ODF - Wallowa County lightning fires August 5, 2021

Wallowa, OR- Numerous smoke reports have been received across Wallowa County this afternoon. Firefighters have been responding to multiple fires caused by the thunderstorms which passed through earlier today.

The Wise Fire, located near Smith Mountain Road was reported at 1:50 p.m. This fire is estimated to be 75 acres. Helicopters, single-engine air tankers (SEATs), and heavy air tankers are being used on this incident. Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office has issued a LEVEL 2 (GET SET) evacuation order for the Smith Mountain Road.

The Saw Dust Pile Fire is estimated to be 4 acres and is located in the Johnson Spring area, approximately 8 miles northwest of Wallowa. This fire has been contained. Crews will remain on scene to strengthen the fire line and mop up heat close to the line. Another report was received of a 5-acre fire near Maxville. Fire crews and a bulldozer are on scene and have the forward spread of the fire stopped. Additional small fires have been reported and responded to. Fire managers anticipate receiving additional reports as storms continue to impact the area.

Tonight’s forecast calls for the potential of additional severe thunderstorms. These storms could produce frequent cloud-to-ground lightning and may bring gusty winds. Fires can be reported by calling Blue Mountain Interagency Fire Center at (541)963-7171 or by dialing 9-1-1.

ODF’s Northeast Oregon District is in Regulated Use Closure or Public Use Restrictions. Restrictions can be found at http://bmidc.org/restrictions.shtml. Fire conditions are Extreme throughout the region. Please use caution to help prevent forest fires. Fuel conditions in many areas are critical for active fire behavior and fire growth.

Contact the Oregon Department of Forestry-Northeast Oregon Fire Prevention Information Line for more information on ODF’s Public Use Restrictions: (541) 975-3027

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Lick Creek and Green Ridge Fire Update – August 5, 2021 8:00 a.m.

 Lick Creek Fire: A plan is being put together for the needs of the areas at greatest risk for runoff and flooding as proposed in the BAER Team assessment. Smoke will continue to be visible as unburned pockets of vegetation inside the fire perimeter are consumed. Crews will continue to mop-up any interior pockets of heat and patrol until full containment is achieved. This fire remains at 90% contained.

Green Ridge Fire: The fire remains within primary containment lines along the Tucannon River in the Ladybug Campground area. The night shift focused on holding the fire south of the Tucannon River. Patrol and monitoring of the fire edge continues, one spot fire was located over the edge of this line, going direct crews were able to quickly pick up and contain it. Favorable winds overnight assisted firefighters by increasing the depth of the containment along the 46 Road. Aircraft will be assisting ground resources with retardant and water dropping runs to help minimize potential for additional fire spread, working the strategy of anchor and flanking. Every effort is being made to protect the numerous values at risk to include Mill Creek Municipal Watershed, plantation reforestation sites, sensitive plants, recreation areas, fisheries, numerous cultural, archaeological, and historic sites, farming, high value agricultural lands, a RAWS site, and a repeater site are also threatened. Secondary control lines continue to be worked by improvement of existing roads, trails, and natural terrain features.

Weather and Smoke Information: Today we can expect the weather to be mostly cloudy with an increasing chance of thunderstorms mid-day. A Red Flag Warning is in effect from 11:00 am to 11:00 pm for Thunderstorms, these storms may bring gusty and erratic winds. A Pacific frontal system will bring showers to southeast Washington today and tonight. Rainfall amounts are not expected to be significant, although a few storms could produce brief heavy downpours. Late Thursday into Friday a cooling trend will begin that will continue through the weekend. Afternoon temperatures will be a little cooler reaching 75-80 over the higher ridges and 88-93 in the valley bottoms. The humidities will generally range from 38-43 percent above 5000 feet and from 22-27 percent in the valley bottoms. Winds will be light and variable, with stronger outflow winds, possibly as strong as 35 mph. The low-level inversion will break around 10 am. Smoke information is available on Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.

Evacuations: Level II Evacuation Notice issued on July 29th, by Columbia County’s sheriff’s office remains in effect for the area: south of the previous Level I evacuation in Columbia County. The Level II evacuation notice extends east to the forest boundary, including Bald Butte Mountain and south to the Columbia County-Wallowa County state border. The evacuation notice also extends west to the forest boundary and north to Chase Mountain. From Chase Mountain, it extends to Middle Point Trailhead to Midway Campground. Additionally, a Level I evacuation notice remains in effect for the following areas: everywhere north and west of Chase Mountain and Midway Camp in the forest boundary. If you have questions, please call the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (509-382-1100; or 509-382-2518). The Level 1 evacuation remains in place in Garfield County. If you have questions, please call the Garfield County Emergency Management Director, Tina Meier, or Sheriff Drew Hyer (509-843-3494).

Closures: The Umatilla National Forest will reopen most lands for public entry. Portions of the Pomeroy Ranger District and the Walla Walla Ranger District remain closed. The full order will be posted to Inciweb: https://go.usa.gov/xFXhP

Lick Creek Fire Quick Facts

Start Date: July 7, 2021                     Resources: Cause: Lightning                                 1 Crew Containment: 90%                            8 Engines Approx. Size: 80,421 acres               3 Water Tender Total Personnel: 61                           5 Heavy Equip.   Location: Approximately 20 miles SW of Asotin, WA

Green Ridge Fire Quick Facts

Start Date: July 7, 2021                     Resources: Cause: Lightning                                 9 Crews Approx. Size: 12,260 acres               20 Engines Containment: 15%                            9 Dozers Total Personnel: 368                         15 Water Tenders 7 Helicopters Location: Green Ridge area, 30 miles east of Walla Walla

BMIDC Morning Briefing, Thursday, August 5th, 2021

 

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Thursday, August 5th, 2021
BMIDC WEBSITE
8/4 (NEW) INITIAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	1	0.2
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	2	0.5
Vale/PRD District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	2	2.2
WA DNR Snake River Unit	0	0
BIA Umatilla Agency	0	0
Total	5	2.9
INCIDENT SUMMARY
Fire Activity 8/4 OR-972S-000918, Sparta. BKW ODF. Del Monte Mine Area. 1 Mile East of Sparta, OR. 0.1 Acres. Lightning Caused, Resources Responded 8/4. Grass, timber. OR-WWF-000919, Squaw. GRFZ. Little Catherine Creek Area. 13 Miles ESE of Union, OR. 0.1 Acres. Lightning Caused. Resources Responded 8/4. Grass, timber. OR-974S-000922, Power. WAL ODF. Winston Creek Area. 20 Miles East of Joseph, OR. 2.1 Acres. Unknown Cause. ODF Stat Fire. Resources Responded 8/4. Grass and Brush. OR=UMF-000923, Wolesy. NFJD. Wolesy Creek Area. 23 Miles NNE of Prairie City, OR. 0.2 Acres. Lightning Caused. Resources Responded 8/4. Timber, reprod, slash. OR-WWF-000924, Buck Creek. GRFZ. Near NF Catherine Creek CG. 12 Miles SE of Union, OR. 0.35 Acres. Unknown Cause. Resources Responded 8/4. Contained 8/4. Grass, Timber, Slash. Previously Reported Incidents OR-WWF-000907, Stovepipe. BPFZ. Miners Creek Area. 11 Miles SW of Baker City, OR. 1.4 Acres. Lightning Caused. Resources Responded 8/3. Timber. OR-UMF-000745, Elbow Creek. WWRD. Mud Spring Area. 31 Miles SE of Walla Walla, WA. 22,960 Acres. Unknown Cause. 95% Contained. Resources Responded 7/15. OR-UMF-000659, Green Ridge.  PRD.  Green Ridge Area.  30 Miles East of Walla Walla, WA.  12,260 Acres.  Lighting Caused.  Resources Responded 7/7.  15% Contained. Grass and Shrubs. OR-UMF-000658, Lick Creek.  PRD.  Dry Lick Creek Area.  15 Miles SE of Pomeroy, WA.  80,421 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  Resources Responded 7/7.  90% Contained. Grass, Timber and Snags. Dry Gulch has been absorbed by Lick Creek. Example: OR-974S-001114, Buck. WAL ODF.  T4N R44E Sec 11 NWNW. Courtney Creek Area. 29 Miles North of Enterprise, OR.  .1 Acres.  Unknown Cause.  ODF Stat Fire.  Resources Responded 9/29.  Contained 9/29.  Grass.

Lick Creek and Green Ridge Fire Update – August 4, 2021 8:00 a.m.

 There will be community meeting tonight at the Dayton Best Western Conf. Room @ 7:30 p.m.

Lick Creek Fire: The Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team assessment will be utilized for forecasting the preparation needs of the areas at greatest risk for runoff and flooding. Smoke will continue to be visible as unburned pockets of vegetation inside the fire perimeter are consumed. Crews will continue to mop-up any interior pockets of heat and patrol until full containment is achieved. This fire remains at 90% contained.

Green Ridge Fire: The fire continued backing slowly toward the Tucannon River in the Ladybug Campground area holding within primary containment lines. The night shift focused on patrol and monitoring of the fire edge going direct on spot fires to accomplish containment. Firefighters were successful in firing along the 46 Road connecting the Edmiston Springs and Spangler Creek sections. Outflow winds overnight from area storms challenged containment lines, however; the crews were able to keep the fire east of the 46 Road. Aircraft will be assisting ground resources with retardant and water dropping runs to help minimize potential for additional fire spread, working the strategy of anchor and flanking. Every effort is being made to protect the numerous values at risk to include Mill Creek Municipal Watershed, plantation reforestation sites, sensitive plants, recreation areas, fisheries, numerous cultural, archaeological, and historic sites, farming, high value agricultural lands, a RAWS site, and a repeater site are also threatened. Secondary control lines continue to be worked by improvement of existing roads, trails, and natural terrain features.

Weather and Smoke Information: Today we can expect the weather to be mostly sunny in the morning becoming partly cloudy in the afternoon. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the late afternoon into the evening. We will see another hot and unstable day over southeast Washington. Today will be the same or a little warmer than Tuesday, and the humidity will be the same or a little lower. Afternoon temperatures will reach 85-90 over the higher ridges and 95-100 in the valley bottoms. The humidity’s will generally range from 18-23 percent along all elevations. Winds will be light and variable. The low-level inversion will break around 10 am. Smoke information is available on Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.

Evacuations: Level II Evacuation Notice issued on July 29th, by Columbia County’s sheriff’s office remains in effect for the area: south of the previous Level I evacuation in Columbia County. The Level II evacuation notice extends east to the forest boundary, including Bald Butte Mountain and south to the Columbia County-Wallowa County state border. The evacuation notice also extends west to the forest boundary and north to Chase Mountain. From Chase Mountain, it extends to Middle Point Trailhead to Midway Campground. Additionally, a Level I evacuation notice remains in effect for the following areas: everywhere north and west of Chase Mountain and Midway Camp in the forest boundary. If you have questions, please call the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (509-382-1100; or 509-382-2518). The Level 1 evacuation remains in place in Garfield County. If you have questions, please call the Garfield County Emergency Management Director, Tina Meier, or Sheriff Drew Hyer (509-843-3494).

Closures: The Umatilla National Forest will reopen most lands for public entry. Portions of the Pomeroy Ranger District and the Walla Walla Ranger District remain closed. The full order will be posted to Inciweb: https://go.usa.gov/xFXhP

  

Lick Creek Fire Quick Facts

Start Date: July 7, 2021                     Resources: Cause: Lightning                                 1 Crew Containment: 90%                            8 Engines Approx. Size: 80,421 acres               3 Water Tender Total Personnel: 61                           3 Heavy Equip.   Location: Approximately 20 miles SW of Asotin, WA

Green Ridge Fire Quick Facts

Start Date: July 7, 2021                     Resources: Cause: Lightning                                 7 Crews Approx. Size: 12,260 acres               29 Engines Containment: 15%                            9 Dozers Total Personnel: 368                         13 Water Tenders 7 Helicopters Location: Green Ridge area, 30 miles east of Walla Walla

BMIDC Morning Briefing, Wednesday, August 4th, 2021

 

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Wednesday, August 4th, 2021
BMIDC WEBSITE
8/3 (NEW) INITIAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	0	0
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	1	1.4
Vale/PRD District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	0	0
WA DNR Snake River Unit	0	0
BIA Umatilla Agency	0	0
Total	1	1.4
INCIDENT SUMMARY
Fire Activity 8/3 OR-WWF-000907, Stovepipe. BPFZ. Miners Creek Area. 11 Miles SW of Baker City, OR. 1.4 Acres. Lightning Caused. Resources Responded 8/3. Timber. Previously Reported Incidents OR-WWF-000885, Melhorn Butte.  BPFZ. Melhorn Butte Area. 6 Miles North of Halfway, OR. 0.1 Acres. Lightning Caused. Resources Responded 8/1. Grass and Timber. OR-UMF-000745, Elbow Creek. WWRD. Mud Spring Area. 31 Miles SE of Walla Walla, WA. 22,960 Acres. Unknown Cause. 95% Contained. Resources Responded 7/15. OR-UMF-000659, Green Ridge.  PRD.  Green Ridge Area.  30 Miles East of Walla Walla, WA.  11,449 Acres.  Lighting Caused.  Resources Responded 7/7.  15% Contained. Grass and Shrubs. OR-UMF-000658, Lick Creek.  PRD.  Dry Lick Creek Area.  15 Miles SE of Pomeroy, WA.  80,421 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  Resources Responded 7/7.  90% Contained. Grass, Timber and Snags. Dry Gulch has been absorbed by Lick Creek. Example: OR-974S-001114, Buck. WAL ODF.  T4N R44E Sec 11 NWNW. Courtney Creek Area. 29 Miles North of Enterprise, OR.  .1 Acres.  Unknown Cause.  ODF Stat Fire.  Resources Responded 9/29.  Contained 9/29.  Grass.

Lick Creek and Green Ridge Fire Update – August 3, 2021 8:00 a.m.

 There will be community meeting this Wednesday night at the Dayton Best Western Conf. Room @ 7:30 p.m.

Lick Creek Fire: The Burn Area Emergency Response (BAER) Team assessment will be utilized for forecasting the preparation needs of the areas at greatest risk for runoff and flooding. Continued smoke will be visible as unburned pockets of vegetation inside the fire perimeter are consumed. Crews will continue to mop-up any interior pockets of heat and patrol until full containment is achieved. This fire remains at 90% contained.

Green Ridge Fire: The fire continued backing slowly toward the Tucannon River in the Ladybug Campground area holding within primary containment lines. The night shift focused on patrol and monitoring of the fire edge taking action where needed to accomplish containment. Today’s operations may include firing along the 46 Road that will connect the Edmiston Springs and Spangler Creek sections. Aircraft will be assisting ground resources with retardant and water dropping runs to help minimize potential for additional fire spread, working the strategy of anchor and flanking. It will be warmer today with temperatures in the 70’s along the ridges and 90’s in the valley bottoms. Every effort is being made to protect the numerous values at risk to include Mill Creek Municipal Watershed, plantation reforestation sites, sensitive plants, recreation areas, fisheries, numerous cultural, archaeological, and historic sites, farming, high value agricultural lands, a RAWS site, and a repeater site are also threatened. Secondary control lines continue to be worked by improvement of existing roads, trails, and natural terrain features.

Weather and Smoke Information: It will be warmer today with lower humidity. Afternoon temperatures will reach the mid 70’s over the higher ridges and in the 90’s in the valley bottoms. The humidity’s will generally range from 45 to 50 percent along the ridges and 25 to 30 percent in the valley bottoms. Winds will be light and variable. The region can expect smokey conditions and lower humidity levels. Information is available on Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.

Evacuations: Level II Evacuation Notice issued on July 29th, by Columbia County’s sheriff’s office remains in effect for the area: south of the previous Level I evacuation in Columbia County. The Level II evacuation notice extends east to the forest boundary, including Bald Butte Mountain and south to the Columbia County-Wallowa County state border. The evacuation notice also extends west to the forest boundary and north to Chase Mountain. From Chase Mountain, it extends to Middle Point Trailhead to Midway Campground. Additionally, a Level I evacuation notice remains in effect for the following areas: everywhere north and west of Chase Mountain and Midway Camp in the forest boundary. If you have questions, please call the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office (509-382-1100; or 509-382-2518). The Level 1 evacuation remains in place in Garfield County. If you have questions, please call the Garfield County Emergency Management Director, Tina Meier, or Sheriff Drew Hyer (509-843-3494).

Closures: The Umatilla National Forest will reopen most lands for public entry. Portions of the Pomeroy Ranger District and the Walla Walla Ranger District remain closed. The full order can be seen on Inciweb: https://go.usa.gov/xFXhP

Green Ridge Fire Quick Facts

Start Date: July 7, 2021                     Resources: Cause: Lightning                                 8 Crews Approx. Size: 11,449 acres               28 Engines Containment: 15%                            8 Dozers Total Personnel: 382                         11 Water Tenders 7 Helicopters Location: Green Ridge area, 30 miles east of Walla Walla

Lick Creek Fire Quick Facts

Start Date: July 7, 2021                     Resources: Cause: Lightning                                 1 Crew Containment: 90%                            10 Engines Approx. Size: 80,421 acres               3 Water Tender Total Personnel: 65                           3 Heavy Equip.   Location: Approximately 20 miles SW of Asotin, WA

BMIDC Morning Briefing, Tuesday, August 3, 2021

 

BMIDC MORNING BRIEFING
Tuesday, August 3rd, 2021
BMIDC WEBSITE
8/2 (NEW) INITIAL ATTACK	Fires	Acres
Umatilla National Forest	0	0
Wallowa Whitman National Forest	0	0
Vale/PRD District BLM Baker Area	0	0
NEO Oregon Department of Forestry	0	0
WA DNR Snake River Unit	0	0
BIA Umatilla Agency	0	0
Total	0	0
INCIDENT SUMMARY
Fire Activity 8/2 No New Activity Previously Reported Incidents OR-WWF-000885, Melhorn Butte.  BPFZ. Melhorn Butte Area. 6 Miles North of Halfway, OR. 0.1 Acres. Lightning Caused. Resources Responded 8/1. Grass and Timber. OR-UMF-000745, Elbow Creek. WWRD. Mud Spring Area. 31 Miles SE of Walla Walla, WA. 22,960 Acres. Unknown Cause. 95% Contained. Resources Responded 7/15. OR-UMF-000659, Green Ridge.  PRD.  Green Ridge Area.  30 Miles East of Walla Walla, WA.  11,449 Acres.  Lighting Caused.  Resources Responded 7/7.  15% Contained. Grass and Shrubs. OR-UMF-000658, Lick Creek.  PRD.  Dry Lick Creek Area.  15 Miles SE of Pomeroy, WA.  80,421 Acres.  Lightning Caused.  Resources Responded 7/7.  90% Contained. Grass, Timber and Snags. Dry Gulch has been absorbed by Lick Creek. Example: OR-974S-001114, Buck. WAL ODF.  T4N R44E Sec 11 NWNW. Courtney Creek Area. 29 Miles North of Enterprise, OR.  .1 Acres.  Unknown Cause.  ODF Stat Fire.  Resources Responded 9/29.  Contained 9/29.  Grass.