7/31/2015 - Stouts Creek Fire Evacuation Update - Upper Cow Creek Road

Incident: Stouts Fire Wildfire
Released: 34 min. ago
Stouts Fire Update - Douglas County Sheriff's Office has issued a LEVEL 3 EVACUATION for residents in the Azalea area from Upper Cow Creek to Snow Creek East. There is a LEVEL 2 EVACUATION for residents near the Galesville Dam up to Snow Creek.
LEVEL 3 - LEAVE IMMEDIATELY! Danger to your area is current or imminent, and you should evacuate immediately. If you choose to ignore this advisement, you must understand that emergency services may not be available to assist you further.
LEVEL 2 - YOU MUST PREPARE TO LEAVE AT A MOMENT’S NOTICE. This level indicates there is significant danger to your area, and residents should either voluntarily relocate to a shelter or with family/friends outside of the affected area, or if choosing to remain, to be ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
Residents MAY have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at their own risk.
Red Cross has set up a shelter for those affected by the Stouts Fire. The shelter is located at Canyonville Elementary, 124 N. Main, Canyonville.

7/31/2015 NWCC Large Fire Snapshot

7/31/2015 North Boulder 2 Update

Final Update

North Boulder 2 Fire

July 31, 2015 –  Noon

Fire Information: (509) 738-7018 (After 8:00 pm please call (509) 684-7000)      

Email: NorthBoulder2Fire@gmail.com

Website:  www.inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4411/

The North Boulder 2 fire is located 3 ½ miles southwest of the town of Orient, Washington on the Colville National Forest. The lightning caused fire is burning in heavy mixed conifer with a large amount of standing dead and down trees and in abundant surface fuels. Approximately 280 firefighter personnel are assigned and the fire is now 35 percent contained. Three injuries have been reported on the fire.

The North Boulder 2 fire has now burned 210 acres. Successful burnout operations yesterday contributed to the additional growth of the fire. Fire crews will be conducting another day of burnout operations as conditions allow. Helicopter bucket work is being conducted on the fire in support of burnout operations, and will be made available for fire starts as needed.  As the day becomes hotter and drier, fire behavior will increase and smoke may be visible from the highway and in the Boulder Creek drainage. The indirect fire line is now complete and many of the resources working on that portion of the fire are demobilizing.

The Stephens Nevada Type 3 Team is expected to transition with WA Incident Management Team 2 (WAIMT2) on Saturday and take command of the fire at 6:00 am on Sunday morning. A taskforce of resources remaining with the incoming team are embedded with WAIMT2 making for a smooth transition.

Visitors and residents are urged to use caution and reduce their speed on the Boulder Creek Road (Ferry County 602) in the fire area, and along Hwy 395, as fire traffic has increased congestion in the area.

Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 2 (WA IMT2) would like to thank the public for their support during the North Boulder 2 fire. Fire danger remains extremely high across the state. Be sure to check with your local fire agencies for restrictions and for forest and state closures.

Beginning Saturday, August 31, the phones will be turned over to the local unit. For further information on the North Boulder 2 fire, contact (509) 684-7000.

7/31/2015 Stouts Fire AM Update

The Stouts fire actively burned late into the night, moving in a southeast direction from the point of origin before laying down in the early morning hours. Firefighters assigned to the fire last night focused their efforts on opening access roads to the fire and anchoring into the heel of the fire to being constructing fire line. Approximately 450 firefighters are on scene of the Stouts Fire today and will continue working where night shift left off. Fire activity is expected to increase throughout the day today as hot, dry weather is once again forecasted for the area. Due to predicted weather conditions, the National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the Umpqua Basin. The fire is currently estimated at 6,000 acres and the cause of fire is currently under investigation.

Last night, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office issued a Level 3 (GO) evacuation notice for homes on Stouts Creek Road, Ferguson Lane, and Conley Lane. A Level 1 (READY) evacuation notice was issued for all homes on Upper Cow Creek, east of Snow Creek Road. A Red Cross Shelter was opened at the Canyonville Elementary School, located at 124 N. Main Street in Canyonville.

The Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1 arrived at the Stouts Fire this morning and has been briefed by the Douglas Forest Protective Association. ODF IMT 1 is scheduled to assume command of the fire later this morning. The Incident Command Post for the Stouts Fire will be located at Days Creek Charter School.

An Inciweb site has been created for the Stouts Fire: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4426/
Information about the Stouts Fire will also be posted to DFPA’s social media accounts.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DouglasForestProtectiveAssociation
Twitter: https://twitter.com/douglasfpa

7/31/2015 Blue Creek Fire AM Update

FIRE STATUS  

Acres Burned: 6,004 acres

Cause:  Human – Under Investigation 

Structures Destroyed:  1 primary, 11 outbuildings 

Closures: Local roads 

Evacuations: Level 1

Containment:  95%  
Total personnel:  200
Injuries: 11
 

RESOURCES

Crews:  5

Engines: 15

Dozers: 3

Water Tenders: 4

Helicopters: 2

Transition: Today the type 3 incident management organization assumed responsibility for the Blue Creek Fire. This smaller organization of about 20 managers and support staff will guide the fire fighters through the weekend and into next week. The transition was made possible by the tremendous suppression efforts accomplished over the past 10 days by local fire district personnel, Washington Incident Management Team 1 and the many visiting fire fighters who worked the lines both day and night. The threat to the Mill Creek Watershed, homes and cabins in the area and adjacent land owners has been reduced significantly so that fewer resources are needed to meet fire suppression objectives.

Current Situation:  Fire personnel will continue to mop up, patrol and monitor. Smoke will be visible and possibly even open flame during the night within the interior of the fire until significant rainfall occurs. Motorists in the area are asked to drive cautiously and watch for firefighters and apparatus both day and night. Two helicopters remain available as needed; all others have been released to assist other incidents.  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4401/ will be updated until

the Type 3 team departs.

Fire Prevention: Fire science research and case studies reveal that it is not where a home is located that necessarily determines risk, but the landscape around it, often referred as the “home ignition zone”. The home ignition zone is designated as the home and its immediate surroundings up to 200 ft. It is quite common to have neighbors whose ignition zone overlaps yours. Buildings that are closer than 100 feet apart can ignite each other if they are in flames. To be most effective, neighbors need to work together and with their local fire service to increase wildfire safety.  For more information, visit www.firewise.org.

Evacuation Information: Blue Creek Road, Klicker Mountain Road and Blacksnake Ridge

Road were lowered to Level 1, meaning residents can return with caution.

Closures: Blue Creek Road and Klicker Mountain Road remain closed. Only local traffic will be allowed past the traffic control point.

Cooperating Agencies: Department of Natural Resources Southeast Region, Walla Walla County Fire District 4, Washington State Patrol, Washington State Fire Marshal, Walla Walla Emergency Management Department, Walla Walla County Sheriff, Columbia County EMD, USDA Forest Service Umatilla National Forest