Single Publication

Northwest Team 12

Whisky Creek, Sandstone and Blister Fires

August 31, 2024

Whisky Creek Size: 2,085 acres | Start Date: July 20 | Cause: Human | Containment: 24%

Sandstone Size: 702 acres | Start Date: August 5 | Cause: Lightning | Containment 75%

Total Resources: 536 | Hand Crews: 7 | Engines: 7 | Dozers: 1 | Heavy Equipment: 11 | Helicopters: 4

Fire suppression continues on the Whisky Creek Fire, six miles southeast of Cascade Locks, OR and the Sandstone and Blister Creek Fires, nine miles southwest of Ripplebrook, OR. The fires are burning in steep and rugged terrain on the Mt. Hood National Forest where rolling debris and fire-weakened trees challenge firefighting efforts. Firefighter and public safety remain the incident’s top priority. This Labor Day weekend please help prevent wildfires and protect firefighters by recreating responsibly, respecting fire closures, and complying with all fire restrictions. Firefighters, fire engines, and other resources have been identified on both the Whisky Creek and Sandstone Fires if needed to assist local land management agencies with new initial attack fires in the area.

Whisky Creek: Some smoke continues in the East Fork of Herman Creek due to smoldering fuels. A ground-based assessment uncovered no significant fire activity along the north and northeast flanks. This lessened fire activity enables local resource advisors to evaluate field conditions and identify the complex repairs needed after fire suppression concludes. There was light repair on Forest Service Road (FSR) 2810 while planning is underway to finish the remaining repair work. Patrolling along the eastern containment line up to Green Point Mountain continues, supplemented by an aerial reconnaissance flight yesterday. Repairs will continue along the 409 Trail while non-mechanical repairs are underway along FSR 2080 near the wilderness boundary.

Sandstone and Blister Creek: With no observed fire activity, no bucket drops were needed yesterday on the Blister Creek Fire. Grading and chipping work continues along FSR 7010-630, with mastication on FSR 7015 and chipping along FSR 4620 now complete. An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) with infrared mapping capability is arriving tomorrow to map remaining heat in inaccessible and difficult to reach areas, to reduce risks to firefighters due to the very steep cliff sides of the Blister Creek Fire.

Weather and Smoke: Today will bring some of the highest temperatures of the incident, with highs in the upper 80s along the ridges to low 90s in the valleys. Lower relative humidity, weak overnight recovery and daytime wind shifts will increase likelihood of scattered smoldering and smoke across the fire areas. However, air quality conditions remain good for both fire areas. 

Closures: Mt. Hood National Forest, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and Hood River County closure information can be found at https://linktr.ee/whisky_creek.2024. Please respect area closure orders for your safety as well as the safety of our firefighters.

Safety: The public plays an important role in preventing the next wildfire; please use caution with all potential ignition sources. For prevention tips visit: https://keeporegongreen.org. The TFR remains in effect for both fires: https://bit.ly/3T59VWv. Fire restrictions are in place within the Mt. Hood National Forest. More information can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/fire.