Fire Update – Oakridge Lightning Fires

Chalk, Coffeepot, McKinley, Moss Mountain, Tire Mountain, 208, and 217 Fires

Sunday, July 28, 2024 – 9:00 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1

Dan Dallas, Incident Commander

Information Phone: (541) 208-1742

Email:2024.mossmountain@firenet.gov

Information Staffing Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Current Situation: Fire management continues to identify areas with the highest probability of success while firefighters build and strengthen line across the Oakridge Lightning Fires. Limited available resources have been, and continue to be, mobilized to these areas. While containment lines are being constructed and strengthened in areas of highest priority, the amount of dead and down heavy fuel in areas of steep, rugged terrain remains a challenge as future strategic operations are being planned. The total acreage of the seven fires is 6,257 acres with 641 personnel assigned.

Information for each of the seven Oakridge Lightning Fires is provided below. Firefighting activities and suppression actions are described in detail for each double-lettered division on each fire.

Chalk Fire (3,343 acres, 7% contained)

Division AA: Bulldozers and other heavy equipment continue to support firefighting activities in this division of the Chalk Fire. Low intensity firing operations will continue to steadily strengthen constructed containment lines.

Division KK: Firefighters used low intensity firing operations to connect this division to Division AA to the west and are working east to connect to Division TT. While these containment lines have been connected, there is still growth potential due to heavy, receptive fuel located on steep, rugged terrain throughout the Chalk Fire. Firefighters will continue to strengthen existing line and support other areas where needed.

Division TT: Firefighters on the north side of the Chalk Fire continue to build containment line to tie into existing roads, natural features, and areas with recent fire history.

Coffeepot Fire (2,478 acres, 0% contained)

Division PP: Several small spot fires were discovered by an infrared reconnaissance flight yesterday across the 2120 Road. Crews are being sent to address those spot fires today. Heavy equipment continues to be used in this division to prepare line for future strategic operations.

Division RR: Crews are preparing line in Division RR where they plan on connecting it toward Division WW. Existing lines continue to hold and will be reinforced where necessary.

Division SS: Heavy equipment was brought in yesterday to clear out existing roads for future operations to have better access to strategically beneficial areas as well as acting as containment line should it be needed.

Division WW: Crews are working with heavy equipment to build and strengthen line toward Division RR along the 2307 Road.

Moss Mountain Fire (214 acres, 0% contained)

Division SS: Work continues in this division to scout for areas with a high probability of success for future strategic operations. Heavy equipment is being used south of the Moss Mountain Fire to open existing roadways which will provide better access for crews.

Division WW: Work continues in this division to tie it to the west with Division RR. The fire has been minimally active in this area, allowing crews to make good progress.

208 Fire (140 acres, 0% contained) – Division YY: Fire is holding. There has been no growth over the past several days.

217 Fire (38 acres, 0% contained) – Division YY: Smokejumpers assigned to the 217 Fire are patrolling and mopping up the 217 Fire in very challenging terrain. Some resources from this fire have been mobilized to higher priority areas.

Tire Mountain Fire (20 acres) – Division TT: The Tire Mountain Fire is being patrolled but has not grown in several days.

McKinley Fire (24 acres) – Division AA: Firefighters assigned to patrolling the McKinley fire were able to quickly respond to a one acre spot fire on Saturday. Containment line around the spot fire and the rest of the McKinley Fire is expected to hold. Spot fires in areas of heavy dead and down fuel can be expected. Assigned resources continue to patrol the McKinley Fire for this reason. The decrease in size from previous reports is due to validation and cleaning of the map layer.

Weather and Fire Behavior: The Oakridge Lightning Fires experienced similar weather conditions on Saturday as it has over the past several days; smoke lifting in the afternoon for mostly sunny conditions with light northwest wind. This helped limit fire growth and intensity. While smoke from other fires in Oregon is combining with the smoke from these fires, it is mostly pushing away from Oakridge and other surrounding communities. There is a chance for light precipitation on Monday night, but it is not expected to be significant.

Evacuations: For evacuation information please visit: https://www.LaneCountyOR.gov/2024wildfires
To sign up for evacuation alerts please visit: https://www.LaneAlerts.org

Closures and Fire Restrictions:

Area, road, trail, and recreation site closures are in place on the Willamette National Forest in the vicinity of many active fires. Temporary road barricades are in use to restrict traffic in the areas near High Prairie and Chalk Mountain.

For specific closure information follow this link:
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029

Fire restrictions on the Willamette National Forest may be found at this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=81487

Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

For More Information:

Phone: (541) 208-1742

Email: 2024.mossmountain@firenet.gov

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orwif-oakridge-lightning-fires-2024

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakridgeLightningFires2024/

Total Fire Personnel: 641

Fire Cause: Lightning

Location: North & South of Oakridge, OR

Fire Statistics

Fire                          Acres                   Containment

Chalk                        3,343                             7%

Coffeepot                2,478                              0%

Moss Mountain          214                             0%

Incident 208               140                             0%

Incident 217                 38                          partial        

Tire Mountain              20                          partial    

McKinley                      24                           Partial

Total                        6,257

Cougar Creek Fire Update for Sunday July 28, 2024 

CURRENT STATUS:  

The new lightning ignition in the Temporary Flight Restriction from yesterday, now called the First Creek Fire, was met with rappellers who responded to this new start approximately three miles west of the Cougar Creek Fire. The First Creek Fire is burning mid-way up the ridge, and its growth potential could be influenced by terrain-driven winds throughout the day. Another squad of rappellers was deployed yesterday to assist with operations, while helicopters provided water drops in support.  

There was limited fire growth in the north and northeast yesterday, as well as in the south near Grouse Flats. Today, the Cougar Creek Fire will see an increase in fire activity as the day progresses due to winds aligning with topography. Indirect line construction is underway in the west, from Grouse Flats to the Three Forks Trailhead. To the south, mop up operations have begun outside of Grouse Flats, with heavy equipment completing dozer lines. Ground crews are continuing their structure protection efforts. On the western flank, fire resources took advantage of reduced fire behavior and engaged the fire directly where it is effective for containment.   

FIRE BEHAVIOR AND WEATHER: 

Winds are expected to increase slightly from the west/southwest. This afternoon, a cold front will pass through, bringing a slight chance of thunderstorms Monday evening into Tuesday. This front will increase relative humidity levels in the area. However, hot and dry conditions will return on Wednesday. 

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. 

Email: 2024.whiskycreek@firenet.gov

Incident Information Phone Line: 541-208-1743 – daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Whisky Creek Fire Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2024WhiskyCreekFire

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-news/ormhf-whisky-creek-fire

Smoke Report: https://www.airnow.gov/

Whisky Creek Fire

0% Contained

891 Acres

6 miles SE of Cascade Locks, OR

Burning in scrub oak, timber and grass 

Highlights

Cloud cover helped keep temperatures lower than expected in the fire area yesterday, resulting in minimal fire spread and smoke production. These conditions are expected to continue today as crews make progress on containment lines and refine contingency plans. A closure is in place on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) north of the junction with Indian Springs Trail to the Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks with a detour along the Eagle Creek Trail. Management of the fire will transition from Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 6 to a local tri-forest Type 3 incident management team at 6 A.M. tomorrow morning.

Operations

Crews continue to prepare containment lines and clear roads and trails to the south along the Rainy-Wahtum Trail #409 from Rainy Lake to Wahtum Lake and continuing to the PCT approximately one mile to the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire burn area. Crews are clearing thick brush along roads with the assistance of masticators to create fire breaks. To the east of the fire, crews continue to strengthen a containment line along the Gorton Creek Trail #408 and identifying potential contingency lines further east. 

 Fire Behavior and Weather

Increasing cloud cover and humidity, paired with lower temperatures through Tuesday, are expected to minimize fire activity and smoke production. Forecasted rain Monday is not expected to impact the fire. A remote weather station (RAWS) has been set up on Mt. Defiance to assist the incident meteorologist and fire behavior analyst make informed predictions specific to the fire location.

Road and Trail Closures

The Mt. Hood National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area have expanded a joint emergency closure for the fire area to include the Pacific Crest Trail and areas south of I-84. Closure information can be found at: Whisky Creek Fire Closures in Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness. Hood River County has closures in effect for Kingsley Campground, Kingsley Road, Dead Point Road, and Green Point Road viewable on their website.

Total Fire Resources Assigned

• Approx. 284 personnel, 5 hand crews, 4 water tenders, 3 dozers, 5 masticators and 2 helicopters.

KEY MESSAGE
The containment of the fire remains at 55%. Yesterday, cooler temperatures through the night and morning have allowed for crews to effectively mop-up, bolstering containment lines. A Type 3 Incident Management Team (IMT) has arrived to take over from current IMT, the new team will take control of the incident at 0600 on Tuesday.

CURRENT STATUS
Lower afternoon humidities allowed for some fire activity within the interior of the fire. An unmanned aerial system (UAS) is being used for infrared flight detection to assist in finding hotspots. On all areas of the fire’s edge, crews continue to patrol, mop-up, and secure the edge. As a protective measure, two heavy equipment containment lines constructed farther from the fire edge are close to completion. With many successes on the incident, resources are being released to other fires or home, and slower tempo allows for a smooth transition to the incoming IMT.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR
Yesterday, a very dry air-mass caused afternoon humidities to drop into the teens once again as westerly winds gusted up to 25 mph at times. Looking forward, westerly flow will last through Monday then a cold front swings through western Montana on Monday night into Tuesday. This front will bring some scattered rain showers and thunderstorms along with cooler temperatures. A ridge of high pressure starts to build over the region for the latter part of the work week into the weekend. This ridge will cause a warming and drying trend with less wind.

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

Fire activity increases on Crazy Creek fire as containment increases on 498/Kitty Creek

Daily Update July 28, 2024

Fire Information Phone:541-208-1768 (8am-8pm)

Media Information Phone:541-208-1770 (8am-8pm)

Email: 2024.crazycreek@firenet.gov

Acres:  Crazy Creek 14,712; 498/Kitty Creek 73                               Start Date: July 22, 2024

Location: Crazy Creek:16 miles north of Paulina, OR                     Personnel: 277 total for both fires

                498/Kitty Creek: 7 miles north of Mitchell, OR

Containment: Crazy Creek 0%; 498/Kitty Creek 58%                    Fuels: Timber and short grass

Highlights: Hard work by firefighters to secure the northern half of the 498/Kitty Creek fire increased containment to 58%. On the Crazy Creek fire, firefighters observed tree torching and short-range spotting, which resulted in fire grown in the southwest and northeast areas of the fire. Firefighters are working to keep the Crazy Creek Fire north of Little Summit Prairie. 

Fire Activity: On Saturday, crews on the 498/Kitty Creek fire worked to reinforce the fireline and extinguish any hot spots near the edge of the fire. Firefighters also conducted mop-up operations, actively dousing burning material with water, felling damaged trees and cooling ash pits.

On the Crazy Creek fire, firefighters in the northwest area worked from the 744 and 755 roads to the 30 road, prepping the area for possible overnight firing operations, if weather conditions are favorable. In the northeast portion of the fire, hand crews and equipment operators constructed containment lines to protect private camps at Toggle Meadows. The southwestern flank showed the greatest growth on Saturday, approaching Forest Road 42. Slow-moving, but extensive spotting in dead/downed fuels resulted in spotting across the 4270 road in at least one location. 

On Sunday, on the southwest/southern portion of the Crazy Creek Fire, crews will construct fire containment lines and work to contain spot fires in the area. Crews across the Crazy Creek fire will continue looking for potential roads that can be used as containment lines and focus their efforts on protecting structures in Toggle Meadow and Little Summit Prairie. Crews on the 498/Kitty Creek Fire will continue to patrol the northern half of the fire and continue to improve the fire perimeter on the south side to increase containment. 

Weather: Temperatures and winds will remain about the same as Saturday, with temperatures in the low 80s and light winds out of the west across the 498/Kitty Creek and Crazy Creek fires. 

Smoke: Smoke from multiple fires in Central Oregon are impacting the region. Additional details are available via https://outlooks.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlook/079f0f73. 

Closures: The Ochoco National Forest has implemented a forest closure for the Paulina Ranger District. More information can be found at fs.usda.gov/alerts/ochoco/alerts-notices/?aid=89203.

More Information:

InciWeb:  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/orocf-crazy-creek

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SWIMT5 

Central Oregon Wildfire Information: https://centraloregonfire.org/ 

Location:  14 miles southwest of Naches, WA

Start Date: July 23, 2024

Cause: Under Investigation

Size: 22,237 acres

Resources: 354 Total Personnel; 8 Dozers; 7 Hand Crews; 36 Engines.

Key Message:  

There will be a community meeting tomorrow, Monday, July 29 at 6:00 p.m. at the Naches Valley Elementary School cafeteria located at 151 Bonlow Dr. Naches, WA 98939. A virtual component will also be available on the Retreat Fire Facebook page.

Current Status:

Additional firefighters and equipment have arrived and been assigned to several locations on the fire. Given the expected winds and smoke movement, active fire behavior may be observed. The fire is currently under a full suppression strategy, prioritizing public and firefighter safety. On the east side a combination of direct and indirect tactics are being employed along Cowiche Road, Hatton Road, Bethel Ridge Road, and Highway 12 to stop fire movement and secure the fire’s edge.

Heavy equipment and hand crews are working direct and indirect lines along the northern and southern side of the fire to minimize forward advancement of the fire.  Operational resources are continuing to do reconnaissance along the west side scouting for potential indirect line locations to prevent additional fire spread toward Rimrock Lake. Firing operations are ongoing eastern flank of the fire along Bethal Ty Road towards Highway 12, and from road 642 to Hatton Road.  Additional burning operations are planned in the same general areas for in the coming days.  Structure protection resources continue to put out hotspots near homes and infrastructure along Highway 12 and are also doing evaluation and prep work near Camp Ghromley and Lost Lake Road.

Weather and Fire Behavior:

Seasonable temperatures will be observed over the Retreat Fire today, with highs generally in the 70s, and minimum relative humidity values around 28-34%. Westerly winds began increasing in the late afternoon and will continue to increase into the overnight hours as a shortwave trough moves across the region. Gusty west-northwest winds are expected to persist overnight into Sunday, around 10-20 mph with gusts 20-30 mph, especially over the ridgetops. Good relative humidity recoveries are expected overnight. Similar weather conditions are expected on Sunday with slightly higher relative humidity.

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 are producing large embers capable of short-range spotting.

Closures and Evacuations:

Level 3 “GO NOW” Evacuation Advisory from US Hwy 12 at Bear Canyon Trailhead (NF 1301 Forest Service Road) northeast to the “Y” (Hwy 12/410).  From “Y” (Hwy 12/410) south along the borders of Town of Cowiche and Town of Tieton to Cowiche Mill Road. Cowiche Mill Road west to NF 641 Forest Service Road.NF 641 Forest Service Road North to Hwy 12.

Level 2 "GET SET" Evacuation Notice for the City of Tieton, WA area including Cowiche Mill Road east to Summitview Road, Summitview Road North to the four way stop on West Tieton Road, heading west on West Tieton Road to the end of West Tieton Rd.  The west boundary is the end of West Tieton Road going south to the 3600 block of Cowiche Mill Road.  For the evacuation boundary visit the Yakima County Office of Emergency Facebook page: www.facebook.com/YakimaCountyOEM/.

• US Hwy 12 remains closed for several reasons between the Y at Hwy 410 and the summit of the Pass at milepost 151.
• 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!

Fire

Yesterday, Red Flag conditions increased interior activity on the Trout Fire near Boone Meadow and there was some SE progression just south of Smith Meadow. The Borel Fire was very active and moved to E/NE. Progression of the Borel is expected again today, largely to the east. Expected fire behavior on the Borel includes crown fire runs and long-range spotting. Additional information can be found here SQF Lightning Fires Inciweb

Smoke

Yesterday, smoke transport was influenced by high westerly winds and tracked to the east/northeast. The plume from Borel impacted the Coso Junction area and Indian Wells Valley, causing periods of VERY UNHEALTHY air quality there. Today, westerly flow will continue and western foothill communities and the North Owens Valley will see generally cleaner air with GOOD to MODERATE conditions expected as smoke stays to their east and south, respectively. The southern Owens Valley can expect periods of MODERATE to UNHEALTHY conditions from Coso Junction to Ridgecrest. Lake Isabella and Kernville can expect periods of MODERATE to USG in the AM through midday as smoke mixes down and begins to track east.

PYRAMID FIRE:

East of Middle Santiam Wilderness, 1,050 Acres, 8 Percent Contained, Total Personnel, 422, Lightning Caused

Yesterday afternoon, the inversion lifted, leading to increased fire activity, which resulted in several spot fires away from the main fire. Water-dropping helicopters and water-scooping planes were deployed to help extinguish the spot fires. Today, crews will continue to improve existing control lines on the outer perimeter and look for opportunities to construct direct line closer to the fire’s edge.

SLATE FIRE:

5 miles SW of Detroit, OR, 91 Acres, 8 Percent Contained, Total Personnel, 51, Under Investigation

Yesterday, with the assistance of helicopters and water-scooping planes, firefighters continued an aggressive suppression strategy, completing the control line around the perimeter of the fire. To minimize the risk of spotting, firefighters started clearing fire-damaged trees at the fire’s edge. Today, heavy equipment and crews will continue removing damaged trees, extinguishing hot spots, and improving control lines on the southern and eastern edge of the fire.

WEATHER: Little change in the weather is expected today. There is a slight chance of light rain later on Monday into Tuesday, but a significant amount of rain is unlikely.

SMOKE IMPACTS: Several fires on the Willamette National Forest are causing smoky conditions in surrounding communities. Citizens can check smoke and air quality conditions on this website: AirNow.gov

ROADS: Please be mindful of firefighting equipment when driving in the area. Refer to the emergency closure order for forest roads affected by the fires. For information about all other roads, visit the Oregon Department of Transportation website at https://tripcheck.com 

EVACUATIONS: On July 17th, the Linn County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Forest, issued a Level 3: Go Now Evacuation Alert for the closure area affected. Please refer to the Linn County Fire Map https://tinyurl.com/LinnCoFireMap for full details of the issued evacuation area (which will appear in red). 

CLOSURES AND FIRE RESTRICTIONS: Area, road, recreation sites, and trail (including the PCT) closures are in effect in the Willamette National Forest due to nearby fires. For specific information, please follow this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/willamette/alerts-notices/?cid=fseprd552029

Fire restrictions have been implemented for Willamette National Forest, including the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Washington, Waldo Lake, and Diamond Peak Wilderness areas. Read the complete restrictions at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/willamette/alerts-notices/?aid=81487

HILL FIRE INCIDENT UPDATE

Date: July 28, 2024

Fire Information: 530-414-9056 

Hours: 08:00 AM to 8:00 PM

Email:2024.Hill@firenet.gov

Incident Website:

https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/casrf-hill-fire

https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2024/7/16/hill-fire

Location: Humboldt County, CA

Size: 7724 acres

Cause: Under Investigation

Start Date: Monday July 15, 2023, at 5:40 PM

Percent contained: 53%

Personnel: 1352

CURRENT SITUATION: 

Yesterday, firefighters continued to mop up and patrol the perimeter of the fire. Personnel identified some isolated hotspots in the Spike Buck Mountain, Buck Creek, and Mosquito Creek portions of the fire. Crews continue to mop up the Sugar Loaf Mountain Spot Fire, with limited hotspots remaining. The spot fires located to the northwest of the main fire have been completely mopped up and are now fully contained. All hotspots are well interior and the fire continues to remain within containment lines. The improved weather conditions will remain, helping mop up efforts as crews continue to patrol the fire perimeter.

Suppression repair efforts began yesterday. These operations will progress through the coming days utilizing hand crews and heavy equipment, under the guidance of resource advisors. The improved weather conditions will help in supporting the recovery operations.

Personnel continue to face hazards within the fire perimeter. These hazards include steep terrain and fire weakened trees. Smoke may still be visible as some of the heavier fuels continue to burn well within the fire containment lines.

WEATHER:

Very similar and moderate conditions will continue today with high in the upper 70s to ow 80s and relative humidity struggling to drop much below 30 percent. A passing upper-level trough will help lift the mixing layer, allowing for better smoke clearing but also slightly enhanced onshore flow with gusts above 15 on ridges. Per usual, the effect of marine air will be strongest on the western side of the fire. though stronger winds will help marine influence spread more east compared to previous days. A fully developed marines layer is expected to envelop the fire by by Monday with unusually cool and moist conditions. 

CLOSURES:

Forest Closure Order currently in effect for the area impacted by the Hill Fire. It is temporarily prohibited to be on any national forest system land, trail, or road within the closure area. To view the closure order and map of closure area visit the following link www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1191963.pdf.

Road closures are currently in place on Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Service Route 6N06, Friday Ridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N01 and Friday Fridge Rd. at Forest Route 5N04. For updated road closure information, visit protect.genasys.com or humboldtsheriff.org/emergency.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS:

Forest fire restrictions also went into effect on July 12th. Campfires and stove fires are restricted to those developed areas listed in the forest order located at https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1188610.pdf.

Smoking, welding, and operating an internal combustion engine also have restrictions in place.

EVACUATIONS:

Humboldt County: Evacuation order and warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit https://www.facebook.com/HumboldtSheriff and https://humboldtgov.org/2383/Current-Emergencies. 

Conditions are subject to change at any time, visit https://protect.genasys.com/search for a full zone description. 

Sign up for Humboldt Alert emergency notifications at https://humboldtgov.org/2014/Emergency-Notifications 

Trinity County: Evacuation warnings remain in effect. For current updates on evacuations, visit     https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064589806351 and https://www.trinitycounty.org/OES 

Evacuation Center:

For information on assistance available to those displaced by the Hill Fire, please call 1-800-RED-CROSS  (1-800-733-2767.)

The Humboldt County Sheriff’s Office of Emergency Services in coordination with the Humboldt County Department of Health & Human Services and the American Red Cross-Gold Country Region established an Evacuation Center for those impacted by the Hill Fire to receive fire information. The Evacuation Center is located at Trinity Valley Elementary School, 730 CA-96 in Willow Creek. The center is not open to the public, however information on how to request assistance is posted at this location.

Today is expected to be relatively similar to yesterday.  There is widespread smoke and haze this morning, and an inversion is in place.  The inversion is deep, and isn’t expected to break down until this afternoon.  So, smoke is expected to remain in Burns, John Day, Drewsey, and Seneca.  Once the inversion breaks down, air quality should improve slightly.  With the inversion comes cooler temperatures and more stable conditions, which have helped to moderate fire behavior.  Elsewhere, west to northwest winds should keep areas such as Prineville, Pendleton, Heppner, and Baker City mostly clear of smoke.  If fire activity increases, this may change.

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

A Spanish translation will be available with the next hour on the Fire and Smoke website.