Boise, Idaho – Wildland fire managers at the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) in Boise, Idaho are mobilizing firefighters from Australia and New Zealand to assist with wildfire suppression efforts in the western United States. Australia and New Zealand have been key partners with the U.S. fire community for more than 50 years and were last mobilized in 2015 when severe fire activity was similar to this year.
The National Multi-Agency Coordinating Group (NMAC) comprised of top fire managers representing the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, the National Park Service, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the USDA Forest Service, the U.S. Fire Administration and the National Association of State Foresters, requested approximately 150 fire managers and specialists. Although final details of the arrangement are being worked out, the contingent from Australia and New Zealand is expected to begin arriving in Boise, Idaho late this week where they will have a one-day orientation before being assigned to assist at yet-to-be determined large fires in the West.
“We are very appreciative of the Australian and New Zealand firefighters for their availability to assist us with our current fire situation,” said Dan Smith, Chair of NMAC. “We currently remain at National Preparedness Level 5, our resources are fully committed and there are no season-ending weather events in the foreseeable forecast. Because of the current level of commitment and forecast, having fire management expertise from Australian and New Zealand with specialized experienced firefighters will be of tremendous help as we continue suppressing ongoing fires.”
The request includes Division Supervisors, Safety Officers, Task Force Leaders, Strike Team Leaders, Heavy Equipment Bosses, Helicopter Managers, Helicopter Crew Members, Structure Protection Specialists and Liaison Officers. Assistance from Australia and New Zealand is a good fit primarily because their fire organizations are very similar to the United States national fire organization in training requirements and structure. These wildland fire management positions have been identified as “unable to fill” through the U.S. dispatch/coordination system on a daily basis in recent weeks.
Large fires are continuing throughout the West, particularly in the Northwest, Northern Rockies, Northern California, Southern California and Great Basin Areas. Approximately 140 uncontained wildfires are currently burning on more than 1.4 million acres in Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, California, Nevada, Utah, Alaska and Arizona.
The National Preparedness Level remains at 5, the highest level, indicating a high level of wildfire activity and a high level of commitment of available wildfire suppression assets, such as firefighters, aircraft, and engines. Weather and fuel conditions are predicted to continue to be conducive to wildfire ignitions and spread for the next few weeks.
In 2015, the last time Australia and New Zealand firefighters assisted the U.S. with wildfire suppression, 68 fire managers and specialist spent 30 days in Oregon and Washington. The time before that was during the 2008 fire season when 45 firefighters from Australia and New Zealand came to the U.S. to assist with efforts for 37 days in California. Prior to that, they have also assisted during the 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2006 fire seasons. U.S. firefighters traveled to Australia to assist with their fire seasons in 2010, 2009, 2007 and in 2003.
In addition to the Australia and New Zealand support, two Canadian Convair 580 airtankers and a lead plane from Saskatchewan are currently assigned to support large fires in the Pacific Northwest. Canada and the United States have a long history of mutual support for fire operations, however at this time Canada has a high level of fire activity to which most of their resources are currently committed.
This page is designed to provide for timely and official fire information about wildland fires across the Pacific Northwest. The information is posted by the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center in partnership with Public Information Officers that work for federal, state and local fire agencies and is drawn from official sources within the wildland fire community.
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
8/1/2018 - Sugar Pine Fire Fact Sheet
10:00 a.m.
Prospect, Oregon – Nineteen fires on the High Cascades Ranger District west of Crater Lake National Park are being managed under the collective name Sugar Pine, which is also the name of one specific fire. Approximately 6,505 acres have burned on all fires combined. The three largest fires are Sugar Pine, Goodview and Round Top.
Yesterday afternoon, when humidity decreased and the winds shifted to down-valley from the NW, the Miles Fire pushed 2 miles along the Flat Creek drainage toward Shell Rock and the Elk Creek Road. This dynamic situation required excellent communication as firefighters, helicopters and equipment from many organizations focused on slowing fire spread and protecting residents and structures.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. the Jackson County Sheriff declared a Level 3 “Go” Evacuation Notification for the upper portions of Elk Creek Road, Sugar Pine Road, and Dodes Creek Road, that had previously been Level 2.
The increased fire behavior was associated with increased airflow, smoke lifting, and relative humidity levels dropping from 35% to 20% in less than an hour.
Today, firefighters are focused on evaluating whether the current location of the Miles Fire will allow tying fire containment lines near the houses back into a containment line running from Flat Creek to the powerlines north of Miller Mountain. Point protection near homes will be evaluated and improved throughout the day.
At the same time, there are multiple fire fronts on the landscape, so it continues to be important to secure the containment lines southeast of the Sugar Pine Fire (4,513 acres) and east of the Goodview Fire (1,708 acres) along FR6640. Firefighters are ready to hold those lines, burning out if necessary.
Resources: 834 people including 25 crews, 8 fallers, 46 engines, 16 water tenders, 10 dozers, 7 masticators, 7 chippers, 3 skidgeons, 1 feller, 1 road grader and 1 excavator. 1 Type I, 2 Type II and 2 Type III helicopters. Recently, helicopter usage has been limited by heavy smoke during some parts of each day.
Weather: Today’s weather will be very similar to yesterday: hot and dry with high’s in the 80’s, humidity in the low 20’s and winds from the NW. Smoke levels are expected to lift in the early afternoon, creating more airflow, increasing temperatures and dryness, and providing opportunity for fire activity to increase. The weather is expected to cool off and become more humid later this week.
Closures: An Emergency Road and Area Fire Closure on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has closed all of the Forest west of Forest Road 68 near the northern boundary and all of Forest Road 6640.
Safety: Be aware of slow moving fire traffic, especially on Elk Creek Road, near the Hwy 62 entrances to Fire Camp at Joseph Stewart State Park and on Forest Service roads. Smoke can be heavy at times. Increase following distances and drive with headlights on. Air quality information is available at http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com.
Fire Summary: Sugar Pine (4,513 acres, 0% contained) and Goodview (1,708 acres, 0% contained): Heavy equipment and crews establishing indirect fireline south and east of the fires. Structure protection in the Elk Creek area. Round Top (154 acres, 48% contained), Union (105 acres; 68% contained), Junction (6 acres) and Sunshine (4 acres): Mop up. Hawk Creek, North Top, Kettle, Buck Basin, Gravel, Spring 2, Alder, Soldier, Coplen: Patrol status.
Prospect, Oregon – Nineteen fires on the High Cascades Ranger District west of Crater Lake National Park are being managed under the collective name Sugar Pine, which is also the name of one specific fire. Approximately 6,505 acres have burned on all fires combined. The three largest fires are Sugar Pine, Goodview and Round Top.
Yesterday afternoon, when humidity decreased and the winds shifted to down-valley from the NW, the Miles Fire pushed 2 miles along the Flat Creek drainage toward Shell Rock and the Elk Creek Road. This dynamic situation required excellent communication as firefighters, helicopters and equipment from many organizations focused on slowing fire spread and protecting residents and structures.
At approximately 9:30 p.m. the Jackson County Sheriff declared a Level 3 “Go” Evacuation Notification for the upper portions of Elk Creek Road, Sugar Pine Road, and Dodes Creek Road, that had previously been Level 2.
The increased fire behavior was associated with increased airflow, smoke lifting, and relative humidity levels dropping from 35% to 20% in less than an hour.
Today, firefighters are focused on evaluating whether the current location of the Miles Fire will allow tying fire containment lines near the houses back into a containment line running from Flat Creek to the powerlines north of Miller Mountain. Point protection near homes will be evaluated and improved throughout the day.
At the same time, there are multiple fire fronts on the landscape, so it continues to be important to secure the containment lines southeast of the Sugar Pine Fire (4,513 acres) and east of the Goodview Fire (1,708 acres) along FR6640. Firefighters are ready to hold those lines, burning out if necessary.
Resources: 834 people including 25 crews, 8 fallers, 46 engines, 16 water tenders, 10 dozers, 7 masticators, 7 chippers, 3 skidgeons, 1 feller, 1 road grader and 1 excavator. 1 Type I, 2 Type II and 2 Type III helicopters. Recently, helicopter usage has been limited by heavy smoke during some parts of each day.
Weather: Today’s weather will be very similar to yesterday: hot and dry with high’s in the 80’s, humidity in the low 20’s and winds from the NW. Smoke levels are expected to lift in the early afternoon, creating more airflow, increasing temperatures and dryness, and providing opportunity for fire activity to increase. The weather is expected to cool off and become more humid later this week.
Closures: An Emergency Road and Area Fire Closure on the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forest has closed all of the Forest west of Forest Road 68 near the northern boundary and all of Forest Road 6640.
Safety: Be aware of slow moving fire traffic, especially on Elk Creek Road, near the Hwy 62 entrances to Fire Camp at Joseph Stewart State Park and on Forest Service roads. Smoke can be heavy at times. Increase following distances and drive with headlights on. Air quality information is available at http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com.
Fire Summary: Sugar Pine (4,513 acres, 0% contained) and Goodview (1,708 acres, 0% contained): Heavy equipment and crews establishing indirect fireline south and east of the fires. Structure protection in the Elk Creek area. Round Top (154 acres, 48% contained), Union (105 acres; 68% contained), Junction (6 acres) and Sunshine (4 acres): Mop up. Hawk Creek, North Top, Kettle, Buck Basin, Gravel, Spring 2, Alder, Soldier, Coplen: Patrol status.
8/1/2018 Red Flag Warning Remains in Place East of Cascades
The National Weather Service has a Red Flag Warning in place today for much of the Columbia River Basin, east of the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington states. The warning is for a combination of low humidity and gusty winds. Cooler temperatures are expected later this week but humidity will remain low and winds will continue to be gusty.
8/1/2018 NWCC Morning Brief
Northwest Activity Summary
Ongoing large fires experienced steady growth along perimeters in Southwest Oregon and Central Washington. Spotting and steep terrain continue to pose problems on emerging incidents. Precipitation was minimal with slight traces in the Northwest. No lightning was observed in the Geographic Area. There were 21 new fires for 10,208 acres with 7,191 acres of growth on existing fires. IMT2, NW Team 7 (Knerr) is being re-assigned to to Miriam SE of Mt Rainier.
Preparedness LevelsNorthwest PL
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Northwest Incident Activity
New Fires and Acres22 fires for 10,208 acres
OR: 1 fires for 0 acres
WA: 21 fires for 10,208 acres
New Fires and Acres22 fires for 10,208 acres
OR: 1 fires for 0 acres
WA: 21 fires for 10,208 acres
Large Fire Summary
New large incidents: 01
Reported incidents: 21 (OR: 14 WA: 7) 7,191 acres growth on existing incidents.
New large incidents: 01
Reported incidents: 21 (OR: 14 WA: 7) 7,191 acres growth on existing incidents.
Northwest IMT Activity
NIMOs Committed: 0
Type 1 IMTs committed: 3
Type 2 IMTs committed: 5
National Fire Activity
Initial attack activity: Light (115) new fires
New large incidents: 7
Large fires contained: 11
Uncontained large fires: 57
Type 1 IMTs committed: 3
Type 2 IMTs committed: 5
National Fire Activity
Initial attack activity: Light (115) new fires
New large incidents: 7
Large fires contained: 11
Uncontained large fires: 57
National IMT ActivityArea Command Teams: 0
NIMOs committed: 0
Type 1 IMTs committed: 13
Type 2 IMTs committed: 16
NIMOs committed: 0
Type 1 IMTs committed: 13
Type 2 IMTs committed: 16
*Nationally, there are 41 large fires being managed under a strategy other than Full Suppression
Northwest Current Incident Details
Incidents listed below meet large fire criteria and/or incidents with a Type 1 or 2 IMT assigned. Large incidents are defined as fires which are 100+ acres in timber or 300+ acres in grass/brush. For additional information on incidents no longer listed below please refer to the NW Large Incident Summary or Northwest Fires Utilizing Monitor, Confine, Point Zone Protection Suppression Strategies (YTD)
Incidents not Previously Reported: 1
Milepost 90. WA-WFS-910. IMT3. Wisham, WA. Start 7/31. Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 10,000 acres. 20% containment. Active fire behavior. Grass and brush. Evacuations in place. WA state mob authorized
Incidents Previously Reported: 19
Taylor Creek. OR-MED-000395. IMT1, PNW Team 2 (Schulte), OSFM Blue Team (Magers). 10 mi NE of Grants Pass, OR. Start 7/15. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 24,965 acres (1,985). 30% containment. Active fire behavior. Timber. Steep terrain. Residences, timber resources, T&E species habitat, utilities, and air quality threatened. Evacuations in effect. Road and area closures.
Sugar Pine. OR-RSF-000331. IMT2, NW Team 13 (Gales). 12 NW of Prospect, OR. Start 7/15. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 4,171 acres (+701). 0% containment. Active fire behavior. Timber. T&E species habitat, and watershed threatened. Evacuations in effect. IMT managing 7 additional incidents including Goodview, Round Top and Union.
South Umpqua Complex. OR-UPF-000264. IMT2, NW Team 6 (Sheldon). Snowshoe is in Unified Command with ODF (Thorton). Near Tiller, OR. Start 7/15. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 14,196 acres (+1,028). 16% containment. Active fire behavior. Timber. Evacuation notices in place on the Miles fire. T&E species habitat, and watershed threatened. Road and trail closures. Includes Miles, Railroad Gap, Snowshoe, Columbus, and multiple smaller incidents.
Klondike. OR-RSF-000354. IMT1, PNW Team 3 (Livingston). 9 mi NW of Selma, OR. Start 7/15. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 15,915 (+2,072). 5% containment. Active fire behavior. Timber. Burning in Kalmiopsis Wilderness Area. Structures threatened. Evacuations in effect. Road and area closures. IMT also managing Natchez.
Natchez. OR-RSF-000348. IMT1, PNW Team 3 (Livingston). 15 mi SE of Cave Junction, OR. Start 7/15. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 6,174 acres (+814). 15% containment. Active fire behavior. Timber. Road, trail, and area closures. Steep terrain. Infrastructure, timber, riparian habitat, and air quality threatened. IMT also managing Klondike.
Garner Complex. OR-712S-016619. IMT1, ODF Team 1 (Hessel), OSFM Blue Team (Magers) and USFS (Allen). 17 mi NE of Grants Pass, OR. Start 7/15. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 8,886 acres (-22,774). 65% containment. Active fire behavior. Timber. Steep terrain. Residences, timber resources, T&E species habitat, utilities, and air quality threatened. Evacuations in effect. Road and area closures. Complex includes Grave Creek, Pleasant, Section 14, Swamp, Spencer Creek, and several other smaller incidents. Acreage reduction due to removal of Taylor Creek from Garner Complex.
Long Hollow. OR-PRD-000806. ICT3. 5 mi south of Dufur, OR. Start 7/26. Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 33,451 acres (+0). 95% containment. Minimal fire behavior. Brush and grass. Road, trail, and area closures. Residences, ranches, national infrastructure, agriculture, and recreation threatened. Road, trail, and area closures.
116 Wilson Prairie. OR-952S-018116. ICT3. 15 mi NE of Spray, OR. Start 7/23. Full Suppression. Cause: Human. 405 acres (+0). 75% containment. Minimal fire behavior. Timber and brush. Road, trail, and area closures.
Timber Crater 10. OR-CLP-000336. IMT2, NW Team 9 (Goff). 21 m SW of Chemult, OR. Start 7/29. Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 193 acres. 60% containment. Moderate fire behavior. Timber. Area closures.
Timber Crater 6. OR-CLP-000248. IMT2, NW Team 9 (Goff). 20 mi SW of Chemult, OR. Start 7/15. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 3,126 acres (+0). 80% containment. Moderate fire behavior. Timber. Area closures.
Chelan Hills. WA-SES-000399. IMT2, NW Team 11 (Rabe). 2 mi E of Chelan, WA. Start 7/27. Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 1,842 acres (+0). 97% containment. Minimal fire behavior. Grass, brush, and timber. IMT also managing Cougar Creek.
Cougar Creek. WA-OWF-000419. IMT2, NW Team 11 (Rabe). 25 mi W of Chelan, WA. Start 7/29. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 803 acres (+453). 0% containment. Extreme fire behavior. Timber. Trail closures. Structures, cultural, recreation threatened. IMT also managing Chelan Hills.
Union. OR-RSF-000370. IMT2, NW Team 13 (Gales). 10 mi NE of Prospect, OR. Start 7/16. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 106 acres (+0). 68% containment.Minimal fire behavior. Timber. Recreation and cultural resources threatened. IMT also managing Sugar Pine, Round Top, and Goodview.
Goodview. OR-RSF-000357. IMT2, NW Team 13 (Gales). 10 mi NW of Prospect, OR. Start 7/16. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. Timber. 1,630 acres (+103). 0% containment. Active fire behavior. Timber. T&E habitat, recreation, watershed, and cultural resources threatened. Road closure. IMT also managing Sugar Pine, Round Top, and Union.
Round Top. OR-RSF-000308. IMT2, NW Team 13 (Gales). 8 mi NE of Prospect, OR. Start 7/15. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 156 acres (+2). 48% containment. Minimal fire behavior. Timber. T&E species habitat, watershed, and cultural resources threatened. IMT also managing Sugar Pine, Union, and Goodview.
Warner Gulch. WA-SES-020578. IMT3. 11 mi SW of Asotin, WA. Start 7/28. Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 470 acres. 85% containment. Minimal fire behavior. Grass and brush. Community of Cloverland Ridge, T&E species habitat, timber, wildlife, and agriculture threatened.
Hendrix. OR-RSF-000278. IMT3. 9 mi SW of Ashland, OR. Start 7/15. Full Suppression. Cause: Lightning. 1,081 acres (+0). 70% containment. Minimal fire behavior. Timber. Private timber, and Pacific Crest Trail threatened. Road, trail, and area closure. Steep, rugged terrain. Ashland watershed concerns.
HWY 24 Command. WA-SPD-000447. ICT4. 17 mi E of Yakima, WA. Start 7/30. Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 1,800 acres (+0). 60% containment. Active fire behavior. Grass and brush. Road and Area Closures.
Sheep Creek. WA- NES-001773. IMT3. 5 mi NW of North Port, WA. Start 7/30. Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 146 acres (+26). 0% containment. Extreme fire behavior. Spotting. Timber. Steep terrain. Timber resources threatened. Dozer line around much of the fire. Finishing line on E side.
Lake Wallula. WA-MCR-00437. ICT4. 5 mi E of Umatilla, WA. Start 7/30. Full Suppression. Cause: Unknown. 12,462 acres. 96% containment. Minimal fire behavior. Grass and brush. Last report on morning briefing unless significant activity occurs.
Northwest Fire Weather Summary
An upper level trough continues its slow move across the region, cooling temperatures to seasonal average and bringing breezy to gusty winds especially in the Columbia Gorge and Basin as well as the Kittitas and Wenatchee valleys. The NWS has advisories out for high winds and low humidity in those areas. See your NWS fire weather planning forecast for the details in your local area. There is a slight chance of widely scattered thunderstorms along the British Columbia border and extreme Eastern Oregon this afternoon. Wind speeds will be lower Friday with zonal flow over the weekend bringing slight warming.
Northwest Fire Potential Summary
Near record level fire danger indices coupled with gusty winds keeps the Pacific Northwest at an elevated risk for development of significant fires. The moderated temperatures and relative humidity will have little impact on heavy fuels, so existing fires should remain active. While the thunderstorm threat is low this afternoon and evening, any lightning should be expected to be efficient in igniting fires and could challenge already busy initial attack resources.
More info, see NW 7-Day Significant Fire Potential Forecast, and National 7-Day Significant Fire Potential Forecast
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