Overview: The Goat Rocks Fire continues to burn 1.5 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington in and around the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Firefighters have finished removing fuels around structures closest to the fire and are patrolling those neighborhoods.   Although the fire had moderate growth, yesterday’s successful burning operation further strengthened control lines between the fire’s edge and highly-valued resources.  As of this morning the fire is being held at the 4610 Road, about ½ mile from Upper Timberline. Fire managers are prioritizing firefighter and public safety as they continue to make good progress toward completing firefighting objectives; today, 85% of indirect control lines have been completed.   

Firefighting Activity: Yesterday, conditions were favorable for the burning operation that had to be paused on Tuesday due to potentially unstable weather and winds. Firefighters carefully applied fire to clear vegetation further reinforcing fire breaks by removing fuels between the fire’s edge and control lines at the 4610 and 4612 Roads in and around the Coal Creek drainage. On the fire’s northwest corner near Bluff Lake, fire behavior was more active due to windy, warm and dry conditions. Fire managers monitored additional hot spots around Dam Creek and in the Lava Creek area; helicopters applied water to slow the fire. In addition, crews finished clearing a helicopter landing spot on the fire’s northern edge, providing more rapid access in the event of a field emergency.  Firefighters have finished work in the Timberline and Goat Rocks communities but are leaving fire protection equipment – hose lines and water tanks – in place as a contingency for firefighting efforts. Fire managers ask the public to leave the equipment where it is; crews will remove it when appropriate.  
Today, a crew will be patrolling Timberline and Goat Rocks while the rest of the personnel previously working on structure protection will be reassigned to the fire’s western edges. There, firefighters will monitor the areas of yesterday’s burning operation. Work will continue strengthening control lines with heavy equipment on forest roads around the fire’s north and west perimeters.  

Forest Closures: For information on current road and trail closures, you can go to this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1060181.pdf 

Evacuations: Areas northeast of Butter Creek and north of US-12, including Lower Timberline and Goat Rocks, are still at an Evacuation Level 1 (Be Ready). Upper Timberline remains at an Evacuation Level 2 (Be Set). 
Fire Restrictions: Campfire bans and other use restrictions are in place across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Campfires are allowed within certain campgrounds identified on: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/giffordpinchot/alerts-notices. 

Weather: Cooler temperatures and rising humidity are forecast for Thursday and Friday as the weather shifts to an onshore pattern with light westerly winds until Sunday when warmer conditions and an easterly flow are expected.  

Public Safety: This National Preparedness Month, we are reminding you to develop an emergency communications plan with your family. Decide now how you will check-in with one another if regular communications channels are unavailable. To learn more, visit: https://www.ready.gov/ 

Sign-up For Alerts: To receive alerts from Lewis County in the case of an emergency, sign up at https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/emergency-management/lewis-county-alert/ 

The percent of containment on a fire is one measure of progress, but not the only one. Completion of firefighting objectives is another measure of progress. These objectives include construction of control lines and protecting highly valued resources such as the Packwood community, sensitive tribal resources, and historic structures at Packwood Lake.  This deliberate and methodical strategy is designed to achieve these protection goals without subjecting firefighters to unacceptable risk.  

Goat Rocks Fire
September 21, 2022
 
Overview: The Goat Rocks Fire continues to burn 1.5 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington in and around the Goat Rocks Wilderness. The percent of containment on a fire is one measure of progress, but not the only one. Completion of firefighting objectives is another measure of progress. These objectives include construction of control lines and protecting highly valued resources such as the Packwood community, sensitive tribal resources, and historic structures at Packwood Lake. Fire managers continue to prioritize firefighter and public safety. 

 

Over the past several days, firefighters have been creating “indirect” containment lines around the Goat Rocks Fire. This strategy is deliberate and methodical. Additionally, this strategy is designed to achieve the goals of protecting Packwood, the subdivisions and other values without subjecting firefighters to unacceptable risk. Over 70% of identified control line has been completed and more than 500 structures in and around Packwood continue to be monitored, patrolled or have received fuel reduction. Other objectives include monitoring changes in fire behavior, weather, and terrain to evaluate for additional fire protection measures.  

 

Firefighting Activity: Yesterday, moderate fire activity was observed due to an increase in temperatures, lower humidity, and terrain driven winds. In response, helicopters began dropping water over the affected areas. Firefighters resumed mastication on the Forest Road 4612. After evaluating conditions, the planned burning operation along a small portion of Forest Road 4610 in the Coal Creek drainage was paused. Control lines along Forest Road 46 have been completed and crews will begin to assess for additional fire suppression opportunities. Fire personnel have completed chipping of fuels around structures within the Upper Timberline and Coal Creek neighborhoods.  

 

Today, crews will continue to improve control lines using heavy equipment along Forest Road 041 and apply hose lays on Forest Road 46. Fire personnel will reassess conditions for a small tactical burn operation above Coal Creek along the 4610 Road. This will improve and secure the line protecting the town of Packwood. Weather conditions and fuels must prove favorable for burning to take place. There is a possibility that smoke may be visible should burning operations occur.

 

Forest Closures: For information on current road and trail closures, you can go to this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1060181.pdf    

 

Evacuations: All of Packwood and areas southwest of Butter Creek, including High Valley, have had their evacuation orders lifted. Areas northeast of Butter Creek and north of US-12, including Lower Timberline and Goat Rocks, are still at an Evacuation Level 1 (Be Ready). Upper Timberline remains at an Evacuation Level 2 (Be Set). 

 

Fire Restrictions: Campfire bans and other use restrictions are in place across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Campfires are allowed within certain campgrounds identified on: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/giffordpinchot/alerts-notices. 

 

Weather: More warm and dry conditions are predicted for today with a shift in winds coming out of the west. Winds will be light and predominately terrain driven, influencing fire activity to creep and smolder.  

 

Public Safety:  This National Preparedness Month, we are reminding you to build your emergency kit. Don’t forget to include  

non-perishable food and water that can last several days, flashlights, radios and extra batteries, and a first aid kit. To learn more visit: https://www.ready.gov/ 

 

Sign-up For Alerts: To receive alerts from Lewis County in the case of an emergency, sign up at https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/emergency-management/lewis-county-alert/  

Goat Rocks Fire
September 20, 2022
 
Overview: The Goat Rocks Fire continues to burn 1.5 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington in and around the Goat Rocks Wilderness. Crews continue to thin fuels along roads and chip fuels cut from around structures. Additionally, crews will evaluate an opportunity to apply fire in a small area along the 4610 road to better secure the line protecting the town of Packwood. There is a possibility that smoke may be visible should burning occur. Fire managers continue to prioritize firefighter and public safety. 

 

Firefighting Activity: Yesterday, crews worked to complete line construction along Forest Road 041 south of the fire. They removed excess trees, masticated underbrush, and chipped material cut when hand line was constructed. Other crews also chipped cut material around the Upper Timberline neighborhood and Forest Road 046. A small test burn in the Coal Creek drainage was conducted as an observation of the fire activity. A test burn involves setting a small fire in a controlled area to observe the potential fire behavior in a larger burn operation.  

 

Today, resources on all divisions of the fire will continue chipping and removing vegetation from around structures and forest roads to improve the existing fuel breaks. Additionally, after the successful test burn yesterday, firefighters may be evaluating a potential burn operation above Coal Creek to clean up an area of unburned fuels between the wildfire and the Timberline community. This burn is intentional and intended to dispose of fuels that would otherwise be unsafe, costly, and time intensive to have removed. Packwood residents may smell and see more smoke in the area. This burn will not take place until the temperature and humidity values fall within a specific range where conditions are favorable; if conditions go outside that range, fire managers will not continue the burn. 

 

Forest Closures: For information on current road and trail closures, you can go to this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1060181.pdf    

 

Evacuations: All of Packwood and areas southwest of Butter Creek, including High Valley, have had their evacuation orders lifted. Areas northeast of Butter Creek and north of US-12, including Lower Timberline and Goat Rocks, are still at an Evacuation Level 1 (Be Ready). Upper Timberline remains at an Evacuation Level 2 (Be Set). 

 

Fire Restrictions: Campfire bans and other use restrictions are in place across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Campfires are allowed within certain campgrounds identified on: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/giffordpinchot/alerts-notices. 

 

Weather: The warming and drying trend will continue today with humidity values dropping into the upper 30% range, and temperatures rising into the 70s. Winds will continue out of the east, following the terrain and potentially gusting up to 15-20 miles per hour. With easterly winds, there will may be more smoke in Packwood as the winds blow over White Pass and push the smoke into the Cowlitz River Drainage. 

 

Public Safety:  National Preparedness Month (NPM) is an observance each September to raise awareness in  

the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2022 theme is “A Lasting Legacy.” To learn more visit: https://www.ready.gov/ 

 

Donations: Northwest Incident Management Team 10 would like to thank the community for all your generous offers to provide donations. Firefighters are well-provisioned. Other ways you may help include driving cautiously to ensure firefighter safety, post thank you signs within the community for firefighters to see or donate to your local Red Cross, Lewis County Fire District #10 (Packwood) and the Wildland Firefighter Foundation. 

 

Sign-up For Alerts: To receive alerts from Lewis County in the case of an emergency, sign up at https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/emergency-management/lewis-county-alert/  

Goat Rocks Fire
September 19,2022
 
Overview: The Goat Rocks Fire continues to burn 1.5 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington in and around the Goat Rocks Wilderness area.  Fire managers are using tactics to ensure safety of the firefighters, communities, and natural resources. Crews continue to thin fuels along roads and chip fuels cut from around structures. Due to cooler weather, fire behavior has been calm and growth has been minimal. However, more smoke could be visible over the next few days as warmer and drier conditions may cause a slight increase in fire activity.

Firefighting Activity: Minimum Impact Suppression Techniques (MIST) are being applied by firefighters to protect wilderness values such as a natural appearing landscape (as found within Goat Rocks Wilderness). These techniques seek to minimize the impact to the landscape while achieving the protection objectives consistent with land and resource management. For example, fire managers may use natural fire fuel breaks rather than digging containment lines by bulldozers.

Yesterday, fire personnel on the western edge of the fire installed hose lays and sprinklers along the handline on Forest Road 1266 to 4110 to reinforce containment features near Coal Creek. Crews used heavy equipment to strengthen containment line. On the northern perimeter, crews continued to improve the control line on Forest Road 46 and chip brush piles. Chipping was also underway to reduce material generated from clearing around structures in the Timberline, Goat Rocks, and High Valley communities. Today, firefighters will spend another day patrolling and chipping material around Upper Timberline and surrounding neighborhoods. Crews will work on the western portion of the fire removing woody material along Forest Road 4610 and further strengthen containment lines. Personnel on the northern edge of the fire will continue improving control lines and chipping operations on Forest Road 46.

Forest Closures: For information on current road and trail closures, you can go to this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1060181.pdf  

Evacuations: All of Packwood and areas southwest of Butter Creek, including High Valley, have had their evacuation orders lifted. Areas northeast of Butter Creek and north of US-12, including Lower Timberline and Goat Rocks, are still at an Evacuation Level 1 (Be Ready). Upper Timberline remains at an Evacuation Level 2 (Be Set).

Fire Restrictions: Campfire bans and other use restrictions are in place across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Campfires are allowed within certain campgrounds identified on: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/giffordpinchot/alerts-notices.

Weather: A warming and drying trend is predicted across the area over the next few days. Temperatures are expected to climb several degrees into the 70s, slightly increasing the potential for more active fire behavior.

Public Safety:  National Preparedness Month (NPM) is an observance each September to raise awareness in the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies that could happen at any time. The 2022 theme is “A Lasting Legacy.” To learn more visit: https://www.ready.gov/

Donations: Northwest Incident Management Team 10 would like to thank the community for all your generous offers to provide donations. Firefighters are well-provisioned. Other ways you may help include driving cautiously to ensure firefighter safety, post thank you signs within the community for firefighters to see or donate to your local Red Cross, Lewis County Fire District #10 (Packwood) and the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.

Sign-up For Alerts: To receive alerts from Lewis County in the case of an emergency, sign up at https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/emergency-management/lewis-county-alert/

Goat Rocks Fire
September 18, 2022
 
Overview: The Goat Rocks Fire continues to burn 1.5 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington in and around the Goat Rocks Wilderness area. Firefighters continue to thin and remove fuels along roads to act as fuel breaks and remove the fuels cut from around structures in the Timberline, Goat Rocks, and High Valley communities.

Fire Activity: Yesterday firefighters completed a section of contingency line connecting Forest Road 4610 and Forest Road 041, providing an additional option for the protection of the community of Packwood. A chipper was also utilized, and crews began to chip the material cut and gathered from around the structures.

Today, personnel will be working along the Forest Road 041 and 4610 to improve and strengthen contingency lines where needed. With the completion of the hand line, equipment and firefighters will be reassigned to Forest Road 46 north of the fire to speed up the chipping process there. Firefighters will continue to chip the material cut from around homes and dispose of the brush and other debris gathered during structure protection operations.

Containment: Fire managers typically consider a portion of line contained when the control line is in place, fuels between the control line and main fire have been burned away, and all heat has been extinguished next to the line. Due to the difficult terrain, firefighters have been unable to safely engage the fire’s edge. To protect personnel and minimize the impact on the Wilderness Area, crews have been constructing control lines along the existing road systems around the fire. Burning the fuels between the line and the fire’s edge would increase containment but it would also dramatically increase the size of the fire.

Forest Closures: For information on current road and trail closures, you can go to this link: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1060181.pdf

Evacuations: All of Packwood and areas southwest of Butter Creek, including High Valley, have had their evacuation orders lifted. Areas northeast of Butter Creek and north of US-12, including Lower Timberline and Goat Rocks, are still at an Evacuation Level 1 (Be Ready). Upper Timberline remains at an Evacuation Level 2 (Be Set).

Fire Restrictions: Campfire bans, and other use restrictions are in place across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and much of the region. Campfires are allowed within certain campgrounds on an approved list at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/giffordpinchot/alerts-notices.

Weather: Higher temperatures and a lower humidity will continue today but there will be a slight chance for rain in the evening. Light winds out of the east will continue to blow warm dry air over the pass and push smoke into Packwood and the surrounding communities. This increase in smoke is not due to an uptick in fire activity but rather movement of smoke already affecting the area. The winds will remain light and not cause additional fire spread.

Public Safety: Increased traffic is expected with the ongoing weekend activities and fire personnel continuing to work in the area. Please use caution when traveling near the area and adhere to the posted speed limits.

Donations: Northwest Incident Management Team 10 would like to extend to the community a heartfelt thank you for all your generous offers to provide donations to firefighters. Firefighters are well-provisioned, so we invite you to donate to your local Red Cross, Lewis County Fire District #10 (Packwood) and the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.

Sign-up For Alerts: To receive alerts from Lewis County in the case of an emergency, please sign up for Lewis County alerts at https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/emergency-management/lewis-county-alert/ 

Goat Rocks Fire 
September 17, 2022 1:00 p.m.
 
As of 1:00 p.m. on September 17, 2022, evacuation orders have changed:
  Evacuation orders have been lifted in Packwood proper and all areas southwest of Butter Creek, including High Valley. Areas Northeast of Butter Creek and North of Hwy 12 to include Lower Timberline and Goat Rock will remain at a Level 1 (Be Ready) evacuation. Upper Timberline, areas South of Hwy 12, remain in a Level 2 (Be Set) evacuation.
There is still fire suppression activity in the area. Please be cautious as heavy equipment and firefighters continue to work on the fire. Sprinklers, hoses and other suppression equipment needs to remain in place as it will be managed by fire crews.

Goat Rocks Fire
September 17, 2022 
Overview: The Goat Rocks Fire continues to burn 1.5 miles northeast of the town of Packwood, Washington in and around the Goat Rocks Wilderness area. The fire has been relatively quiet in movement and overall
fire behavior. The cooler weather conditions are aiding fire crews with suppression efforts. Crews are taking advantage of this opportunity to strengthen contingency lines around the fire and enhance protection measures around structures. In the wilderness areas, Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics (MIST) are guiding the work that is ongoing there. MIST is focused on doing enough work to suppress the fire safely, while impacting the landscape as little as possible.
Fire Activity: Fire crews yesterday were able to complete their work along Forest Roads 1266 and 041. Hand crews completed removing brush along the 46 Road where it was inaccessible to machinery, and equipment was brought in to begin chipping the removed material. Additionally, engines continued to patrol around the neighborhoods and improving their work where needed.
Today, equipment will be used to continue with clearing along the 46 Road. Crews will begin clearing an alternate line to act as a contingency to the established break along the 041 Road. Another chipper has been ordered, and crews will begin chipping the material cut from around structures. The Wildland Fire Use Module will continue to scout and monitor the fire’s progression into the Goat Rocks Wilderness Area. Forest Closures: For a current map of all the roads and trails that are closed due to the Goat Rocks Fire, see this link https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1060181.pdf
Evacuations: All of Packwood and its surrounding communities except for Upper Timberline are at an Evacuation Level 1 (Be Ready). Upper Timberline is now at an Evacuation Level 2 (Be Set).
Fire Restrictions: Campfire bans and other use restrictions are in place across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and much of the region. Campfires are allowed within certain campgrounds on an approved list at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/giffordpinchot/alerts-notices
Weather: We have been seeing an onshore flow, bringing in cool temperatures and more moisture. Starting today, we will be experiencing a switch to an offshore flow, with warm dry air blowing from east to west. This will bring some drier and warmer conditions along with the potential for more smoke, due to light winds out of the east. There is a chance of showers late tonight or early tomorrow morning.
Public Safety: Increased traffic is expected with the ongoing weekend activities and fire personnel continuing to work in the area. Please use caution when traveling near the area and adhere to the posted speed limits.
Donations: Northwest Incident Management Team 10 would like to extend to the community a heartfelt thank you for all your generous offers to provide donations to firefighters. Firefighters are well-provisioned, so we invite you to donate to your local Red Cross, Lewis County Fire District #10 (Packwood) and the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.
Sign-up For Alerts: To receive alerts from Lewis County in the case of an emergency, please sign up for Lewis County alerts at https://lewiscountywa.gov/departments/emergency-management/lewis-county-alert/ 

Acres: 5,843 acres | Containment: 91% | Total personnel: 432

Start Date: September 7, 2022 | Cause: Lightning| Location: 2 miles east of Willow Ranch, CA and 2 miles west of Fort Bidwell, CA | Fuels: Timber, Brush, Litter, & Understory

 

This will be the last written update for the Barnes fire please use Inciweb and the ModocNF Facebook page for additional information
 

Information Line: 530-629-6101, Incident Email: 2022.barnes@gmail.com 

 

Highlights: Yesterday, fire behavior was minimal. Firefighters continue to hold the fire in the existing footprint. On the northern flank, hose equipment that is no longer needed was back hauled and crews tactically patrolled areas that have been mopped up. Smokes are still visible of interior heats such as burning stumps holes. Over eight miles of hose has been strung out along the perimeter to secure the edge. On the eastern edge, hand crews mopped up using portable water tanks, hose lines, and heavy saw work in large diameter fuels, mainly Mountain Mahogany. They also worked areas of heat identified by the nightly IR flight. On the Southern perimeter, crews removed hose, performed suppression repair, and addressed hazard trees. Increased containment gains have been made.  

 

Operations: Today, firefighters will mop up, tactically patrol, address hazard trees, chip brush, and perform fire suppression repair work where necessary. Along the fires eastern perimeter, crews and heavy equipment are improving and reinforcing direct line in an effort to reach full containment of the fire, they will also be using the IR to pinpoint any additional heat near the containment lines. Suppression repair is also continuing around the contained and un-needed dozer line. On the northern perimeter, they will be mopping up and eliminating threats to the line continuing to use aerial assets to assist as needed and backhaul equipment. Command of the incident will be transferred back to the local type 3 Incident Management Team at 1800 tonight. Evacuations: BARNES FIRE EVACUATION UPDATE (9/13/22 @ 6:00 PM) EVACUATION ORDERS for Road 133C and County Road 9 in ZONE MCU-028 are now reduced to an Advisory. You may now return to your home. County Road 9 and Road 133C will remained closed except for fire traffic and residents. There are currently NO MANDATORY EVACUATIONS for the Barnes Fire. MCU-028 and MCU-035 are in ADVISORY ONLY. This is strictly voluntary. Be alert to rapidly changing conditions and follow County recommendations. Residents can check Zonehaven AWARE (sign up for real time updates). Zones will be updated as the incident changes. If you don’t KNOW YOUR ZONE, type your address in the site (use the QR Code) before and it will give you your zone and any conditions noted. For more information visit the Modoc County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page. Road Closures: County Rd 9 and 133C are closed and only open to emergency responders, this closure will support public safety by keeping public members out of the hazardous burn areas and will allow firefighting resources to address mop – up and hazardous tree removal. Weather: Today will be cooler and partly cloudy with a chance of showers into the afternoon and evening. Winds are expected to be from the southwest at 5-10 mph until 1100. After 1100, from the southwest at 8-14 mph, with afternoon gusts approaching 23 mph. Minimum humidity will be near 31% with good overnight recovery.  Temperatures will be in the low-60s to low 70’s. 

 

AlertWildfire Camera: Click here to view a camera pointed at the east side of the fire: https://tinyurl.com/49erCamera

 

Smoke: Fire and Smoke air map available https://fire.airnow.gov/

 

This evening, Great Basin Team 4 will transition command of the Tenmile Fire to a Payette National Forest Type 4 Incident Management Team. This will be the last daily update for the Tenmile Fire.All vegetation removal and chipping operations have concluded. Crews will continue working in the area backhauling equipment and supplies. Hose lay will remain in place as the Type 4 Incident Management Team assumes command and will likely remain in place until a true season ending event.

Weather is expected to be higher than normal in temperatures and below normal for precipitation throughout next week, reaching into the high 70’s with relative humidity decreasing to single digits. The fire continues to hold minimal heat in some areas and continues to smolder in some of the duff layer of the forest floor. Great Basin Team 4 appreciates the Payette National Forest, the Bureau of Land Management Cottonwood Field Office, Idaho and Adams counties, Idaho Department of Lands, the communities of Secesh, Burgdorf, New Meadows, McCall, Warren and surrounding areas for the support and hospitality they showed the entire Great Basin Team and all personnel involved in the Tenmile and Middle Fires.

Chipping operations will continue today on the north side of the fire along NF 318 Road, finalizing indirect containment lines around the entirety of the Tenmile Fire. Operations along Warren Wagon Road, as well as NF 325 Road, have concluded but you may still see fire personnel in the area. Crews have also completed the majority of the vegetation and chipping operation around Burgdorf. The closure orders will remain in place until it is deemed safe for the public to return to the area.     The Tenmile fire area received light rainfall and cooler weather over the previous two days. Fire activity today is expected to be minimal with smoldering and creeping as a drying trend arrives today, bringing above normal temperatures that may reach 80 degrees.

Firefighters appreciate all the support they have felt from the local community and surrounding areas over the past several weeks. Over the next week, the public will see a decrease in fire personnel as crews complete their assignments on the Tenmile Fire and return home.