Cougar Creek Fire Prompts Closures on Pomeroy Ranger District and Complex Incident Management Team Response

 

PENDLETON, Ore. (July 17, 2024) — Multiple agencies from county, district, state and federal agencies are responding to the Cougar Creek Fire and officials have ordered a Complex Incident Management Team which will transition with the current Type 3 Incident Management Team. The fire is approximately 10 miles southwest of Anatone, WA and approximately 44 miles east of Walla Walla, WA.

Forest officials are temporarily closing the southeastern portion of the Pomeroy Ranger District located in Asotin County and small portions of Garfield County and Wallowa County on Umatilla National Forest Lands to ensure public safety. This temporary closure will also ensure the safety of firefighters engaged in operations to suppress the Cougar Creek Fire. Fire managers are continually assessing resource needs based on fire spread and behavior. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation.

The fire, which is approximately 3,000 acres and is moving from the Grande Ronde River towards Pomeroy Ranger District and was reported on Monday, July 15 at 6:30 p.m. and has received a full suppression response involving ground and aviation resources. The hot temperatures across the region, low humidity and winds have contributed to increased fire behavior and rapid growth.

Extreme heat and dry conditions are expected to persist throughout the week. Fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at EXTREME and public use restrictions involving chainsaw use, smoking and off-road travel are in effect.

For more information regarding Restrictions, please contact:

Umatilla National Forest:

Information Hotline: Toll-Free (877) 958-9663

www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF  

X: @UmatillaNF

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/.  

Additional information about the Umatilla National Forest is available at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla.

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