Single Publication

Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, Goat Mountain Two Fires 

September 8, 2022 

Daily Update – 8:00 AM 

Community Meeting Tonight: There will be a community meeting to discuss the Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires tonight at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Joseph Event Center (102 E First, Joseph, OR) and will also be streamed live on Facebook.  

Highlights: The passage of a cold front over the fire area yesterday brought gusty erratic winds which produced rapid fire growth on the Double Creek Fire. Before the strongest winds arrived in the evening, firefighters were able to complete firing operations along the Lower Imnaha Road to protect the community of Imnaha. Tactical firing and structure protection operations also took place on the south side of the Double Creek Fire. There was little fire growth on the fires in the Eagle Cap Wilderness. 

Double Creek Fire: 100,977 acres | 0% contained | 553 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. As the cold front approached throughout the day, winds were gusty and erratic. As the front passed in the late afternoon high winds with gusts reported to 50 mph led to extreme fire behavior as the fire spread on Grizzly, Haas, Sleepy and Windy Ridges gaining over 30,000 acres. Firefighters conducted tactical firing operations from Imnaha north along the river corridor. Structure defense preparations took place for values in the Lightning and Horse Creek drainages and other structures north of the fire. Firefighters conducted firing operations and protected structures from Freezeout Road south to Balter Creek on the south side of the fire. Today firefighters, including Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) task forces, will continue to secure the community of Imnaha and values north of the fire, keep the fire east of the Imnaha River and secure structures south of the fire, and assess structures along the Snake River. 

Weather: With the passage of the cold front yesterday, slightly lower temperatures and lighter winds are expected today though it remains extremely dry. It will still be a day of elevated fire weather, but not the critical fire weather from the previous two days. Wind will be out of the northwest. In areas where the wind aligns with a northwest facing slope expect higher winds with gusts of 15-25 mph. 

Smoke: Current air quality information for the local area is available on the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality – Air Quality Monitoring website and PurpleAir website.  

Evacuation: A Level 3 “Go Now” is in effect for the Town of Imnaha north to Fence Creek (including lands east to Lightning Creek) and south to Grouse Creek. A Level 2 “Get Set” is in effect for Lostine River Road from Fir Road to Two Pan (including all campgrounds and trailheads), Upper Imnaha from Grouse Creek to Pallette Ranch, and areas around Dug Bar Road north of Fence Creek. A Level 1 “Be Ready” is in effect for Lostine River Road from Highway 82 to Fir Road and for Upper Imnaha Road from Pallette Ranch to Wallowa Mountain Road (FSR 39).  

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. The Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office has closed several roads associated with evacuations orders. Lostine River Road from Moffitt’s south is closed. Lower Imnaha and Dug Bar Roads are closed. The Upper Imnaha Road and Hat Point Road are closed. Wallowa Mountain Loop Road (FSR 39) is closed from Target Springs Junction to Ollokot Campground including the Canal Road (FSR 3920), and Lick Creek Rd (FSR 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 2/3198)  and the Sturgill Fire (TFR 2/3194) 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