Crockets Knob Fire - Sept. 4, 2022

 NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12 

Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar  

September 04, 2022 

Weather:  Lighter winds from the west and northwest at less than 10 mph are expected along ridgetops today. Skies will be clear most of the day. Conditions will be very dry and temperatures above normal, into the 80s and lower 90s.  

Operations: Yesterday, winds gusting up to speeds of 50 mph on the ridgetops challenged firefighting efforts on the north edge of the fire. Even with lower temperatures and an increase in relative humidity, fire activity continued to test containment lines. Firefighters were able to locate and contain several spot fires west of FSR 45 with the support of aircraft.  

Several smokejumpers have been assigned on the north end of the fire to wrap the Indian Rock Lookout with protective, heat-resistant fabric. Increased fire activity and high winds in the area have created challenges to accomplishing the project. Wrapping of the lookout should be completed today and firefighters will be engaged in the area throughout the shift. 

Resources will be engaging on the northeast corner of the fire to construct both direct and indirect line in areas with the highest probability of successful containment.  

Work continues today to hold containment line along FSR 45 on the western flank, as well as slowing fire spread on the north edge of the fire. Hotshot crews will be working with aerial firefighting resources on areas of the line that are threatened by shifting winds and rising temperatures.  

Engines, heavy equipment, and crews continue working to increase containment along the southern edge.   

Closures and Evacuations:  Grant County has issued a Level One evacuation advisory in the area of the fire. Level One means be ready and aware of fire conditions. You can view a map of the evacuation zone on the Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page. An expanded closure is in effect on the Malheur and Umatilla National Forests today. For complete closure information, please go to:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/malheur/notices/?cid=STELPRD3845529  

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:   4280 Acres 
• CONTAINMENT: 15% 
• CAUSE: Lightning 
• PERSONNEL: 611 
• 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.