Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires
September 6, 2022
Daily Update – 8:00 AM

Highlights: There was an increase in fire activity on the southern end of the Double Creek Fire on Monday afternoon. Fire activity remained relatively light on the Nebo, Sturgill, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires. In anticipation of extreme fire weather, Oregon Governor Kate Brown night invoked the Conflagration Act for the Sturgill Fire on Monday. The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) ordered five additional task forces to support the fire.

Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires:  

There are four lightning caused fires within the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The previously reported Goat Mountain 1 Fire has merged with the Goat Mountain 2 Fire and will be reported as the Goat Mountain 2 Fire. The Nebo, Sturgill, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires are active and being managed to protect public and private infrastructure, while playing a natural role within designated Wilderness.  

Nebo Fire: 7,832 acres | 0% contained | 81 personnel assigned 

Fire activity was low to moderate on Monday. Crews and heavy equipment kept the fire west of the road system. Additional resources assisted with mastication and thinning along the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road (FSR 39) and FSR 200. Firefighters also implemented structure protection to Forest Service infrastructure, including the Lick Creek Campground. Roadside mastication will continue along the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road (FSR 39) to the Canal Road on Tuesday. 

Updated notice from Wallowa County Office of Sheriff, Joel Fish 

Fire Evacuation – Monday, September 5, 2022
Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires

Level 1 – Be Ready to Leave Lostine River Rd from Hwy 82 to Fir Rd Freezeout south to Pallete Ranch & Imnaha River Woods

Level 2 – Get Set to Leave Lostine River Rd from Fir Rd south including all campgrounds Imnaha north to Fence Creek including lands east to Lightning Creek

Level 3 – Go – Evacuate the Area Town of Imnaha south to Freezeout and Freezeout Rd Upper Imnaha Rd closed Hat Point Rd remains closed FS 39 Rd is closed from Target Springs Junction to Ollokot Campground including the Canal Rd (3920), and Lick Creek Rd (3925).

These are the recommendations as of 7:00 pm on September 5, 2022

Sheriff Joel Fish

Forest Service 39 Road Closure Update - 09/05/2922:
FS 39 Rd is closed from Target Springs Junction to Ollokot Campground including the Canal Rd (3920), and Lick Creek Rd (3925).
These are recommendations as of 11:00 am on September 5, 2022. 

Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires
September 5, 2022
Daily Update – 8:00 AM

Highlights: Fire activity was significantly less on Sunday for both the Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires. Although temperatures were warm and relative humidity values were low, winds were much lighter than the previous day. Additional resources continue to arrive, including task forces form the Oregon Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).

Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires:
There are four lightning caused fires within the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The Goat Mountain 1 Fire is currently not active. The Nebo, Sturgill, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires are active and being managed to protect public and private infrastructure, while playing a natural role within designated Wilderness.

Nebo Fire: 7,277 acres | 0% contained | 50 personnel assigned
On Sunday, firefighters began building a control line along the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road (Forest Service Road 39) to the 200 Road. On Monday, additional resources will be assigned to assist with fireline construction and initiate firing operations along the Wallowa Mountain Loop (Forest Service Road 39) and 200 Roads. Crews and heavy equipment will be used to keep the fire west of the road. Firefighters will also implement structure protection for Forest Service infrastructure, including the Lick Creek Campground, as the fire continues to move to the north and east.

Weather: A weak cold front will move through the area in the early morning hours. Below normal fire weather conditions are expected Monday with moderate temperatures, higher relative humidity values, and light northwest winds behind the morning’s cold frontal passage. Tuesday and Wednesday’s weather is expected to result to above normal fire activity with increased winds from the southwest and temperatures in the 90s.

Smoke: Current air quality information for the local area is available on the PurpleAir website.

Evacuations: There are currently no evacuations for the Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires.

Closures: There are currently trail and road closures in effect for the Double Creek Fire as well as the Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires. Closure Orders and Maps are available on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest Fire Incident Updates page.

Airspace: Several airspace restrictions have been issued for the Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires. Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) 2/1532 is in place to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations on the Double Creek Fire. Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) 08/234 and NOTAM 08/235 were issued to provide safe airspace for the Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires. Flight restrictions also apply to drones. Drones flying in areas of wildfire activity will cause tactical firefighting aircraft to be grounded.

Restrictions: Forest Order #06-16-00-22-04 covers Phase B Fire Restrictions for all National Forest System Lands within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, except for the area within a ¼ mile of the Snake River between Hells Canyon Dam, River Mile 247.5, downstream to the Oregon-Washington border at Snake River Mile 176.0, which is regulated by Forest Order #06-16-04-22-01.

Fire Information
Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Phone: 541-216-4579
Email: 2022.doublecreek@firenet.gov
Nebo Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8363/ 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/eaglecapwildernessfires2022
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/Eagle-Cap-Wilderness-Fires

Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires
September 4, 2022
Daily Update – 8:00 AM

Highlights: There was significant fire growth on the Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires on Saturday as a result of strong winds, hot temperatures, and extremely dry conditions. The Oregon Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) Green Team was mobilized on Saturday evening and will be in unified command with Pacific Northwest Team 2 for the Double Creek Fire.

Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires:
There are four lightning caused fires within the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The Goat Mountain 1 Fire is currently not active. The Sturgill, Nebo, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires are active and being managed to protect public and private infrastructure, while playing a natural role within designated Wilderness. 

Nebo Fire: 6,926 acres | 0% contained | 33 personnel assigned
Saturday’s large fire growth caused the Nebo Fire to cross Big Sheep Creek and spread over the top of Wing Ridge to the north. The fire burned outside the Wilderness toward the 39 Road and 200 Road. With continued fire activity is expected in the Lick Creek area toward the Lick Creek Campground, firefighters spent Saturday afternoon clearing the public out of the Lick Creek Campground and ensuring that additional public stayed out of the area. On Sunday, firefighters will work along the 39 Road to the 200 Road to begin building a control line to the east.

Weather: A strong upper disturbance and cold front passed through the area Saturday afternoon bringing isolated showers, gusty winds over 60 mph, relative humidity values of 6 to 10 percent, and temperatures reaching the low-90s. Conditions improved Saturday night with cooler temperatures and good humidity recovery. On Sunday, temperatures are forecast to be in the upper-70s to low-80s with southwest winds at 8-12 mph, gusting to 20 mph. While temperatures will remain warm, relative humidity will be higher than Saturday reaching about 20 percent.

Smoke: With an increase in fire activity across the Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires on Saturday, coupled with cooler overnight temperatures and higher relative humidity values, smoke is expected to settle in the lower elevations and drainages in the early morning hours. Current air quality information for the local area is available on the PurpleAir website.

Evacuations: There are currently no evacuations for the Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires.

Closures: There are currently trail and road closures in effect for the Double Creek Fire as well as the Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires. Closure Orders and Maps are available on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest Fire Incident Updates page. Wallowa County issued an Order to restrict use of the Upper Imnaha Road from Imnaha to the junction of Upper Imnaha Road and Forest Service Road 39.

Air Space: Several Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) have been issued for areas surrounding the Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires. NOTAM 2/0826 and NOTAM 2/0849 have been issued to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft. Do not operate drones near wildfires. If public drones are flying in areas of wildfire activity, tactical firefighting aircraft will be grounded.

Restrictions: Forest Order #06-16-00-22-04 covers Phase B Fire Restrictions for all National Forest System Lands within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, except for the area within a ¼ mile of the Snake River between Hells Canyon Dam, River Mile 247.5, downstream to the Oregon-Washington border at Snake River Mile 176.0, which is regulated by Forest Order #06-16-04-22-01.

Fire Information
Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Phone: 541-216-4579
Email: 2022.doublecreek@firenet.gov
InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8363/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/eaglecapwildernessfires2022
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/Eagle-Cap-Wilderness-Fires 

Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires
September 3, 2022
Daily Update – 8:00 AM

Highlights: Pacific Northwest Team 2 assumed command of the Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires (Sturgill, Nebo, and Goat Mountain) at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 3.

Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires:
There are four lightning caused fires within the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Goat Mountain 1 is less than one acre and currently not active. The Sturgill, Nebo, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires are active and have been managed to protect values at risk, such as public and private infrastructure, while playing a natural role within designated Wilderness. Firefighters will use strategies to protect public and private structures and infrastructure where necessary and safe to do so.

Nebo Fire: 3,858 acres | 0% contained | 25 personnel assigned
There was some fire growth in the Gardner drainage overnight. Today, firefighters will be working on Forest Service Road (FSR) 100, FSR 200, and FSR 3925 to prepare for firing operations to limit fire spread outside of wilderness to the north and east. They will continue monitoring spot fires in the Imnaha corridor and use aircraft to limit fire spread south of Imnaha Divide. Helicopters are assisting firefighters on the ground with bucket drops of water to suppress spot fires on the north and south sides of the fire.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the 70s on ridgetops and 80s on the lower elevations with relative humidity values of 15-20 percent on the ridges and 8-14 percent in the drainages. South winds will be 10-20 mph on ridges and 7-14 mph on the lower slopes. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Temperatures will cool to the mid-50s in the evening with relative humidity values of 50%.

Smoke: An Air Resource Advisor has been ordered to assist in the development of localized smoke forecast outlooks. The smoke forest outlooks, when available, will be posted to the Smoke Forecast Outlooks website and on InciWeb. Air quality information is also available on the PurpleAir website.

Evacuations: There are currently no evacuations for the Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires.

Closures: There are currently trail and road closures in effect for the Double Creek Fire as well as the Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires. Closure Orders and Maps are available on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest Fire Incident Updates page. Wallowa County issued an Order to restrict use by the general public of the Upper Imnaha Road from Imnaha to the junction of Upper Imnaha Road and Forest Service Road 39.

Air Space: Several Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) have been issued for areas surrounding the Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires. NOTAM 2/0826 and NOTAM 2/0849 have been issued to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft. Do not operate drones near wildfires. If public drones are flying in areas of wildfire activity, tactical firefighting aircraft will be grounded.

Restrictions: Forest Order # 06-16-00-22-04 covers Phase B Fire Restrictions for all National Forest System Lands within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, except for the area within a ¼ mile of the Snake River between Hells Canyon Dam, River Mile 247.5, downstream to the Oregon-Washington border at Snake River Mile 176.0, which is regulated by Forest Order #06-16-04-22-01.

Fire Information:
Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Phone: 541-216-4579
Email: 2022.doublecreek@firenet.gov
Nebo Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8363/
2022 Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires Facebook: www.facebook.com/eaglecapwildernessfires2022
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbA2Wt0syaYv4Vh4g9_Ungg

BAKER CITY, Ore. (September 1, 2022) – The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest will be hosting a public meeting in response to the Wallowa-Whitman Wildfires on September 2 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Joseph Community Center in Joseph, OR.

During the meeting, presenters from the U.S. Forest Service, will discuss updates to each fire status and future planning. The overall goal of the meeting is to keep the public informed about fires occurring on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and answer potential questions residents may have.

This Briefing will also be held virtually on the Wallowa-Whitman Facebook by going to https://www.facebook.com/events/1012863212727400/ 

Community members are also encouraged to visit InciWeb for continued updates on the Nebo, Sturgill, and Double Creek fires.

Fire Updates as of 07:00am September 1, 2022

Nebo Fire

· SIZE: 3,086 Acres

· CONTAINMENT: 0%

· CAUSE: Lightning

· PERSONNEL: 29

· LOCATION: Lick Creek Drainage

· Fire type: Manage Wilderness Fire utilizing suppression efforts to protect private property and USFS infrastructure.

Sturgill Fire

· SIZE: 4,815 Acres

· CONTAINMENT: 0%

· CAUSE: Lightning

· PERSONNEL: 10

· LOCATION: 15 Miles SW of Enterprise, OR.

· Fire Type: Managed Wilderness Fire utilizing suppression efforts to protect private property and USFS infrastructure.

Double Creek Fire

· SIZE: 1,500 Acres

· CONTAINMENT: 0%

· CAUSE: Lightning

· PERSONNEL: 127

· LOCATION:

· This fire is not a managed wilderness fire and is receiving full fire suppression efforts to protect nearby properties and resources.

 The following areas are closed until further notice.

• Use of Forest Service Road 3900100 from the 39 Road junction to Tenderfoot Trailhead.
• Use of Forest Road 3925015 from junction of Forest Service Road 3925 to Lick Creek Trailhead. 
• Use of Forest Road 3900200 from the 39 road junction to Forest Service Road 3925015 road .
• Use of Tenderfoot Trail (1819) from the Tenderfoot trailhead to the 1828 and 1812 trail junctions.
• Use of Lick Creek Trail (1809) from the Lick Creek Trailhead to the junction of the South Fork Imnaha Trail (1816).

The Russell Mountain Fire is now the Kootenai River Complex. Click here for information.
 
Kootenai River Complex link:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8378/

 Attention, it has come to our attention that there has been social media posts/conversations about donating to the U.S. Forest Service Fire Management Teams. We greatly appreciate the support and generosity of the community, but we ARE NOT accepting or requesting donations! Our team’s focus is on the mission of fire suppression while keeping firefighter and public safety our number one priority. Our wildland fire crews are well equipped and cared for. However if you are interested in showing support below is a list of ways you can support our team and mission:

Here are some ways you can show support for firefighters.

• Help keep firefighters safe by creating defensible space around your home. Creating defensible space around your home is absolutely the BEST thing you can do to help firefighters.  Learn how at http://firewise.org.

• Post thank you banners / signs in the community and on social media.  This is a great morale booster for firefighters after a long shift!

• Write thank you notes to firefighters. Drop them off at the incident command post so they can be posted or shared.

• Write thank you letters to firefighters families.  Put them in blank, stamped envelopes.  After briefings or after shifts, firefighters can address letters to parents, kids, spouses, etc. 

Consider a financial contribution to a voluntary organization of your choice. You might consider a donation to:

• Your Local Fire Department
• The Wildland Firefighter Foundation or other firefighter support organization
• The American Red Cross or other community relief organization

• Your local Humane Society or other animal support organization
• Other organizations of your choice

Thank you for your kind consideration!