Rattlesnake Fire Evening Update - Aug. 23

Contact: Darcy Weseman (541) 278-3722

August 23, 2020 – 7:30 p.m.

PENDLETON, Ore. – Firefighters initiated suppression efforts this afternoon on the Rattlesnake Fire, located in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness approximately 20 miles south of Pomeroy, Washington and a quarter mile south of Panjab campground. A 12-person crew was transported to the fire via helicopter and began building containment lines along the southeastern edge of the fire. Two helicopters supported ground resources today by dropping water on the fire to slow spread and cool hot spots. 

The Rattlesnake Fire is estimated at 250 acres and is burning upslope toward the south and southeast in between two steep ridges within the 2006 Columbia Complex fire scar. The fire is burning in grass, brush, snags and timber with dead and down trees. Fire behavior was low to moderate today, with the most activity on the southeast and northwest edges of the fire.

Contractors with heavy equipment and local forest engineers completed repairs on the approach to the Little Tucannon Bridge on FSR 47 (which was damaged in the February flood event) and are now working on opening the road up to the Panjab campground.  The objective of this work is to gain firefighter access into the fire. A 20-person crew arrived today and will hike into the fire once access on FSR 47 has been restored. 

The Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3 that is managing the Meacham Complex will take command of the Rattlesnake Fire on Monday, Aug. 24 at 6 a.m. The Forest will also implement a temporary road, trail and area closure surrounding the Rattlesnake Fire for public safety.

Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist throughout the week. Fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at HIGH and Public Use Restrictions involving chainsaw use are in effect. 

Regulated closures have also been implemented on State and private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast and central Oregon. Similar restrictions may be in effect on State and private lands protected by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WA-DNR).  

For more information regarding Restrictions, please contact the Umatilla National Forest information hotline at (877) 958-9663.  The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog. To receive updates on fires in the Blue Mountains, follow our blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/. 

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Rattlesnake Fire, taken Aug. 23