Town Gulch Fire Daily Update Friday, August 16, 2024

Fire Information: 541-208-7092, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.    Town Gulch Fire Facebook: tinyurl.com/ycypw2bt   

  Email: 2024.TownGulch@firenet.gov       Linktree: linktr.ee/TownGulchFire 

Size: 18,215 acres                           Cause: Lightning

Containment: 89 percent               Start Date: August 5, 2024

Total Personnel: 304                      Structures Damaged or Destroyed: 4

This will be the final update produced for the Town Gulch Fire. For current fire information, check the Oregon Department of Forestry – Northeast District

(https://www.facebook.com/oregondeptofforestryNEO) and Wallowa Whitman National Forest (https://www.facebook.com/WallowaWhitmanNF) Facebook pages. The Southern Area Blue Team will be transitioning the fire at 7:00 PM today to a Type III team. The Blue Team would like to thank our federal, state, local and tribal partners, along with the residents of Richland, Halfway and the surrounding communities for their kindness, grace and cooperation during our time managing the Town Gulch fire.

CURRENT SITUATION: Firefighters will continue to patrol and monitor the fire perimeter while also being available for initial attack in the event of a new start. Suppression repair and the removal of water handling equipment will continue for the next several days.

The effort to rightsize the organization will continue with the Type III team. Excess resources will continue to be released from the incident as needs for patrolling, backhauling and repairing control lines decreases.

WEATHER: The fire received around 0.2 inches of rain yesterday. Today will be sunny and warm with light winds. No weather threats to the fire are forecast.

CLOSURES: Wallowa-Whitman National Forest lands, roads, trails, and recreation sites around the Town Gulch Fire are temporarily closed and fire restrictions are in effect. Forest closure orders and maps can be found on the Forest’s “Forest Orders” web page: tinyurl.com/36t4f2t2.

EVACUATIONS: Baker County Sheriff’s Office has issued Level 1, 2, and 3 evacuations for areas near the fire. Follow the sheriff’s office Facebook page (tinyurl.com/3auvka4j) for the latest evacuation news. Residents may sign up to receive emergency notifications through Baker County ALERT (tinyurl.com/884czdrf).