Single Publication

Incident Commander: Kevin Stock

Fire Information Phone: 208-713-2740

Media Fire Information Phone: 208-891-7491

Email: 2023.NewellRoad@firenet.gov

Facebook: facebook.com/NewellRoadFire

Inciweb: inciweb.wildlfire.gov/newellroad

Morning Update, July 27, 2023

Estimated size: 61,833 acres

Containment: 50%

Start Date: July 21, 2023

Area of Origin: Klickitat County near Newell Road

Cause: Under Investigation

Structures Damaged: Currently being assessed

Total people assigned: 535

Engines: 45

Dozers: 10

Handcrews: 11

Water Tenders: 9

Skidgen: 4

Overhead: 128

Type 1 Helicopter: 2

Type 2 Helicopter: 2

Air Tankers: As Needed

Fire Update: Favorable weather conditions (higher humidity, lower temperature, lighter winds) continued to work in favor of fire suppression efforts. Fire containment has now reached 50% and firefighters are working on improving and securing completed fire line up and around the northwest flank of the fire that includes an earlier spot fire in the Dot road area.   

Today’s planned activity: Firefighters will continue to mop-up 50 to 100 feet into the fire perimeter, strengthening the northwest flank. The previous 30 acres of fire that spotted to the east of Dot road was mopped-up yesterday will continue to be patrolled. Crews will also concentrate on mopping-up and patrolling a small number of hotspots and smoke across the rest of the fire perimeter throughout the day.  

Transfer of command of the fire operation planned for Sunday: The overall objective for future management of the fire suppression efforts is to have the fire sufficiently contained and secured to allow for the transfer command back over to local fire and agency resources on Sunday morning. Fire resources no longer required are being demobed (released) so they can be reassigned to other fires or return to their home bases. Northwest Incident Management Team 8 wishes to thank all of the fire resources for their efforts! 

Evacuations: Bickleton and Cleveland area residents are advised that their evacuation route is now to the north and east to Grandview. For the latest evacuation information, please see: https://www.klickitatcounty.org/249/Emergency-Management. 

Road closures include: As of 1 PM yesterday, Klickitat County DEM website reported the following road closure updates: Bickleton Highway closed at Old Mountain Road; Hoctor Road closed at Oak Flat Road; and Rock Creek Road closed at Old Highway 8. Please check with Klickitat County DEM for current road closure information https://www.klickitatcounty.org/249/Emergency-Management. 

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): TFR is in place over the Newell Road Fire. Please review the Notice to air missions in its entirety. 

Sheltering: The American Red Cross has a shelter established at the Goldendale Middle School 520 E. Collins Street, Goldendale, WA.  If needed, a second shelter has opened at Grandview Middle School: 1401 W 2nd St, Grandview, WA.