Single Publication

Grangeville, ID – The Jones Creek Fire is burning east of the Snake River on public lands administered by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, about seven miles north of Pittsburg Landing. It was reported early in the morning on September 4th, 2022. The cause is under investigation.

Status: Successful suppression actions have resulted in slowing the fire’s progression and limiting impacts to values at risk. The fuels in the area are composed of primarily grass, with timber stringers. Firefighters have completed indirect contingency dozer and hand lines on the east and south side of the fire where terrain and fuels permit, which could be used if the fire grew significantly in those directions. The fire remains stable with no perimeter spread.

Mop-up continues inside constructed control lines as well as cold trailing in light fuels. Cold trailing means firefighters search for hidden heat and move along the fire’s edge leaving cold ground behind them. Dozers are staged at Pittsburg Landing if needed to reinforce fire lines. The fire has burned to the Snake River along the western edge. There is no immediate threat to river travel or boating facilities. River users are asked to remain aware of the status of both fires.

Firefighters have begun repairing dozer and hand lines where the fire’s edge is cold. Repair involves creating diversions to direct rain water off of fire lines to prevent erosion and restore natural drainage patterns.

Today: Firefighters continue assessing structure protection needs if the fire moves north into the Getta Creek drainage, and will also assess structure protection needs at Pittsburg Landing.

Weather: As a ridge of high pressure strengthens over the weekend, expect smoke to be trapped in the valleys as the stable conditions develop. Warm and dry conditions will continue through Sunday and early next week, with very low relative humidity, temperatures into the low 90’s and light, variable winds from the south and southeast.

Smoke: Along with the much larger Double Creek Fire burning west of the Snake River, this fire has periodically filled the Snake River Canyon with smoke. There is minimal smoke production from the Jones Creek Fire.

Closures/Restrictions: As of August 5th, 2022, the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has entered fire restrictions that prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within designated campfire rings at a developed recreation site.

Evacuations:  25 homes in the Getta Creek and Deer Creek areas remain in a Level 1 “Get Ready” status.

With high temperatures and very low humidity, any ignitions can become dangerous fires very quickly. There is a lot of fire season ahead of us. Please do all you can to prevent new fires.