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Quick Facts

Size: 24,091 acres                Start Date: July 15, 2024        Cause: Under investigation

Location: SW of Clarkston, 1 mile west of Hwy 129 and Grand Ronde River intersection

Containment: 60%              Personnel: 353                       Fire Strategy: Full suppression                       

Resources Assigned: 6 crews, 3 helicopters, 26 engines, 9 water tenders, 3 heavy equipment

The Cougar Creek Fire is burning within a mountainous and remote area on the Umatilla National Forest bordering the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. 

Operations: Up to a half inch of early morning rains and cooler temperature moderated fire behavior yesterday. Crews mopped up around the hand line and dozer line in the Saddle Butte area and continued to patrol fireline where previous firing operations occurred on the west and north perimeters of the fire. Firefighters dismantled water handling equipment, hose lays, and sprinkler systems around Misery Snow Park and the historic Wenatchee Guard Station and began structure wrap removal from buildings. A new lightning-caused fire was detected near the south end of the fire and was quickly extinguished by firefighters working in the area.

As of 7 p.m. last night, command of the fire transitioned to Northeast Washington Team 1 (Type 3 team).

Today, firefighters will continue mop-up operations along the west and northwest portions of the fire. On the south and east sides of the fire, crews will continue to backhaul remaining equipment and supplies. Fire managers will begin to assess fire suppression repair work to help mitigate long-term impacts to natural resources from fire suppression activities. 

Evacuations and Closures: All evacuation orders have been lifted. Forest closure descriptions and maps are available online on the Umatilla National Forest closure website. Please respect area closure orders and use extra caution while driving for your safety as well as our firefighters. 

Weather and Smoke:  Mostly sunny with temperatures in the mid 70s to low 80s on Wednesday. Cooler temperatures and a chance of showers and thunderstorms will be likely by Thursday. Air quality in the region remains good. Learn more about smoke at http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/. 

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-cougar-creek-fire 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CougarCreekFire2024 

Fire Information Line: 509-210-2928, 8 AM to 6 PM

Email: 2024.cougarcreek@firenet.gov