Pyramid and Slate Fires Community Meeting in Sweet Home, OR

Tue, 07/30/2024 - 12:07

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Pyramid and Slate Fires Community Meeting in Sweet Home, OR

A community meeting will be held tomorrow Wednesday July 31, 2024, at 6:00p.m. at the Sweet Home Fire District, Main Station #21. 1009 Long Street, Sweet Home, Oregon 97386

This meeting will be livestreamed on YouTube @WillametteFireInfo. The public meeting will also be posted afterward on our Facebook page @PyramidFire.

Incident Commander:  D. Hammack
Location:  10 miles southwest of Wise River, MT
Start Date: 7/25/2024 
Cause: Undetermined
Size: 230 acres 
Resources on Site:  4 type 2 hand crews; 5 engines; 2 helicopters available to assist
Total Personnel:  116

KEY MESSAGES: 
Numerous firefighting resources are present along the Pioneer Scenic Byway (Mt Hwy 73). Motorists in the area are urged to be aware of the increased traffic, slow down, and yield right-of-way to firefighting apparatus and vehicles.

Fire managers are urging people to stay out of the fire area, especially Pettengill Creek, Grouse Creek, Stine Creek, and the Stine Creek Road area, for safety reasons. Fire managers and agency officials are discussing necessary area, road, and trail closures. Ensuring public and firefighter safety and protecting life and property are of the utmost importance.
 

CURRENT STATUS/PLANNED ACTIONS: 
Crews progressed with structure protection measures, working from the junction of Pettengill Road and along the Pioneer Scenic Byway to the north. They improved a section of existing line, utilizing both natural (marshy areas of Pettengill Creek) and manmade control features (fuel breaks previously constructed during the Alder Creek Fire of 2021). Other crews constructed additional fuel breaks northward along the Byway, utilizing natural rock features. Firefighters installed water-handling equipment (pumps, hoses, and sprinklers) around structures in the Pettengill Creek area.

Additional resources will be arriving today. Crews will continue with structure protection preparations, progressing northward along the Byway and identifying locations where fire suppression actions can be taken in the event the fire advances towards the Byway.
 

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR:
The fire is moving primarily up the Grouse Creek drainage and sub-drainages. Both flanks or sides of the fire are moving actively, with fire backing downhill towards Pettengill Creek and spotting to the north towards Grouse Creek. The fire is burning mainly in a subalpine fir fuel model, in heavy timber on steep rocky terrain. Available fuels are unseasonably dry and include large amounts of standing dead and down trees. Fire behavior has been very active, including group tree torching on all flanks, short runs, and spotting. Fire activity increased yesterday, as afternoon build-up created gusty outflow winds.

Dead fuels along the ridges at the highest elevations are consuming completely. If winds align with terrain, in combination with the dry fuels, extreme fire behavior with active movement can be expected. These conditions pose additional hazards to firefighters, limiting access and affecting on-the-ground progress.
 

There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout the day, with associated precipitation. Rain activity will increase late overnight Tuesday and into Wednesday morning. Thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon hours. Winds will be light with relative humidity at considerably higher levels Tuesday afternoon. 

CLOSURES AND RESTRICTIONS:

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over the fire area.

The Forest is in Stage 1 Fire Restrictions. Campfires are allowed only in a permanent metal fire grate/ring provided by the Forest Service in a designated, developed recreation site. Smoking is restricted to vehicles, in buildings, or in an area clear of flammable materials. Devices with an on/off switch that use LPG fuels are allowed in an area clear of flammable materials within 3 feet of the device. 

Courtrock Fire fully lined, mop up continues to further containment

MONUMENT, Ore. – Firefighting efforts through last night’s shift attained a fully lined perimeter around the fire. Mop up efforts from ODF Team 1 and OSFM task forces will continue today to secure homes and increase overall containment.

Cougar Creek Fire Update for Tuesday July 30, 2024 

KEY MESSAGES:  

Strong winds on the fire led to two small spot fires on the northeast side of the fire. . These spot fires merged as firefighters engaged. Hand crews dug line and placed hose line around the perimeter.  Due to favorable visibility and light winds, air operations began bucket drops earlier yesterday than in previous days. The spot fire is now contained with a perimeter of 1.5 acres. Aviation resources were utilized in tandem with firefighters on the ground to aggressively engage the fire. 

CURRENT STATUS:  

On the southern end of Cougar Creek Fire, structure protection continues around Grouse Flats. Crews are patrolling current control lines from Wenatchee Creek drainage, west towards the 40 Road.  Hand crews continue to mop up in this area in and around the fire edge. 

An indirect line on Mallory Ridge has been completed to enhance contingency efforts.  Crews have been making progress on mop-up operations and continue to patrol the southern portion of Hansen Ridge. 

FIRE BEHAVIOR AND WEATHER: 

Yesterday evening, the fire area received some rain, amounting to five-hundredths of an inch. This moisture helped slow fire progression but was not substantial enough for long-term beneficial effects. Today, an eastern wind will build higher pressure over the area, which will foster higher than average temperatures and lower relative humidities later in the week. This instability may promote active fire behavior.  

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 page. 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. 

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team Three

Bill Waln, Incident Commander

Location: 5 miles east Lapwai, Idaho                             Date Reported: July 24, 2024                          Cause: Lightning

Size: 28,805 acres                                                               Containment: 10%                                             Total Personnel: 224

Current Situation:

• Due to the hard work of the firefighters and local resources, the Gwen fire is now 10% contained. The containment is located along the fire’s perimeter south of the Arrow Bridge to just east of the intersection of the N. Tom Beall and Middle Tom Beall roads.
• The fire area received approximately two tenths (0.2) of an inch of rain over the last 12 hours. 
• Firefighters will take the opportunity of the brief break in the weather to make progress in reducing the threat of the fire moving outside the current footprint. 
• Crews will be walking the perimeter on the south and west portions of the fire mopping up or extinguishing hot spots along the fire’s edge. When fire managers are confident that the perimeter in these areas are secure, they will be added to the containment of the fire. 
• Hazards from the fire remain along roadways and around structures within the fire perimeter. These hazards include fire traffic and firefighters along the roadways, falling fire-weakened trees, and rocks and debris on the roadways.
• Active fire remains in the Pine Creek Drainage. Crews and aviation resources were successful at keeping the fire in check yesterday and they will continue to focus cooling hot spots in the Pine Creek Drainage. Secondary containment lines have been established east of the drainage as a contingency plan if the fire were to spot across the drainage. 

Evacuations: EVACUATIONS REMAIN IN PLACE -Level 1 Get Ready; Level 2 Get Set; Level 3 Go. For the safety of responders please Go if asked to leave. The fire behavior is very unpredictable and life threatening.

• Latah County Sheriff’s Office Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuation orders for multiple areas of the fire. Learn more at https://www.facebook.com/LatahCountySO and call: (208) 882-2216
• Nez Perce County Sheriff’s office has issued level 1, 2, and 3 evacuations orders for their county. Those are posted on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NezPerceCountySheriffsOffice.
• Nez Perce County Emergency Management Interactive Evacuation Map: https://bit.ly/3yewVv0

Air Quality Information: Please visit https://fire.airnow.gov/ for resources on smoke and air quality. Air quality monitors indicate unhealthy for sensitive groups in the Lapwai area. 

Weather and Fire Behavior: Winds will be lighter today with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Relative humidity will remain lower today and temperatures will be 5 to 10 degrees cooler. Hot, dry conditions will return on Thursday. 

Closures: The Idaho Transportation Department opened Highway 12 last night. Highway 3 corridor is now open as well. Hazards remain alone the highway, please use extreme caution when traveling in and around the fire area. 

GWEN FIRE INFORMATION

Fire Information Phoneline: (208) 843-3534 (Time: 7am-7pm)                             Email: 2024.Gwen@firenet.gov

Facebook: @IdahoDepartmentofLands    InciWeb: inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idids-2024-gwen-fire

Wind and fuel drive the Sand Stone Fire

Daily Update – Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Highlights: The Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office has moved the community of Sunflower to “set” status. “Set” status means residents should identify the closest shelter or safe space, prepare an emergency kit, listen to public health officials and be ready to leave the area. The Ready, Set, Go! program is a nationwide program to educate residents about steps to take during an emergency. Sign up for emergency alerts at ready.maricopa.gov.

Total personnel on all incidents: 306   

Sand Stone Fire:          Acres: 23,405     Containment: 0%     Start Date: 7/25/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush         

Operations: The Sand Stone Fire was moderately active throughout the day yesterday, growing to over 23,000 acres. The fire backed down towards Bartlett Lake with a small portion moving under the 345-kilovolt powerline operated by Arizona Public Service (APS). On the southeastern side, crews conducted strategic firing operations to create a buffer connecting Highway 87 to Forest Road 402. As the east side of the fire progresses towards Indian Springs Canyon, fire crews are planning to strategically ignite vegetation in this canyon to create a containment feature. To the south, aircraft will continue to support firefighters on the ground, dropping water buckets throughout the day to help slow and reduce fire activity. Ground crews are scouting and identifying existing roads to serve as holding features to prevent fire spread. In the east, night shift crews are working to hold the fire west of Highway 87 around Dos S Ranch. Preparations will continue today around the community of Sunflower, up the old Highway 87 to Forest Road 201. As additional firefighters are engaged across the fire area, crews are developing a structure protection plan and planning for primary and alternate firelines.  

Deer Fire:                    Acres: 235     Containment: 0%      Start Date: 7/17/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush, timber

Operations: The Deer Fire is burning within the Mazatzal Wilderness. Yesterday, firefighters monitored the fire by air as it continued to move slowly through the ponderosa pine forest. A reconnaissance flight will be conducted again today to get an updated acreage for this fire. 

Davenport Fire:           Acres: 447         Containment: 0%      Start Date: 7/19/2024      Fuels: Grass, brush          

Operations: The Davenport Fire was reported within the Mazatzal Wilderness and has not shown any fire activity for several days. Firefighters are continuing to monitor the fire for any new heat sources or growth. 

Weather: Temperatures will remain in the mid- to upper 90s and the relative humidity will hover around 20%. Dry conditions with no thunderstorm activity can be expected across the area. Sustained wind speeds will be less than 15 mph, however, some occasional afternoon and early evening gusts upwards of 20-25 mph are possible. 

Smoke: Smoke may be visible from Fountain Hills, Sunflower, Rio Verde, Goldfield, and unincorporated communities in the Rio Verde Foothills. An interactive smoke map at https://fire.airnow.gov/ allows you to zoom into your area to see the latest smoke conditions. 

Closures: Southbound State Route 87 is closed between State Route 188 to Bush Highway. There is no estimated time to reopen the southbound lanes. See https://az511.gov/ for a map of the closure. The Tonto National Forest has issued a closure order for the Sand Stone Fire. More information can be found on the Tonto National Forest website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/tonto/alerts-notices/. Trail users should avoid using the Arizona National Scenic Trail near the fire area.

Safety: The health and safety of firefighters and the public are always the first priority. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in place over the area, which includes uncrewed aircraft or drones. Flying drones near wildfires is dangerous for pilots and firefighters and can bring wildfire suppression efforts to a halt. Know before you fly. If you fly, we can’t. More information on the dangers drones pose to wildland firefighting aircraft and personnel on the ground can be found at: https://uas.nifc.gov/. 

More Information: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/aztnf-sand-stone /

480-409-9683 / https://www.facebook.com/TontoNationalForest / 2024.sandstone@firenet.gov 

Did you miss the community meeting from last time July, 29? 

Watch it live here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuF8ctFhUnI

Equipo 1 de Northern Rockies , Comandante del Incidente Brent Olson

Ubicación: 14 millas al suroeste de Naches, WA

Fecha de inicio: 23 de Julio de 2024

Causa: Bajo investigación

Tamaño: 29.499 acres

Contención: 11%

Recursos: 482 personas en total; 11 excavadoras; 11 equipos manuales; 31 motores.

Mensaje clave:  La actividad del fuego alcanzó la zona de Jump Off Lookout cerca de la esquina suroeste del incendio, pero el JUmp Off Lookout no fue impactado ni dañado por el fuego y sigue intacto.

Situación actual: El Retreat Fire está siendo completamente administrada con arreglo a una estrategia de supresión total que da prioridad a la seguridad pública y de los bomberos.

Ayer, un breve sistema meteorológico atravesó  la zona del incendio y una décima de pulgada de lluvia cayó en zonas del incendio. Las operaciones de fuego que se habían previsto para asegurar varias zonas a lo largo de los lados este y noreste del incendio se detuvieron y las cuadrillas de bomberos pasaron el día creando profundidad a lo largo de la línea de fuego limpiando y extinguiendo puntos calientes, así como reforzando las líneas de contención previstas. La contención aumentó ligeramente en el lado noreste del incendio más cercano al corredor de la autopista 410. 

Las cuadrillas de bomberos con su equipo continuaron  a trabajar para reforzar las líneas de fuego en los lados este y sureste del incendio a lo largo de Cowiche Road y Hatton Road y más cerca de las comunidades de Tieton y Cowiche. Cuando las condiciones lo permitan, las cuadrillas de bomberos utilizarán operaciones de exticion a lo largo de estas líneas para asegurar el borde por delante del fuego principal. Con las condiciones meteorológicas moderadas, las cuadrillas de bomberos aprovecharon la oportunidad para trabajar directamente en el borde del incendio a lo largo del lado sur de la zona del incendio construyendo y mejorando las líneas de control. La construcción de la línea de fuego continuó moviéndose hacia el oeste a lo largo de la carretera Bethel Ridge y Bethel Ridge continuando la preparación de esta zona para las operaciones de extinción en el lado norte. En la esquina noroeste, la exploración y la preparación avanzaron al sur de Bethel Ridge hacia la autopista 12 utilizando el sistema de carreteras de Pine Creek. En el lado suroeste del incendio, los equipos de bomberos comenzarán a explorar la ubicación de la línea de control trabajando hacia el norte desde el Lookout hacia la autopista 12. Todo este trabajo se está realizando en el lado oeste para evitar que el fuego se propague hacia el lago Rimrock.

Los equipos de protección de estructuras y los camiones de bomberos continuaron extinguiendo puntos calientes cerca de viviendas e infraestructuras a lo largo del corredor de la autopista 12 afectado por el incendio. La protección de estructuras continuó realizando trabajos de evaluación y preparación alrededor de las estructuras de Camp Ghormley y a lo largo de las zonas de Lost Lake Road al oeste del incendio.

Meteorología y comportamiento del fuego: El sistema meteorológico se desplazara hoy hacia el este, alejándose del incendio, lo que permitirá condiciones más cálidas y secas con disminución de las nubes, aunque será posible que algunas lluvias persistan, principalmente por la mañana. Hoy continuarán los periodos de vientos locales desde el oeste, principalmente a primeras horas de la mañana y últimas de la tarde-noche. Entre las horas de 10am y las 3pm es posible que se produzca una breve tregua de vientos terrales. La tendencia al calentamiento y al secado continuará el miércoles, junto con vientos más flojos y terrales. Las temperaturas oscilarán entre los 68 y los 74 grados y los niveles mínimos de humedad relativa serán del 44 al 49%. Los vientos soplarán del oeste-noroeste a 7-10 mph con rachas de 16 mph por la mañana y 8-12 mph con rachas de 18 mph por la tarde.

Existen tres tipos principales de combustible: salvia/hierba, fondos de arboles de roble y bosques de ponderosa. La hierba en los tipos de combustible apropiados está completamente curada y fácilmente disponible para la ignición de fuego. Aunque los robles no se consumen, los incendios intensos de pastos bajo estos árboles podrían producir grandes brasas capaces de localizarse a un corto alcance.

Cierres y evacuaciones: Para obtener la información más actualizada sobre evacuaciones, visite la Administración de Emergencias del Condado de Yakima en este enlace: Sitio web de la Administración de Emergencias de Yakima.

• La Autopista 12 permanece cerrada por varios motivos entre la Y de la Autopista 410 y la cumbre del paso en el punto kilométrico 151.
• ACTUALIZADO Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Retreat Fire Area Closure: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices/?aid=89192.
• La Región Sureste del Departamento de Recursos Naturales del Estado de Washington (DNR) ha cerrado temporalmente el Bosque Estatal de Ahtanum debido al aumento de la actividad del incendio Retreat Fire que arde cerca de Rimrock Lake. El público puede acceder a la información más actualizada sobre cierres en www.dnr.wa.gov/ahtanum.

El Departamento de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de Washington ha cerrado al público temporalmente. La mayor parte de la zona de fauna silvestre de Oak Creek permanecerá cerrada hasta el 23 de agosto debido al Retreat Fire para garantizar la seguridad pública y facilitar las labores de extinción. Para mas información vaya a Wildlife Areas | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Las agencias federales, estatales y locales de gestión de incendios forestales y la Administración Federal de Aviación (FAA) instan a los ciudadanos a no volar "sistemas aéreos no tripulados (UAS)" o drones sobre la zona del Retreat Fire. Los vuelos no autorizados de drones representan un gran riesgos para la seguridad de los bomberos y de los ciudadanos, y para la eficacia de las operaciones de extinción de incendios forestales. Los incendios forestales son una "zona de exclusión aérea" para los drones. Si vuelas, ¡NO PODEMOS!

Northern Rockies Team 1, Incident Commander Brent Olson

Location:  14 miles southwest of Naches, WA

Start Date: July 23, 2024

Cause: Under Investigation

Size: 29,499 acres

Containment: 11%

Resources: 482 Total Personnel; 11 Dozers; 11 Hand Crews; 31 Engines

Key Message:  

Fire activity reached the Jump Off Lookout area near the southwestern corner of the fire, but the Lookout was not impacted or damaged by fire and is still intact.

Current Status:

The Retreat Fire is being managed under a full suppression strategy prioritizing public and firefighter safety.

A brief weather system moved through the fire area yesterday and a tenth of an inch of rain fell on areas of the fire. Firing operations that were planned to secure several areas along the east and northeast sides of the fire were paused and crews spent the day building depth along the fire line by mopping up and extinguishing hot spots as well as strengthening planned containment lines. Containment increased slightly on the northeast side of the fire closest to the Highway 410 corridor. 

Crews and equipment continued to work on strengthening fire lines on the east and southeast sides of the fire along the Cowiche Road and Hatton Road and closest to the communities of Tieton and Cowiche. When conditions allow, crews will use firing operations along these lines to secure the edge ahead of the main fire. With moderated weather conditions, crews have taken the opportunity to work directly on the fire’s edge along the south side of the fire area constructing and enhancing control lines. Construction of line continued moving towards the west along the Bethel Ridge Road and Bethel Ridge continuing to prepare this area for firing operations on the north side. On the northwest corner scouting and preparation progressed south of Bethel Ridge toward Highway 12 using the Pine Creek Road system. On the southwest side of the fire crews will begin to scout control line location working north from the Lookout towards Highway 12. All this work is being done on the west side to prevent additional fire spread toward Rimrock Lake.

Structure protection crews and engines continued to extinguish hotspots near homes and infrastructure along the fire impacted Highway 12 corridor. Structure protection continued to conduct assessment and preparation work around the structures at Camp Ghormley and along the Lost Lake Road areas west of the fire.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

The weather system shifts eastward away from the fire today, allowing for warmer and drier conditions with decreasing clouds, although a lingering shower will be possible, mainly in the morning. Periods of locally breezy winds out of the west continue today, mainly in the early morning and late afternoon-evening hours. A brief lull of terrain driven winds are possible between around 10am and 3pm. The warming and drying trend will continue Wednesday, along with lighter, more terrain driven winds. Temperatures will range from 68 to 74 degrees and minimum relative humidity levels will be 44 to 49%. Winds will be west-northwest at 7-10 mph with gusts to 16 mph in the morning and 8-12 mph with gusts to 18 mph in the afternoon.

Three main fuel types exist: sage/grass, oak bottoms, and ponderosa forests. Grass in the appropriate fuel types is fully cured and readily available for ignition. While the oak trees are not consuming, intense grass fires below these trees could produce large embers capable of short-range spotting.

Closures and Evacuations:

For the most up-to-date information on evacuations, please visit Yakima County Emergency Management located at this link: Yakima Emergency Management website.

• US Hwy 12 remains closed for several reasons between the Y at Hwy 410 and the summit of the Pass at milepost 151.
• UPDATED Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Retreat Fire Area Closure: www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices/?aid=89192.
• The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Southeast Region has temporarily closed the Ahtanum State Forest due to increased activity from the adjacent Retreat Fire burning near Rimrock Lake. The public can access the most up-to-date closure information at www.dnr.wa.gov/ahtanum.
• Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has closed the majority of the Oak Creek Wildlife Area to public access due to the Retreat Fire.The Oak Creek Wildlife Area is scheduled to remain closed until Aug. 23 to ensure public safety and facilitate firefighting efforts. More information can be found at Wildlife Areas | Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

Federal, state, and local wildland fire management agencies and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) urge members of the public not to fly “Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)” or drones over the Retreat Fire area. Unauthorized drone flights pose serious risks to firefighter and public safety and the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. Wildland fires are a “no fly zone” for drones. If you fly, WE CAN’T