Single Publication

Oregon Fire Update

August 25, 2023

Size:    11,063 acres                                  Start Date:  18 August 2023, 1600hrs

Point of origin: Under Investigation

Containment: 16%

Cause: Under Investigation

Total personnel: 1,011

Resources: 71 engines l 25 crews l 10 bulldozers l 21 water tenders l 4 helicopters
 

Current Situation: Firefighters continue to work 24 hours daily to fully suppress the fire, protect homes and other structures and minimize additional acres burned. Activities over the past several days include structure protection, line construction, mop up efforts, and direct suppression utilizing engines, hand crews, and bulldozers. Unstaffed Aerial Systems (UAS/drones) were used on the east flank  to scout for pockets of heat and improve containment line location Great progress has been made in containment line strength (notably on the west flank) and structure protection, with none lost in the last 48 hours.

Today’s activities: Suppression priorities remain structure protection, fire line improvement, and mop-up activities close to structures. Activities on the  eastern flank of the fire will include dozer line improvement, hand line construction/improvement, and mop-up. Crews on the northern and western flanks will continue to increase the depth of mop-up to strengthen containment lines and patrol the area. Suppression repair will begin with actions like water barring dozer lines for good drainage. Linking established line together along the eastern flank down to the southern flank is nearing completion. Structure protection resources will continue to provide structure protection, assess damage, and gather data. Air assets will remain available to support ground suppression efforts. as needed. Given the increasing containment success and with evacuation levels decreasing, resources no longer needed for remaining suppressions efforts will begin to be released to return home, get rest and be ready for future assignments as we head into the remaining fire season. 

Evacuations: Level 3 Evacuations (Go – Leave Immediately) remain for areas south of Blanchard, north of Deer Creek and east of Elk-Chattaroy roads. See attached map. Updated evacuation maps of Spokane County are available at www.facebook.com/GEGEmergencyMgt and for evacuation maps of Pend Oreille County at www.facebook.com/pocsheriff. NOTE: Evacuation levels continue to change. Be sure to reference official county evacuation information/levels for the latest situation. Spokane County has a new tool for pin-pointing your address and its corresponding evacuation status: https://arcg.is/1z98v10.

Weather: Temperature forecast is in the low-mid 80s and humidity 26-30%. Winds will be shifty from NE to SW, with gusts to 14-20mph due to a chance of thunderstorms and showers (minimal rain) in the afternoon. A warming and drying trend extends through the weekend.  Fire behavior could increase as a result. Resources assigned to the fire are pre-identified to assist local units with any new fire starts if needed.

Smoke Outlook: Washington State Department of Ecology has up to date air quality information at: enviwa.ecology.wa.gov/home/map.