7/10/2023 Boulder Fire Update

Mt. Hood National Forest

Northwest Team 10

Fire Information: 541-215-6735  

2023.boulder@firenet.gov

www.fs.usda.gov/mthood

 

The Boulder Fire started on July 8th southeast of Mt. Hood on the Barlow Ranger District near Boulder Lake Trailhead. The fire is burning in dead and down debris located in steep, rugged terrain. Local resources from the Mt. Hood National Forest have aggressively been fighting the fire over the last 48 hours with the support of helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Approximately 160 acres have burned, and the cause of the fire is currently under investigation. A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the fire. Resources continue to arrive.

 

Northwest Incident Management Team 10, under the leadership of Incident Commander Alan Lawson, assumed command of the Boulder Fire at 6 a.m. this morning. The team is working closely with fire officials from the Mt. Hood National Forest. Approximately 200 personnel are assigned to the fire in addition to 2 water scoopers and 4 helicopters. Fire crews will spend the day assessing the fire activity, scouting the area looking for potential safety hazards and safe access to and from the fire. Public and firefighter safety is the highest priority on the Boulder Fire.

Evacuations: Boulder Lake Campground, Little Boulder Lake, Bonney Meadows Campground, Badger Lake campground, Camp Windy, and Post Camp campground are under a Level 3 – Go Now evacuation.

• Level 1 - BE READY to evacuate.
• Level 2 - BE SET to evacuate.
• Level 3 - GO NOW!

Weather: Clear skies and winds out of the west with gusts up to 25 mph are forecast over the fire area today.

Closures: Forest Roads 4880, 4881, and 4890 are closed.

Fire Restrictions: Due to hot and dry conditions, campfires are prohibited across the Mt. Hood National Forest. All campfires, charcoal or briquette fires, pellet fires, or any other open fires are prohibited under a Forest Order, including in developed campgrounds. Portable cooking stoves, lanterns, and heating devices using liquefied or bottled fuel, such as propane, are still allowed as they can be instantly switched off. Target shooting is temporarily prohibited because of the risk of wildfire.

Public Safety: Firefighters and heavy equipment are traveling and working on and around the area roadways, including Forest Road 48. You can help keep firefighters and the public safe by driving carefully and avoiding these areas.

Additional Information: Evacuation information is available from the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff.