Fire Summary:  Fire crews will continue to strengthen control lines, extinguish hot spots, and mop up.  The Steet Mountain and Laurel Fires held at 701 acres and 1,280 acres, respectively.  The Laurel Fire is burning on lands managed by Prineville BLM, the Wheeler County Rangeland Fire Protection Association, and ODF protected private lands six miles south of Spray in Wheeler County. Narrow roads with dusty conditions continue to make access to water difficult for firefighters on the ground.  Air resources will provide support to ground crews with water drops. A fire weather watch is in effect for Central and Northeast Oregon this afternoon through Tuesday evening due to gusty winds and low humidity.   Abundant lightning and gusty outflow winds could impact fire suppression efforts.  These conditions will challenge fire crews as they work to hold and strengthen fire lines. Heavy regional smoke from California will remain in the area. People who are sensitive and may experience respiratory symptoms may need to take precautionary measures.  Smoke sensitive individuals are advised to stay inside whenever possible.  For updated smoke information go to:  oregonsmoke.blogspot.com Continued support provided by the local communities has helped our suppression efforts.  Firefighter and public safety are our highest priority during this incident, including COVID mitigation.  The incident command post and fire camp are closed to the public to ensure safety of the public and the Firefighters.  

Fire Summary:  Yesterday, excellent progress was made across all fires.  Lighter winds, cooler temperatures, and lower relative humidity allowed firefighters to stop the spread of fire and hold fire lines.  Today, fire crews will continue to strengthen control lines, extinguish hot spots, and mop up. More accurate mapping has updated the Steet Mountain Fire to 701 acres, and the Laurel Fire held at 1,280 acres.  The Laurel Fire is burning on lands managed by Prineville BLM, the Wheeler County Rangeland Fire Protection Association, and ODF protected private lands six miles south of Spray in Wheeler County. Air resources will continue to support ground crews with water today. Narrow roads with dusty conditions has made access to water difficult for firefighters on the ground. Warmer temperatures, and increased afternoon winds are expected today. These conditions will challenge fire crews as they continue to make progress in holding and strengthening fire lines.  There is a slight chance of thunderstorms on Monday and Tuesday which could bring gusty winds and lightning on Monday and Tuesday afternoon. Continued support provided by the local communities has helped our suppression efforts.  Firefighter and public safety are our highest priority during this incident, including COVID mitigation.  The incident command post and fire camp are closed to the public to ensure safety of the public and the Firefighters.  

Fire Summary: Good progress was made across all the fires yesterday.  The addition of resources, including local RFPA resources, helped in the suppression effort and kept the fires from significant growth during extreme conditions in the afternoon.

ODF discovered a new fire near the Steet Mountain Fire.  The Threemile Fire is approximately 25 acres and is being managed in this group of fires.  Strong initial attack under extreme fire conditions helped keep the Threemile Fire at 25 acres. More accurate mapping has updated the Laurel Fire at 1,280 acres.  This fire is burning on lands managed by Prineville BLM, rangeland and ODF protected private lands six miles south of Spray in Wheeler County. Limited access to the fires, combined with dusty road conditions, have made it difficult to get water, crews, and other resources directly to the fire lines.  These factors slowed the overall progress in suppression efforts. Cooler temperatures are expected across the fires today.  Winds are expected to be lighter than yesterday’s afternoon winds.  These conditions should help the fire crews make progress. The local communities have been very supportive during our suppression efforts.  We continue to make Firefighter and public safety our highest priority during this incident, including COVID mitigation.  Personnel will be following Center for Disease Control guidelines to limit personal interactions both within camp and with the local community.  The incident command post and fire camp are closed to the public to ensure safety of the public and the Firefighters.

Fire Summary:
Oregon Department of Forestry Incident Management Team 2 (Incident Commander Chris Cline) assumed command of the Steet Mountain Complex and Laurel Fires last night at 1800. Fire camp will be located at the Long Creek School. Six of the fires, burning on ODF protected lands, will be managed as a complex in the area around Monument, Oregon. The Steet Mountain Complex includes: Steet Mountain Fire - 860 acres Cochran Fire - 86 acres Two Cabins Fire - 99 acres Conger Fire - 15 acres Troff Canyon Fire - .25 acre Jones Canyon Fire - .25 acre 

The Team will also be managing the Laurel Fire which is currently ap-proximately 1,300 acres. This fire is burning on lands managed by Prineville BLM, RFPA and other rangeland, and ODF protected private lands six miles south of Spray in Wheeler County. Moderate temperatures and winds will allow incoming resources to make progress on the fires today. Additional updates throughout the day will be published on Facebook and Twitter.

Firefighter and public safety is the priority during this incident, includ-ing COVID mitigation. Personnel will be following Center for Disease Control guidelines to limit personal interactions both within camp and with the local community. The incident command post and fire camp are closed to the public.

The 3128 road is now OPEN.  Forest Closure Order #06-14-06-20-25 has been terminated.

Fire Information Line: 458-206-6192 
Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov 

Incident Commander:  Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 

Meacham Complex InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7038/   

Rattlesnake Fire Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/ 

 

Mike Almas’ Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) began managing the Meacham Complex on Friday, August 21, 2020. The Meacham Complex of fires includes the Hager Ridge Fire, Horse Fire, 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire, and other smaller fires located approximately twenty five miles east/southeast of Pendleton, Oregon. In addition to those fires, Mike Almas’ IMT assumed command of the Rattlesnake Fire Monday, August 24 and will manage it as part of the Meacham Complex.  

The Rattlesnake Fire is burning on the Pomeroy Ranger District in Washington, approximately twenty miles south of Pomeroy.  Due to the distance between the Rattlesnake Fire and other Meacham Complex fires, the fires near Pendleton will be referred to as part of the southern branch of the Meacham Complex, and the Rattlesnake Fire will be referred to as the northern branch of the Meacham Complex. Detailed updates, specific to Rattlesnake Fire, are available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/).  

Multiple agencies are coordinating on Meacham Complex fire suppression, including United States Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Bureau of Indian Affairs, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, local volunteer fire departments, and various aerial resources.  Currently, many of the smaller fires within the southern branch of the Meacham Complex are contained and in patrol status or have been declared out.   

Unless significant changes occur, this will be the last update for the Meacham Complex southern branch. Fire acreage totals within the southern branch fires remain the same: Hager Ridge- 57 acres; Horse- 169 acres; 896 (Horseshoe Ridge)- 40 acres.  

Firefighters continued to strengthen containment lines, grid for hot spots, and perform mop-up, working inward from the fire perimeters on the Horse Fire and the 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire.  In areas where containment lines are secured and no longer a risk, crews continued implementing some suppression repair, such as constructing water bars along constructed fireline (to help reduce erosion potential). In addition to work on those fires listed above, other crews and resources patrolled the remaining unstaffed, contained fires and were pre-positioned in the event of new fire starts in the area.  The Huron Fire has been declared “out”, and all remaining fires in the southern branch of the Meacham Complex are 100% contained. 

Fire managers have repositioned many crews from the southern branch of the Meacham Complex to the remaining active, uncontained fire within the Meacham Complex- the Rattlesnake Fire (northern branch).  Several of the contained fires within the Meacham Complex southern branch will be unstaffed and patrolled or continue to have limited staffing.  However, firefighters will continue to grid for and mop up hots spots in the Horse and 896 fires, where heavy fuels continue to smolder near containment lines. Containment lines could be tested Saturday due to the forecasted gusty winds, so crews will be especially vigilant, watching for possible spot fires or new fire starts. In addition, crews will also continue working on suppression repair activities, as well as patrolling unstaffed fires and remaining ready for initial attack if a new fire were to start in the area.  

    

Resources Threatened: If any of the fires escape containment lines, several resources could be threatened, including one structure near the Horse Fire, the Union Pacific Railroad line near the 896 Fire, and significant cultural and natural resources.   

Evacuations and Closures: Currently there are no evacuations or area closures for the southern branch of the Meacham Complex.  Additionally, there is no longer a closure on the FSR3128, as fire traffic is reduced and the fires in that area are less active.  However, we ask forest users to continue to yield to fire traffic and use caution in the area.  Thank you.  Please continue to check for up-to-date closure information at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7038/. 

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Friday’s weather is expected to be warm/dry, with primarily terrain-influenced winds.  Saturday, 8/29, very gusty winds could move into the fire area, with sustained winds of 15-20 mph and gusts of 25-30 mph possible.  By Sunday or Monday, cooler temperatures and higher humidity may move into the area.  

 Fire Information Line: 458-206-6192
 Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov
 Incident Commander:  Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team
 Meacham Complex InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7038/ 
 Rattlesnake Fire Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/

 

Mike Almas’ Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) began managing the Meacham Complex on Friday, August 21, 2020. The Meacham Complex of fires includes the Hager Ridge Fire, Horse Fire, 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire, and other smaller fires located approximately twenty five miles east/southeast of Pendleton, Oregon. In addition to those fires, Mike Almas’ IMT assumed command of the Rattlesnake Fire Monday, August 24 and will manage it as part of the Meacham Complex.

The Rattlesnake Fire is burning on the Pomeroy Ranger District in Washington, approximately twenty miles south of Pomeroy.  Due to the distance between the Rattlesnake Fire and other Meacham Complex fires, the fires near Pendleton will be referred to as part of the southern branch of the Meacham Complex, and the Rattlesnake Fire will be referred to as the northern branch of the Meacham Complex. Detailed updates, specific to Rattlesnake Fire, are available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/).

Multiple agencies are coordinating on Meacham Complex fire suppression, including United States Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Bureau of Indian Affairs, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, local volunteer fire departments, and various aerial resources.  Currently, many of the smaller fires within the southern branch of the Meacham Complex are contained and in patrol status or have been declared out.  

Fire acreage totals within the southern branch of the Meacham Complex remain the same: Hager Ridge Fire- 57 acres; Horse Fire- 169 acres; 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire- 40 acres.

Wednesday, firefighters continued to strengthen containment lines and perform mop-up, working inward from the fire perimeters on the Hager Ridge Fire, the Horse Fire, and the 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire.  In areas where containment lines are secured and no longer a risk, crews began implementing some suppression repair, such as constructing water bars along constructed fireline (to help reduce erosion potential). In addition to work on those fires listed above, other crews and resources patrolled the remaining unstaffed, contained fires and were pre-positioned in the event of new fire starts in the area.  By the end of Wednesday’s shift, fire managers declared all of the remaining active fires in the southern branch of the Meacham Complex contained. 

Thursday, fire managers will begin to reposition many crews from the southern branch of the Meacham Complex to the remaining active, uncontained fire within the Meacham Complex- the Rattlesnake Fire (northern branch).  Several of the contained fires within the southern branch of the Meacham Complex will be unstaffed and patrolled or have limited staffing.  However, firefighters will continue mop up efforts along the southern perimeter of the Horse Fire and on portions of the 896 Fire perimeter where heavy fuels continue to smolder and still pose a potential threat to containment lines.  In addition, crews will also continue working on suppression repair activities, as mop-up and containment lines are secured.  Some crews will continue to patrol unstaffed fires and remain available for initial attack if a new fire were to start in the area.

Resources Threatened: If any of the fires escape containment lines, several resources could be threatened, including one structure near the Horse Fire, the Union Pacific Railroad line near the 896 Fire, and significant cultural and natural resources. 

Evacuations and Closures: Currently there are no evacuations or area closures or the southern branch of the Meacham Complex.  Although the FSR3128 road closure remains in place due to heavy fire traffic and safety concerns, it is being re-evaluated and will likely be rescinded later today. Check for up-to-date closure information at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7038/.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Thursday’s weather is expected to be seasonable, with high temperatures in 70s to 80s, relative humidity 20-30%, and winds 4-9 mph (gusting to 16 mph). Thermal inversions are still resulting in potentially lower humidity at middle to high elevations, and winds in the fire area will predominantly be terrain-driven.  Meteorologists predict dry, warm conditions to prevail until Saturday, when a dry, cold front will likely move over the fire area. 

Fire Information Line: 458-206-6192

Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov
Incident Commander:  Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team
Meacham Complex InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7038/ 
Rattlesnake Fire Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/ 

Mike Almas’ Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) began managing the Meacham Complex on Friday, August 21, 2020. The Meacham Complex of fires includes the Hager Ridge Fire, Horse Fire, 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire, and other smaller fires located approximately twenty five miles east/southeast of Pendleton, Oregon. In addition to those fires, Mike Almas’ IMT assumed command of the Rattlesnake Fire Monday, August 24 and will manage it as part of the Meacham Complex.

The Rattlesnake Fire is burning on the Pomeroy Ranger District in Washington, approximately twenty miles south of Pomeroy.  Due to the distance between the Rattlesnake Fire and other Meacham Complex fires, the fires near Pendleton will be referred to as part of the southern branch of the Meacham Complex and the Rattlesnake Fire will be referred to as the northern branch of the Meacham Complex. Detailed updates, specific to Rattlesnake Fire, are available at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/).

Multiple agencies are coordinating on Meacham Complex fire suppression, including United States Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Bureau of Indian Affairs, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, local volunteer fire departments, and various aerial resources.  Many of the smaller fires within the southern branch of the Meacham Complex are contained and in patrol status or have been declared out. At present, the more active fires in the Meacham Complex are the Horse Fire, Hager Ridge Fire, 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire, and the Rattlesnake Fire.

Tuesday, firefighters further reinforced containment lines and continued mop up on many of the fires in the Meacham Complex southern branch, as fires there did not grow.  Although there was no fire growth on the Hager Ridge Fire (still estimated at 57 acres), the fire is still smoldering and creeping in heavy fuels within the fire perimeter.  Firefighters working on Hager Ridge Fire have completed containment line around the entire fire perimeter and mopped up hot spots approximately 100 feet in from the perimeter edge. The Horse Fire is still estimated at 169 acres. Hand crews working on the Horse Fire have rough containment line around most of the fire and have focused their efforts to mop up hot spots within the heavy fuels and timber along the fire’s northern and southeastern edges. No fire growth occurred on the 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire either; however, in order for firefighters to more safely perform mop-up in heavy fuels, special crews had to perform some hazard tree falling (snagging) around the fire’s perimeter. Crews continued to patrol the southeastern fire edge for hazards to the suppression activities and the rail lines. The 896 Fire is still estimated at about 40 acres.

Wednesday, hand crews on the Hager Ridge, Horse, and 896 fires will continue to work on strengthening containment lines and mop-up, working inward from the fire perimeters to cool hotspots. In some areas, containment lines are so secure that crews will begin rehabilitating the suppression lines. Air resources (including one incident-assigned helicopter, as well as other helicopters borrowed from other areas, and, if needed, single engine air tankers- SEATs) will continue to support firefighters on the ground. Other crews will also continue to patrol small fires already contained (including the Huron fire).

Resources Threatened: If any of the fires escape containment lines, several resources could be threatened, including one structure near the Horse Fire, the Union Pacific Railroad line near the 896 Fire, and significant cultural and natural resources. 

Evacuations and Closures: Currently there are no evacuations or area closures in place for the southern branch of the Meacham Complex; however, a portion of FSR3128 is closed due to safety concerns. Please follow posts on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7038/ for the latest closure and restriction updates.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Today’s weather is expected to moderate, with high temperatures in 70s to 80s, as well as generally good humidity recovery except along ridges, where conditions are currently drier. Winds will predominantly be terrain-driven.

Fire Information Line: 458-206-6192

Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov

Incident Commander: Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team Meacham Complex InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7038/ Rattlesnake Fire Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/

Mike Almas’ Northern Rockies Type 2 Incident Management Team (IMT) began managing the Meacham Complex on Friday, August 21, 2020. The Meacham Complex of fires includes the Hager Ridge Fire, Horse Fire, 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire, and other smaller fires located approximately twenty five miles east/southeast of Pendleton, Oregon. In addition to those fires, Mike Almas’ IMT assumed command of the Rattlesnake Fire Monday, August 24 and will manage it as part of the Meacham Complex.

Multiple agencies are coordinating on Meacham Complex fire suppression, including United States Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF), Bureau of Indian Affairs, Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, local volunteer fire departments, and various aerial resources. The majority of the Meacham Complex fires are staffed, most are small, and many are contained or now in patrol status. At present, the larger or more active fires in the Meacham Complex are the Horse Fire, the Hager Ridge Fire, the 896 Fire, and the Rattlesnake Fire. All of these fires are burning in rugged terrain, in a variety of fuels.

Monday, firefighters further reinforced containment lines and continued mop up on many of the fires in the Meacham Complex. Crews working on the Hager Fire have secure containment line around much of the fire’s perimeter and have held that fire to approximately 57 acres. Hand crews and air resources continued to cool hot spots in heavy fuels along the Horse Fire’s southeast flank. Firefighters have rough containment line around much of the Horse Fire’s perimeter and are working inward from those lines, mopping up hotspots to further secure containment. The Horse Fire is currently estimated at 169 acres. Firefighters working on the 896 (Horseshoe Ridge) Fire have constructed handline around much of the fire; however, in order to help secure containment lines where direct line construction was not possible, they conducted a small burnout operation along the fire’s southern/southeastern perimeter. As the 896 Fire backed downhill towards the Union Pacific Railroad line, crews patrolled that fire edge for hazards to the suppression activities and the rail lines. The 896 Fire is currently estimated at about 40 acres.

Tuesday, hand crews on the Hager Ridge, Horse, and 896 fires will continue to work on strengthening containment lines and mop-up, working inward from the fire perimeter to cool hotspots. In some areas, efforts to fall dangerous snags (dead trees) will continue before crews can progress further with mop-up. Air resources (including one incident-assigned helicopter, as well as other helicopters borrowed from other areas, and, if needed, single engine air tankers- SEATs) will continue to support firefighters on the ground by dropping water to cool hotspots and reduce fire spread, or, if needed, by applying retardant to inhibit fire spread.

The Rattlesnake Fire is burning on the Pomeroy Ranger District in Washington, approximately twenty miles south of Pomeroy and thirteen miles southeast of Dayton. Due to the distance of the Rattlesnake Fire from the other Meacham Complex fires, some IMT members will be working out of the Dayton, Washington area. Additionally, more detailed information, specific to the Rattlesnake Fire available on a separate Inciweb page and daily update. Please follow the link below for more information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/).

Resources Threatened: One structure is currently threatened by the Horse Fire, and falling or rolling debris around the 896 Fire continues to be a concern along the Union Pacific Railroad line in that vicinity. Additionally, many of the fires pose potential threats to significant cultural and natural resources, and fire managers are actively working with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) to protect these resources.

Evacuations and Closures: Currently there are no evacuations or area closures in place; however, a portion of FSR3128 is closed due to safety concerns. Please follow posts on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7038/ for the latest updates.

Weather & Fuel Conditions: A RED FLAG warning remains in effect today around the fire area, related to the potential for thunderstorms, lightning, and the potential for gusty, outflow winds. 

Forest Closure Order 06-14-06-20-25 has been issued.  It closes Forest Road 3128 in entirety from the 3128/31 junction.