Single Publication

Fire Size:   10,817 acres

Initial Start: 8/18/2023 at 1600 pm

Location: Approximately 4 miles northeast of Elk, WA.

Cause: Under Investigation

Containment: 89%

Resources Committed:18 Engines, 4 Crews, 1 Bulldozer, 6 Water Tenders, 2 Skidgens

Personnel: 213

Damage Assessment: 126 primary homes and 258 outbuildings destroyed.

Road Closures:  None

Elk, WA, - Current Situation: Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 is in command of the Oregon and Gray fires. The Oregon Fire continues to remain within the current footprint with no further growth, the strategy remains full suppression and work is progressing as expected. State mobilization resources are being released from the incident at the end of today. Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 will continue their efforts with local resources through next week. 

Today’s activities: Mop-up, patrol and suppression repair will continue across all divisions of the fire. IR flights were conducted over the fire to locate any remaining potential heat sources. A recon flight will occur over the fire area to examine the extent of mortality and survivability of timber resources in the burned areas. 

Evacuations: All evacuations throughout the entire fire area have been rescinded. 

Weather: A weak mid-level wave passing through early Monday combined with lingering moisture and instability into the afternoon will result in a 30% chance of showers through the day. Drier air will move in on Tuesday. Another cold front will deliver breezy southwest winds on Wednesday, but well short of any critical wind and humidity thresholds.   

For fire information contact the Public Information Officer at 509-508-3323 or email 2023.oregon@firenet.gov