Single Publication

Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, Goat Mountain Two Fires
September 14, 2022
Daily Update – 8:00 AM

Highlights: Showers and thunderstorms lingered throughout the area most of Tuesday. Lower temperatures, higher relative humidity values, and precipitation resulted in minimal fire behavior. Containment of the Double Creek Fire increased to 22 percent. Crews on the Nebo Fire continued chipping along the 39 and 3925 Roads. Firefighters and heavy equipment worked on a shaded fuel break in the Lostine corridor.

Double Creek Fire: 157,088 acres | 22% contained |842 personnel assigned
The lightning caused Double Creek Fire is a full suppression fire, and the protection of lives and property remain the primary objectives of this incident. Firefighters continued to work improve the containment line around the spot fire west bank of the Imnaha River but were unable to finish firing operations from indirect line on the north side of the spot fire due to the weather. Firefighters working in the Snake River patrolled the area looking for any remaining heat. The increase in containment occurred in this area, and firefighters anticipate more containment in the coming days. Today, firefighter on the northern end of the fire will add control features to limit fire spread to the north. Firefighters working in the Imnaha corridor on Wednesday will patrol along the western edge of the fire and address any hot spots. On the southern end of the fire, crews will continue to build a handline to the wilderness boundary.

Weather: Showers and thunderstorms lingered throughout the area most of Tuesday. Rain amounts varied from 0.10 – 0.50 inches across the four fires. Lower temperatures, higher relative humidity values, and precipitation resulted in minimal fire behavior. For the remainder of the week temperatures will continue to decrease and relative humidity values will increase. Winds will remain light and variable.

Smoke: The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued an Air Quality Advisory that is in effect until 1:00 p.m. Wednesday for Wallowa County. A smoke outlook for northeast Oregon is available from the wildland fire air quality program. Additional information can be found at PurpleAir website.

Evacuations: Level 3 “Go Now” is in effect for Fence Creek north to Dug Bar and Freezeout south to the 39 Road. Level 2 “Get Set” is in effect for lands west of Imnaha River to Bear Gulch Road, south of Highway 350 to intersection of power lines and Harl Butte Road; Upper and Lower Imnaha Road from Fence Creek to Freezeout; and for Lostine River Road from Fir Road south to Two Pan (including all campgrounds and trailheads). Level 1 “Be Ready” is in effect for lands west of Bear Gulch Road, south of Highway 350 to power lines and Harl Butte Road, and for Lostine River Road from Highway 82 to Fir Road.

Wallowa Whitman National Forest Temporary Area Closures: The Wallowa Whitman National Forest issued Temporary Area Closures for the Double Creek Fire, Nebo Fire, and Sturgill Fire (includes Goat Mountain 2 Fire) on Monday. Closure Orders and Maps are available on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest Fire Incident Updates page.

Road Closures: Lostine River Road from Moffitt’s south is closed. Highway 350 (Little Sheep Creek Highway) at mile marker 6.5 is closed due to the following closures: Lower Imnaha Road and Dug Bar Road are closed, Upper Imnaha Road is closed, Hat Point Road is closed, and FS 39 Road is closed from Target Springs Junction to Ollokot Campground [including the Canal Rd (3920) and Lick Creek Road (3925)].

Airspace: Airspace restrictions have been issued for the Double Creek, Nebo, Sturgill, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires. Temporary Flight Restrictions were updated for the Double Creek Fire (TFR 2/5592) and the Sturgill Fire (TFR 2/3189) to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations over the fires. Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) 08/234 and NOTAM 08/235 were issued to provide safe airspace for the Nebo and Goat Mountain 2 Fires. Flight restrictions also apply to drones. Drones flying in areas of wildfire activity will cause firefighting aircraft to be grounded.

Restrictions: Forest Order #06-16-00-22-04 covers Phase B Fire Restrictions for all National Forest System Lands within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, except for the area within a ¼ mile of the Snake River between Hells Canyon Dam, River Mile 247.5, downstream to the Oregon-Washington border at Snake River Mile 176.0, which is regulated by Forest Order #06-16-04-22-01.

Fire Information
Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Phone: 541-216-4579
Email: 2022.doublecreek@firenet.gov
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8366/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/doublecreekfire2022
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/Double-Creek-Fire