Northwest Interagency Coordination Center: 7/26/2015 NWCC Large Fire Morning Brief

Morning Brief
Date/Time Stamp: Sunday, July 26, 2015 – 0700 hrs.

Activity Summary
In the Northwest:

Lightning in northeast Oregon and northeast Washington. Moderate precipitation in western Washington and Northwest Oregon with widely scattered light precipitation and gusty winds in other areas. Light initial attack throughout the geographic area. No growth on the Blue Creek fire, moderate growth on the Oak Canyon 0451 RN fire with minimal growth reported on other existing large fires.

Preparedness Levels

Current:

Northwest	2 (no change)
National	2 (no change)

Northwest PL Forecast:

2	3	3
3-day	10-day	30-day

Northwest Fire Activity

Large Fire Summary

New large fires: 0

Large fires contained: 0

Uncontained large fires: 8 (OR: 3, WA: 5)

New Fires and Acres: 16 fires for 50 acres
(531 acres growth on existing large fires)
OR: 11 fires for 22 acres
WA: 5 fires for 28 acres

Northwest IMT Activity

Area Command Teams committed: 0
NIMOs committed: 0
Type 1 IMTs committed: 0
Type 2 IMTs committed: 2

National Fire Activity

Initial attack activity: Light (115 new fires)
New large incidents: 4
Large fires contained: 2
Uncontained large fires: 13

National IMT Activity

Area Command Teams committed: 0
NIMOs committed: 0
Type 1 IMTs committed: 3
Type 2 IMTs committed: 6

Current Incident Details

Incidents not Previously-Reported: 0

Incidents Previously-Reported: 8

Blue Creek WA-SES-000653. IMT2. WA Team 1 (Ciraulo/Jennings). 10 miles E of Walla Walla, WA. Start 7/20. Full Suppression. Timber, grass. Cause: Unknown. 6,225 acres (+0). 35% containment. Moderate fire behavior with creeping, flanking and smoldering. Structures lost and more threatened. Evacuations, road, area and trail closures in effect. City of Walla Walla Watershed and Blue Wood Ski area threatened.

North Boulder 2 WA-COF-000867. IMT2. WA Team 2 (Rabe). Start 7/20. Full Suppression. Timber. Cause: Lightning. 158 acres (+0). 0% containment. Steep terrain and heavy fuels. Minimal fire behavior. North Boulder 2 and Kettle North Complex in the same vicinity. Kettle North Complex to remain under separate management by in-place IMT3. Kettle North Complex (5 fires) WA-COF-000900. IMT3. 19 miles NW of Kettle Falls, WA. Start 7/21. Full Suppression. Timber. Cause: Unknown. Largest fire 12 acres (+0). 95% containment. Minimal fire behavior.

Oak Canyon 0451 RNOR-PRD-000451. IMT3. Previously reported as 0451 RN. 9 miles SE of Dufur, OR. Start 7/24. Full Suppression. Grass, brush. Cause: Human. 930 acres (+530). 60% containment. Moderate fire behavior with backing and smoldering. High use campgrounds and day use areas threatened.

Hatch Grade WA-WFS-000071. IMT4. 19 miles SE of Kennewick, WA. Start 7/24. Full Suppression. Grass. Cause: Unknown. 600 acres (+0). 0 % containment. Active fire behavior. Values at risk; residences and wind turbines. Dozer and hand lines are being established. No new information.

Rye OR-974S-000681. IMT3. 38 miles N of Enterprise, OR. Start 7/23. Full Suppression. Grass, brush. Cause: Lightning. 763 acres (+0). 20% containment. Active fire behavior with uphill runs, flanking and backing. Threats to timber, grazing lands, ranch infrastructure, natural and cultural resources.No new information.

Wildhorse WA-OWF-000498. IMT3. 4 miles SW of Oroville, WA. Start 7/20. Full Suppression. Grass, brush. Cause: Lightning. 163 acres (+1). 60% containment. Minimal fire behavior. Area and trail closures in effect.

Newby Lake Long Draw WA-NES-000801 (Previously reported as Newby Lake WA-OWF-000337). ICT3. 23 miles NW of Oroville, WA. Start 7/02. Confine/Full Suppression. Timber. Cause: Lightning. 5,065 acres. (+0). 95% containment. Minimal fire behavior. No new information.

Corner Creek OR-OCF-000297. IMT4. 11 miles S of Dayville OR. Start 6/29. Full Suppression. Brush, grass, timber. Cause: Lightning. 29,660 acres (+0). 95% containment. Minimal fire behavior. Patrol and mop up operations ongoing. Last report on morning briefing unless significant activity occurs.

Other Fires of Interest: 1

Addy-Gifford WA-NES-000906. IMT3. 20 miles W of Chewelah, WA. Start 7/23. Full Suppression. Timber, grass. Cause: Human. 83 acres (-7). 75% containment. Minimal fire behavior. Few residences and structures threatened.Not tallied in “large fire” count.

NW Fires Utilizing Monitor, Confine, Point Zone Protection Suppression Strategies (YTD) (link)

Lists fires (of any size) that singly utilize Monitor, Confine, or Point Zone Protection suppression strategies, or use Multiple Suppression Strategies (which may also include a Full Suppression component).

Northwest Fire Potential Summary:

An upper trough will continue to produce showers, cooler temperatures, higher RH, and breezy winds across the region today. Showers increase in coverage across the region. Northwest Oregon, western and northern Washington, and the higher terrain will still be favored for coverage and higher rainfall amounts. Showers will continue through parts of eastern Washington and Oregon on Monday. Some lightning will be embedded in the shower activity today and tomorrow, but IA and large fire potential remains low through Monday due to cooler temperatures and the increase of moisture. After the upper trough exits the region on Monday, a warming and drying trend emerges as a ridge builds in from the south. Fire potential increases next week due to warmer temperatures, lower RH, offshore flow, and the presence of the thermal trough.

More info, see NW 7-Day Significant Fire Potential Forecast, and National 7-Day Significant Fire Potential Forecast