HOOD RIVER, Ore. (el 19 de septiembre de 2024) — El cierre del área asociado con el incendio Microwave Tower continúa vigente en todas las tierras del Sistema Forestal Nacional (NFS por sus siglas en inglés) dentro del perímetro del incendio en el Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area (Scenic Area). Las actividades de mitigación de riesgos continúan, especialmente en el sitio del vertedero de residuos ubicado a lo largo del Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, entre Hood River y Moiser. Aunque el perímetro del incendio está contenido, el cierre del área deberá permanecer vigente hasta que sea seguro para el público recuperar el acceso al área.

El objetivo del cierre es proteger de manera proactiva la seguridad pública y de los bomberos, ya que el Scenic Area trabaja activamente para abordar un vertedero de desechos abandonado que está ardiendo y que ha estado emitiendo gases y humo nocivos a medida que el contenido continúa quemando. El vertedero alguna vez se utilizó como lugar para desechos de huertos, automóviles y otros desechos antes de que el terreno se convirtiera en tierras federales.

Debido a la característica excepcionalmente tóxica de estos combustibles en combustión, el Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area implementó un contrato de monitoreo del aire y continúa consultando con expertos federales y estatales en calidad del aire, para garantizar la seguridad de las comunidades locales y los bomberos que están trabajando en el sitio de disposición. Los resultados iniciales revelaron un nivel elevado de material particulado, que es típico del humo de los incendios forestales; sin embargo, también se detectaron niveles elevados de compuestos orgánicos volátiles (VOC por sus siglas en inglés) en el área, que se concentraron directamente en el vertedero. Como resultado, los bomberos están usando equipo de protección personal (EPP), que incluye protección respiratoria y equipo especializado, mientras trabajan en el área. El monitoreo del aire continúa mientras los bomberos trabajan para apagarlo.

“Los bomberos siguen trabajando a diario para extinguir el vertedero que esta ardiendo lo antes posible, manteniendo la seguridad del personal y de nuestras comunidades como máxima prioridad”, dijo Nicolas Granum, el director general adjunto del Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. “Por favor, respete el cierre del incendio para permitir que el trabajo continúe y evite el área mientras el humo tóxico continúe afectando el sendero”.

Es posible que se vea humo en la autopista interestatal I-84 mientras continúan los trabajos de excavación. Tenga en cuenta que la exposición al humo peligroso puede tener efectos adversos para la salud, especialmente para las personas con problemas respiratorios conocidos. Pedimos que el público evite el área y esta sección del Historic Columbia River Highway Trail mientras continúan los trabajos de mitigación.

Se encuentra un mapa detallado y una descripción del área de cierre del incendio Microwave Tower en el sitio web del Scenic Area y en nuestra oficina. Se han colocado barreras y señales de cierre en el área.

Para obtener más información sobre el incendio Microwave Tower, contáctese con:

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area:

Numero de teléfono: (541) 308-1700

www.facebook.com/crgnsa

Twitter: @CRGNSA

Los detalles de estos cierres también están disponibles en los sitios web estatales y locales en inglés en: https://www.hoodrivercounty.gov/closures y https://stateparks.oregon.gov/

Información adicional (en inglés) sobre el Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area está disponible en: https://www.fs.usda.gov/crgnsa

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HOOD RIVER, Ore. (September 19, 2024) — The area closure associated with the Microwave Tower fire remains in effect on all National Forest System (NFS) lands within the fire perimeter on the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Ongoing hazard mitigation activities continue, especially at the waste disposal site located along the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail, between Hood River and Moiser. Although the fire perimeter is contained, the area closure will need to remain in place until it is safe for the public to regain access to the area. 

The objective of the closure is to proactively protect public and firefighter safety as the Scenic Area actively works at a smoldering abandoned waste disposal site, that has been issuing noxious gases and smoke as the contents continue to consume. The disposal site was once used as a place for orchard waste, automobiles, and other debris prior to the land becoming Federal lands. 

Because of the uniquely toxic nature of these burning fuels, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area implemented an air monitoring contract and continue to consult with Federal and state air quality experts, to ensure the safety of local communities and firefighters who are working the disposal site. Initial results revealed elevated particulate matter, which is the typical for wildfire smoke, however, elevated levels of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were also detected in the area, and concentrated directly in the burning pit. As a result, firefighters are using personal protective equipment (PPE), including breathing protection and specialized equipment, while working in the area. Air monitoring continues while firefighters work to put it out. 

“Firefighters continue to work daily to extinguish the smoldering disposal site as soon as possible, while keeping the safety of personnel and our communities the top priority” said Nicolas Granum, Deputy Forest Supervisor for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. “Please respect the fire closure to allow work to continue and avoid the area while toxic smoke continues to impact the trail.”

Smoke may be visible on Interstate 84 as excavating work continues. Please be aware that exposure to hazardous smoke can have adverse health effects, especially for individuals with known respiratory issues. We ask that the public avoid the area and this section of the Historic Columbia River Highway Trail while ongoing mitigation work continues. 

A detailed map and description of the Microwave Tower closure area is available on the Scenic Area website and at our office. Closure barriers and signs have been posted on the ground. 

For more information regarding the Microwave Tower Fire, please contact: 

Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area: 

Information: (541) 308-1700 

www.facebook.com/crgnsa 

Twitter: @CRGNSA

Details of these closures are also available on state and local websites at: https://www.hoodrivercounty.gov/closures and https://stateparks.oregon.gov/ 

Additional information about the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is available at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/crgnsa 

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KEY ELEMENTS OF THE BAER ASSESSMENT
Forest Service BAER assessment teams are established by Forest Supervisors before wildfires are fully contained.

The teams coordinate and work with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), National Weather Service (NWS), local counties, State Department of Transportation, and other federal, state, and local agencies to strategically assess potential post-fire impacts to the watersheds burned from wildland fires.

The BAER assessment teams are evaluating watershed conditions to determine the level of potential risks to human life, safety, property, critical natural and cultural-heritage resources, and determine if there are appropriate and effective emergency stabilization measures that can be implemented on federal lands in a timely manner to reduce unacceptable risks from potential flooding and debris flow threats.

The BAER assessment team conducts field surveys and uses science-based models to rapidly evaluate and assess the burned area.BAER assessment teams are staffed by specially trained professionals that may include: hydrologists, soil scientists, engineers, geologists, biologists, botanists, archeologists, geographic information system mapping specialists, recreation and trails specialists, and others who evaluate the burned area and prescribe emergency response actions to protect the land quickly and effectively.BAER assessments usually begin before a wildfire has been fully contained.

The BAER assessment team generates a “Soil Burn Severity” map by using satellite imagery which is then validated and adjusted by BAER team field surveys to assess watershed conditions and watershed response to the wildfire. The map identifies areas of soil burn severity by categories of low/unburned, moderate, and high which corresponds to a projected increase in watershed response.

The BAER team presents these findings and treatment recommendations to the Forest Supervisor in an assessment report that identifies immediate and emergency stabilization actions needed to address potential post-fire risks to human life and safety, property, cultural-heritage and critical natural resources on National Forest System lands.

The BAER report describes watershed pre- and post-fire response information, areas of concern for human life, safety and property, and recommended short-term emergency stabilization actions for federal lands that burned. In most cases, only a portion of the burned area is actually treated. 

If the BAER assessment team determines there may be potential emergency situations, the short-term goal is to have flood and erosion control protection measures completed before the first large, damaging rain events occur.

Timely implementation is critical if BAER emergency response actions are to be effective.The BAER assessment team coordinates with other federal and local agencies, and counties that assist private landowners in preparing for increased run-off and potential flooding.

Federal assistance to private landowners regarding post-fire potential impacts is the primary responsibility of the NRCS through the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program (https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/landscape/ewpp/).

NRCS in coordination with additional state, local and federal agencies conduct damage survey reports for the private land adjacent to and downstream from the burned areas. NRCS uses these reports, along with the BAER team’s assessment report, to develop recommended emergency measures for businesses and private home and landowners to reduce the impacts to their property from potential increased water and debris flows.

Fire Size: 2,402 

Cause: lightning 

Location: approximately two (2) miles southwest of the confluence of Panther Creek and the Main Salmon River on the North Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness. 

Fuels: grass, brush, dead and down fuels, and timber

InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idscf-garden-fire  

Fire situation:  Firefighter and public safety is the number one priority for the Garden Fire.  The fire is backing with moderate to active fire behavior with smoke continuing to be visible in lower Panther Creek and along the Main Salmon River. Firefighters currently are not observing long range spotting and potential for crown fire is low due to the fire burning in the 2000 Clear Creek Fire and adjacent to the 2007 Clear Sage Fire. However, fire managers have observed fire growth anywhere from 500 to 1,200 acres in a single day.  Smoke continues to drift into the North Fork and Salmon areas from the Garden Fire and other fires to the west. 

The fire is growing mainly to the south into Clear Creek and is flanking to the east and west on those sides of the fires.  Infrared flights are currently planned every other night, acreage will be updated at that time.  Fire managers are using a point protection strategy (a wildfire response strategy, which protects specific assets or highly valued resources from the wildfire without directly halting the continued spread of the wildfire) to minimize exposure to fire personnel while protecting identified values, including private property and Forest Service infrastructure. Firefighters will continue to be on the ground patrolling the Panther Creek and Salmon River areas and will use aerial reconnaissance as necessary.  Visitors using the Garden Creek or Clear Creek trails are encouraged to #KnowBeforeYouGo and to be aware of the fire activity in the area.  Trailheads are posted with fire information.  The fire will be updated every Monday in the weekly Salmon-Challis National Forest Fire Summary or if there is significant change in fire activity. 

Weather:  A dry cold front will arrive this afternoon. Expect near red flag conditions today with humidities in the teens and winds gusting 20 to 25 mph this afternoon. Lighter winds are expected for Thursday. But another cold front will arrive for Friday and wind gusts could fall in the 25 to 35 mph range.

Visit our website at: www.fs.usda.gov/scnf/, ‘Like Us’ on Facebook @salmonchallisnf, and ‘Follow Us’ on X @salmonchallisnf. 

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Fire Name: Nugget Fire

Fire Size: 297

Cause: lightning

Location: approximately 40 miles west of Salmon on the North Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness, west of the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.

Fuels: grass and brush with scattered timber.

Fire situation:  Firefighter and public safety is the number one priority for the Nugget Fire.  The fire is primarily burning in the grass and brush and is hung up in the cliffs above the Middle Fork of the Salmon River.  The fire is surrounded by and in fire scars from 2005, 2013, and 2015.  Fire managers are recommending the public do not enter the Nugget and Cradle Creek drainages.  The fire will be updated every Monday in the weekly Salmon-Challis National Forest Fire Summary or if there is significant change in fire activity. 

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Fire Name: Garden Fire

Fire Size: 234

Cause: lightning

Location: approximately two (2) miles southwest of the confluence of Panther Creek and the Main Salmon River on the North Fork Ranger District in the Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness.

Fuels: grass, brush, and timber

Fire situation:  Firefighter and public safety is the number one priority for the Garden Fire.  Fire activity is minimal to moderate with smoke continuing to be visible in lower Panther Creek and along the Main Salmon River.  Visitors using the Garden Creek or Clear Creek trails are encouraged to #KnowBeforeYouGo and to be aware of the fire activity in the area.  Trailheads will be posted with fire information.  The fire will be updated every Monday in the weekly Salmon-Challis National Forest Fire Summary or if there is significant change in fire activity.

Weather:  The lack of rainfall will extend another seven days at least as high pressure continues to dominate the Great Basin weather pattern.  Expect warming and drying for the next two days. This ridge does pull back for a low that passes to the north on Saturday night.  Afternoon highs on Saturday at low elevations will once again approach 90 degrees, which will put afternoon humidity readings close to the 15 percent critical threshold.

Visit our website at: www.fs.usda.gov/scnf/, ‘Like Us’ on Facebook @salmonchallisnf, and ‘Follow Us’ on X @salmonchallisnf. 

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Yesterday, there was a high heat advisory over the fire area which will remain in effect today.  The most active fire behavior continues to be along the Santa Ana River drainage with fire moving up the drainage to Sand Creek on the north and also near the community of Pinezanita. Smoke may be visible to the community of Running springs from islands of fuel burning within the fire perimeter with no threat to the containment line. 

The fire remains active along the eastern flank in the Angelus Oaks area as the fire burned up to Highway 38 just north of Angelus Oaks. Firefighting resources continue to use a direct suppression tactic on the Line Fire as firefighting resources continue to build containment lines along the fire’s edge in an attempt keep the fire within its current footprint. Crews will continue to access and extinguish fire in the Bear and Siberia creek drainage when safe to do so in this very steep area with the support from water dropping helicopters. Monitor and patrol tactics continue along the western and southern edges of the fire perimeter.

Middle Fork Complex Fire Update

October 2, 2024

Middle Fork Fire Information: 208-992-3045 (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.) | Email: 2024.middleforkcomplex@firenet.gov

Middle Fork Complex: 61,484 acres, 90% completion, 328 Personnel 

Snag Fire: 33,436 acres, 90% completion, 58 Personnel 

Goat Fire: 27,342 acres, 46% completion, 118 personnel

Crews are continuing fire suppression repair. Fire suppression repair is a series of immediate, post-fire actions taken anywhere the ground was disturbed for fire suppression to repair damage and minimize potential soil erosion and impacts to forest infrastructure. This could vary from restoring a narrow two-foot-wide handline to a 20-foot dozer fireline. Some roads may also have been damaged by heavy equipment and need to be repaired to their previous state of use. Staging areas, places where firefighters install water pumps, or supply drop points may also require restoration work. These actions are usually started in the burned area as soon as resources can be safely shifted away from fire suppression efforts. Incident Management Teams allocate resources and personnel to implement repair work with guidance from local forest leaders and resource advisers with local knowledge and understanding. The work required to make these repairs could easily overwhelm local forest staff and could take years to complete if left undone while additional personnel and equipment from the fire are on site. 

Repair work can include installing water bars and other drainage diversions to help stabilize the watershed and minimize erosion. Masticating, chipping and spreading debris can protect bare soils and allow for the soil to retain moisture. Repairing damaged road drainages and clearing stream channels is also part of suppression repair. During this time, crews also work to remove hazardous trees, fix damage to roads and trails used during suppression efforts while also removing fire hoses and pumps that were placed for crews to use. It is a very labor and logistically intensive process to stabilize the fire area and start the recovery process.

Middle Fork Complex: Fire behavior continues to be minimal smoldering and creeping with no intense or scattered heat near the perimeter. Crews continue suppression repair work in the area.

Goat: Several small areas of intense heat still persist along the southern perimeter and northeastern perimeter. There are also several interior areas of intense heat that are producing much of the smoke flowing into the Garden Valley area. The warmer weather and lower humidity is drying fuels to mid-summer conditions. Crews are reinforcing and developing indirect fire lines to keep new fire growth on the south and southwest flanks from impacting developed areas. 

Snag:  Fire behavior continues to be minimal smoldering and creeping with no intense areas of heat near the perimeter. Crews continue suppression repair work in the area.

Weather Outlook: High pressure and very dry continue over the next few days with warmer temperatures in the 60s and 70s across most of the area and terrain driven winds of around 3-7 mph.  Northeastern winds continue to push smoke into the Garden Valley area. As temperatures rise in the afternoon, smoke in the area is expected to disperse. This daily cycle is expected to continue into next week. Friday could be a critical fire weather day with high temps, low humidity and winds associated with a cold front coming through the area.

SAN BERNARDINO NATIONAL FOREST
USDA FOREST SERVICE
FOREST ORDER NO. 05-12-00-24-11
LINE FIRE CLOSURE ORDER

Pursuant to 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the San Bernardino National Forest. This Order is effective from 12:00 PM PST September 29, 2024, through November 30, 2024.

1. Going into or being upon any National Forest System lands within the Line Fire Closure Area, as described in Exhibit B and shown on Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.52(e).
2. Being on any National Forest System Road within the Line Fire Closure Area, as listed in Exhibit C and shown on Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.54(e).
3. Being on any National Forest System Trail within the Line Fire Closure Area, as listed in Exhibit C and shown on Exhibit A. 36 C.F.R. § 261.55(a).

Pursuant to 36 C.F.R. § 261.50(e), the following persons are exempt from this Order:

1. Persons with Forest Service Permit No. FS-7700-48 (Permit for Use of Roads, Trails, or Areas Restricted by Regulation or Order), specifically exempting them from this Order.
2. Any Federal, State, or local officer, or member of an organized rescue or fire fighting force in the performance of an official duty.
3. Owners, lessees, or residents of private land, to the extent necessary to access their land. This doesn’t include recreation residence permit holders.

These prohibitions are in addition to the general prohibitions in 36 C.F.R. Part 261, Subpart A.
A violation of these prohibitions is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 for an individual or
$10,000 for an organization, or imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. 16 U.S.C. § 551 and 18 U.S.C. §§ 3559, 3571, and 3581.

Executed at San Bernardino, California this 28th day of September 2024.

Danelle D. Harrison Forest Supervisor

San Bernardino National Forest

The Sheridan County Sheriff has increased the evacuation status of both the Eagle Ridge Subdivision and the residences directly adjacent to the east of US Highway 14, going up the mountain, to “Set”. If you are in either of these areas, please take the time now to gather up important things and be prepared to evacuate if notified. 

The Town of Dayton has been placed in a “Ready” status. If you live in the town of Dayton, take the time now to think about what you would want to take with you or where you might go if the Town of Dayton is put into a “Set” status.

There is an evacuation center being set up at the Sheridan County Fairgrounds at 1753 Victoria St., Sheridan, Wyo. This evacuation center will take large and small animals as well as have the ability to house people. If you have been evacuated, you may bring your camper to the fairgrounds as well. Please ensure you check in with staff upon arrival.

This evening’s community meeting is being moved to the Tongue River Middle School in Ranchester at 1251 Dayton St., Ranchester. Changing location will increase safety for fire responders and local community members in Dayton by decreasing traffic into town.