8/22/2015 Grizzly Bear Complex

Incident Management Teams Assume Command of Fire

Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 4 and the Oregon State Fire Marshal Green Team assumed a unified command of the Grizzly Bear Complex fire on Friday. Firefighting resources including crews, equipment, and structural apparatus are now deployed to the complex, which is burning in both Oregon and Washington. The complex now includes 5 lightning caused fires after some of the original 17 burned together. The fire is currently burning on the Umatilla National Forest and private land protected by the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Oregon Department of Forestry.

Three structure protection task forces mobilized through the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s Office worked in the areas around the Troy and Flora communities during the daytime operational period yesterday and one task force worked during the night.  Crews were optimistic that fire conditions were less severe than yesterday and that fire was still a couple of miles away from Flora. Those task forces will be in the area again today, continuing with structure triage and have coordinated plans in place with wildland crews given the forecasted weather and fire behavior conditions.

An estimated 300-400 structures are scattered throughout the area threatened by the fire. The fire is currently active on all sides. The fire is generally still west of the Grand Ronde River, but moving northeast and down-canyon from Troy. Weather conditions today appear more favorable than in recent days, with lighter winds, though conditions remain dry.

Current evacuation notices include:

Level 3: Troy, Eden Bench, Grouse Flat, and Bartlett. The area North of the Grande Ronde river at Eden Bench and Troy to the state line.  East along the state line to Hwy 129, north through Boggan’s Oasis to Big Butte.

Level 2: An area east of Hwy 129 from the State line north through Boggan’s Oasis to Big Butte. An area within the boundary from the Clearwater Guard Station to Lick Creek Road; from Lick Creek Rd. to Asotin city limits; around Asotin to the Snake River; from the Snake River south to the state line; from the state line west to Highway 129. Flora, Lost Prairie, Redmond Grade northeast to Highway 3

Level 1: City of Asotin, WA

Additional updates will be provided on Facebook and Inciweb later today.