Newell Road Fire Morning Update

July 25, 2023 

Estimated size: 56,143 acres  

Containment: 20% 

Start Date: July 21, 2023 

Area of Origin: Klickitat County near Newell Road 

Cause: Under Investigation 

Structures Damaged: Currently being assessed 

 There will be a Community Meeting today, Tuesday July 25 at 6 PM. Located at the Goldendale Middle School in the cafeteria, 520 East Collins St., Goldendale, WA.  

The meeting will also be available virtually, links are available on page two of this update.    

Fire Update:  Yesterday’s strong winds persisted into the night as night shift resources worked in the northwest corner of the fire to check-up and slow its spread out of the Walaluuks Canyon towards the Dot Road area. The wind also tested control lines along the eastern and southern portions of the fire and these areas held up well, with only minor mop-up challenges.   

Today’s planned activity: Additional resources will be directed to the northwest corner of the fire to inspect and improve containment lines in the Dot Road area.  Hazard and snag tree falling operations will be focused on the southwest corner of the fire.  Fire personnel will also be patrolling and mopping up along the other areas of the fire using cold trailing techniques (physically checking for any heat along containment lines). Aircraft resources will remain available to support on-the-ground operations. 

Evacuations and Road Closures: There were changes and additions to evacuation levels yesterday.  For the latest evacuations please see: http://www.facebook.com/klickitatDEM911 

Road closures include: Roosevelt Grade Road, Middle Road, Old Highway 8 north to and including Dot Road.  Also closed is Rock Creek Road, Bikelton Highway between Old Mountain Road and the county line, Highway 14 is closed except for local traffic, and Hoctor Road is closed east of Oak Flat 

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): TFR is in place over the Newell Road Fire. Please review the Notice to airmen in its entirety. 

Sheltering: The American Red Cross has opened a Shelter at the Goldendale Middle School 520 E. Collins Street, Goldendale, WA. 

Total people assigned: 576

Engines: 52

Dozers: 9

Handcrews: 11

Water Tenders: 9

Overhead: 124

Type 1 Helicopter: 2

Type 2 Helicopter: 2

Air Tankers: As Needed

Bowles Creek

News - 07/25/2023

Bowles Creek Fire

Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and Bitterroot National Forest

Fire Information: 406-426-9130

Email: 2023.bowlescreek@firenet.gov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Bowles-Creek-Fire-Information 

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-information/mtbdf-bowles-creek

July 25, 2023 at 10:30 a.m.

Location:  3 miles west of Skalkaho Pass in the Bowles Creek drainage

Start Date: 7/20/2023     Cause: Lightning      Size: 1,555 acres           Completion: 0%

Total Personnel: 121      Engines: 4                Helicopters: 3              Hand Crews: 3 

Fire Danger is VERY HIGH on both forests (Beaverhead-Deerlodge NF and Bitterroot NF).

CURRENT SITUATION & PLANNED ACTIONS

Yesterday’s weather caused some increased fire activity throughout the fire perimeter, with areas of torching and more surface fire. Two Type 2 helicopters provided bucket work to help delay fire growth. On the west side of the fire, bucket work helped cool the southwest corner. On the east side, bucket drops helped delay fire growth on a second spot north of Bowles Creek. Firefighting crews and resources from both Forests continue to establish opportunities on both sides of the fire for “indirect” (away from the active fire edge) firelines. Previous fire lines and dozer lines used in the 2022 Hog Trough fire have provided success in planning objectives. On the west side, resources will be prepping the Daly Creek Road (711 Road) and 711A Road), constructing a fuel break adjacent to the road with hand crews. On the east side, crews will be working to the south from the Bowles Creek Road (5071 Road) to the 313 Trail.

WEATHER AND FIRE BEHAVIOR

The passing cold front brought cooler temperatures with overcast skies and higher relative humidity. Temperatures on Tuesday will range from 70-75. Winds are southwesterly in the 5-10 mph range, with a chance of a gusts increasing mid-day to 25-35 mph. Wednesday's forecast is sunny with similar temperatures in the 70s and gusty, southwesterly winds. Overnight winds will decrease to around 15 mph. Tuesday calls for cooler temperatures with chance of thunderstorms later into the week.

Timbered drainages with heavy dead and down trees will expect active fire with potential for torching. Grass and brush are still green, however they will still support fire spread. The gusty southwesterly winds could increase fire activity.

The fire is producing smoke that is visible from numerous locations along the Skalkaho Highway and in the Bitterroot Valley and Philipsburg.

CLOSURES

Road and trail closures in the fire area are being considered to provide for public and firefighter safety. Specific closure information and maps will be posted on the Forests’ website and the fire’s Inciweb page as they are in place.

The Skalkaho Pass Road remains open. Those recreating or traveling in the fire area are encouraged to be aware of the situation and to pay attention to increased fire traffic.

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect over the fire area for the safety of the aviation resources.

Grapevine Fire

July 25, 2023 – Daily Update

Firefighters Continue to Provide Suppression Activities

Location:  Mingus Mountain, Verde Ranger District (T14N, R2E, SEC 4), Approximately 10 miles east of Prescott Valley; 2 miles south of Mingus Spring Ranch

Start Date:  July 21, 2023

Size:  Approximately 500 acres

Percent Contained:  0%

Cause:  Lightning    

Vegetation: Brush, Timber and Short Grass

Resources: 2 Type 2 Crews, 2 Engines, 1 Dozer and additional support personnel

Number of Personnel Assigned:  150

Update: Yesterday's afternoon thunderstorms moved over the Grapevine Fire where outflows winds pushed the fire to the northeast and to the south increasing the fire size to approximately 500 acres; producing smoke that could be seen from local communities. Today’s fire suppression efforts include structure assessment on private in holdings in and around the fire area.   Firefighters will monitor the fire activity along the western side and scout the eastern side for potential control lines; and continue to hold and improve existing control lines. Due to terrain and limited access; firefighters continue to identify hazards as they begin to safely suppress the fire.

Possible showers are predicted for today, with increase relative humidity and gusty winds in the afternoon.

Smoke:  Smoke may be visible from multiple locations including Prescott Valley, Dewey, Prescott and along Highway 169. 

Fire Restrictions: The entire Prescott National Forest is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions which prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes, outside a structure that is provided by the Forest Service within designated areas for portions of the forest. Under these restrictions, discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun, except for persons engaged in legal hunting activities, is prohibited on the Prescott National Forest. Fireworks and the use of exploding targets are always prohibited year-round on national forests.

For current evacuation information contact the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office at 928-771-3260 or follow them at https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff. 

Recreationists on Mingus Mountain should avoid camping and hiking near the fire and utilize caution while driving the roads as firefighters will be traveling to and from the fire.  

For fire information please call (928) 925-1111; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.     

Prescott National Forest Fire Information

(928) 925-1111

Racetrack Fire Update - July 25, 2023

Location: North of Highway 169, south of Crater Mountain near the community of Cherry 

Start Date:  July 23, 2023

Size: 405 acres

Cause: Lightning

Resources: 3 Type-1 Crews, 4 Type-2 Crews, 4 Engines, 1 Dozer and additional support personnel.

Fire behavior: Moderate fire behavior

Types of vegetation in the area (aka fuels): Grass, Brush

SUMMARY: Fire personnel were engaged in a variety of ways on the Racetrack Fire yesterday. Use of aircraft and firefighters on the ground were effective in slowing the fires progression on the northern perimeter from Powell Springs Campground to the east.  Today resources will continue working on reinforcing the control line on the northern perimeter.  Outflow winds yesterday moved the fire to south; today crews will evaluate and scout for natural control features that can be used to stop progression to the south.   Firefighters will continue with structure assessment activities in the community of Cherry identifying locations of homes; and assessing fuels and hazards.  

Possible showers are predicted for today, with increased relative humidity and gusty winds in the afternoon.   

Smoke may be visible from multiple locations including Dewey, Mayer, and Prescott Valley.

Evacuations – Please follow Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for current evacuation information at: https://www.facebook.com/YavapaiCountySheriff or call their non-emergency number at 928-771-3260.

FIRE RESTRICTIONS: The entire Prescott National Forest is under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions which prohibits building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire, including charcoal and briquettes, outside a structure that is provided by the Forest Service within designated areas for portions of the forest. Under these restrictions, discharging a firearm, air rifle or gas gun, except for persons engaged in legal hunting activities, is prohibited on the Prescott National Forest. Fireworks and the use of exploding targets are always prohibited year-round on national forests.

For fire information please call (928) 925-1111; or stay up to date on Prescott National Forest news by checking the Prescott NF website and following us on Facebook and Twitter.            

July 25, 2023

Flat Fire Morning Update

Start Date:  July 15, 2023

Size: 22,697                                            

Point of origin: 2 miles southeast of Agness, OR

Containment: 3%

Cause: Human caused, Under Investigation

Total personnel: 1,528

Resources: 46 engines l 36 crews l 9 bulldozers l 24 water tenders l 8 masticators l 8 helicopters
 

Current Situation: Cooler temperatures and higher humidity moderated fire behavior yesterday. Most of the fire growth in recent days is a result of successful firing and holding operations in the southwest portion of the fire. The objective of these burnout operations is to eliminate vegetation between the wildfire and the road systems that firefighters are using as control features. Structure protection groups remain in the communities of Oak Flat and Agness. These resources are also prepared to provide support to other parts of the incident if needed.

Today’s activities: Firefighters will continue ignitions from the Game Lake area working south along Forest Road (FR) 3680 towards Snow Camp in the southwest portion of the fire. Unstaffed Aerial Systems (UAS) and helicopters will assist crews with burning operations as needed to create more depth along control lines. In the northeast, crews will continue reducing fuels along road systems including Burnt Ridge Road (Forest Road 2308) and Forest Road 150 in preparation for future containment efforts.

Firefighters will continue to extinguish sources of heat further in from the fireline along the northern perimeter, east and west of the Illinois River. Resources will also continue to reduce fuels along road systems to establish primary and contingency lines and prepare for planned burnout operations in the northeast and southwest in an effort to keep the fire as small as possible.

Evacuations: A Level 2 “Get Set” evacuation notice remains in effect from Agness to Quosatana Creek and for the areas of Oak Flat, Old House Creek Road and Spud Road. Curry County is using Everbridge to send evacuation notices. You can sign up for notifications here: https://www.co.curry.or.us/departments/emergency_management/index.php.

Weather: A slight warming and drying weather pattern will begin over the fire area today.

Smoke: The Smoke Outlooks are available at https://www.airnow.gov/ or oregonsmoke.org.

Closures: The Rogue River Siskiyou National Forest has issued a closure order for the fire area including trails, roads and a portion of the Illinois River. Oak Flat Campground, Game Lake

Campground, Wild Horse Campground and Snow Camp Lookout Recreation Rentals are all closed as part of the area closure. More information can be found here: bit.ly/RRSNFClosures.

Restrictions: Fire Restrictions are in place, to learn more visit: fs.usda.gov/rogue-siskiyou

Please slow down and be careful when driving near the fire area and incident camps due to increased fire traffic. The public is asked to be especially cautions when driving on Bear Camp Road (Forest Service Road 23). There is heavy public and fire-related traffic on this road.

There will be a community meeting in Leadore on Tuesday, July 25th at 7PM.

Summary: The Hayden Fire started on Wednesday, July 19th, 2023, at approximately 11:30 am. The fire is located in the Lemhi Range, 18 miles west of Leadore, Idaho.  The fire is burning in steep and difficult terrain with spruce/subalpine fir containing a heavy dead/down timber component.  Fire cause is undetermined. 

Weather: RED FLAG WARNING TODAY FOR GUSTY WINDS AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY.  More seasonal temperatures with highs in the 70s and 80s are expected today, however forecasted wind gusts could approach 45 mph along ridge tops due to a passing dry cold front. There is a high potential for increased fire behavior.  

Actions: Yesterday, fire activity was moderated by lower temperatures, increased cloud cover and higher relative humidities than previous days. Planned actions for today are to continue to construct handline and dozer line on the east flank of the fire ahead of the recent growth utilizing natural barriers where available and to strengthen previously constructed line along Kadletz Creek and the East Fork of Hayden Creek.

Important Information: The Lemhi County Sheriff’s Department in coordination with the Salmon-Challis National Forest and Great Basin Team 7 has pre-identified evacuation zones. They will be implemented using the “Ready, Set, Go” terminology, for more information on the evacuation zones please visit the Lemhi County website at lemhicountyidaho.org. Information on “ready, set, go” is available on the Hayden Fire inciweb page.

The Salmon Challis National Forest has a revised closure order in place to help protect firefighter and public safety. Maps and additional information are available on the Alerts and Notices section of the SCNF website.  Risk to responders and public safety remain the highest priority for the incident management team.

Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management has updated the road closure conditions related to the Newell Road Fire. Please see the Klickitat County Emergency Management Facebook and Website for up to date evacuation and road closure information.

https://www.klickitatcounty.org/249/Emergency-Management

https://www.facebook.com/people/Klickitat-County-Sheriffs-Office/100076403948607/

Newell Road Fire Update

9 PM, July 24, 2023 

Estimated size: 56,143 acres 

Containment: 20% 

Start Date: July 21, 2023 

Area of Origin: Klickitat County near Newell Road 

Cause: Under Investigation 

Structures Damaged: Currently being assessed 

 A Community Meeting is set for tomorrow, Tuesday July 25 at 6 PM. Located at the Goldendale Middle School in the cafeteria, 520 East Collins St., Goldendale, WA.  

The meeting will also be available virtually, links are available on page two of this update.    

Fire Update: The forecasted cold front moved through the area bringing lower temperatures, higher humidity, very strong winds, and a few minutes of rain.  Fire activity increased along the northwest corner beginning around 3:00 pm and moved out of the Walaluuks Canyon towards Dot Road.  Multiple aircraft dropped water and retardant to slow the flank of the fire to allow time for dozers and crews to construct line between Dot Road and Walaluuks Canyon. Point protection was successfully provided to a structure in the area.  The plan for the night shift tonight is to continue to reinforce containment lines with burnout operations, patrolling and mopping up. 

Planned activity for tomorrow: Due to today’s high winds, additional resources will be directed to the northwest corner of the fire to inspect and improve containment lines.  Additionally, fire personnel will patrol and mop up along the other areas of the fire using cold trailing techniques (physically checking for any heat along containment lines). 

Evacuations and Road Closures: There were changes and additions to evacuation levels today.  For the latest evacuations please see: http://www.facebook.com/klickitatDEM911 

Road closures include: Roosevelt Grade Road, Middle Road, Old Highway 8 north to and including Dot Road. 

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): TFR is in place over the Newell Road Fire. Please review the Notice to airmen in its entirety. 

Sheltering: The American Red Cross has opened a Shelter at the Goldendale Middle School 520 E. Collins Street, Goldendale, WA. 

BONANZA, Ore. – The Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) began damage assessments today on the Golden Fire, which began on July 22, 2023. Until today, conditions have not been safe for OSFM personnel to fully access structures in the affected area. Low fuel moisture, 90-degree temperatures, and wind gusts up to 20 mph contributed to extreme fire behavior during the initial attack and rapid fire spread. The majority of the structures determined to be destroyed were lost during the fire’s initial run on July 22, 2023. Following the initial attack, downed power lines, tree snags and road conditions have hindered crews’ access.

As of today, the assessment reports that 43 single primary residences and 43 outbuildings were destroyed by the fire. The assessment uses the Office of Emergency Management guidelines to determine primary residence as including 1) a heating source, 2) bed, and 3) a cooking device.

This initial number will likely change as hazardous conditions improve and task forces are able to safely complete assessments. OSFM resources continue to extinguish hot spots and conduct mop-up operations around structures to ensure no additional structures are lost.

Despite near Red Flag conditions, crews were able to strengthen control lines around the fire perimeter and maintain the current fire footprint. Along portions of the fireline, crews began falling snags, a term for standing dead timber, to remove overhead dangers in order for firefighters to safely begin mop-up operations along less-active portions of the fireline.

There are currently 317 homes affected in all evacuation levels. The Red Cross sheltered or assisted 56 community members on Saturday evening and 31 on Sunday evening.

“Our hearts go out to the Bonanza community and those affected by the Golden Fire,” said Matt Howard, ODF Team 2 Incident Commander. “We grieve with the community and your loss. Our goal on this fire has been, and will continue to be, to contain this fire to minimize its impact. Our job now is to fully suppress this fire so the recovery process can begin. That is our commitment to you.” 

Community meeting: Golden Fire Unified Command will host an outdoor, public information meeting on Tuesday, July 25, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m., at Bonanza School at 31601 Mission Street, Bonanza, OR . Fire personnel will provide presentations on fire status and evacuations, followed by an opportunity to ask questions. Representatives from cooperating agencies including the US Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Klamath County will be present. No seating is provided. Bring your own outdoor lawn chair.

Evacuations downgraded:  A portion of the level 3 (GO NOW) area was reduced to level 2. The downgraded area follows west of Bechdoldt Flat Road, south of Racoon Lane and Jaguar Lane. See website to find current evacuation maps. Other evacuation levels remain at:

• Level 3 (Go)- All residence east of Highway 140 between Polar Bear Lane and Jaguar Lane.
• Level 2 (Set)- Both sides of Highway 140 and Bly Mountain Cutoff Road, south of Ground Hog Lane to Keno Springs.
• Level 1 (Ready)- All residences west of 140 from Kodiak Lane to Goldfinch Drive.

For the most current evacuation information, call the Klamath County hotline at 541-205-9730, and sign up for Klamath County alerts at http://alerts.klamathcounty.org. American Red Cross and Klamath County Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) have established an evacuation shelter at Bonanza School, 31601 Mission Street, Bonanza, OR 97623.