COUGAR PEAK FIRE UPDATE

NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12

Incident Commanders: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar 

September 26, 2021

The Cougar Peak Fire is currently burning approximately 15 miles northwest of Lakeview, Oregon. The Incident Command Post at the Lakeview Fairgrounds is closed to all but essential personnel to help ensure the health and safety of community members and firefighters.

Weather 

The National Weather Service issued a Red Flag Warning for this afternoon. Strong, gusty winds with low relative humidity and dry vegetation will increase the spread potential of new and existing fires. Please take extra precaution to avoid actions that could ignite new fires. A storm system will move into the area tomorrow, bringing much cooler temperatures and a chance of precipitation tomorrow night.  

Operations 

Yesterday, firefighters continued work to secure the line near Cougar Peak. Crews began backhauling equipment and ordering resources for suppression repair in secured areas on the southern end of the fire. Throughout the western portion of the fire, crews conducted patrol and mop-up. Backhaul of equipment and repair work by excavators began in secured areas along the western fire perimeter. Firefighters continued to patrol and mop-up around the north end of the fire, also making progress securing line in the peat bog. Backhaul and suppression repair neared completion in the northeast. In southeast, crews continued to grid, patrol, and backhaul equipment. Heavy equipment continued to clear interior access routes by removing hazard trees in the east and west areas of the fire. 

Firefighters have been preparing for today’s forecasted wind event for several days. Emphasis will be placed on patrolling existing line combined with a readiness to respond to any increase in fire activity or new fire starts. Firefighters will continue to work today on mop-up and line construction in the remaining unsecured areas of the fire, including around Cougar Peak and in the peat bog. Backhaul and repair work will continue, with a strong focus on patrolling and holding containment lines during the Red Flag conditions this afternoon. 

RESOURCES:

Hand Crews: 21

Engines: 32

Dozers: 6

Water Tenders: 22

Helicopters: 4

Fixed Wing: 0

Evacuations

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office decreased evacuation levels on September 24. For further information please see: 

Lake County website at https://www.lakecountyor.org/index.php

Lake County Facebook at @Lake-County-Oregon-104435824529906

Interactive map at https://tinyurl.com/InteractiveEvacMap

EVACUATION LEVELS DECREASED TODAY

Due to increased containment and reduced fire behavior, evacuation levels have been decreased on the Cougar Peak Fire. Areas that were previously in a level 3 evacuation have been reduced to level 2, and areas previously in a level 2 evacuation have been reduced to a level 1. On this map, please note the reddish area shown in the center is the fire perimeter, not a level 3 evacuation. No level 3 evacuations remain on the fire.

The reduced evacuation levels for the Cougar Peak Fire can be viewed at the Raptor online map at: https://tinyurl.com/297w4kj7

Also please note, the area closure on the Fremont-Winema National Forest remains in place.

COUGAR PEAK FIRE UPDATE - September 24, 2021

COUGAR PEAK FIRE UPDATE - September 23, 2021

NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM 12

Incident Commander: Jeff Dimke and Bobby Shindelar

The Cougar Peak Fire is currently burning approximately 15 miles northwest of Lakeview. Northwest Incident Management Team 12 assumed command of the fire at 6:00AM today.

Weather

Lighter winds are expected today with another warm, dry, and light wind period coming up this weekend. Temperatures are expected to cool early next week ahead of another Pacific storm system that could bring some precipitation and gustier winds by late Monday into Tuesday.

Operations

On the southern portion of the fire, crews made progress yesterday installing hose lays on the north side of Cougar Peak Mountain. Some fire activity inside containment lines picked up around Cougar Peak Mountain due to increased winds, and helicopters used bucket drops to cool hot spots. Mop-up along the western edge of the fire progressed an additional 50-100 feet interior as crews added depth to containment lines. Wind also picked up near the northern fire edge, but fire activity remained minimal. Special efforts to manage smoldering areas of the peat bog continued. In the north and east, crews continued to remove equipment no longer needed for fire suppression, patrol firelines, and conduct occasional mop-up as needed. Heavy equipment continued to secure the interior roads in the eastern fire area by removing hazard trees and snags along transportation corridors.

Today, crews will continue the same efforts as yesterday. Hose installations and mop-up will continue around Cougar Peak Mountain. Patrol and mop-up will occur around all areas of the fire. To the north, work will continue within Willow Springs Ranch and the smoldering peat bog. Helicopters will be available in case bucket work is needed to cool interior fire activity. The equipment group will continue working to open access along the eastern side of the fire.

Evacuations

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office decreased evacuation levels yesterday, September 22. Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 evacuations remain in and around the Cougar Peak Fire. For further information please see:

Lake County website at https://www.lakecountyor.org/index.php

Lake County Facebook at @Lake-County-Oregon-104435824529906

Interactive map at https://tinyurl.com/InteractiveEvacMap

Temporary Flight Restriction

A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Cougar Peak Fire. Please consult the Notice to Airman for specifics. Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.

Fire Restrictions

For the latest restrictions and regulations, including Oregon Department of Forestry and federal agencies, visit https://scofmp.org/restrictions.shtml.

SIZE:  91,332 acres

CONTAINMENT: 52%

PERSONNEL: 1,041

CAUSE: Undetermined

RESOURCES:

Hand Crews: 29

Engines: 37

Dozers: 11

Water Tenders: 24

Helicopters: 4

Fixed Wing: 0
 

FIRE INFORMATION:

541-900-5788

2021.cougarpeak@firenet.gov

Facebook: @CougarPeakFire2021

INCIWEB: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7835/

                                       Cougar Peak Fire Update

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander Kevin Stock

September 22, 2021

This will be the last update from Northwest Incident Management Team 8 (NWIMT 8), led by Incident Commander Kevin Stock.  Northwest Incident Management Team 12, led by Incident Commander Jeff Dimke, will assume management of the fire tomorrow (Thursday) at 6:00 am. NWIMT 8 would like to take this opportunity to say "thank you" to the communities, cooperators, agency staff, and firefighters for the unwavering support during our management of the Cougar Peak Fire.

Lakeview Ore. – Fire crews continued to benefit from the recent rain and cooler nighttime temperatures with minimal fire behavior, despite yesterday’s low relative humidity and slightly elevated winds in the afternoon.  Several divisions of the fire strengthened and extended the mop-up efforts over 200ft interior of containment lines, further securing the fire’s edge.  Other sections of Cougar Peak Fire are beginning containment line repair and rehabilitation by installing water bars and breaking down dozer berms.

Many portions of the northern and eastern sections of the fire line were cold trailed through the lighter grass and brush, presenting no heat or smoke, which helped to move areas into a patrol status.  Handcrews creatively resolved a smoldering fire in a peat bog meadow used for cattle grazing, by using chainsaws to cut swaths of the turf and removing it, cooling with water, and replacing the cut sod.  Heavy equipment group worked on interior roads to remove hazard trees and snags to help logging crews to access the Collin’s Company timber lands safely. Resources along southern edges confirmed secured containment lines and were able to help extinguish a few smaller hot spots still smoking in the neighboring Patton Meadow.

Hotshot crews along the south-western fire lines near Cougar Peak Mountain worked hard and were able to tie the containment lines into each other, stopping any forward progression of the fire.  Fire fighters will be able to safely move in from the hand and dozer lines, to mop-up in the tall heavy timber and green understory of the mixed conifer stand.  

Today, crews will continue to strengthen containment lines and mop-up further interior in the south and western portions of the fire in the heavier timber areas.  Efforts on the northern and eastern portions will continue to remove suppression equipment of hose and pumps, but continue to cold trail and search for hot spots or smoldering duff layers.  Heavy equipment group will continue to secure the interior roads from the fire edge along by removing hazard trees and snags, ensuring safe logging operations for this coming fall.   .

Behavior: Despite low relative humidity values and a clear blue sky, fire behavior will be minimal with mainly smoldering of the remaining ground fuels and duff layers in the timber areas of the fire.  Smoke has been limited to the lower portions of slopes, mostly due to larger heavier fuels on the ground, and stump holes.  

Today’s Operational update by Operations Section Chief, Rod Bonacker can be found on the “Cougar Peak Fire 2021” Facebook page.

Acreage:  91,322 
Containment: 52%

Cause: Undetermined

Fire Information: (541) 900-5788 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm)

E-mail: 2021.cougarpeak@firenet.gov

Information websites:

Facebook: “Cougar Peak Fire 2021”

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7835/

Air Quality: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

Weather: West winds will increase today in advance of a cool front expected to move through the area later this afternoon and evening, with winds transitioning to the northwest late this afternoon.  Winds along the ridge tops could be gusty a times.  Cloud cover will keep temperatures a few degrees cooler today staying mainly in the 60s and lower 70s.  Dry conditions will persist this afternoon with relative humidity percentage dropping into the 20s after moderate overnight recoveries. 

Resources-1098: 2 - type 1 hand crews,  5- type 2 IA hand crews, 24 - type 2 hand crews, 4 - camp crews, 1 - heavy lift helicopters, 2 - medium lift helicopters, 1 - light lift helicopter, 37 - engines, 13 - dozers, 26 - water tenders, and 8 - skidgines.

Evacuations: The Lake County Sheriff’s Office evacuation levels changed on Sunday, September 19, 2021 and will maintain Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations in and around the Cougar Peak Fire. For further information please see:

Lake County website https://www.lakecountyor.org/index.php

Lake County Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Lake-County-Oregon-104435824529906 and an interactive map: https://tinyurl.com/InteractiveEvacMap

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Cougar Peak Fire. Please consult the Notice to Airman for specifics.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone.  If you fly, we can't. Whenever a drone is spotted near the fire, all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

For the latest restrictions and regulations, including Oregon Department of Forestry and federal agencies, visit https://scofmp.org/restrictions.shtml. Make sure to Know Before You Go.

September 22, 2021 marks the close of our summer season, and the start of the cooler, crisper, and more colorful autumn months. If visiting campgrounds and hiking trails, be certain to remember to check on the local fire restrictions for campfires, and wood-cutting. 

 Cougar Peak Fire Update

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander Kevin Stock

September 21, 2021

Cougar Peak Fire Update

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander Kevin Stock

September 20, 2021

Lakeview Ore. – The rain event continued to drop varying amounts of rain over the fire yesterday morning. There was not enough rainfall to thoroughly wet all the drought stricken fuel, as large fuels across the fire area continue to smolder and put up smoke. The higher humidity levels gave firefighters a chance to continue mop-up and direct attack work.

The rain does bring some issues as well.  Crews are extra cautious driving and snag trees are now falling due to wet ground and fire damaged roots. Fallers and equipment will be cutting snag trees out of road ways and areas crews are working in throughout the day.

Thanks to the rain and the hard work of the firefighters, Lake County Sheriff’s Office has reduced the evacuation zones. Please see the evacuation information below.

Today, mop-up continues on the eastern side of the fire, with crews working deeper into the fire area. This work secured containment lines and allowed for an increase in the percentage of containment. Crews will also be patrolling for hot spots and beginnig fire repair work across the fire area.

While the western edge has been tested with the winds the last few days, there are still some areas of concern that crews will continue to monitor and, if needed, aggressively attack any spot fires or hot spots. Firefighters are taking advantage of the current high humidity to secure more containment lines.

Behavior: As the lighter fuel models dry out, and temperatures increase throughout the day, the relative humidities will again be dropping into the 20% range. Fire activity will increase with lighter fuels drying; heavy fuels, stump holes, and duff under thick canopy will continue to burn.

Today's Operational update, by Operations Section Chief Rod Bonacker, can be found on the "Cougar Peak Fire 2021" Facebook page.

Acreage: 90,784

Containment: 42%

Cause: Undetermined

Fire Information: (541) 900-5788 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm)

E-mail: 2021.cougarpeak@firenet.gov

Information websites:

Facebook: "Cougar Peak Fire 2021"

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7835/ 

Air Quality: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

Weather:  Isolated showers are expected mainly before noon. Only a few more hundredths of rain is expected. Otherwise, cloud cover will gradually diminish through the afternoon. Cool and stable conditions are expected over the fire area today, with highs only reaching the 50s in valleys. Gusty southwest ridgetop winds will slowly diminish through the day, becoming northwest by 6 PM. Relatively calm and cold conditions are forecasted tonight, with a hard freeze possible in sheltered valleys and Goose Lake Valley.

Emergency Information

 

Lake County Sheriff’s Office Media Release

Contact: Melanie Lasley September 19, 2021 1:00 pm (541) 947-6003 For Immediate Release mlasley@co.lake.or.us   Lakeview, OR – Evacuations. Evacuation Levels are being decreased for the Cougar Peak Fire. Due to the hard work of firefighters and recent weather changes, the percent of containment has increased significantly to 41%. With this reduction in wildfire threat, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Cougar Peak Fire Managers agreed to reduce the footprint of the evacuation levels. Please refer to the attached evacuation map for Evacuation Areas.  

Remember that:

 

         Level 1 evacuation means “BE READY” for potential evacuation. Be aware of danger in your area and monitor emergency services websites and media outlets for information.                   Prepare yourself and belongings for evacuation and consider movement of persons with special needs, mobile property and pets and livestock.

                                      Level 2 evacuation means “BE SET” to evacuate. Be ready to leave at a moment’s notice; there is a significant danger to your area. Residents may voluntarily relocate to a shelter or                              with family/friends outside the affected area. You may have time to gather necessary items, but doing so is at your own risk.

                               Level 3 evacuation means “GO NOW” – leave immediately! Danger is current or imminent. If you choose to ignore this advisement, understand that emergency services may not                            be able to assist you further. DO NOT delay to gather belongings or make efforts to protect your home.  

Fire Information

  Fire Information Phone: (541) 900-5788 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm)   E-mail: 2021.cougarpeak@firenet.gov Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CougarPeakFire2021   Inciweb Incident Information System: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7835/   Lake County Website: https://www.lakecountyor.org/index.php   Lake County Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lake-County-Oregon-104435824529906 and an interactive map: https://geo.maps.arcgis.com/apps/PublicInformation/index.html?appid=f8a0d8814a67445a9e6bf3485f4fd24f

Cougar Peak Fire Update

Northwest Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander Kevin Stock

September 19, 2021

Lakeview Ore. – The weather event predicted for the past several days moved over the fire yesterday. Up to one-third of an inch of rain fell on the fire, dampening exposed fuels and reducing fire intensity. However, it was not enough moisture to keep the fire from continuing to burn. In the afternoon, the southwest corner of the fire had a spot fire that firefighters stopped at one-tenth of an acre. Large drought-stricken trees and fuels under thick canopies continued to feed the fires through the afternoon.

As the rain subsided in the afternoon, crews were cautious of working in the heavily timbered areas, as fire and drought weakened trees fell across the fire lines and roadways.

Mop-up on the eastern side of the fire continued all day. Crews continued progress on containment line work. From the south end up the east side of the fire around to the north end, crews completed 25-100 feet mop-up. This work secured containment lines and allowed for an increase in the percentage of containment. In many spots, firefighters could control the fire and clear out underbrush and light fuels on the ground without any tree mortality. Crews will be patrolling for hot spots and preparing unneeded equipment for back-hauling.

Today, crews will continue efforts on the western fire edge, working to secure more containment lines. The light rain forecasted throughout the day will allow firefighters to do direct line construction on the fire.

Weather permitting, air assets are available to assist the ground crews today. While the eastern edge has been tested with the winds the last few days, there are still some areas of concern that crews will continue to monitor and, if needed, aggressively attack any spot fires or hot spots.

Behavior: As the lighter fuel models dry out, wind conditions could support spotting distances of .4 miles. This morning's precipitation and high relative humidity will reduce fire behavior drastically. Fire will be isolated in burning heavy fuels, stump holes, and duff under thick canopy.

Today's Operational update, by Operations Section Chief Rod Bonacker, can be found on the "Cougar Peak Fire 2021" Facebook page.

Acreage: 90,614

Containment: 41%

Cause: Undetermined

Fire Information: (541) 900-5788 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) E-mail: 2021.cougarpeak@firenet.gov

Information websites:

Facebook: "Cougar Peak Fire 2021"

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7835/ Air Quality: oregonsmoke.blogspot.com

Weather: Isolated showers are expected mainly before noon. Only a few more hundredths of rain is expected. Otherwise, cloud cover will gradually diminish through the afternoon. Cool and stable conditions are expected over the fire area today, with highs only reaching the 50s in valleys. Gusty southwest ridgetop winds will slowly diminish through the day, becoming northwest by 6 PM. Relative humidity will remain above at least 30% across the area this afternoon after excellent recoveries this morning. Relatively calm and cold conditions are forecasted tonight, with a hard freeze possible in sheltered valleys and Goose Lake Valley.

Resources-1226: 3 - type 1 hand crews, 5 - type 2 IA hand crews, 27 - type 2 hand crews, 4 - camp crews, 3 - heavy-lift helicopters, 2 - medium-lift helicopters, 2 - light lift helicopter, 47 - engines, 20 - dozers, 32 - water tenders, 2 – masticators, and 10 - skidgines.

Evacuations: We are anticipating the Lake County Sheriff's Office evacuation levels to change. There will still be Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 evacuations in and around the Cougar Peak Fire. For further information please see:

Lake County website https://www.lakecountyor.org/index.php

Lake County Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Lake-County-Oregon-104435824529906

and an interactive map: https://tinyurl.com/InteractiveEvacMap

Temporary Flight Restrictions: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place over the Cougar Peak Fire.Please consult the Notice to Airman for specifics.

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can't. Whenever a drone is spotted near the fire, all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of the area. For more information, visit http://knowbeforeyoufly.org.

For the latest restrictions and regulations, including Oregon Department of Forestry and federal agencies,visit https://scofmp.org/restrictions.shtml. Make sure to Know Before You Go.

While most of Oregon had some wetting rain yesterday, it was not enough to be a season-ending event for wildfires. The trees and even the grasses are still extremely dry. The chance of ignition on most fuel models is still around 70%. Please don't park a vehicle on dry grass. Check ahead of time for permitted activities if you plan to be in recreation areas.

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