Summary: The Owl and Horse fires are under the command of Wyoming Type 3 Team 5. Both fires are zero percent contained. The Owl Fire is estimated to be 739 acres while the Horse Fire remains at 90 acres. Between the two fires there are 61 personnel including 4 Engines, 1 Crew, 1 Fire Module, 1 Ambulance, 2 Fireline Paramedics, and 1 Overhead Team.
 
Yesterday: Firefighters completed the structure assessments of the Owl Creek area. They continued to identify opportunities for treatment options, such as thinning and deploying sprinkler systems. Crews began brushing Owl Creek Trail - #6152 and East Owl Creek Trail #6153, An Infrared (IR) flight was conducted on the Owl fire and showed spread to the southeast and creeping to the northeast, as can be seen on the attached map. On the Horse fire structure prep was conducted.
 
Today: Due to the steep terrain, fuel types, and firefighter safety an indirect strategy is being utilized. On the Owl Fire, crews will continue brushing and enhancing Owl Creek and East Owl Creek Trails. The engines will begin installing sprinklers and other treatment options for identified values at risk. On the Horse Fire, firefighters will continue with structure protection, scouting and monitoring. Fire managers will continue to evaluate and modify a strategic, risk-based response which is appropriate for the circumstance on the ground, and weights probability of success, opportunities and challenges, while providing for firefighter, and public safety.
 
Weather: Increasing clouds through the morning with areas of smoke. A chance of showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. High temperatures in mid to high sixties and humidity around 30 percent. Light winds 6 mph in the morning shifting to the southeast to south at 8 mph in the afternoon. Gusty and erratic winds possible with the approaching thunderstorms.

Safety Message: With hunting season upon us check fire conditions and know before you go. Be sure to follow safe shooting practices. An increase of rocks and debris may fall onto the roads during the rain event, travel with care. Minimizing risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Owl and Horse Fires. Fire managers appreciate your cooperation. If you are recreating near an ongoing wildfire suppression operation, please keep your distance - do not congregate in the area and allow the firefighters to do their job safely and efficiently.

Summary: The Owl and Horse fires are under the command of Wyoming Type 3 Team 5. Both fires are zero percent contained. The Owl Fire is estimated to be 689 acres while the Horse Fire remains at 90 acres. Between the two fires there are 63 personnel assigned to the incidents.
 
Yesterday: Firefighters continued to scout the fire to gathering information and situational awareness on the private inholdings and recreational infrastructure. Fire personnel worked on preparing areas around known archeological sites. Fire personnel supporting the Horse fire set up a remote spike camp. An Infrared (IR) flight was conducted on the Owl fire and showed spread to the southeast and creeping to the northeast, as can be seen on the attached map.
 
Today: Fire Managers will continue to evaluate wind, weather, firefighter resource availability, drought conditions, terrain, fire history on the landscape, climate, surrounding treatment areas, proximity to communities and homes, smoke mitigation, while refining the appropriate tactics and strategies. On the Horse fire tactics will also account for preserving the Wilderness character. Firefighters will continue to gather information and situational awareness on the private inholdings and recreational infrastructure. Fire personnel will continue prepping the area around known archeological sites.

Weather: A high pressure system shifting east will bring precipitation back to the area with increasing chances for showers overnight into tomorrow. Ahead of this moisture near critical humidities will continue. Wind gusts of 15 to 25 mph remain possible with passing showers and thunderstorms.
 
Safety Message: With hunting season upon us check fire conditions and know before you go. Be sure to follow safe shooting practices. An increase of rocks and debris may fall onto the roads during the rain event, travel with care. Minimizing risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Owl and Horse Fires. Fire managers appreciate your cooperation. If you are recreating near an ongoing wildfire suppression operation, please keep your distance - do not congregate in the area and allow the firefighters to do their job safely and efficiently.

Summary: The Owl and Horse fires are under the command of Wyoming Type 3 Team 5. Both fires are zero percent contained. The Owl Fire is estimated to be 350 acres while the Horse Fire is estimated to be 90 acres. Between the two fires there are 36 personnel assigned to the incidents.
Yesterday: Fire personnel were able to fly both fires. Their observations led to a better size up which showed an increase in acres. A jet boat was used to transport firefighters down river to Horse Creek Bridge where they were able to prep and wrap the bridge for fire protection. The structure protection group started compiling data for their structure assessments of private inholdings along the river corridor. An Infrared Red (IR) flight was conducted, and fire managers will use that information to help direct operational planning and fire modelling.
Today: Firefighters will continue to scout the fire with the short-term goal focusing on gathering information and situational awareness on the private inholdings and recreational infrastructure, Fire personnel will work on preparing the area around known archeological sites. Additional resources including a type two handcrew are expected to arrive today.
Weather: A high pressure system will bring calmer and drier weather on both fires. Temperatures on the Owl Fire will be mid to upper 70’s, while on the Horse they will be high 70’s to low 80’s. Light winds will downslope during the morning and becoming upslope during the afternoon on both fires.
Safety Message: Please use caution when travelling up and down the Salmon River Road. Minimizing risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Owl and Horse Fires. Fire managers appreciate your cooperation. If you are recreating near an ongoing wildfire suppression operation, please keep your distance - do not congregate in the area and allow the firefighters to do their job safely and efficiently.

Summary: The Owl and Horse fires are under the command of Wyoming Type 3 Team 5. Both fires are zero percent contain. The Owl Fire is estimated to be 20 acres while the Horse Fire is estimated to be 15 acres. Between the two fires there are 33 personnel assigned to the incidents.
Yesterday: The fire transferred from the local unit to Wyoming Type 3 Team 5. The team started to size up the fires. A recon flight was done over the Owl Fire, however smoke conditions changed, and we were not able to make an aerial observation of the Horse Fire.
Today: Firefighters will continue to scout the fire with the short-term goal focusing on gathering information and situational awareness to run fire spread potential models. Fire personnel will work on protection of archeological sites, and recreation infrastructure. A trail bridge will be prepped and wrapped for protection.
Weather: Weather conditions will continue to be in the mid 70’s with low humidity. An approaching high-pressure system may bring light winds and increasingly dry conditions that will peak on Sunday.
Safety Message: Minimizing risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Owl and Horse Fires. Fire managers appreciate your cooperation. If you are recreating near an ongoing wildfire suppression operation, please keep your distance - do not congregate in the area and allow the firefighters to do their job safely and efficiently.
Forest officials are asking the public to be extremely careful when recreating on the Forest, know before you go, check current weather conditions and fire situations before planning an outing. Please, remember that it’s your job and responsibility to properly maintain and extinguish all campfires. Due to current weather and fuel conditions it’s especially imperative for the public to be judicious with travel management as no closure orders are in effect currently.

Summary: The Owl and Horse fires are under the command of Wyoming Type 3 Team 5. Both fires are zero percent contained. The Owl Fire is estimated to be 747 acres while the Horse Fire is at 391 acres.
 
Between the two fires there are 67 personnel including 4 Engines, 1 Crew, 1 Fire Module, 1 Ambulance, 2 Fireline Paramedics, and 1 Overhead Team.

Yesterday: Crews finished brushing and improving Owl Creek Trail - #6152 and East Owl Creek Trail #6153. The weather cleared enough for a recon flight over the Horse Fire and a portion of the Owl Fire.   As a result, a more accurate map of the Horse was produced, which showed an increase in acres with light to moderate fire severity.
 
Today: Fire personnel will continue to build and strengthen containment lines on the southern portion of the Owl Fire. They will continue to identify opportunities for treatment options. This evening the command of the Owl Fire will transfer to the Great Basin Team 1, who is also managing Moose Fire. On the Horse  Fire, crews will work to identify and evaluate protection points and tactics to keep the fire off private and within the Wilderness. The Horse Fire will transfer to a Type 4 organization. Both incoming teams will be shadowing today and assume command this evening at 08:00 pm this evening.
 
Weather: Increasing clouds through the day, with scattered showers and thunderstorms over or near the fire in the afternoon. Cooler temperatures with highs in the mid-sixties and higher minimum humidities.  Winds will be light drainage winds around 7 mph and becoming south to west in the afternoon. Gusty and
erratic winds are possible around the afternoon thunderstorms.
 
Safety Message: Do not let the rain and cooler temperatures fool you. Energy Release Components (ERC) are still at unprecedented levels. Be aware while recreating in and around the fire areas.  Minimizing risk to responders and public safety are the top priorities for the Owl and Horse Fires. Fire managers appreciate your cooperation. If you are recreating near an ongoing wildfire suppression operation, please keep your distance - do not congregate in the area and allow the firefighters to do their
job safely and efficiently.
 
Thank You: The Wyoming Type 3 Team 5 wishes to thank the community and cooperators for their cooperation, hospitality, and hard work. This is a great community!

 A new closure order is in effect for the No Grass Creek Fire.
 

Visit: 2022_09_13-12.49.20.325-CDT.pdf (nwcg.gov) for a full sized order and map.

Kalama Fire Update – Sept. 16, 2022

Overview: The Kalama Fire, located southeast of Kalama Horse Camp on the south side of Mount St. Helens, is at approximately 208 acres in size and is currently five percent contained.  We were better able to map the area to give a more accurate account of the acres burned. Additionally acres also increased with burn out operations to assist in securing the perimeter of the fire.

Fire Behavior: The fire was located on a cliff face and is now on extremely steep ground, fire fighters are preparing indirect lines in more favorable terrain where they can be successful.  Fire behavior has been smoldering and creeping. The potential for fire growth remains, but containment lines are being put in place and contain percentage information will be updated when the lines are complete and holding.

Weather: Weather today is favorable with light rain, light winds and higher relative humidity. 

Closures:

View a Closure Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1059380.pdf

Trails: Cinnamon Trail #204, Kalama Ski Trail #231, Toutle Trail #238, Fossil Trail #242, Kalama Falls Trail #242A

Roads:

• Forest Road (NFS) Road No.81, from the junction with State Route 503 Spur to the junction with NFS Road No. 8100-830 and all associated NFS spur roads off NFS Road No. 81
• NFS Road No. 8117 and all associated NFS spur roads off of NFS Road No. 8117
• NFS Road No. 8122 and all associated NFS spur roads off of NFS Road No. 8122

Attention Climbers: *Access to Climbers Bivouac (and climbing route) is open.

Fire Restrictions: Campfire bans, and other public use restrictions are in place across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and much of the region. View Forest Order: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1049107.pdf

Evacuations:   Due to moderating fire weather and additional resources on the Kalama Fire the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and Washington Department of Natural Resources, has issued updated evacuation notifications for the “Kalama Fire” in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Southwest of Mount St. Helens (which is not affecting the City of Kalama or residents along the Kalama River Road at this time). The following updates are effective immediately: 

View an evacuation map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1060104.pdf

Level 2, Set Evacuation Level:

• North to South: From the Headwaters of the South Fork of the Toutle River, south to Forest Road 7550.
• East to West: From the Skamania County/Cowlitz County border west 5 miles into Cowlitz County.

Level 1, Ready Evacuation Level:

• North to South: South from Forest Road 7550 to south of Merrill Lake.
• East to West: Skamania County/Cowlitz County border west 5 miles into Cowlitz County

Size: 208 acres with potential for growth.

Containment: 5 %

           Cause: The cause of the fire is under investigation

.

Fire Information Phone Line: 360-449-7874

Public Information Officer: David Grubich, 804-503-2363

Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gp/fire        

Closures remain in effect

Roads:

• Forest Road (NFS) Road No.81, from the junction with State Route 503 Spur to the junction with NFS Road No. 8100-830 and all associated NFS spur roads off NFS Road No. 81
• NFS Road No. 8117 and all associated NFS spur roads off of NFS Road No. 8117
• NFS Road No. 8122 and all associated NFS spur roads off of NFS Road No. 8122

Attention Climbers: *Access to Climbers Bivouac (and climbing route) is open. 

Kalama Fire Update – Sept. 15, 2022

Overview: The Kalama Fire, located southeast of Kalama Horse Camp on the south side of Mount St. Helens, is at approximately 208 acres in size.  We were better able to map the area to give a more accurate account of the acres burned. Additionally acres also increased with burn out operations to assist in securing the perimeter of the fire.

Fire Behavior: The fire was located on a cliff face and is now on extremely steep ground, fire fighters are preparing indirect lines in more favorable terrain where they can be successful.  Fire behavior has been smoldering and creeping. The potential for fire growth remains, but containment lines are being put in place and contain percentage information will be updated when the lines are complete and holding.

Weather: Weather today is favorable with light rain, light winds and higher relative humidity. 

Closures:

View a Closure Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1059380.pdf

Trails: Cinnamon Trail #204, Kalama Ski Trail #231, Toutle Trail #238, Fossil Trail #242, Kalama Falls Trail #242A

Roads:

• Forest Road (NFS) Road No.81, from the junction with State Route 503 Spur to the junction with NFS Road No. 8100-830 and all associated NFS spur roads off NFS Road No. 81
• NFS Road No. 8117 and all associated NFS spur roads off of NFS Road No. 8117
• NFS Road No. 8122 and all associated NFS spur roads off of NFS Road No. 8122

Fire Restrictions: Campfire bans, and other public use restrictions are in place across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and much of the region. View Forest Order: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1049107.pdf

Evacuations:   Due to moderating fire weather and additional resources on the Kalama Fire the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and Washington Department of Natural Resources, has issued updated evacuation notifications for the “Kalama Fire” in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Southwest of Mount St. Helens (which is not affecting the City of Kalama or residents along the Kalama River Road at this time). The following updates are effective immediately: 

View an evacuation map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1060104.pdf

Level 2, Set Evacuation Level:

• North to South: From the Headwaters of the South Fork of the Toutle River, south to Forest Road 7550.
• East to West: From the Skamania County/Cowlitz County border west 5 miles into Cowlitz County.

Level 1, Ready Evacuation Level:

• North to South: South from Forest Road 7550 to south of Merrill Lake.
• East to West: Skamania County/Cowlitz County border west 5 miles into Cowlitz County

Size: 208 acres with potential for growth.                        Cause: The cause of the fire is under investigation

.

Fire Information Phone Line: 360-449-7874

Public Information Officer: David Grubich, 804-503-2363

Forest Website: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/gp/fire       

Overview: The Kalama Fire, located southeast of Kalama Horse Camp on the south side of Mount St. Helens, is currently at approximately 112 acres in size.  This number of acres will be updated with better mapping from an infra-red flight once conditions allow the flight to occur.

Fire Behavior: The fire was located on a cliff face and is now on extremely steep ground, fire fighters are preparing indirect lines in more favorable terrain where they can be successful.  Fire behavior has been smoldering and creeping. The potential for fire growth remains, but containment lines are being put in place and contain percentage information will be updated when the lines are complete and holding.

Weather: Weather today is favorable with light rain, light winds and higher relative humidity. 

Closures:
View a Closure Map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1059380.pdf
Trails: Cinnamon Trail #204, Kalama Ski Trail #231, Toutle Trail #238, Fossil Trail #242, Kalama Falls Trail #242A
Roads:
·        Forest Road (NFS) Road No.81, from the junction with State Route 503 Spur to the junction with NFS Road No. 8100-830 and all associated NFS spur roads off NFS Road No. 81
·        NFS Road No. 8117 and all associated NFS spur roads off of NFS Road No. 8117
·        NFS Road No. 8122 and all associated NFS spur roads off of NFS Road No. 8122

Fire Restrictions: Campfire bans, and other public use restrictions are in place across the Gifford Pinchot National Forest and much of the region. View Forest Order: www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1049107.pdf

Evacuations:   Due to moderating fire weather and additional resources on the Kalama Fire the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the U.S. Forest Service and Washington Department of Natural Resources, has issued updated evacuation notifications for the “Kalama Fire” in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest Southwest of Mount St. Helens (which is not affecting the City of Kalama or residents along the Kalama River Road at this time). The following updates are effective immediately: 
View an evacuation map: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1060104.pdf