Rattlesnake Fire Daily Update - Aug. 31, 2020

Fire Information Line: 458-207-0058

Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov

Incident Commander: Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/

Forest Users - Please drive slowly on the Tucannon Road (FS Road 47) from all access points due to heavy fire and recreational traffic. Yield to fire vehicles where possible and avoid distracted driving.

The Rattlesnake Fire is burning in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness on the Pomeroy Ranger District in Washington. It is located approximately twenty miles south of Pomeroy and thirteen miles southeast of Dayton. The fire is burning in a fifteen-year old fire scar which left a mosaic of vegetation and is approximately 486 acres in size.

Higher winds from a passing cold front on Saturday tested fire containment lines. Residual heat in heavier fuels remains on the north end near Panjab Campground, and on the southern edge of the fire. Lower wind speeds and cooler nighttime temperatures forecasted for Monday should result in less active fire behavior. The fire is expected to continue creeping and smoldering within the existing perimeter in islands of green brush, grass and timber.

Fire line construction is now complete. The remaining four crews will focus on improving fire lines, mopping-up and patrolling along the east and west flanks of the fire. In the north portion of the fire, crews are using pumps and hoses to cool hotspots in the steepest areas. Helicopters are available to assist fire crews with bucket drops today.

The mastication operation, consisting of clearing and chopping up downed brush, has been completed, leaving a good fuel break along the Tucannon Road.

Resources Threatened: Private lands, wilderness, recreation and a threatened and endangered fish species are being protected.

Evacuations and Closures: The Tucannon Road is closed at the Tucannon Campground with no access into Panjab or Lady Bug Campgrounds. Panjab Trail 3127 and Rattlesnake Trail 3129 are closed. Forest Road 4620, known as Patrick Grade, is also temporarily closed at the Forest boundary due to fire traffic. In addition to these road and trail closures there is an area closure south of the Panjab and Tucannon Creek junction. Follow posts on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7069/ for the closure order details and the latest updates. Please respect the posted closures.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Cloudy with temperatures in the upper 60’s and 70’s. Winds will be from the west at 4 to 9 mph on ridgetops, with gusts up to 16 mph. At lower elevations winds will be upslope and generally lighter. Fuels continue to dry out. Grass and shrubs are curing as autumn approaches.

BMIDC Morning Briefing Monday 8/31/2020

 

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Monday, August 31, 2020
BMIDC WEBSITE
8/30 (NEW) INITIAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	0	0
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	1	0.1
Vale District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	0	0
WA DNR Snake River Unit	0	0
BIA Umatilla Agency	1	0.1
Total	2	0.2
INCIDENT SUMMARY
8/30/2020 For Incident Information Please Visit http://www.wildcad.net/WCORBMC.htm Chloride Ridge. OR-WWF-001031. Killamacue Lake Area. 10 Miles WSW of Haines, OR. 0.1 Acres. Lightning Caused, Resources Responded 8/30. Mission Road. OR-UMA-001032. Munra Area. 2 Miles E of Pendleton, OR. 0.1 Acres. Human Caused.  Resources responded 8/30.  Previously Reported Incidents  Rattlesnake. OR-UMF-000873. IMT4. 20mi S of Pomeroy, WA. Start 8/19. Full suppression. Cause: Lightning. 475 acres. Timber. Low to moderate fire behavior. Area closures.   Example OR-WWF-000206, East Pine.  BPFZ.  T7S R46E Sec 16 NESW.  Fish Lake Road Area.  6 Miles North of Halfway, OR.  1.3 Acres.  Lightning.

Rattlesnake Fire Daily Update - Aug. 30, 2020

Fire Information Line: 458-207-0058

Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov

Incident Commander: Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/

Forest Users - Please drive slowly on the Tucannon Road (FS Road 47), from all access points due to heavy fire and recreational traffic. Yield to fire vehicles where possible and avoid distracted driving.

The Rattlesnake Fire is burning in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness on the Pomeroy Ranger District in Washington. It is located approximately twenty miles south of Pomeroy and thirteen miles southeast of Dayton. The fire remains at approximately 485 acres and has been burning in the same footprint for several days. It is burning in a fifteen-year old fire scar which left a mosaic of vegetation.

The anticipated cold front brought westerly winds with gusts as high as 25 to 35 mph on the fire area on Saturday. Fire activity increased but did not move across containment lines. Heat remains on the north end near Panjab Campground, and on the southern edge of the fire. Where there is enough heat, the fire is expected to continue to creep and smolder in islands of green brush, grass and timber within the existing perimeter.

Firefighters are improving containment lines along the northern perimeter, using hoses to extinguish heat sources in the steep terrain. Crews continue to mop-up and patrol along the east and west flanks of the fire area. Masticators are chopping and spreading brush along the Tucannon Road to strengthen the contingency line. Crews are cooling hot spots and improving the contingency line from the Panjab to Rattlesnake trails. Seven crews remain on the fire and three helicopters are available to assist.

Resources Threatened: Private lands, wilderness, recreation and a threatened and endangered fish species are being protected.

Evacuations and Closures: The Tucannon Road is closed at the Tucannon Campground with no access into Panjab or Lady Bug Campgrounds. Panjab Trail 3127 and Rattlesnake Trail 3129 are closed. Forest Road 4620, known as Patrick Grade, is also temporarily closed at the Forest boundary due to fire traffic. In addition to these road and trail closures there is an area closure south of the Panjab and Tucannon Creek junction. Follow posts on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7069/ for the closure order details and the latest updates. Please respect the posted closures.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Sunny with temperatures in the 60’s. It will remain dry and breezy. Fuels continue to dry and the grass and shrubs are curing as autumn approaches.

BMIDC Morning Briefing, Sunday, August 30, 2020

 

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Sunday, August 30, 2020
BMIDC WEBSITE
8/29 (NEW) INITIAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	0	0
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	1	1
Vale District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	0	0
WA DNR Snake River Unit	0	0
BIA Umatilla Agency	0	0
Total	1	1
INCIDENT SUMMARY
8/29/2020 For Incident Information Please Visit http://www.wildcad.net/WCORBMC.htm Camp Creek. OR-WWF-0010022. Between 1960 and 1900 Roads, 8 Miles SW of Sumpter, OR. 0.5 Acres. Lightening Caused, Resources Responded 8/29. Contain: 08/29/20 1925 Previously Reported Incidents Rattlesnake. OR-UMF-000873. IMT4. 20mi S of Pomeroy, WA. Start 8/19. Full suppression. Cause: Lightning. 475 acres. Timber. Low to moderate fire behavior. Area closures. Example OR-WWF-000206, East Pine.  BPFZ.  T7S R46E Sec 16 NESW.  Fish Lake Road Area.  6 Miles North of Halfway, OR.  1.3 Acres.  Lightning.

Rattlesnake Fire Daily Update - Aug. 29, 2020

Fire Information Line: 458-207-0058

Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov

Incident Commander: Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/

Forest Users - Please drive slowly and be alert on Forest Road 47, known as the Tucannon Road, from all access points. Heavy use is expected due to fire traffic and recreational use. Yield to fire vehicles and avoid distracted driving so that you and our firefighters stay safe.

The Rattlesnake Fire is burning in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness on the Pomeroy Ranger District in Washington. It is located approximately twenty miles south of Pomeroy and thirteen miles southeast of Dayton. The fire is approximately 475 acres and has been burning in the same footprint for the last few days. It is burning in a fifteen-year old fire scar in the heavier fuels and downed logs. Where there is enough heat, the fire continues to burn downslope through brush and stringers of younger trees that have regenerated naturally since the previous large fire.

Most of the heat remains in the northern portion of the fire. On Friday, three helicopters assisted ground crews with aerial water drops. That work will continue today, with the objective of keeping the fire in the wilderness and away from private, state and national forest lands outside the wilderness.

Fire crews are improving direct and indirect fire control lines. On Saturday, they will continue to improve and strengthen the lines along the Rattlesnake and Panjab trails, and improve the contingency control line east of the Ladybug Campground.

Fire managers have been preparing for the arrival of a forecasted dry cold front today, which is projected to produce up to 25 mph winds from the west. Crews will be especially alert for the potential of fire spread and falling snags weakened by fire when the higher winds occur today. These higher wind speeds could occasionally prevent the use of helicopters at certain times.

Resources Threatened: Private lands, wilderness, recreation and a threatened and endangered fish species are being protected.

Evacuations and Closures: The Tucannon Road is now closed at the Tucannon Campground with no access into Panjab or Lady Bug Campgrounds. Panjab Trail 3127 and Rattlesnake Trail 3129 are closed. Forest Road 4620, known as Patrick Grade, is also closed at the Forest boundary. In addition to these road and trail closures there is an area closure south of the Panjab and Tucannon Creek junction. Follow posts on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7069/ for the closure order details and the latest updates. Please respect the posted closures.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Sunny with patchy smoke and haze. Dry cold front will bring dry windy conditions. Projected wind gusts to 25 mph from the west/southwest.

BMIDC Morning Briefing, Saturday, August 29, 2020

 

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Saturday, August 29, 2020
BMIDC WEBSITE
8/28 (NEW) INITIAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	1	0.4
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	1	0.3
Vale District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	0	0
WA DNR Snake River Unit	0	0
BIA Umatilla Agency	0	0
Total	2	0.7
INCIDENT SUMMARY
8/28/2020 For Incident Information Please Visit http://www.wildcad.net/WCORBMC.htm Pot Hole. OR-WWF-001011. Near Pothole Spring, 12 Miles SW of Baker City, OR. 0.5 Acres. Unknown Cause, Resources Responded 8/28. Contain: 08/28/20 1739. Bone Springs. OR-UMF-001010. Bone Springs Area, 7.5 Miles from Lookout Mountain Tower. 0.4 Acres. Lightening Caused, Resources Responded 8/28. Previously Reported Incidents Rattlesnake. OR-UMF-000873. IMT4. 20mi S of Pomeroy, WA. Start 8/19. Full suppression. Cause: Lightning. 475 acres. Timber. Low to moderate fire behavior. Area closures. Meacham Complex. OR-UMF-000923. IMT2, NR Team 3 (Almas). 10 mi N of La Grande, OR. Start 8/20. Full suppression. Cause: Unknown. 265 acres (+0). Timber. Moderate fire behavior. Road closures Complex includes 9 fires: Hagger Ridge 57 acres (+0), Horse 169 acres (+0), 896 Fire 40 acres, and others are small in size. Example OR-WWF-000206, East Pine.  BPFZ.  T7S R46E Sec 16 NESW.  Fish Lake Road Area.  6 Miles North of Halfway, OR.  1.3 Acres.  Lightning.

Rattlesnake Fire Daily Update - Aug. 28, 2020

Friday, August 28, 2020

Daily Update 9:00 a.m.

Fire Information Line: 458-207-0058

Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov

Incident Commander: Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/

The Rattlesnake Fire is burning in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness on the Pomeroy Ranger District in Washington. The fire started during a thunderstorm on August 19. It is located approximately twenty miles south of Pomeroy and thirteen miles southeast of Dayton. Mike Almas’ Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) assumed command of the Rattlesnake Fire at 6:00 a.m. Monday, August 24 and is managing it as part of the Meacham Complex.

The fire is estimated at 475 acres and is burning southward into the wilderness area in a fifteen-year-old fire scar in steep terrain. The fire is creeping and backing, continuing to burn through some heavier fuels, brush, natural regeneration timber and stringers of timber, but also burning itself out in some areas.

Today, firefighters will strengthen and improve the west flank hand line along the Rattlesnake Trail. They will continue to cold-trail and improve the hand line along the east flank, checking for hot spots. Firefighters will continue line construction on the south end of the fire and go direct where possible. Crews with heavy equipment will continue improving a contingency line along the 4712 road east of Ladybug Campground. A Type 1 helicopter is assisting with water drops to cool hot spots.

Several Type 2 crews, a Type 1 Hot Shot crew, several Grangeville smokejumpers and various other resources are currently committed to this fire, including a Type 1 helicopter.

Resources Threatened: Private lands, wilderness, recreation and a threatened and endangered fish species are being protected.

Evacuations and Closures: Currently there are no evacuations in place. A portion of the forest is closed due to the fire. This includes the closure of FSR 4700 from the bridge to the intersection of 4712 and 4713, FSR 4712 and FSR 4713. Panjab Trail 3127 and Rattlesnake Trail 3129 are closed, as are Panjab and Ladybug Campgrounds. An additional order was issued August 26 to close Tucannon Road, including Forest Service Road 4700 from milepost 9.9 until terminus, and the entireties of Forest Service Roads 4712 and 4713. Please follow posts on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7069/ for the latest updates.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Sunny with patchy smoke and haze. Warm temperatures with slightly increased fire behavior. A wind event is expected over the weekend, with 10-14 mile per hour winds with gusts up to 20 miles per hour.

PLEASE DRIVE RESPONSIBLY: The access road to the Rattlesnake Fire (FS 47) is heavily used by the public for recreation. The safety of firefighters, fire managers and the public is critical. With increased fire traffic and the need to access the area safely, everyone is asked to slow down when driving in this vicinity, yield to fire vehicles where possible, and avoid distracted driving. Please help us keep everyone safe as crews work on this fire.

Meacham Complex FINAL Daily Update - Aug. 28, 2020

Fire Information Line: 458-206-6192

Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov

Incident Commander: Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Meacham Complex InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7038/

Rattlesnake Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/

Mike Almas’ Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) began managing the Meacham Complex on Friday, August 21, 2020. The Meacham Complex of fires includes the Hager Ridge Fire, Horse Fire, 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire, and other smaller fires located approximately twenty five miles east/southeast of Pendleton, Oregon. In addition to those fires, Mike Almas’ IMT assumed command of the Rattlesnake Fire Monday, August 24 and will manage it as part of the Meacham Complex.

The Rattlesnake Fire is burning on the Pomeroy Ranger District in Washington, approximately twenty miles south of Pomeroy. Due to the distance between the Rattlesnake Fire and other Meacham Complex fires, the fires near Pendleton will be referred to as part of the southern branch of the Meacham Complex, and the Rattlesnake Fire will be referred to as the northern branch of the Meacham Complex. Detailed updates, specific to Rattlesnake Fire, are available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/).

Multiple agencies are coordinating on Meacham Complex fire suppression, including United States Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Bureau of Indian Affairs, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, local volunteer fire departments, and various aerial resources. Currently, many of the smaller fires within the southern branch of the Meacham Complex are contained and in patrol status or have been declared out. 

Unless significant changes occur, this will be the last update for the Meacham Complex southern branch. Fire acreage totals within the southern branch fires remain the same: Hager Ridge- 57 acres; Horse- 169 acres; 896 (Horseshoe Ridge)- 40 acres. Firefighters continued to strengthen containment lines, grid for hot spots, and perform mop-up, working inward from the fire perimeters on the Horse Fire and the 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire. In areas where containment lines are secured and no longer a risk, crews continued implementing some suppression repair, such as constructing water bars along constructed fireline (to help reduce erosion potential). In addition to work on those fires listed above, other crews and resources patrolled the remaining unstaffed, contained fires and were pre-positioned in the event of new fire starts in the area. The Huron Fire has been declared “out”, and all remaining fires in the southern branch of the Meacham Complex are 100% contained.

Fire managers have repositioned many crews from the southern branch of the Meacham Complex to the remaining active, uncontained fire within the Meacham Complex- the Rattlesnake Fire (northern branch). Several of the contained fires within the Meacham Complex southern branch will be unstaffed and patrolled or continue to have limited staffing. However, firefighters will continue to grid for and mop up hots spots in the Horse and 896 fires, where heavy fuels continue to smolder near containment lines. Containment lines could be tested Saturday due to the forecasted gusty winds, so crews will be especially vigilant, watching for possible spot fires or new fire starts. In addition, crews will also continue working on suppression repair activities, as well as patrolling unstaffed fires and remaining ready for initial attack if a new fire were to start in the area.

Resources Threatened: If any of the fires escape containment lines, several resources could be threatened, including one structure near the Horse Fire, the Union Pacific Railroad line near the 896 Fire, and significant cultural and natural resources.

Evacuations and Closures: Currently there are no evacuations or area closures for the southern branch of the Meacham Complex. Additionally, there is no longer a closure on the FSR3128, as fire traffic is reduced and the fires in that area are less active. However, we ask forest users to continue to yield to fire traffic and use caution in the area. Thank you. Please continue to check for up-to-date closure information at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7038/.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Friday’s weather is expected to be warm/dry, with primarily terrain-influenced winds. Saturday, 8/29, very gusty winds could move into the fire area, with sustained winds of 15-20 mph and gusts of 25-30 mph possible. By Sunday or Monday, cooler temperatures and higher humidity may move into the area.

BMIDC Morning Briefing, Friday, August 28, 2020

 

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Friday, August 28, 2020
BMIDC WEBSITE
8/27 (NEW) INITIAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	0	0
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	2	0.7
Vale District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	0	0
WA DNR Snake River Unit	0	0
BIA Umatilla Agency	0	0
Total	2	0.7
INCIDENT SUMMARY
8/27/2020 For Incident Information Please Visit http://www.wildcad.net/WCORBMC.htm Doe Creek. OR-WWF-001002. Near Cold Springs Guard Station, 15 miles SW of Halfway, OR. 0.1 Acres. Unknown Cause, Resources Responded 8/27. Contain: 08/27/20 1620. Sheep. OR-WWF-001003. Denny Creek [OR-Baker], 8 Miles SW of Baker City. 0.6 Acres. Lightening Caused, Resources Responded 8/27. Contain: 08/27/20 2055. Previously Reported Incidents Rattlesnake. OR-UMF-000873. IMT4. 20mi S of Pomeroy, WA. Start 8/19. Full suppression. Cause: Lightning. 475 acres. 0% containment. Timber. Low to moderate fire behavior. Area closures. Meacham Complex. OR-UMF-000923. IMT2, NR Team 3 (Almas). 10 mi N of La Grande, OR. Start 8/20. Full suppression. Cause: Unknown. 265 acres (+0). 10% containment. Timber. Moderate fire behavior. Road closures Complex includes 9 fires: Hagger Ridge 57 acres (+0), Horse 169 acres (+0), 896 Fire 40 acres, and others are small in size. Example OR-WWF-000206, East Pine.  BPFZ.  T7S R46E Sec 16 NESW.  Fish Lake Road Area.  6 Miles North of Halfway, OR.  1.3 Acres.  Lightning.

Meacham Complex Daily Update - Aug. 27, 2020

Fire Information Line: 458-206-6192

Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov

Incident Commander: Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Meacham Complex InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7038/

Rattlesnake Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/

Mike Almas’ Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) began managing the Meacham Complex on Friday, August 21, 2020. The Meacham Complex of fires includes the Hager Ridge Fire, Horse Fire, 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire, and other smaller fires located approximately twenty five miles east/southeast of Pendleton, Oregon. In addition to those fires, Mike Almas’ IMT assumed command of the Rattlesnake Fire Monday, August 24 and will manage it as part of the Meacham Complex.

The Rattlesnake Fire is burning on the Pomeroy Ranger District in Washington, approximately twenty miles south of Pomeroy. Due to the distance between the Rattlesnake Fire and other Meacham Complex fires, the fires near Pendleton will be referred to as part of the southern branch of the Meacham Complex, and the Rattlesnake Fire will be referred to as the northern branch of the Meacham Complex. Detailed updates, specific to Rattlesnake Fire, are available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/).

Multiple agencies are coordinating on Meacham Complex fire suppression, including United States Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Bureau of Indian Affairs, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, local volunteer fire departments, and various aerial resources. Currently, many of the smaller fires within the southern branch of the Meacham Complex are contained and in patrol status or have been declared out. Fire acreage totals within the southern branch of the Meacham Complex remain the same: Hager Ridge Fire- 57 acres; Horse Fire- 169 acres; 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire- 40 acres. Wednesday, firefighters continued to strengthen containment lines and perform mop-up, working inward from the fire perimeters on the Hager Ridge Fire, the Horse Fire, and the 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire. In areas where containment lines are secured and no longer a risk, crews began implementing some suppression repair, such as constructing water bars along constructed fireline (to help reduce erosion potential). In addition to work on those fires listed above, other crews and resources patrolled the remaining unstaffed, contained fires and were pre-positioned in the event of new fire starts in the area. By the end of Wednesday’s shift, fire managers declared all of the remaining active fires in the southern branch of the Meacham Complex contained.

Thursday, fire managers will begin to reposition many crews from the southern branch of the Meacham Complex to the remaining active, uncontained fire within the Meacham Complex- the Rattlesnake Fire (northern branch). Several of the contained fires within the southern branch of the Meacham Complex will be unstaffed and patrolled or have limited staffing. However, firefighters will continue mop up efforts along the southern perimeter of the Horse Fire and on portions of the 896 Fire perimeter where heavy fuels continue to smolder and still pose a potential threat to containment lines. In addition, crews will also continue working on suppression repair activities, as mop-up and containment lines are secured. Some crews will continue to patrol unstaffed fires and remain available for initial attack if a new fire were to start in the area.

Resources Threatened: If any of the fires escape containment lines, several resources could be threatened, including one structure near the Horse Fire, the Union Pacific Railroad line near the 896 Fire, and significant cultural and natural resources.

Evacuations and Closures: Currently there are no evacuations or area closures or the southern branch of the Meacham Complex. Although the FSR3128 road closure remains in place due to heavy fire traffic and safety concerns, it is being re-evaluated and will likely be rescinded later today. Check for up-to-date closure information at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7038/.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Thursday’s weather is expected to be seasonable, with high temperatures in 70s to 80s, relative humidity 20-30%, and winds 4-9 mph (gusting to 16 mph). Thermal inversions are still resulting in potentially lower humidity at middle to high elevations, and winds in the fire area will predominantly be terrain-driven. Meteorologists predict dry, warm conditions to prevail until Saturday, when a dry, cold front will likely move over the fire area.

Rattlesnake Fire Daily Update - Aug. 27, 2020

Fire Information Line: 458-207-0058

Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov

Incident Commander: Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/

The Rattlesnake Fire is burning in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness on the Pomeroy Ranger District in Washington. The fire started during a thunderstorm on August 19. It is located approximately twenty miles south of Pomeroy and thirteen miles southeast of Dayton. Mike Almas’ Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) assumed command of the Rattlesnake Fire at 6:00 a.m. Monday, August 24 and is managing it as part of the Meacham Complex.

The fire is estimated at 475 acres and is burning southward into the wilderness area in a fifteen-year-old fire scar in steep terrain. The fire is creeping and backing, burning itself out in some areas. Today, firefighters will engage the fire directly where possible and scout opportunities to construct indirect fire containment lines. Firefighters will be assisted with helicopter water drops to cool hot spots.

Resources currently committed to the fire include a 10-person Wildland Fire Module, a Type 2 Initial Attack crew and a Type 1 Hot Shot crew, as well as a Type 1 helicopter. Several crews from the southern branch of the Meacham Complex are being reassigned to the Rattlesnake Fire today.

A virtual Community Meeting will be held tonight at 6:30 p.m. In compliance with Washington COVID-19 regulations minimizing the size of gatherings, it will be broadcast on Facebook Live on the Umatilla National Forest page. Those without Facebook may attend in-person at the Dayton School Gym parking lot across from City Park on South 2nd Street. People must stay in their vehicles and roll down their windows to hear the presentations. We appreciate the public’s understanding as we work to fight fire in the pandemic environment.

Resources Threatened: Private lands, wilderness, recreation and a threatened and endangered fish species are being protected.

Evacuations and Closures: Currently there are no evacuations in place. A portion of the forest is closed due to the fire. This includes the closure of FSR 4700 from the bridge to the intersection of 4712 and 4713, FSR 4712 and FSR 4713. Panjab Trail 3127 and Rattlesnake Trail 3129 are closed, as are Panjab and Ladybug Campgrounds. An additional order was issued August 26 to close Tucannon Road, including Forest Service Road 4700 from milepost 9.9 until terminus, and the entireties of Forest Service Roads 4712 and 4713. Please follow posts on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7069/ for the latest updates.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: With clear skies and a warming and drying trend, fire behavior may increase. Temperatures will be mid-seventies to low-eighties with winds 4-9 miles per hour.

PLEASE DRIVE RESPONSIBLY: The access road to the Rattlesnake Fire (FS 47) is heavily used by the public for recreation. The safety of firefighters, fire managers and the public is critical. With increased fire traffic and the need to access the area safely, everyone is asked to slow down when driving in this vicinity, yield to fire vehicles where possible, and avoid distracted driving. Please help us keep everyone safe as crews work on this fire.