PNW Area Situation

8/07/05 0730Hrs

Pendleton Fire Weather has issued...FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL SUNDAY EVENING FOR POSSIBLE DRY LIGHTNING WITH HOT AND VERY DRY CONDITIONS FOR THE SOUTH PART OF ZONE 632...SOUTH PORTION OF ZONE 633...ZONE 634...635 AND 638. THIS INCLUDES ALL DISTRICTS OF THE WALLOWA AND WHITMAN NATIONAL FORESTS...THE HEPPNER AND NORTH FORK RANGER DISTRICTS OF THE UMATILLA NATIONAL FOREST (ALL AREAS SOUTH OF THE WASHINGTON BORDER)...ALL THE DISTRICTS OF THE MALHEUR NATIONAL FORESTS. ALSO INCLUDED IS THE BLM VALE...BURNS...BAKER DISTRICTS AND THE OREGON DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY - NORTHEAST OREGON DISTRICT...BAKER UNIT...AND THE WALLOWA UNIT. THE WATCH AREA DOES NOT INCLUDE THE WASHINGTON PORTION OF THE UMATILLA NATIONAL FOREST...

New Suppression on 08/06/05: Moderate to heavy IA in the PNW. Lightning activity was centered on Southeastern and Northeastern Oregon, and most of it was reported as being dry which is also forecast for today. Counting in late fires from 8/5, some sixty-eight new fires reported on 8/6 for 2,246 acres. Existing large fires added another 7,423 acres for a total of 9,669 acres. On 8/6, the largest new fire was the Burnt Bread Fire in Northeastern Washington. Some medium sized fires also occurred today, including a 295 acre fire in grass and brush on the southern portion of the Colville Agency near the Columbia River. A 100+ acre fire occurred on private and DNR lands near Tampico, WA west of Yakima, WA. The fire was near the North Fork of the Ahtunum Creek on Sedge Ridge. Both fires were close to containment and no structures were damaged or lost.

Initial Attack Summary:

OR-NOC 24 new starts for 151 acres. Most of the new starts have been kept small and are staffed and contained. Three fires on the North End of the WWF are troublesome, with two at about 40-60 acres, and could become real problems tomorrow afternoon under the continued thermal trough conditions. OR-VAD 9 new starts for 40 acres, one fire of 30 acres south of Vale, but so far no anticipated problems. Assisted NOC with some starts south of Baker City, all remained small so far. OR-MAF 8 new starts for 5 acres, six fires are staffed and two wilderness area fires are unstaffed. One fire in the South Strawberry Mts. Area is presently in good shape at 1 acre but has potential. OR-BIC 4 new starts late in the evening of 8/6. No anticipated problems at this time OR-LFC Including late starts of 8/5, LFC has had 16 new starts, with the Fremont NF receiving the lion’s share of the activity. No problems are anticipated. The one large start, the Benjamin Lake Fire, appeared to be in good shape at approx. 250 acres. This fire is 41 miles northeast of Summer Lake OR.

New Large Fires:

WA-NES-177 Burnt Bread Fire 1,500 acres 0% containment This fire is burning in timber, grass and brush, approximately 17 miles east/southeast of Tonasket, WA above the Aeneas Valley. The fire reportedly began and spread rapidly in the aftermath of a structure fire, and moved upslope and to the east/northeast. At this point DNR resources are on scene, and heavy airtankers and DNR helicopters with buckets worked on this fire most of the afternoon. A Washington Incident Management Team (Johnson/Barrett) has been ordered at this point.

Ongoing Suppression :

WA-UMF-130 School Fire Variously estimated at between 7,000 and 20,000 ac. 0% containment This fire is burning in timber with grass and brush understory. The fire is located approx. 17 miles south/southwest of Pomeroy, WA. The fire blew up exhibiting a very large convection column visible from as far away as La Grande, OR, this afternoon at approximately 1545 hours, just as the Holloway Type 2 team was finishing it’s transition with the Type 3 IA organization. Extreme Fire behavior was observed particularly within the lower Tucannon River Canyon near the Fish Hatchery. The main access road had to be closed just below the Fish Hatchery. Firefighters had to evacuate Camp Wooten and the Tucannon Guard Station. Three Campgrounds were also evacuated today. About 120 residences are threatened in the Tucannon and Rose Springs areas. The PNW National Type 1 Team (Team 3 Anderson IC) has comitted. 271 personnel assigned.

Dirty Face Fire WA-SES-365 – 1,075 acres 50% contained This fire is burning on the north shore of Lake Wenatchee, approximately 18 miles northwest of Leavenworth, WA. The human-caused fire burned from private land to DNR protected lands and on to national forest. Numerous residences in multiple subdivisions, campgrounds, State Park, and commercial property remain threatened. The Level 3 Evacuation notice for 75 residences in and around the Whispering Pines subdivision has been reduced to a Level 2 as of 0600 on August 3. A level 1 Evacuation notice remains in effect for an additional 100 residences. There is also an Area Closure surrounding the fire area. On 8/06: A very calm day with some occasional torching and backing downslope. Spot fires have all been contained. Crews continued to hold and secure lines in the Whispering Pines Subdivision. Line construction on the north flank of the fire and on the 8/4 slop-over continue. Washington Incident Management Team (Furlong/Gormley) is committed. 658 personnel assigned.

Lick Creek WA-SES-392 870 acres 10% containment This fire is burning in heavy logging slash, timber, and brush and grass under-story, eight miles north of Cle Elum, WA. On 8/06: A morning inversion over the fire broke at about 1100 hours. Fire intensity increased and the fire eventually moved through a gap in the dozer line on the northern flank of the fire. The fire now continues to move to the NE. towards the Teanaway River. A Level 1 Evacuation Notice has been issued to homeowners in the N. Fork of the Teanaway River locale. 390 personnel assigned.

Blossom Complex OR-SIF-011 1,963 acres 30% containment This complex consists of three fires. They are the Blossom Fire 1118 ac, the Solitude Fire 128 ac, and the Huggins Fire 8 ac. All of the fires are burning in the Wild Rogue Wilderness approximately 25 miles NE of Gold Beach, OR. Approximately 16 lodges and residences are spread along the Rouge River, with 24 outbuildings, are threatened by the fires. Major problems and concerns include inaccessible terrain, cliffs, rolling materials, the potential to close Rogue River to rafting, and the potential threat to lodges and residences along Rogue River. On 8/06: The Blossom Fire increased by 28 acres. Containment lines held on 8/6. A burnout on the North Flank began, and more burnouts are planned for the next 5 to 7 days weather permitting. A Type 2 Incident management Team (Paul) is committed. 640 personnel assigned.

OR-WWF-922 Mule Peak Fire 1,150 acres 25 % contained This fire is burning in timber with brush and grass under-story approximately 20 miles southeast of La Grande, OR.. A Type 2 Incident Management team (West) has been committed. The fire is in very steep country with heavy subalpine fuels which will continue to hamper containment efforts. There is limited access for the wilderness portion of the fire. The long term weather forecast indicates continued hot and dry conditions with low relative humidity. Significant events on 8/6 revolved around implementing a lightning protection plan for the numerous crews spiked out on portions of the fire. Also IA capability was assessed due to increasing threat of thunderstorms in the immediate area. 604 personnel assigned.

CountCrews DOD DOL FEMA FWS NPS State USFS BIA Crews BLM Crews Total Crews Crews Crews Crews Crews Crews Crews Crews 11 11 0 0 0 0 4 77 68 171 CountAircaft BLM DOD FEMA FWS NPS State USFS Total BIA Aircraft Aircraft Aircraft Aircraft Aircraft Aircraft Aircraft Aircraft Aircraft 3 13 0 0 0 0 32 61 109 CountOverhead BLM DOD DOL FEMA FWS NPS State USFS Total BIA Overhead Overhead Overhead Overhead Overhead Overhead Overhead Overhead Overhead Overhead 22 130 0 0 0 17 52 293 802 1316