7/31/2020 NWCC Morning Brief

7/30/2020 Anglin & Green Fire Update

The Anglin Fire – Crews completed their last night shift last night after working to patrol the fire line. Firefighters will work on hot spots and rehab items such as fencing and gates that were damaged from the fire or used for initial attack operations. Today some crews will start the demobilization process and head to another fire or back to their respective jurisdiction.  The Anglin fire has a line around it and once those lines are 100% secured and adequate distance in from the line has been secured the containment numbers will rise. At this time the fire is 80% contained and all evacuation levels have been lifted. Fire crews once again will work in high heat and low humidity.

The Green Fire – Overnight crews continued mop up operations and repairing areas effected by suppression efforts. Most of the hot spots have been extinguished and crews today will do some final securing of the fire lines. All evacuation levels have now been lifted. The Green fire is 100% contained at this time.

Both fires started on Monday afternoon and quickly spread due to high temperatures, winds and low relative humidity.  Firefighters from Okanogan County, Washington State Department of Natural Resources and numerous federal, state and local agencies responded to these fast-moving fires.

Residents should expect to see smoke from the interior of the fires over the next few days. Firefighters are closely monitoring these areas.

A weather front is expected this evening that has a potential of dry lightning across the northern districts.

For current evacuation orders please see www.Okanogandem.org . Click on the incidents tab and locate the specific incident.  The Red Cross responded to assist affected residents. There are no firefighter injuries reported at this time.

7/30/2020 NE Oregon Fire Update

7/30/2020 Greenhouse Fire Update

7/30/2020 Matlock Fire Update

This morning, the Northeast Oregon Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Gabe Hale, took charge of the 85-acre Matlock Fire, burning in timber on the Umatilla National Forest 13.5 miles northwest of Ukiah, Oregon. The fire was sparked by lightning on July 28; hot, dry conditions, along with gusty winds, initially pushed the fire northward along Matlock Hill. The fire was detected through an Oregon Department of Forestry camera on Black Mountain. Yesterday, with the aid of retardant-dropping large air tankers, firefighters were able to check the fire’s growth and begin establishing containment lines. The Matlock Fire is now 40% contained.

Today, firefighters on the ground are continuing to construct containment lines along each flank and across the head of the fire, supported by water-dropping helicopters to cool and slow hot spots. Several small spot fires are being encircled by dozers. In some areas, mop-up has begun – firefighters are meticulously searching the burned area to extinguish any pockets of heat which might remain.

Incident Commander Hale’s goals include stopping the progression of the Matlock Fire before any private lands are burned, and protecting natural and cultural resource values in the area. Firefighting resources assigned include three Interagency Hotshot Crews, one Type 2 handcrew, seven Type 6 engines, seven water tenders, three dozers, and two feller-buncher/skidder teams. Aerial support includes two Type 1, two Type 2, and one Type 3 helicopter.

Hot and dry weather, along with the threat of additional thunderstorms, are predicted today, which could result in increasing fire behavior. Firefighters are taking precautions to prevent transmission of coronavirus. Information is being provided virtually, crew camping areas are dispersed, and resources are being kept apart to the extent possible.

To protect public and firefighter safety, a Closure Order is in effect for several roads in the vicinity of the Matlock Fire. The Closure Order and map can be viewed on the Matlock Fire InciWeb site athttp://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6896.

7/30/2020 NWCC Morning Brief

7/29/2020 Anglin & Green Fire Update

Tonasket, WA – The Anglin Fire - Firefighting efforts today will focus on keeping the fire contained within the established footprint, mopping up 50’ in from perimeter, and 300’ around structures. Aircraft will continue to work over the fire today to help extinguish hot spots and hard to reach areas.  The Anglin fire is currently 50% contained.  Level 3 evacuation orders have been removed. A level 2 evacuation order will remain in place for Rehmke Rd. south of Siwash Rd. and all roads connecting to Rehmke Rd. Level 1 evacuations are still in place for the Cayuse and Island Mtn. areas. All power has been restored. The fire started on Monday afternoon and quickly spread due to high temperatures, winds and low relative humidity.  Firefighters from Okanogan County, Washington State Department of Natural Resources and numerous federal, state and local agencies responded to this fast-moving fire.

The Green Fire - Firefighters from across the region continue to make progress on the fire. Today crews will continue mop up operations and repairing areas effected by suppression efforts. The Green fire is 90% contained and remains under a level 1 evacuation order. Firefighters from Okanogan County, Washington State Department of Natural Resources and numerous federal, state and local agencies responded to the fire.

Residents should expect to see smoke from the interior of the fires over the next several days. Firefighters are closely monitoring these areas.

A thunderstorm threat will continue through the day on Thursday with the potential for dry lightning across all northern fire districts.

For current evacuation orders please see www.Okanogandem.org . Click on the incidents tab and locate the specific incident.  The Red Cross is currently coordinating with evacuated residents. There were no firefighter injuries reported at this time.

Fire information and the incident command post is located at the Tonasket High School in Tonasket, WA.  Fire information contact is Jeff Sevigney at (509) 993-2946 or you can also follow us on Facebook @NEWIMT3, and Inciweb @ https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6893/

7/29/2020 NW Lightning Map

7/29/2020 Matlock Fire Update

7/29/2020 Greenhouse Fire Update

7/29/2020 Greenhouse Fire Map

7/29/2020 NWCC Morning Brief

7/28/2020 Greenhouse Fire Update

7/28/2020 OR/WA Lightning Map

7/28/2020 Ben Young Fire Update

7/28/2020 NWCC Morning Brief

7/27/2020 Greenhouse Fire Update

7/27/2020 Greenhouse Fire Map

7/27/2020 Ben Young Fire Update

7/27/2020 Ben Young Fire Map

7/27/2020 NWCC Morning Brief

7/26/2020 Greenhouse Fire Update

7/26/2020 Ben Young Fire Update

7/26/2020 Ben Young Fire Map

7/26/2020 NWCC Morning Brief

7/25/2020 Greenhouse Fire Update

7/25/2020 Ben Young Fire Update

7/25/2020 Ben Young Fire Map

7/25/2020 NWCC Morning Brief

7/24/2020 Greenhouse Fire PM Update

7/24/2020 Greenhouse Fire Update

7/24/2020 OR/WA Lightning Map

7/24/2020 Ben Young Fire Update

7/24/2020 NWCC Morning Brief

7/23/2020 Greenhouse Fire PM Update

7/23/2020 Ben Young Fire AM Update

7/23/2020 OR/WA Lightning Map

7/23/2020 NWCC Morning Brief

7/22/2020 Ben Young Fire Update

The #BenYoungFire is currently burning on the Paisley Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service - Fremont-Winema National Forest approximately 10 miles south of Paisley.

The fire was discovered yesterday at 12:56 p.m. on private lands and moved onto the National Forest late yesterday afternoon. The cause is under investigation.

This morning it is estimated that the fire is between 1,200 and 1,500 acres and there is no containment. One private cabin in the area is threatened. Fire behavior is moderate with some torching.
Currently there is a local Type 3 Incident Management Team assigned to the Ben Young Fire. A Type 2 Incident Management Team is scheduled to begin transitioning onto the fire today at 5 p.m.

Resources from multiple agencies are working on the fire, including
Oregon Department of Forestry, U.S. Forest Service, and Bureau of Land Management. This includes multiple engines, a dozer, helicopters, air attack, a lead plane, three heavy air tankers and three single engine air tankers. More firefighting resources are ordered.

While the fire is currently burning on National Forest System lands, there is a possibility it will burn onto BLM and additional private lands. Both ODF and BLM are engaged and monitoring the fire’s movement.

There is a Red Flag Warning in effect from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. today for abundant lightning on dry fuels in the area, including over the Ben Young Fire. Fire officials will be closely monitoring those conditions and their potential effect on the fire. #FireYear2020

Picture from Morgan Butte Lookout and Round Mountain Repeater Site.

7/22/2020 Bertschi Road Fire Update

Bertschi Road Fire Update - July 22

The Bertschi Road Fire is burning south of Conboy Wildlife Refuge and north of Snowden Road, south of the town of Glenwood, WA. The fire started on July 16 and its cause remains under investigation.  As  crews begin to make better progress on the fire, the number of personnel needed for the incident is evaluated. The fire organization managing the fire is rightsizing and excess resources are being made available for other fires. Approximately 312 personnel are currently assigned to the fire, which is nearly 80% contained. Resources include hand crews, helicopters, engines, dozers, and water tenders.

Hand held infra-red devices, used to detect heat, continue to be utilized within the perimeter of the fire footprint. Today, crews will focus on mopping up any areas of remaining heat near the edge of the fire. In some areas around the perimeter, up to 300 feet of mop up has been achieved.

Yesterday, fire managers welcomed researchers from the University of Washington in Partnership with the Vulcan Group, a privately held company founded by former Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, to the Bertschi Road Fire camp. Their mission is to learn about the different challenges wildland firefighters face on the fire lines in order to find solutions using new technologies.

Our highest priority remains the safety of the public and all wildland fire personnel. Practical mitigation measures on the Bertschi Road Fire to support social distancing include: transitioning as many basecamp administrative functions as possible to virtual or telework status and designing smaller spike camps populated with fewer firefighters. Guidance provided by the host agencies and CDC on the use of facemasks in camp and elsewhere, when social distancing cannot be achieved, utilizing temporary facilities for crew quarters and staging for initial attack, continues to be followed.

A dry cold front passage will bring warm and breezy conditions, along with elevated fire potential. High temperatures are expected to be 81 degrees and relative humidity at 35 percent. The winds associated with the front are expected to test established containment lines. Fire danger remains high and the public is encouraged to remain vigilant to reduce the number of vehicle and equipment caused fires across the state. For more information, visit http://readyforwildfire.org.

The Temporary Flight Restriction over the Bertschi Road Fire has been lifted.

The Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 10 would like to acknowledge the support and cooperation of the community of Glenwood, Glenwood School, Klickitat County fire districts and local fire districts.

7/22/2020 Red Flag Warning & Thunderstorms Today

Isolated to scattered thunderstorms are expected over portions of the area today, most numerous and of most concern this afternoon and evening. These storms will have the ability to produce cloud to ground lightning, locally heavy rainfall of a half an inch to one inch, strong outflow wind gusts, and small hail. When thunder roars, go indoors! Go inside a house, car or sturdy building during thunderstorms. Do not seek shelter under trees and stay away from water and/or metal objects. Since many areas where thunderstorms are expected are very dry, abundant lightning on dry fuels is very likely to start some wildfires that could grow rapidly, especially in areas where gusty outflow winds occur.