Crockets Knob Fire Update - Aug. 31, 2022

NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12 

Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar  

August 31, 2022 

Weather: Another weather disturbance will move through the area today, bringing increased winds and very dry and hot conditions. Winds will be gusty, mainly along ridgetops, approaching 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds will shift to the northwest and diminish through the late evening hours as a dry cool front moves through the area. 

Operations:  Gusty winds and higher temperatures across the fire area contributed to increased fire activity yesterday afternoon, producing a smoke column that was visible from many surrounding communities. The fire made short runs in available fuels on the north and northwest edges of the fire, and has moved close to west Princess Trailhead, directly south of Indian Rock Lookout. The fire has also pushed toward the northeast and is burning on a small portion of the Umatilla National Forest. 

Work along FSR 45 continues with heavy equipment and crews to remove fuels to strengthen containment lines. Good progress has been made along the southern edge where crews have established some containment in the Big Boulder Creek area. Hotshot crews are still engaged along the eastern fire edge as well as the roadless areas in the north and west, to identify and construct containment lines in areas with a high probability of success to slow fire spread. 

Air resources, including multiple helicopters, are actively engaged on the fire, utilizing water sources in the area, including Olive Lake. If you see firefighting aircraft, please keep back to allow pilots to maneuver safely and continue firefighting operations. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction in place, which also applies to private unmanned aircraft (drones).  

Closures: Current area closure information and map for both Malheur and Umatilla Forests can be found here:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/malheur 

Smoke may be visible to nearby communities and Forest visitors. Smoke and air quality impacts within the state can be monitored by visiting: http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com 

  

Quick Facts: 

• SIZE:   2,295 Acres 
• CONTAINMENT: 5% 
• CAUSE: Lightning 
• PERSONNEL: 582 
• LOCATION: 19 miles north of Prairie City 
•  

FIRE INFORMATION:  

541-625-0892 

2022.crocketsknob@firenet.gov  

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/CrocketsKnobFire  

INCIWEB: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8355/  

 

TEMPORARY FLIGHT RESTRICTION 

There is a Temporary Flight Restriction over the Crockets Knob Fire area. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone - if you fly, we can’t.