Northwest Interagency Coordination Center: June 2017

Friday, June 30, 2017

6/30/2017 Wildland Fire Minute

Several days of hot, dry weather followed by lightning and thunderstorms led to a significant uptick in fire activity in the PNW.
The largest fires -- totaling 23,500 acres -- are several new starts east of Wenatchee, Washington, to include the Sutherland Canyon Fire, the Straight Hollow Fire and Spartan Fire. A level 3 evacuation is in place for the Palisades Road corridor due to active fire behavior on the Sutherland Canyon Fire. The fires are burning in Sage-grouse habitat on BLM, state and private lands. A type 2 Incident Management Team will assume command of the fires on Thursday.

Much of Oregon also experienced lightning fires, some of which are still burning in Central, South Central and Eastern Oregon. For more information, the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center has a daily morning brief on fire activity on the website:

nwccinfo.blogspot.com.

Firefighters are already busy with lightning fires, so please remember this July 4th that you play an important role in fire prevention. Fireworks and exploding targets are illegal on Forest Service and BLM lands. If you are camping, please ensure your campfire is cool to the touch before leaving it, and “Know Before You Go” if fire restrictions are in place where you plan on recreating.

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.

06/30/2017 Sutherland Canyon, Straight Hollow and Spartan Update

Spartan and Sutherland Canyon Fire Information

Friday June 30, 2017

The fires are located in Chelan, Grant, and Douglas Counties. Ownership includes BLM, state, and private lands, including critical Sage Grouse habitat. Due to more accurate mapping and better visibility for aerial observations, the number of acres burned has been reduced, and it was discovered that the Sutherland Canyon and Straight Hollow fires did not burn together. They did however burn to within ¼ mile of each other. The Incident Command Post was moved to Quincy High School to be closer to the active parts of the wildfires.

Fire: Sutherland Canyon Fire

Containment: 50%

Acres: 29,433

Location: 6 miles NW of Quincy, WA

Total Personnel: 369

Fire: Straight Hollow Fire

Containment: 75%

Acres: 8,458

Location: 11 miles NW of Quincy

Total Personnel: 50

Sutherland Canyon and Straight Hollow fire Summary: Taking advantage of light winds and decreased fire activity, firefighters have been able to make good progress building and securing containment lines. Yesterday, the majority of fire activity occurred on the southwest flank above the steep slopes along Highway 28, where fire managers utilized aircraft and ground personnel to limit fire growth in this area. Today, fire personnel will continue building containment lines to secure the southern portion of the fire. Elsewhere along the fire perimeter, crews will improve existing containment lines and mop up burning debris. The secure areas of the fire will be patrolled, and crews will also begin to repair damage resulting from fire suppression activities. The fires have been staffed with two shifts for 24-hour operations.

Fire: Spartan Fire

Containment: 81%

Acres: 8,730

Location: 9 miles SE of Wenatchee, WA

Total Personnel: 126

Spartan Fire Summary: All containment lines continued to hold with minimal fire activity exhibited. Today crews will patrol the fire and begin repair efforts from fireline suppression activities. The wildfire has been staffed with two shifts for 24-hour operations.

Evacuations: Grant County - All level 2 evacuation notices have been downgraded to level 1. Douglas County - Level 3 evacuations have been downgraded to a level 1 along the Palisades Road corridor beginning at the Highway 28 juncture. Chelan County - All evacuation notifications will be lifted as of 12:00 pm today.

Smoke Impact: With a significant decrease in fire activity and smoke output, no air quality advisories are posted. For more information on smoke and air quality, please visit: wasmoke.blogspot.com

Fire Information:

Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5282

Twitter: twitter.com/SpartanFire2017

Text Message: text “follow SpartanFire2017” to 40404

Fire Information Phone: 541-612-0642

Facebook: facebook.com/SpartanFire2017

#SpartanFire #SutherlandCanyonFire

Spartan and Sutherland Canyon Fire Information

Friday June 30, 2017

Fire: Sutherland Canyon Fire

Containment: 50%

Acres: 29,433

Location: 6 miles NW of Quincy, WA

Total Personnel: 369

Fire: Straight Hollow Fire

Containment: 75%

Acres: 8,458

Location: 11 miles NW of Quincy

Total Personnel: 50

Fire: Spartan Fire

Containment: 81%

Acres: 8,730

Location: 9 miles SE of Wenatchee, WA

Total Personnel: 126

Fire Information:

Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5282

Twitter: twitter.com/SpartanFire2017

Text Message: text “follow SpartanFire2017” to 40404

Fire Information Phone: 541-612-0642

Facebook: facebook.com/SpartanFire2017

#SpartanFire #SutherlandCanyonFire

06/30/2017 Sheep Springs Fire Update

Crews Finish Burnout Operations for Sheep Springs Fire

Firefighter safety remains top priority as crews finalize burn out operations and begin mop up

Sisters –Firefighters are finishing burnout operations today and will begin mop up, extinguishing hot spots and fire along the perimeter. Yesterday, crews were able to successfully complete burnout operations using existing roads to create a containment perimeter. Interior areas will continue to burn producing smoke in the area.

Mop up operations along the perimeter will begin today cleaning up the line. The objective is to secure the lines while maintaining firefighter safety. Fire officials are managing the Sheep Springs Fire for full suppression using existing roads to create containment lines. By using existing roads, fire officials can reduce firefighters’ exposure to overhead hazards.

The Sheep Springs Fire, burning in an area previously burned by the B & B Fire in 2003, is located in an area predominantly covered in snags, which are often structurally weakened and pose a serious hazard for fire personnel. Due to the extremely hazardous nature of the incident’s location, Deschutes National Forest leadership and fire officials are implementing tactics that, most importantly, provide for firefighter and public safety.

There are currently no closures in effect for the Sheep Springs Fire. There will be increased fire traffic in the Metolius Basin area and around the town of Sisters. Bridge 99 along the Metolius River may be used as a dip site for helicopters should water drops become necessary. Access to roads around the fire perimeter may be limited on Friday during burnout operations.

A local Type 3 Incident Management Team took command of the fire on Tuesday morning. Current resources include 1 hotshot crew, 2 dozers, 2 Type-2 initial attack crews, 2 Type-2 handcrews, 2 water tenders, falling bosses and miscellaneous overhead.

The fire, a result of two lightning-struck trees, is burning approximately 20 miles north of Sisters in the Brush Creek drainage less than a mile northeast of Sheep Springs Campground and roughly a half mile west of Forest Road 12. The fire is approximately 406 acres and will continue to grow as fire continues to progress interior of the fire perimeter.

For up-to-the-minute wildfire information, follow us on Twitter @CentralORFire or follow our blog http://centralorfireinfo.blogspot.com.

-End-

6/30/2017 NWCC Morning Brief

Morning Brief

Date/Time Stamp: Friday, Jun 30, 2017, 07:05

Northwest Activity Summary

Continued mild trend on the west side with no precipitation. Seasonally warm conditions on the east side with good humidity recovery. No lightning in the Region. Initial attack activity was very light with minimal acreage. Wenatchee area fires with IMT2 assigned had minimal fire behavior with increased containment on most perimeters. Burn out efforts on Sheep Springs Fire increased acreage. Other large fire reported increases in containment.

Preparedness Levels

Current:

Northwest	2 (6/25)
National	3 (6/28)

Northwest PL Forecast

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

Northwest Fire Activity
Large Fire Summary
New large fires: 0
Large fires contained: 0
Uncontained large fires: 7 (OR: 3, WA: 4)

New Fires and Acres 13 fires for 4 acres 27,191 acres growth on existing large fires
OR: 9 fires for 3 acres
WA: 4 fires for 1 acres

Northwest IMT Activity
NIMOs committed: 0
Type 1 IMTs committed: 0
Type 2 IMTs committed: 1

National Fire Activity
Initial attack activity: Light (136 new fires)
New large incidents: 10
Large fires contained: 5
Uncontained large fires: 29

National IMT Activity
Area Command Teams committed: 1
NIMOs committed: 0
Type 1 IMTs committed: 3
Type 2 IMTs committed: 3

Northwest Current Incident Details

Incidents not Previously Reported: 0

Incidents Previously Reported: 6

Sutherland Canyon WA-SPD-000121. IMT2 (Rabe). 13 mi SE of Wenatchee, WA. Start 6/26. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 29,433 ac. 50% containment. Grass and brush. Moderate fire behavior. Structures threatened. Level 1 evacuation notice in place.

Straight Hollow WA-SPD-000126. IMT2 (Rabe). 12 mi. E of Wenatchee, WA. Start 6/26. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 8,458 acres. 75% containment. Grass and brush. Minimal fire behavior. Level 1 evacuation notice in place. Sage grouse habitat threatened.

Sheep Springs OR-DEF-000341. IMT3. 17 mi. NW of Sisters, OR. Start 6/26. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 750 acres. 50% containment. Timber, heavy dead and down. Moderate fire behavior. No structures threatened. Continued burn out operations planned.

Spartan WA-SES-000120. IMT2 (Rabe). 8 mi. SE of Wenatchee, WA. Start 6/26. Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 8,730 acres. 81% containment. Grass and brush. Minimal fire behavior. Structures threatened. Level 1 evacuation notice in place.

South Wenas WA-WFS-000720 IMT3. 3 mi. S of Selah, WA. Start 6/27. Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 2,846 acres. 80% containment. Grass and brush. Minimal fire behavior. Structures and agriculture threatened. Level 1 evacuation in progress.

Mecca Fire OR-WSC-000001. Start 6/25. 2,400 acres, decrease in acreage due to better mapping. 65% Containment. Grass, brush and juniper. Minimal fire behavior with smoldering in large saw dust pile. Anticipated smoke impacts. No structures threatened.

Northwest Prescribed Fire Information:

Oregon Department of Forestry Burning & Smoke Management: http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/Fire/Pages/Burn.aspx. Snapshot Viewer (for MS Access) is required.
Washington DNR Daily Smoke Management Approvals for Large Burn Silvicultural Prescribed Fires: https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/BurnRequests

Northwest 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

New large fire potential remains at background levels for the time being. Lightning could provide a few new starts over the east slopes of the Cascades and Central Oregon on Friday afternoon then expanding into Northeast Oregon on Saturday. Lightning starts are not expected to be numerous enough to significantly boost the risk of new large fires. Fire danger indices will continue rising, more rapidly east of the Cascades.

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

National Incident Management Situation Report (IMSR): https://www.nifc.gov/nicc/sitreprt.pdf

Other GACC Morning Reports:

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Thursday, June 29, 2017

6/29/2017 NWCC Morning Briefing

Morning Brief

Date/Time Stamp: Thursday, Jun 29, 2017, 07:06

Northwest Activity Summary

Mild on the west side with scattered traces of precipitation. Seasonally warm conditions on the east side. Some lightning was light in NE Washington. Initial attack activity was light. Continued growth on fires in the Wenatchee area while increased containment on other large fires. Type 2 IMT 11, Rabe, assumed command of the Sutherland Canyon Fire at 0600 today. One prescribed fire planned in Eastern Oregon.

Preparedness Levels

Current:

Northwest	2 (6/25)
National	3 (6/28)

Northwest PL Forecast

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

Northwest Fire Activity
Large Fire Summary
New large fires: 0
Large fires contained: 0
Uncontained large fires: 7 (OR: 3, WA: 4)

New Fires and Acres 25 fires for 58 acres 16,016 acres growth on existing large fires
OR: 12 fires for 6 acres
WA: 13 fires for 52 acres

Northwest IMT Activity
NIMOs committed: 0
Type 1 IMTs committed: 0
Type 2 IMTs committed: 1

National Fire Activity
Initial attack activity: Light (162 new fires)
New large incidents: 9
Large fires contained: 4
Uncontained large fires: 27

National IMT Activity
Area Command Teams committed: 1
NIMOs committed: 0
Type 1 IMTs committed: 4
Type 2 IMTs committed: 2

Northwest Current Incident Details

Incidents not Previously Reported: 0

Incidents Previously Reported: 9

Sutherland Canyon WA-SPD-000121. IMT3. 13 mi SE of Wenatchee, WA. Start 6/26. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 15,000 ac. 10% containment. Grass and brush. Active fire behavior. Structures threatened. Level 3 evacuation in progress. IMT2 (Rabe) assume command 6/29 0600.

Spartan WA-SES-000120. IMT3. 8 mi. SE of Wenatchee, WA. Start 6/26. Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 1,800 acres. 30% containment. Grass and brush. Moderate fire behavior. Structures threatened. Level 2 evacuation notice in place.

Straight Hollow WA-SPD-000126. IMT3. 12 mi. E of Wenatchee, WA. Start 6/26. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 7,000 acres. 15% containment. Grass and brush. Extreme fire behavior. Level 3 evacuation in progress. Special management areas and sensitive plants threatened.

South Wenas WA-WFS-000720 IMT3. 3 mi. S of Selah, WA. Start 6/27. Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 2,806 acres. 29% containment. Grass and brush. Active fire behavior. Structures and agriculture threatened. Level 3 evacuation in progress.

Sheep Springs OR-DEF-000341. IMT3. 17 mi. NW of Sisters, OR. Start 6/26. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 20 acres. 0% containment. Timber, heavy dead and down. Moderate fire behavior. No structures threatened. Burn out operations planned.

Oak Springs 0326 RN OR-PRD-000326. ICT3. 1 mi N of Maupin, OR. Start 6/24. Full Suppression. Cause: Human. 375 acres. 90% containment. Brush and grass. Minimal fire behavior. No structures threatened. No new information. Last report unless significant activity occurs.

Mecca Fire OR-WSC-000001. Start 6/25. 2,417 acres, increase in acreage due to better mapping. 80% Containment. Grass, brush and juniper. Minimal fire behavior. No structures threatened. Last report unless significant activity occurs.

Gerber Flat OR-LAD-000194. ICT4. 30 mi E of Klamath Falls, OR. Start 6/26. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 194 acres, reduction in acres due to more accurate mapping. 52% containment. Grass and brush. Minimal fire behavior. Cultural resources threatened. No new information. Last report unless significant activity occurs.

Horse Cross OR-VAD-000053. ICT3. 15 mi W of Rome, OR. Start 6/26. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 6,650 acres. 100% containment. Brush and short grass. Minimal fire behavior. Sage-grouse habitat and special management areas threatened. Last report unless significant activity occurs.