep it out of Bear Creek.  

Ooya Fire (North of Hwy 138, one mile northeast of Bird Point, 175 acres 0% contained): Fire managers are re-staffing the Ooya Fire and looking at road systems in the northeast corner for opportunities to stop the fire. Significant power infrastructure is to the south of this fire, making it a high priority. 

Brodie Fire (Five miles south of Hwy 138, south of Devils Canyon, 165 acres, 0% contained): Fire managers are re-staffing the Brodie Fire and assessing road systems for opportunities where the fire is currently checked up to keep it in its current footprint. 

Lemolo Fire (North of Lemolo Lake on Bunker Hill, 1246 acres, 20% contained): As conditions trend warmer and drier, firefighters will look for opportunities to burn out pockets of vegetation between the fire and Lemolo Lake Road. Crews will continue to cool hot spots and patrol areas where firing operations previously occurred. 

Trail Fire (East of Hwy 138 on the west slope of Mt. Thielsen, 843 acres, 40% contained): Crews will look at areas still containing heat and assess structure protection needs around Diamond Lake.  

Bear Trap Fire (Two miles south of Hwy 138 near Bear Trap Mountain, 64 acres, 50% contained): The fire now has a control line around the entire fire and crews are mopping up. 

Watson Fire (237 acres, 50% contained), and Loafer Fire (40 acres, 50% contained): Crews will continue their successful containment and mop up on these fires. 

Other fires within the Diamond Complex:   

Trap Fire (One mile south of Hwy 138 near Trap Mountain, 16 acres, 0% contained)   

Rough Fire (11 acres, 25% contained)  

Campwood Fire (Two miles south of Hwy 138, 20 acres, 25% contained)  

Wood Fire (Two miles south of Hwy 139, 23 acres, 25% contained)  

Canal Fire (1 acre, 75% contained) 

Slide Fire (Northeast of Pine Bench, 0.1 acres, 95% contained) 

Elephant Fire (Two miles southwest of Lemolo Lake, 0.7 acres, 95% contained) 

Sheep Fire (Three miles north of Diamond Lake, 0.3 acres, 95% contained)  

Thin Fire (Four miles northwest of Diamond Lake, 0.6 acre, 95% contained)  

Pig Iron Fire (Near Pig Iron Mountain north of Hwy 138, 27 acres, 95% contained) 

Garwood Fire (About three miles southwest of Mt. Bailey, 5 acres, 95% contained) 

Mowich Fire (One mile north of Hwy 138, 0.4 acre, 95% contained)  

Toolbox Fire (0.1 acres, 95% contained)  

Fires 100% contained: Clearwater Fire (0.7 acre), Birds Fire (0.1 acres), Dog Fire (0.1 acres) 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:  The drying trend that started yesterday will continue today with warmer temperatures and lower humidity. Today’s predicted fire behavior will depend partially on smoke conditions. If the day is clear with little smoke, the fires will see more sun with potentially more active fire behavior. However, if there is lots of smoke, this could slightly lower temperatures and increase relative humidity, tampering fire behavior. 

SMOKE OUTLOOK:  Smoke will remain in the area and may reduce visibility and hinder air operations. For the most up to date information, please visit fire.airnow.gov/  

CLOSURES, RESTRICTIONS, EVACUATIONS: Umpqua National Forest has issued two closures across the forest in response to fire activity to protect public and wildland firefighter safety. Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-24-03 and Emergency Fire Closure ORDER NO. 06-15-02-24-01 impacts all the Cottage Grove Ranger District, most of the Diamond Lake Ranger District, and parts of the Tiller and North Umpqua Ranger Districts. The closure orders can be found here: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. Fire danger is set at Very High, and Public Use Restrictions are set at Level 3: https://tinyurl.com/PublicUseRestrictions. Broken Arrow, Diamond Lake, and Thielsen View Campgrounds are open and taking reservations through www.recreation.gov   

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has downgraded the evacuation order for the Trail Fire from a Level 2: BE SET to a Level 1: Get Ready, but the Level 3: GO NOW remains in effect for the Trail Fire east of Hwy 138. The Level 2: BE SET and Level 3: GO NOW evacuations for the Lemolo Fire remain in place. There is still a Level 2: BE SET for the Pine Bench Fire. For more information visit the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office website: www.dcso.com/evacuations