Incident Publication

BREEZES FAN FLAMES OF THE SERVICE FIRE AGAIN ON THE FOSSIL COMPLEX

SPRAY, Ore. – Firefighters working the day shift were able to hold the fire on the east side of ORE19 through another day of challenging firefighting weather. Gusts of up to 20 MPH pushed the actively burning head of the fire to the southeast and across Winlock Road toward the Lone Rock Fire scar. On other parts of the fire, building off of the advances of a productive night shift, crews were able to improve the security around structures and firelines along many parts of the northern and eastern flanks. Throughout the shift, crews used direct and indirect attack to add line and security to the fire where opportunity was available. Aerial resources worked in tandem with crews on the ground and dropped retardant to improve the stopping power of dozer line. 

Evacuation levels were increased by the Wheeler County Sheriff's Office today. Please check their Facebook page for the latest information. https://www.facebook.com/WheelerCountySheriffsOffice/

Securing the fire on the east side of ORE19 overnight is a priority. Firefighters will also seek opportunities to stop the fire’s advance to the southeast when conditions are expected to become more favorable, around midnight.  The weather forecast for tomorrow promises cooler temperatures and a good chance of wetting rains by mid-morning and throughout the day. 

Mop up will push deeper into the interior on the Kinzua and Canyon Fires, which are progressing toward patrol status. The Two Cabin and Holmes Fires are now in patrol status.  

Community Meetings: 

Fossil: September 11th at the Fossil Elementary School Gymnasium, 6:30 PM. Please use the west entrance. The meeting will be recorded and posted to: https://www.facebook.com/fossilcomplexfire

Spray: Due to the closure of ORE19, a public meeting in Spray is planned for Thursday 12th at The Rock, 601 Willow St. at 6:30 PM.

Flying unauthorized drones is hazardous to aircraft and will ground critical aerial operations.

FIRE AT A GLANCE

Fossil Complex

Total Size:  15,552 acres          

Two Cabin-251acres

Canyon-190 acres

Kinzua-96 acres

Holmes-15 acres

Service- 15,000 estimated

Containment:  3% 

Cause:  Lightning

Current Cost: $7.4 M

All Resources 

Hand Crews: 36

Engines: 35

Water Tender: 12

Dozers:  25

Skidders: 7

Skidgen: 3

Excavator: 2

Feller Buncher: 4

Total Resources: 1070

Aerial Resources

Type 1: 3

Type 2: 5

Type 3: 3

Evacuations: 

Level 1: 21 addresses

Level 2: 85 addresses

Level 3: 156 addresses

https://www.facebook.com/WheelerCountySheriffsOffice/

ODF Incident Commander:

Matt Howard, Incident Management Team 2

Devil’s Knob and Milepost 98 Fire Update for Wednesday, September 11, 2024 

KEY MESSAGES: 

Evacuation levels from the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office have changed. An interactive map can be found at their website, https://www.dcso.com/EVACUATIONS. Residents are encouraged to sign up for emergency notifications through Douglas County Emergency Management, found at https:// www.dcso.com/254/Emergency-Notification-System. Currently, no level 3 evacuations exist. Level 2 evacuations include all residences on Joe Hall Road, all residences on Tison Road, all residences on Elk Diamond Road, and all residences on Ritchie Road. Level 1 evacuations include all residences on the East side of Tiller Trail Hwy between the 34000 to 36760 block. Cancelled evacuation notices include all residential addresses on Canyon Creek Road.  

CIMT NW 13 will hold a public meeting tonight at 7:00 p.m. at the South Umpqua Community Church; 27292 Tiller Trail Hwy, Days Creek, OR 97429. This meeting will be recorded and posted to Facebook afterward for those unable to attend. 

CURRENT STATUS:  

Devil’s Knob- Resources: 612 Crews: 17 Engines: 16 Water Tenders: 10 

Yesterday, crews worked on mopping up the northwest corner of the fire, west of Hamlin Prairie. Direct suppression actions were successful on the spots around the Devil’s Knob perimeter. Aviation resources focused on the southeast flank of the fire around Flat Creek to allow crews to prep line as the fire backed down to the 300 Road. Incident personnel worked to protect the powerline to the south. Today, the goal is to create more depth in mop-up operations from hand and dozerline to bolster containment efforts. If weather allows, resources will also work to create direct line in the Flat Creek area. 

Milepost 98- Resources: 337 Crews: 13 Engines: 13 Water Tenders: 13 

In the interior of the fire, a 30-acre island remains unburned. On the eastern edge of the fire, about a mile northwest of Ritchie Road, crews and equipment are working to complete a section of critical dozerline. Direct suppression action will be focused on the southeast corner of the fire as the western flank is being mopped up. 

WEATHER / FIRE BEHAVIOR: 

A cold front will bring moisture to the fire area today, with potential of a half inch to an inch of rain and gusty winds. There will also be a 20-30% chance of thunderstorms. A drying trend will start Thursday, but more moisture is expected toward the end of the weekend. Minimal fire growth is expected for both fires due to increased relative humidity.  

SAFETY AND CLOSURES:   

There are two closures impacting every district of the Umpqua National Forest, including a new closure for the Devil’s Knob Fire. These can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/umpqua/alerts-notices. While all lanes on I-5 are open between Milepost 97 and 98, the right shoulder remains closed for firefighter safety. Please use extra caution when driving due to the wet weather, which also includes increased potential for rollout debris in areas impacted by wildfire. 

Tamaño de Whisky Creek: 3,047 acres | Fecha de inicio: 20 de julio |Causa: De orígen humano |Contención 25%

Tamaño de Sandstone: 702 acres | Fecha de inicio: 5 de agosto   |  Causa: Rayo   |   Contención 75%

Total de recursos: 295 | Equipos de obreros: 4 | Camiones de bomberos: 7 | Topadoras: 2 | Maquinarias pesadas: 11 | Helicópteros: 1

Los incendios Whisky Creek, Sandstone y Blister Creek arden en un terreno escarpado y escabroso en el Bosque Nacional Mt. Hood, donde los escombros rodantes y los árboles que han sido debilitados por el fuego dificultan el trabajo de extinción.  Se ha logrado mucho trabajo en los incendios, y hay una alta probabilidad de que se podrá contener el fuego dentro del área actual. Se prevé que crecerá un poco debido a las condiciones meteorológicas previstas.

Hoy será el último día en que el Equipo 12 del Noroeste estará asignado al incendio. Este desea agradecer a la comunidad local por haber albergado nuestro puesto de comando de incidentes y apoyado nuestros esfuerzos. Un equipo local de Tipo 3 tomará responsabilidad del incendio Whisky Creek, mientras que los incendios Sandstone y Blister Creek cambiarán a una organización local de Tipo 4.

Whisky Creek: Ayer, el incendio creció poco y la mayor parte de actividad fue en la ladera sur en las aguas cabeceras del arroyo Herman. Los bomberos llenaron tanques de agua portátiles al bombear agua del lago Wahtum por la manguera que se extendía a lo largo de la ladera sureste. La nivelación continuó cerca del embalse de Green Point y las maquinarias pesadas terminaron de reparar la línea de topadoras entre los caminos del Servicio Forestal (FSR) 2820 y FSR 630. Mañana, un asesor de recursos inspeccionará el trabajo de reparación por la extinción de incendios. La lluvia pronosticada calmará la intensidad de los incendios, pero continuará el humo de los combustibles pesados ardientes.

Sandstone y Blister Creek: Ayer apareció humo en varios sitios nuevos dentro del perímetro este del incendio Sandstone. Los bomberos encontraron agujeros de troncos ardientes cerca del cortafuegos y neutralizaron este humo para eliminar cualquier amenaza a las líneas de contención que se habían establecido. Es posible que se vea más humo a medida que los combustibles del interior sigan ardiendo. Mañana, las maquinarias pesadas continuarán trabajando en el FSR 7015, así como en la reparación de líneas de topadoras y líneas manuales.

Clima: Se ha desplazado al área un sistema meteorológico más húmedo y se espera lluvia en toda el área, además de temperaturas más frescas y vientos racheados que soplarán del oeste / suroeste. Este sistema desparecerá de la zona el jueves. Para ver el pronóstico de humo y seguridad, consulte: oregonsmoke.org.

Cierres: Los cierres de áreas permanecerán en el Bosque Nacional Mt. Hood, el Área Escénica Nacional Columbia River Gorge y el Condado de Hood River. Se establecen cierres para la seguridad del público y de los bomberos; La intrusión en un área de cierre puede interrumpir las actividades de extinción y reparación de incendios, poner en peligro vidas y propiedades, y puede resultar en multas. La información de cierre se encuentra en: https://linktr.ee/whisky_creek.2024.

Seguridad: El público juega un papel importante en la prevención del próximo incendio forestal; tenga cuidado con cualquier posible fuente de incendio. Para obtener consejos de prevención, consulte: https://keeporegongreen.org. La TFR sigue vigente para ambos incendios: https://bit.ly/3T59VWv. Las restricciones contra incendios están vigentes dentro del Bosque Nacional Mt. Hood. Se puede ver más información en: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/fire.

Unified Command: CAIIMT15 & CAL FIRE 

Fire Size: 13,715 acres 

Percent Contained: 37% 

Primary Strategic Control Line: 96% 

Personnel: 1,067 

Cause: Lightning 

Start Date: Saturday, August 3, 2024, at 10:05 a.m. 

Location: Southeast of Three Rivers, CA 

COFFEE POT FIRE PUBLIC MEETING: CIIMT 15 will host a public meeting about the Coffee Pot Fire tomorrow, Thursday, September 12th, at 6:00 PM at the Three Rivers Memorial Building: 43490 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers. Those unable to attend can watch the meeting live on the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks Facebook page ( @SequoiaKingsNPS) or YouTube channel (@sequoiaandkingscanyonnps5018). 

CURRENT SITUATION: Yesterday, due to hot, dry, and windy conditions the fire breached control lines along Horse Creek and east of Eden Creek. Previously established retardant lines limited the fire’s spread along Horse Creek and hotshot crews quickly constructed a new control line around the area east of Eden Creek while air operations conducted tactical water drops to support their efforts. South of Horse Creek, low-intensity firing operations and additional retardant were used to strengthen the control line. Firefighters on the southern and western flanks focused on reinforcing fire lines, gridding for hotspots, and backhauling equipment from contained sections of the line. On the northern flank, road preparation continued along Mineral King Road, east toward Silver City.

Today on the northeast portion of the fire, hotshot crews will continue constructing and strengthening direct control line north toward Horse Creek and south around Homers Nose with assistance from aviation assets. Firefighters will monitor the line and continue backhaul and mop-up efforts along the southern and western flanks. Chipping operations and road improvement will continue along Mineral King and Salt Creek Road. 

WEATHER: An area of low pressure will bring cooler temperatures today along with gusty winds. Morning drainage winds will shift to an upcanyon flow by mid-morning and increase in speed in the afternoon. Winds will be west along the East Fork Kaweah River, but turn to a more northwest direction up Horse Creek near the confluence of the two drainages. 

SMOKE IMPACTS: Due to the forecasted winds and fire established on the east of Horse Creek, increased fire activity is expected today leading to increased smoke production. Areas north of the fire will see poor air quality this morning, with clearing late afternoon as the inversion lifts. Air quality will be poor again overnight and through the morning with conditions being in the UNHEALTHY for SENSITIVE GROUPS range and possibly UNHEALTHY conditions in Three Rivers, Hammond, and Giant Forest. For more information on current wildfire smoke impacts in your community, please visit AirNow.gov or fire.airnow.gov.

EVACUATION NOTICES:  The Tulare County Fire Department has issued Evacuation WARNINGS for zones TLC-E094-B, TLC-E094-C, TLC-E094-D, TLC-E094-E, and TLC-E095. To find your zone, please refer to: protect.genasys.com

FIRE INFORMATION: A Public Information Officer will be at the Three Rivers Village Market daily from 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. to provide fire information and answer questions. 

BLM AND PARK CLOSURES: The portion of South Fork Drive within Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks and trails accessed from the road, including the Ladybug and Garfield Grove Trails, are closed. Recreational access to the Mineral King area of Sequoia National Park is closed to the public. This applies to Mineral King campgrounds, trailheads, and area trails. All other areas of the parks are open but are likely to be impacted by varying levels of smoke and poor air quality. Park closure information is available online at nps.gov/seki. The Bureau of Land Management has also issued a closure of the Case Mountain Extensive Recreation Management Area at blm.gov/press-release.

PUBLIC NOTICE: Wildfires are a no-fly zone for unauthorized aircraft, including drones. If you fly, we can’t. For more information, visit knowbeforeyoufly.org.

Closures and Evacuations

Closures: The Forest Service and BLM have implemented partial closures due to the Rail Ridge Fire and Crazy Creek Fire, for all uses. For more details and closure maps, visit the Ochoco National Forest, Malheur National Forest, and BLM web pages.

Evacuations: Shelters are available to evacuees. For up-to-date evacuation information, please visit:

• Crook County: Crook County Emergency Management website and Crook County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.
• Wheeler County: Visit the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page for real-time updates.
• Grant County: Grant County Emergency Management Facebook page.

Operational Update

Today, the focus is on the Dayville and Morgan Mountain areas. Firefighters will look to take advantage of opportunities presented by moderating weather conditions and build upon the significant progress made this week. Along the north end of the fire, crews are working to establish solid containment and reduce the danger to Dayville. OSFM will begin mopping up around structures in areas nearest to the fire line. On the northwest portion of the fire near Battle Creek, the fire continues to move slowly through light fuels and resources will be assessing options to utilize heavy equipment to improve access points for crews near the wilderness area. At the slop over near Morgan Mountain Ranch, crews are seeking opportunities to go direct and reinforcing containment plans while OSFM task forces provide structure protection. On the south, and southwest portion of the fire, crews will continue to patrol and aggressively mop up where fire activity has been minimal for several days. Weather permitting, air resources will be available to assist with suppression efforts throughout the day. 

Overnight, crews held the fire and built upon the progress made during day shift. Portions of the fire received gusty winds in the evening, including the area of the South Fork of the John Day, where the terrain has presented challenging access for firefighters. The Aldrich Lookout area became inaccessible during the night due to hazardous road conditions, and work to clear this roadway will resume today. Crews on the eastern fire line reported no significant fire activity, with fuels burning out as anticipated. The area near Morgan Mountain did not receive the night-time moisture recovery that was expected, and the firefighters were unable to go direct. Crews in this area focused on prepping and reinforcing primary control lines and crews will look for opportunities today to go direct during calmer weather. 

Yesterday, favorable weather conditions contributed to significant progress. Crews took advantage of cooler temperatures to complete burn operations near South Fork Road and Guyon Basin, behind the community of Dayville. This tactical process removes fuels from the path of the fire in a controlled fashion, ultimately reducing intensity and spread. Structure resources supported wildland resources and protected structures in the immediate area. The burn operation was wrapped up during the night, and crews reported minimal further fire growth in this area. 

Along the eastern edge of the fire perimeter, near the Fields Creek area, resources focused on establishing and improving control lines. On the 2150 road, fallers worked to remove hazard trees and keep roadways clear to ensure access to structures and critical communications infrastructure. Oregon State Fire Marshal (OSFM) resources continued to expand and improve structural hardening measures throughout the Dayville, Fields Creek, and South Fork Road areas. These crews have triaged over 470 structures and continue to increase this numbers daily. Their completed preparation work includes fuels reduction, debris clearing, the placement of portable pumps and water sources, and the installation of sprinkler systems where appropriate. This process also includes pre-planning defense strategies, identifying engine access and establishing firefighter safety zones. 

On the southeast portion of the fire, air resources supported suppression in the Morgan Mountain area, where firefighters continued to work on containing a spot fire and built contingency line. OSFM task forces supported wildland operations in this area and expanded prep work to include additional structures. In the community of Izee, power was restored. A community meeting is planned at the Paulina Community Center, for Thursday, at 5:00 p.m. 

Weather

A cold front will move across the region today, bringing cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and a chance of wetting rains. Gusty winds and thunderstorms are possible in the afternoon, with more wetting rain expected on Thursday morning. 

With weather moderating, fine fuels will be less receptive and slower rates of spread are expected. Seasonably cool conditions should continue through the end of the week. 

#####

Middle Fork Complex Fire Update

Wednesday, September 11, 2024

 Red Flag Warning This Afternoon; Extreme Weather Likely 

The Middle Fork Complex is 61,159 acres, with 352 acres of growth per last night’s infrared flight, with 30% completion. There are currently 653 personnel assigned to these fires, including 18 hand crews, 26 engines, and 4 helicopters. A Red Flag Warning is in effect this afternoon due to scattered thunderstorms over dry fuels. Showers and thunderstorms may develop as early as the morning, with multiple rounds possible through evening. Hail and winds gusting up to 60 mph are possible across the area. Debris flows and flash flooding are also possible under the strongest thunderstorms or where multiple thunderstorms pass over the same area, especially on steep slopes with high burn severity. Temperatures will be cooler with highs reaching the 60s to mid-70s, and relative humidity reaching 40% under mostly cloudy skies. Rain showers will increase overnight, with high chances of rain on much of the fire. 

Yesterday, conditions were favorable for starting a strategic burnout along the Scott Mountain ridgeline. A crew used an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) for aerial ignition on the Bulldog Fire to slowly back the fire down the Scott Mountain ridge with low severity fire, to help avoid fast moving upslope fire runs in that area and help limit fire spread to the south. The burnout operations was approximately 250 acres. 

Crews continue to hold the fire east of the Middle Fork corridor, holding and patrolling Road 698. Crews continue using heavy equipment and handline to strengthen contingency fireline northwest of Road 671 and fuel mitigation around Boiling Springs and the Silver Creek Lookout in anticipation of Goat Fire movement south. 

Crews continue patrolling the indirect fireline from the Nellie Fire to the southwest corner of the Bulldog Fire.  Crews continue to patrol the southwest side of the Nellie Fire and the Highway 17 corridor. Highway 17 road repair work continues. Crews are strengthening the contingency fireline along Road 555 from the junction with Road 579 towards Deadwood Outfitters. Mop up and patrolling continues around the Deadwood Reservoir and along Road 510. After rains begin, crews will be patrolling the southern end of Road 555 and Highway 17 for flooding.

The Community Meeting tonight is CANCELLED due to possible inclement weather.  There will be a community meeting Friday, September 13, at 6 p.m. at the White Barn Building, near 85 Severance Road, Garden Valley, Idaho. 

An updated Boise National Forest Closure Order Number 0402-06-64 is in effect. An interactive forest closure map is available on the Boise National Forest Alerts & Closures website, https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/boise/alerts-notices.

Hunters (whether permitted or not) are not allowed access to these closed areas. 

Highway 21 is closed from the Sourdough Lodge in Lowman to Stanley Lake Road (MP 84 to 126) due to nearby wildfire activity. Only local traffic is allowed between the Sourdough Lodge and Warm Springs Airstrip. There is no public access from the highway to surrounding areas including Grandjean, Bull Trout, Boundary Creek, Cape Horn, or Seafoam. For more information, visit the Idaho Department of Transportation website, https://511.idaho.gov/ 

Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. If you fly, we can’t. Every time a drone is spotted near the fire all aircraft are grounded until we can be sure the drone is clear of this area.  Visit Know Before You Fly, http://knowbeforeyoufly.org. There is a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in effect in the fire area.

Fire Information: 208-992-3045 (8am – 8pm)                                      Email: 2024.middleforkcomplex@firenet.gov 

InciWeb:https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/idbof-middle-fork-complex-fire-bulldog-and-nellie

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/people/Middle-Fork-Complex-Fire-Boise-National-Forest/61565022204468

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@2024.middleforkcomplex

Location: South of Sierra Brooks off Bear Valley Rd., Tahoe National Forest

Personnel: 476
 

Start Date: 9/2/2024 @ 2:00 PM Cause: Undetermined
 

Size: 3,323 acres Percent contained: 83%

Thanks to successful containment efforts, Tahoe National Forest resumed command of the Bear Fire as of 7 a.m. today, Sept. 11.

Focus remains on mop up and repair operations in areas impacted by fire suppression in the southeast region of Smithneck Road and the 506 Road. These activities include mitigating long-term environmental impacts and facilitating the restoration of the affected landscape. Crews continue to build containment and mop up into the fire footprint to expand the buffer zone. Sections of the operation area have transitioned to patrol status, indicating significant progress in containment.

A change in weather is expected for Wednesday afternoon, with a cold front bringing gusty south to southwest winds with gusts up to 30-35mph. Cooler conditions are expected, with temperatures dropping 10-12 degrees below seasonal averages with near freezing temperatures in the valley and drainage areas. The Sierra Valley area remains out of the red flag warning zone, but crews are prepared for windy conditions on the fire line.

Several evacuation zones have been downgraded to normal status. An evacuation order remains within the fire perimeter, and the area is inaccessible to the public. Forest closures and evacuation orders remain in place to safeguard both the public and fire crew members. Any unauthorized entry into these restricted areas is strictly forbidden.

WEATHER:
Wind speeds are expected to increase as a cold front arrives Wednesday afternoon. Gusty winds of 30-35 mph are expected today, with temperatures dropping 10-12 degrees below the season average in valley and drainage areas.

Bear Fire Information Map for 9-11-24

Wed, 09/11/2024 - 12:20

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Bear Fire Information Map for 9-11-24

Unified Command: CIIMT5, Los Angeles County Fire, Los Angeles County Sheriff, San Bernardino County Fire, CAL FIRE – San Bernardino/Inyo/Mono Unit

Location: Sheep Mountain Wilderness, Northeast of Glendora, CA

Fire Size: 47,904 acres

Percent Contained: 0% 

Personnel: 471

Cause: Under investigation

Start Date: Sunday, September 8, 2024, at 2:12 p.m.
 

CURRENT SITUATION: Last night, the Bridge Fire continued to exhibit extreme fire behavior as it increased over 13,000 acres mainly on the north and east flanks. The top priority for firefighters remained in structure protection and defense within the communities of Wrightwood, Pinon Hills and Mount Baldy. 

Numerous structures in the Wrightwood area have been impacted by the fire, with damage to power infrastructure reported. Once it is safe for damage assessment teams to evaluate, confirmed numbers will be released. Mountain High West and East Ski Resort were also affected by fire activity.

On the south end, the fire jumped Glendora Ridge Road up to Sunset Peak, which was highly visible at night from the inland cities below.

Despite the extreme fire behavior, lack of resources, and challenges firefighters had, they successfully defended homes, and no communication towers went down. Firefighters held the lines they had west of Mount Baldy Road, and they continued to prioritize securing contingency lines to the south. By the public heeding evacuations, firefighters were able to get in and engage in the structure defense they needed to.

As the fire continues to head into receptive fuels with little to no fire history, it could get established into drainages and have slope alignment, leading to the potential for large energy release that could create plume-driven fire behavior and column collapses which may send spot fires out ahead of the fire’s direction.

There have been no changes in evacuations since last night.

 Evacuation Orders:

• Pinion Hills from Wrightwood north to Highway 18 and Beekley Road west to LA County.
• Lone Pine Canyon from the community of Wrightwood to Hwy 138/Lone Pine Canyon Road south to the forest.
• Entire community of Wrightwood.
• East Fork communities of Camp Williams Resort (café, mobile home park, campground) and River Community (near the resort). 
• Mt. Baldy Road, all residents north of the San Antonio Dam up to the Mt. Baldy Resort.

  Evacuation warnings: 

• San Antonio Heights and Upland from the foothills south to 23rd Street.
• Pinion Hills from Wrightwood north to Highway 138 and Lebec Road west to Los Angeles County.

  Evacuation Centers:

• San Bernardino County Fairgrounds: 14800 Seventh Street, Victorville, CA 92392
• Jessie Turner Health and Fitness Community Center: 15556 Summit Ave, Fontana, CA 92336. Call (909) 854-5100
• Pomona Fairplex: 601 W McKinley Avenue 
Pomona, CA 91768 (Enter Gate 3, corner of McKinley and White)
• Animals: 
  • Devore Animal Shelter: 19777 Shelter Way, San Bernardino, CA 92407. Call (909) 386-9820, or after hours: (800) 472-5609
  • Palmdale Animal Care Center (Small Animals): 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale, CA 93550
  • Lancaster Animal Care Center (Small Animals): 5210 W Ave I, Lancaster, CA 93536
  • Antelope Valley Fairgrounds (Large Animals): 2551 W Avenue H, Lancaster, CA 93536. Call 562-706-8581 prior to arrival.

For more information on shelters, visit:

• www.redcross.org/get-help/disaster-relief-and-recovery-services/find-an-open-shelter.html
• https://lacounty.gov/emergency/

CLOSURES: 

• SR-138 from Lone Pine Canyon Road to Beekley Road
• SR-2 closed from Big Pines to SR-138.
• San Gabriel Canyon and East Fork of the San Gabriel River
• Highway 39
• East Fork Road
• Glendora Ridge Road
• Glendora Mountain Road
• Mt. Baldy Road at Shinn Road intersection 
   

WEATHER: 

With the massive expansion in acreage of this fire, there are now three forecast zones for weather effects on fire behavior. An excessive heat and Red Flag warning will continue until 12 p.m. today. 

On the south end of the fire, temperatures will be high, however humidity will improve and increase from 15 to 30 percent with a coastal influence. Winds will switch from west to the northwest at the higher elevations, gusting from 15-25 mph.

On the southeast corner of the fire, the northwest winds will test containment efforts.

To the north in the valley floor and desert areas, higher temperatures and lower humidity is expected as winds will push easterly in the afternoon.

Large vertical plume growth and visible smoke columns will be expected again today for this fire. For information on smoke impacts and an interactive map, visit fire.airnow.gov.

Northwest Team 12

Whisky Creek, Sandstone and Blister Creek Fires

Sept. 11, 2024

Fire Information: (541) 208-1743, 8 AM - 8 PM

For links to incident information: https://linktr.ee/whisky_creek.2024

Whisky Creek Size: 3,047 acres | Start Date: July 20 | Cause: Human | Containment: 25%

Sandstone Size: 702 acres | Start Date: August 5 | Cause: Lightning | Containment 75%

Total Resources: 295 | Hand Crews: 4 | Engines: 7 | Dozers: 2 | Heavy Equipment: 11 | Helicopters: 1

The Whisky Creek, Sandstone, and Blister Creek Fires are in steep and rugged terrain on the Mt. Hood National Forest where rolling debris and fire-weakened trees challenge firefighting efforts. Much work has been accomplished on these fires, and there is a high probability of success in confining the fire within the current footprint. Minimal growth is anticipated given the forecasted weather conditions. 

Today is Northwest Team 12’s last day assigned to the fire. The team would like to thank the local community for hosting our Incident Command Post and supporting our efforts. A local Type 3 team will be taking responsibility for the Whisky Creek Fire while the Sandstone and Blister Creek Fires will be transitioning to a local Type 4 organization.

Whisky Creek: The fire grew minimally yesterday with the most activity on the south flank in the headwaters of Herman Creek. Firefighters filled portable water tanks by pumping water from Wahtum Lake up the hose lay along the southeast flank. Grading continued near Green Point Reservoir and heavy equipment completed dozer line repair between Forest Service Road (FSR) 2820 and FSR 630. A resource advisor will be inspecting fire suppression repair work tomorrow. Rain in the forecast will quiet fire activity, but smoke from smoldering heavy fuels will persist.

Sandstone and Blister Creek: Several new smokes appeared within the eastern perimeter of the Sandstone Fire yesterday. Firefighters found smoldering stump holes close to the fireline, and mopped up these smokes to eliminate any threat to established containment lines. Additional smoke may be present as interior fuels continue to smolder. Tomorrow, heavy equipment will continue to work on FSR 7015 as well as repairing dozer lines and hand lines. 

Weather: A wetter weather system has moved in with rain expected across the area, as well as cooler temperatures and gusty west/southwest winds. This system will exit the area on Thursday. For smoke forecasts and safety, visit: oregonsmoke.org.

Closures: Area closures will remain in the Mt. Hood National Forest, Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and Hood River County. Closures are put into place for the safety of the public and fire crews; intrusion into a closure area can disrupt fire suppression and repair activities, endanger lives and property, and can result in fines. Closure information is at: https://linktr.ee/whisky_creek.2024. 

Safety: The public plays an important role in preventing the next wildfire; please use caution with all potential ignition sources. For prevention tips see: https://keeporegongreen.org. The Temporary Flight Restriction remains in effect for the Whisky Fire: https://tinyurl.com/2s49yrj4. Fire restrictions are in place on the Mt. Hood National Forest: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/fire.