Lincoln City, OR. – Officials with the Echo Mountain Complex have completed preliminary structural damage assessments in the fire area. 293 residential structures have been determined to be a total loss. An additional 22 residential structures have sustained damage. Numerous outbuildings, automobiles, RVs, trailers, boats, and other personal property were also destroyed. 

“It’s a miracle that we are able to report that there are no fatalities associated with this incident.” said Incident Commander Rick Dolan.

Specialized teams of structural specialists have been on-site at the incident since Monday to conduct inventories and assessments of structural damage.  Each of the impacted properties throughout the fire area has been assessed for loss or damage. Lincoln County will be publishing a more comprehensive and finalized list of structures by address at a later date.

The Echo Mountain Complex was ignited during the massive wind event that impacted western Oregon on September 7, 2020.  The Echo Mountain Complex is comprised of the Kimberling and Echo Mountain Fires.  Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 1 has been in command of the fire since September 10th.

Residents impacted by the Echo Mountain Complex can access information on re-entry and assistance at: https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/echomountainfire

Residents are reminded that while re-entry to many areas is allowed, numerous hazards remain around structures.  Utility companies have been working in the affected neighborhoods to restore services. 

Lincoln City, Ore. – A few resources are starting to be demobilized from the Echo Mountain Complex.  Due to the hard work from all the firefighters, the fire has remained at 2,552 acres, and containment has reached 45%.  Resources that are demobilized may be re-assigned to other fires, or may be headed back to their home bases to rest and recover.

Firefighters continue to identify and mitigate hazard trees, focusing on the trees that may threaten structures, infrastructure and travel routes.  Teams of skilled fellers are brought in to do this work.  These resources are often local timber company resources. 

Highway 18 through the fire area has been opened to the public.  Travelers should be aware that firefighting personnel and equipment may also be traveling through the area and conducting operations in the vicinity.  People are asked to stay alert and aware and not get distracted while traveling through the area.   

Fire managers ask that as residents begin to return home, they consider the hazards that may still persist in the area.  While fire crews have done their best to identify snags and dangerous trees, there may be trees that have been weakened by the fire.  In addition to these overhead hazards, many ground-level hazards may persist as well.  These hazards may include, but are not limited to stump holes and ash pits.  Other hazards associated with the wildland urban interface may also be present. 

As resources begin to leave the area, it is important to note that fire resources will still be assigned to the Echo Mountain Complex. The West Oregon District is mobilizing a Type 4 Incident Management Team to take command when IMT 1 leaves.  The Type 4 team will continue to provide oversight to firefighting operations.

Some Level 2 and Level 3 evacuation areas still exist around the fire area For more information on these levels and areas where they apply, please check:  www.co.lincoln.or.us/echomountainfire Residents affected by evacuations can call the county’s call center at 541-265-0621, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. seven days a week.

Lincoln City, Ore. – Rainfall totals for yesterday were not as much as firefighters were hoping to receive.  Rain gauges placed in the fire area showed that the western half of the fire received 0.13-0.18 inches of rain.  Further to the east, the rain gauges only received trace amounts of precipitation.  The lack of rain didn’t slow firefighter’s progress though.  The Echo Mountain Complex remained at 2,552 acres, but is now 40% contained. 

Firefighters are working on mopping up and securing the fire.  Mopping up is the methodical process of detecting hotspots around the fire’s perimeter and removing the heat.  This is generally conducted using water, but utilizing the high relative humidity to assist is also a tactic firefighters will employ.  Fire resources will continue this process over the next few days to make sure there are no threats to the fire line.

The incident meteorologist is predicting more significant rainfall over the fire area later in the week.  Temperatures today are forecast to be slightly cooler than yesterday.  The forecast is calling for temperatures in the 60s and higher relative humidity.

Work continues along Highway 18, however, the highway is open to through traffic.  Travelers can expect to be guided through the fire area by pilot cars.   Drivers are also reminded that fire resources will remain in the area, and drive times may be significantly longer than usual.

Areas that were previously in a Level 2 evacuation area have had evacuation orders lifted.  The current level 3 evacuation area remains in place, except for the Highway 101/18 interchange. Residential addresses between milepost 0 and 5 have been downgraded to a level 2. For more information on these levels and areas where they apply, please check:  www.co.lincoln.or.us/echomountainfire Residents affected by evacuations can call the county’s call center at 541-265-0621, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. seven days a week.

Lincoln City, Ore. – A milestone was reached for firefighters on the Echo Mountain Complex yesterday.  100% of the control line has been completed on both fires.  This means that firefighters will be able to shift their focus to mopping up from the perimeter, as well as working with trained falling crews to remove hazardous snags.  The fire is now estimated at 2,552 acres.  While the footprint of the fire has not changed, fire resources have been able to collect better mapping intelligence.  Containment has reached 33%. 

The fire did receive some precipitation early this morning, although amounts were generally less than forecast.  The western edge of the fire was estimated to have received a few 100ths of an inch.  A chance of precipitation does persist in the forecast through the next few days.  While precipitation is welcome by firefighters, it does present another dimension of safety concerns, as the ground maybe come slick and footing could be less stable.

Structural resources are still working to complete a structure inventory and damage assessment.  These resources have been working over the last two days to identify the function of the structures impacted and the amount of damage incurred. 

Highway 18 and many of its arteries remain closed to the public. There is a lot of work occurring along these roads, including hazard tree felling and utility rehabilitation.  These activities are necessary to provide for public safety when access is allowed again.

Many areas remain in Level 2 (Set) or Level 3 (Go!) evacuation. For more information on these levels and areas where they apply, please check:  www.co.lincoln.or.us/echomountainfire Residents affected by evacuations can call the county’s call center at 541-265-0621, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. seven days a week.

Lincoln City, Ore. – Firefighters are working to finish the last of the fire line on the Echo Mountain Fire.  Once these last pieces of line are completed, both fires will be 100% lined.  Firefighters have been battling difficult terrain and dense fuels to complete the line.  The fire remains at 2,435 acres in size, and is currently 25% contained.

The weather forecast for today call for similar conditions to yesterday until this evening, when rain is expected.  A chance of precipitation persists in the forecast through the end of the week.

Crews will be looking to take advantage of the incoming precipitation.  While the rain is helpful, there is still a lot of work to accomplish.  Once the line is completed, firefighters will begin working to open up heavy fuels to expose them to the incoming moisture.  It is the hope of fire managers that by utilizing the weather, they will need fewer feet of hose to mop the fire up.  Minimizing the amount of hose put out simplifies the pick-up of equipment after the fire, as well as lessening the burden on National Interagency Support Cache system.  These caches supply firefighting equipment to incidents across the country.

Access to the fire area is still limited to fire personnel and support crews, such as utility repair personnel. Limiting access allows fire resources a buffer of safety to complete their difficult mission.  Firefighters must still be on the lookout for falling trees, rolling debris, and other hazards specifically associated with working around structures.

Lincoln County has reduced the evacuation levels on part of the Echo Mountain Complex.  For more information on these changes, please check:  www.co.lincoln.or.us/echomountainfire Residents affected by evacuations can call the county’s call center at 541-265-0621, between the hours of 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. seven days a week.

Lincoln City, OR. – Heavy fuels and dense brush have hampered firefighter’s efforts to complete the control lines around 100% of the fire.  Tonight’s night shift resources will concentrate on patrolling and monitoring the fire.  Tonight is the last night shift. The fire footprint remains at 2,435 acres. 

Structure assessment teams arrived from Idaho and met with Lincoln County representatives to begin the structural assessment process.  This process involves going to each property impacted by the fire and inventorying the structures that were damaged and identifying the extent of the damage.   

Oregon National Guard resources arrived today to provide additional security at road junctions.  This security is intended to further limit access to the fire area and evacuated neighborhoods.  Oregon Department of Transportation employees are providing the support for the Highway 18 closure.  The Incident Management Team would like to thank everyone for respecting these closures. 

Additional Oregon National Guard personnel are arriving to help bolster the hand crews that have been working on the fire.  These crews will be woven into the operation and will be mopping up beginning tomorrow.

Covid-19 proves to be a new challenge in regard to fighting large fires, but the command staff is committed to minimizing the potential for Covid-19 spread. All assigned personnel to the fire are required to follow Oregon Health Authority’s Guidance to reduce the spread of Covid-19.  The Incident Management Team has a Health Liaison who works with local public health officials to coordinate the Covid-19 response and needs of the incident.

Beginning tomorrow, there will be one daily update from the Echo Mountain Complex.  This update will be issued each morning.

Lincoln City, Ore. – Resources have been hard at work on the Echo Mountain Complex.  Much of the fire line has been completed and firefighters will spend the day completing the last sections of line and beginning mop up.   At 2,435 acres in size, the fire is currently 20% contained.
383 personnel are now assigned to the fire. There are still resource shortages around the region, as large fires are spread across the western landscape.  Local resources, such as cooperators with heavy equipment have been instrumental in the success on the complex.
Today’s weather forecast calls for stable air over the fire area.  These stable conditions will result in continued conditions of smoke and haze in the area.  Rain and mist are forecast to begin tonight.  This forecast will help firefighters to make progress in mopping up and further securing the perimeter of the fire.
Additional resources are expected to arrive at the fire today.  These resources are specialists trained in structure assessment.  They will methodically inventory and assess each structure that was impacted by the fire.  Lincoln County is facilitating these assessments.
Public and firefighter safety remains the highest priority.  Fire managers are asking the public to please avoid the fire area.  Highway 18 remains closed to provide firefighters safe space to operate.
Many communities remain under Level 2 or 3 evacuation orders.  Current evacuation information can be found at:
https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/emergencymanagement/page/seasonal-hazards-wildfire
Air quality is expected to remain at very unhealthy levels throughout the region today. Individuals are encouraged to avoid prolonged exposure to the outdoors or heavy exertion while outdoors.
Please note the new information phone number: (503)583-4720

Fire Summary:

Lincoln City, OR - Firefighters had a successful day today. The continued cooler weather pattern allowed for firefighters to work on completing control lines around the fire. The fire size remains at an estimated 2,435 acres and is 15% contained.

The Kimberling Fire, east of Rose Lodge, has a fire line around the entire perimeter and hose lays were constructed. “Water began flowing at noon” stated Operations Section Chief Mike Carlson. Mop-up is the focus now on this fire. Firefighters will be working from the perimeter towards the center of the fire. This work will continue for the next few days.

On the larger portion of fire near Otis, crews have nearly completed fire line around the perimeter. Hose lays are being constructed that will assist with the mop-up operations. Hazard tree mitigation and powerline repair is still part of the day shift’s operations.

Night shift resources will focus on patrolling the fires and monitoring fire behavior. Day shift resources will finish building fire lines and continue mopping up around the fire tomorrow.

The predicted weather calls for continued cooler temperatures in the 60s with higher relative humidity that will keep the fire from being as active as it has been. Rain is in the forecast starting early next week.
 

The area remains extremely hazardous. Falling debris, downed powerlines and hazard trees continue to be issues. Please avoid the fire area. High-way 18 remains closed at this time. This closures is in place to protect members of the public, as well as firefighters.
 
Full details listed in the document below. 

The larger portion of fire near Otis, crews are working to establish fire breaks using hand crews in steeper areas and dozers to re-open roads for control lines. The majority of the fire perimeter does not have control lines established yet.

Michael Curran, ODF District Forester, asks for the public’s patience and understanding of the road closures. “Until hazard trees are removed, re-pairs to the powerlines are made and structure assessment completed, portions of the fire will remain closed to the public for the fire fighters” safety” he stated today.
 
Full details listed in the document below. 

Fire summary:

While winds have lessened, the Echo Mountain Complex remains active.
Firefighters are watching weather conditions and monitoring other
factors such as relative humidity, as they relate to fire behavior. This complex
of fires, which is comprised of two fires, is estimated at 2,435 acres
and is 0% contained. Fire resources across the region are spread thin as
fire conditions have reached extreme.

Fire officials estimate that at least 100 structures have been damaged or
destroyed. Two structural task forces have been ordered. Upon their arrival,
they will begin damage assessment and inventory of all the structures
impacted. This work is very methodical and will take several days to
complete. Many areas remain under evacuation orders. These orders are
issued by Lincoln County. More information on the status of evacuations
can be found at: https://www.co.lincoln.or.us/emergencymanagement/page/seasonal-hazards-wildfire#Evac

Fire managers are asking people to stay out of the fire areas. There are
many hazards still present. Fire weakened trees and falling debris, as well
as downed power lines present dangerous conditions. There are many
road closures in the area. The closures are to provide for the safety of the
public and firefighters. Many of our public lands have been closed to the
public due to the extreme conditions. Please check the status of all land
prior to heading out.
 
Full fire details below in news release.