Incident Publication

We tend to think of wildfire burn severity in terms of the visual impacts to above-ground vegetation, but the post-fire landscape response (erosion, flooding, and mass movement) is generally more strongly correlated to soil burn severity. When characterizing soil burn severity, looking at the vegetation is a good starting place to understand the conditions on the ground. Armed with that information, the BAER team’s watershed specialists (soil scientists, hydrologists, and geologists) ground-truth different vegetation burn intensities to tease out patterns of how fire affected and changed the properties of the soil.  Pre-fire ground cover, forest type, fire behavior, slope, aspect, and other factors all influence soil burn severity.  After field observations are collected, specialists adjust the vegetation severity map to create the soil burn severity (SBS) map.  The SBS is broken into four different classes: unburned (green), low severity (blue), moderate severity (yellow), and high severity (red).

So what do these different classifications mean?

LOW severity areas generally have intact and recognizable litter layers (organic material on the forest floor, such as pine needles and twigs).  These litter layers may be charred, but are not consumed.  Underlying topsoil is intact and near-surface fine roots are unburned.  These soils have enough cover to protect them from erosion during rain events because their natural porosity and structure allow rain to soak into the soil instead of running off, while fine roots provide stability.  In low severity areas, burns may have been patchy—islands of green vegetation and intact canopies may be present. 

MODERATE severity areas generally have more—up to 80% of their pre-fire surface litter layers consumed by fire.  Black or gray ash may be present on the soil surface. Fine roots near the surface may be scorched and killed.  Topsoil layers are generally intact with minimal impacts to the soil’s ability to absorb moisture. Soils with moderate severity are more susceptible to erosion in post-fire rain events because they have lost protective surface cover and may have less surface stability because of root mortality.

HIGH severity areas generally have had all their pre-fire surface litter layers consumed by fire.  White or gray ash may be present on the soil surface. Fine roots are often fully burned/consumed within several inches of the soil surface, and even large tree roots may have burned deep into the soil.  Soil may be powdery or grainy and loose, unable to bind together and retain water. These soils are very susceptible to erosion and often have high surface run-off during rainstorms.

So, what does the BAER team do with the SBS map?

The BAER team uses the SBS map to make predictions about how the landscape will respond after fires. Soil scientists consider where soil productivity will be degraded due to erosion losses and where sediment may move into stream channels. Hydrologists use the SBS to predict watershed response—surface runoff from high SBS areas in rainstorms can produce more “flashy” behavior in stream systems.  Geologists use the SBS to inform predictions for debris flow or other mass movement potential based on reduced soil stability in steep drainages.  BAER teams focus on emergency responses to stabilize burned areas that may impact Forest Service critical infrastructure or other values located within or immediately downstream of high soil burn severity areas.

When you or I visit any forest after a wildfire, we are clued in to what we see, which can look pretty dramatic from what we’re accustomed to. Oregon has an average of 347 trees per forested acre, which provides the lush, green view we love. After the Bootleg Fire, that lush, green view has been replaced by brown trees with scorched trunks and needles, or entire hillslopes that are now blackened sticks.

So why do the Forest Service’s severity maps show so little high severity? There are a few things to consider. Forest Service Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) teams come in and the first thing they do is map the soil burn severity. Over the years, scientists have learned that what happened to the soil – not the above ground vegetation – is a critical indicator of recovery. From the soil burn severity map, geologists can predict debris flow hazards, hydrologists can predict changes to stream flows, and soil scientists can predict erosion potential.

Clearly, above ground vegetation does matter, and can aid in the recovery of a burned forest. For example, in areas where the trees were scorched and killed, those conifer trees will drop their needles, which provides very helpful natural ground cover. Since post-fire soil erosion is a major concern of soil scientists, this natural ground cover plays a crucial role in slowing the interaction between rain drops and soil particles that would otherwise get washed down the hillslope.

The Forest Service also creates a vegetation mortality map that focuses on the wildfire effects to the forests and is reported in percent of basal area loss. Basal area is the average amount of an area (such as an acre) occupied by tree stems This product helps other scientists, such as wildlife biologists, botanists, and silviculturists understand what to expect from this changed landscape for wildlife habitat, invasive weeds, and timber production.

So, what you’re seeing with your eyes is correct – lots of trees and other vegetation did die in these wildfires. But all is not lost! We are already seeing signs of regrowth in areas of blackened trees. Nature is resilient and we join you in looking forward to the next generation of growth on forest.
 
See links below for more information: 
 

Both the Lukens and County Line fires have moved into patrol and mop up status. This short article helps define what that term means.

Mop up is a term used to describe extinguishing or removing burning material near control lines to make sure the fire doesn't continue to spread outside of an established containment line. It includes breaking apart smoldering debris, felling snags, ensuring hot spots holding heat are cooled or extinguished, and moving burned debris if there is a risk it could roll downhill and ignite previously unburned vegetation. The amount of area that is mopped up depends on terrain, vegetation type, and proximity to structures or other values at risk.

Firefighters mop up along the fire perimeter to ensure the fire line is cooled down enough that it will not re-ignite, even during high wind events.

When you properly extinguish your campfire by pouring water on the fire to drown all embers, thoroughly stirring in the water, adding more water (or sand), and feeling with your hand for any emanating heat, you are essentially "mopping up."

The following link takes you to a visual presentation about the Lukens and County Line fires in Yosemite National Park. Because of the size of the file and number of images, the presentation may take a moment to load.

 https://www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=3a3c7d97b0b74a0a80bb0efbaab7391f

Both the Lukens and County Line fires have moved into patrol and mop up status. This short article helps define what that term means.

Mop up is a term used to describe extinguishing or removing burning material near control lines to make sure the fire doesn't continue to spread outside of an established containment line. It includes breaking apart smoldering debris, felling snags, ensuring hot spots holding heat are cooled or extinguished, and moving burned debris if there is a risk it could roll downhill and ignite previously unburned vegetation. The amount of area that is mopped up depends on terrain, vegetation type, and proximity to structures or other values at risk.

Firefighters mop up along the fire perimeter to ensure the fire line is cooled down enough that it will not re-ignite, even during high wind events.

When you properly extinguish your campfire by pouring water on the fire to drown all embers, thoroughly stirring in the water, adding more water (or sand), and feeling with your hand for any emanating heat, you are essentially "mopping up."

The following link takes you to a visual presentation about the Lukens and County Line fires in Yosemite National Park. The images and narrative explain the management strategy used to contain these two fires as well as the benefits of the fire to the ecosystem.

Because of the size of the file and number of images, the presentation may take a moment to load.

 https://www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=3a3c7d97b0b74a0a80bb0efbaab7391f

PENDLETON, Ore. (July 8, 2021 – 12 p.m.) — Forest officials have implemented an area and road closure surrounding numerous new fires on the Pomeroy Ranger District for public and firefighter safety.  Firefighters continue battling new starts following passing thunderstorms over the Pomeroy Ranger District on Wednesday, July 7.

The closure is effective immediately and includes portions of Forest Service Road (FSR) 41, FSR 43 and FSR 44 and all trails within the closure area. A detailed map and description of the closure area is available on the Forest website and at any Forest office. Closure barriers and signs will be posted on the ground.

The Lick Creek Fire is now estimated to have burned 2,600 acres on National Forest lands, but has merged with the Dry Gulch Fire, which started on lands protected by Washington Department of Natural Resources. The fire was reported on July 7 and is located approximately 15 miles southeast of Pomeroy, Washington, burning in grass and timber. Winds and hot temperatures contributed to active fire behavior and growth yesterday, pushing the fire rapidly to the northeast, east and southeast. The movement of the fire prompted officials to close FSR 41 and FSR 44 and evacuate individuals within the Asotin Creek drainage. A local Washington Type 3 team took command of the fire last night, along with two additional fires outside of National Forest lands.  Today firefighters will focus on establishing access points to the fire and securing an anchor point where firefighters can build containment lines. Resources on scene include three interagency hotshot crews, three additional 20-person crews, dozers, multiple engines and water tenders. Additional firefighting resources are arriving today. The Forest will inbrief the Northwest Team 7 Type 2 Incident Management Team today at 3 p.m. with plans for the team to take command of the Lick Creek and Dry Gulch Fires tomorrow. An incident command post will be set up at the Asotin County Fairgrounds. Today’s update on the Dry Gulch Fire is available at https://www.facebook.com/sewaimt.

Firefighting crews were also challenged yesterday by the Green Ridge Fire, which is located approximately 30 miles east of Walla Walla, Washington near Green Ridge. The fire was reported on July 7 at 9:51 a.m. and is burning in steep terrain, primarily consisting of grass and shrubs. Late afternoon winds and hot temperatures caused the fire to spread rapidly. Values at risk include structures in the area. The fire is currently estimated to be 25 acres. Fire behavior is active today, including upslope runs and torching. Today firefighters will build line construction, where terrain and fuels allow for crews to safely engage, with support from two heavy air tankers. Current resources on scene include a handcrew with an Interagency Hotshot Crew arriving today. Additional resources are on order.  The Forest has ordered the local Blue Mountain Type 3 Incident Management Team to manage this fire and will inbrief the team tonight at 7 p.m with plans for the team to take command of the fire tomorrow morning.  

Additional smoke reports are likely to be detected throughout the next few days as weather conditions continue to stay hot and dry throughout the week.

Fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at HIGH and public use restrictions involving chainsaw use, smoking and off-road travel are in effect.

For more information regarding Restrictions, please contact:

Umatilla National Forest:

Information Hotline: Toll-Free (877) 958-9663

www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF  

Twitter: @UmatillaNF

The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog. To receive updates on fires in the Blue Mountains, follow our blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.  

Additional information about the Umatilla National Forest is available at: http://www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla.

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Quick Facts

Incident Summary

Approximate

Size:

24,730 acres

Fire
Containment:

5%

Incident Commander:

Jason Loomis

Resources
on the fires:

Crews: 7

Helicopters: 4

Engines: 25

Dozers: 4

Water tenders: 6

Total

Personnel:

380

Jurisdiction:

Umatilla National Forest, Spokane District Bureau of Land Management, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Asotin County Fire District

Inciweb:

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7615/

Facebook:  

Oregon Smoke Blog

http://oregonsmoke.blogspot.com/

Dry Gulch Fire

July 9, 2021

Fire Information 509-780-6238

E-mail: drygulchfireinfo@gmail.com

For Immediate Release

Incident Commander: Jason Loomis, Northwest Team 7

Clarkston, Wa. –Widespread lightning on July 7 started the Dry Gulch and Lick Creek Fires, ranging from two miles SW of Asotin, Washington to approximately 15 miles SW of Asotin. The fires have burned together and are now being managed as a single fire, the Dry Gulch Fire.

Start Date: July 7, 2021     Cause: Lightning     Size: approx. 24,730 acres. Containment: 5%   

Status: The fire has not moved significantly to the north and east in the past 24 hours. It has moved rapidly to the south and west. Overnight, crews accomplished burning out fuels near Smoothing Iron Ridge, and have established point protection measures for threatened structures.

Weather: The current and forecasted weather are very conducive to fire spread, with historically dry and hot conditions, and an unstable atmosphere favoring fire growth and spotting.

Closures and Evacuations: Area Closure and fire perimeter maps are posted on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7615

Public Meeting: A meeting will be held today July 9 at 7:00 pm at Asotin County Fire District Station, 2377 Appleside Blvd. Clarkston, WA 99403. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the Asotin County Fire District #1 Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/asotincountyfd1/

Prevention Message: Whether we are out in nature or home in our backyards, remember that it is our role to protect the lands we love by preventing wildfires and recreating responsibly.

The Fire Emergency Area Closure was expanded on July 9, 2021. 

See the PDF linked below for the area closure description and a map. 

The Dry Gulch fire grew more than 13,000 acres yesterday. All significant growth has been to the west and south as the fire moves into increasingly rugged terrain and heavy fuels.
 
Status: The fire has not moved significantly to the north and east in the past 24 hours. With its continued spread to the south and west, firefighters are establishing protection measures for threatened structures. These measures can include installing sprinkler systems and removing adjacent fuels.
 
Weather: Current and forecasted weather remains unfavorable and fire spread is expected, with historically dry and hot conditions, and an unstable atmosphere favoring fire growth and spotting. Overnight, humidity levels remained extremely low allowing the fire to spread actively. These conditions have created an unprecedented potential for extreme fire spread and intensity. Winds today will be from the west and southwest which may result in increased fire behavior on the active western and southern edges of the fire.
 
Closures and Evacuations: Area closure and fire perimeter maps are posted on Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7615.
 
Prevention Message: There are numerous opportunities to prevent human-caused fires in this extremely flammable environment. Please be aware of the many actions you can take to avoid starting a dangerous and expensive fire. We cannot prevent lightning, but together we can prevent most human-caused ignitions. Firefighters need your help getting us all through this fire season safely.

See links to the full update and today's Fire information map below