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Resources:  300 Total Personnel | 6 Hand Crews | 7 Engines | 7 Heavy Equipment | 4 Water Tender | 2 Fixed-Wing Aircraft | 5 Helicopters

(Dufur, OR) The Boulder Fire started on July 8 near Boulder Lake Trailhead 26 miles southwest of Dufur in the Mt. Hood National Forest’s Barlow Ranger District. The fire is burning in dead and down debris located in steep, rugged and alpine-like terrain. Approximately 236 acres have burned. Firefighters have been very productive, making great strides toward (containment). Fire managers have combined infrared flight data with information from personnel on the ground for a better estimate of the fire’s size. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. A temporary flight restriction is in place. Public and firefighter safety are the highest priorities on the Boulder Fire. 

Community Meeting: A community meeting has been scheduled for Thursday, July 13 at 7 p.m. in the Wamic Community Hall (80192 Emigrant St. in Wamic, Oregon) and on Facebook Live at www.facebook.com/mthoodnf

Yesterday, fire crews made substantial progress on handline construction and road improvement despite challenges posed by terrain. Firefighters have nearly completed handline around the fire’s northeast corner to help prevent the fire from crossing the perimeter. The previous night’s infrared flight pointed out hot spots along Boulder Creek and fire crews extinguished these hot spots. A masticator processed debris that firefighters had cleared from the 4880 Road, further strengthening the line as a containment feature. To the west, fire crews nearly finished a handline around the northwest corner and helicopters dropped thousands of gallons of water to cool any flare-ups. Efforts to remove brush from the 4813 Road were ongoing as was grading along the 4816 Road.

Today, helicopters will operate out of Pine Hollow and Dallesport helibases to cool the fire’s edge as crews continue road improvements, line construction and hose lays. Rotor aircraft will also help meet logistical needs, delivering materials and equipment to the fireline with sling loads. Additional heavy equipment such as bulldozers will speed work to complete control lines.

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. Evacuation levels are Level 1 – Be Ready to Evacuate, Level 2 – Be Set to Evacuate, and Level 3 – Go Now. More information is available from the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff.

Weather: The weather was warm and dry around the fire yesterday, with only light winds. A weak cold front is expected Wednesday, bringing cooling and higher humidity with partly cloudy skies.  

Closures and Restrictions: Forest Roads 4880, 4881, and 4890 are closed. Due to the high fire danger, open fire and target shooting restrictions have been implemented. For more information, visit the Forest webpage at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mthood/alerts-notices.

Public Safety: Firefighters and heavy equipment are working on and around the area roadways, including Forest Road 48. Motorists can help keep firefighters and visitors safe by driving carefully and avoiding these areas. Timothy Lake, a popular recreation site, is being used by water-scooping aircraft. Firefighters are using the Rock Creek OHV Area as a staging area. For everyone’s safety, the public is asked to stay clear of these fire suppression operations.

Smoke: Currently, there are no significant smoke impacts from the Boulder Fire. For air quality updates, visit www.oregonsmoke.org or airnow.gov.