8/9/2016 Wildland Fire Minute

Fire crews on the eastern side of the geographic area were busy Sunday responding to initial attack fires after widespread lightning occurred on the east side of the Cascades. In all, the region saw 52 new fires for 18,389 acres.

The region currently has 13 uncontained large fires burning, covering 230,000 acres. The most significant active fires include the Rail Fire on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest, and four new fires on the Vale District that are all threatening Greater-Sage Grouse habitat. Washington State also has four large fires burning, primarily between Walla Walla and the Colville Nation. The weather is moderating this week with cooler temperatures and damper weather, even the chance of heavy thunderstorms in Washington. 

As tempting as it may be to get a bird’s eye view of an active fire, we remind you that flying a drone over a wildfire is illegal and dangerous. Remember, if you fly, we can’t. The most recent incursion was Sunday on the Fletcher Road Fire north of Walla Walla.

To learn more about the latest wildland fire conditions in the Pacific Northwest head on over to: http://gacc.nifc.gov/nwcc/

Video by Michael Campbell, BLM -- Graphics by Matt Christenson, BLM – Featuring Traci Weaver, BLM/U.S. Forest Service – Photo, Wildland Firefighter Foundation: https://wffoundation.org/