As of 8/23/2020 until the Elkhorn Fire is declared out, an area within the South Fork Management Unit of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest is closed to provide for public safety during the fire suppression efforts.

The closure is south of Highway 36, east of Forest Road 29N30 to the southern and eastern boundaries of the forest. 

Closure includes all National Forest roads within the closure area as well as all National Forest Trails.  The closure does not affect travel along Highway 36.
 
View the full closure order

View a map of the closure area  

Owens Fire: estimated 897 acres, 100% contained 
Location: approximately 8 miles west of Barnhart, Texas

The Owens Fire is 100% contained and has been turned back over to the local fire department and landowner to monitor.  

Owens Fire: estimated 897 acres, 75% contained 
Location: approximately 8 miles west of Barnhart, Texas

Dozer crews made significant progress with containment line construction. Engines were able to patrol and mop up hot spots close to the line. Crews and the landowner will continue to monitor the fire.

Owens Fire: estimated 200 acres, 40% contained 
Location: approximately 8 miles west of Barnhart, Texas

Crews worked late into the night constructing containment line. Today, dozer crews will continue to construct and improve containment lines. Engines will patrol containment line looking for hot spots to mop up and any spots that cross the line.  

 Fire Weather: Today's high temperatures will increase only a degree or 2 from yesterday. Light winds will become east around noon and increase to near 10 mph. Despite the slightly warmer temperatures the minimum humidity will hold near 20 percent. Little change expected Wednesday.

Owens Fire: estimated 200 acres, 25% contained 
Location: approximately 8 miles west of Barnhart, Texas

SEATs were able to slow the progress of the fire today. Dozer crews made good progress into steep terrain. Crews will continue to construct containment line late into the night and return in the morning to continue progress.  

Road closures remain in place due to flood damage

PENDLETON, Ore. –  With improved weather conditions and reduced suppression activities, the Umatilla National Forest will lift the area closure for the Rattlesnake Fire on Friday, Sept. 25, 2020, to provide access into that portion of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.  The Rattlesnake Fire is 100% contained and is currently in patrol status.

While the area closure has been lifted the road closures remain in place. These closures include a portion of Forest Service Road (FSR) 47 from the bridge to the intersection with FSR 4712 and FSR 4713, which also both remain closed.

The roads within this area are closed while ongoing repair work is completed to fix washouts, debris slides, hazard trees, and other damage. The Tucannon watershed experienced substantial road and trail damage from the February 2020 region-wide flooding across northeast Oregon and southeast Washington. Due to significant flood damage, long-term temporary closures along the Tucannon River were put in place until critical repairs could be completed. Areas of FSR 47 still are unsafe for public travel due to unstable conditions, including debris slides and washouts. Forest staff are currently working to repair damage.

Detailed closure maps are available on the Forest website and at any Forest office. Closure signs will also be posted on the ground.

People intending to hike into, or near, the fire area should always remain alert and be aware of increased hazards, particularly snags (which are recently burned or dead trees). Dead or dying trees that remain standing after a fire are unstable, especially in high winds. Loose rocks and logs can be present in a burned area and are unpredictable, creating a falling a hazard. Additionally, burned vegetation can also contribute to landslides, mudslides and erosion when rain occurs. The ground in a burned area can also be unstable, due to burned-out roots beneath the surface.  After soils and vegetation have been charred, rainfall that would normally be absorbed could run off extremely quickly.

Fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at HIGH and Public Use Restrictions involving chainsaw use are in effect.

Regulated closures have also been implemented on State and private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast and central Oregon. Similar restrictions may be in effect on State and private lands protected by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WA-DNR). 

For more information regarding Restrictions, please contact the Umatilla National Forest information hotline at (877) 958-9663.  The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog. To receive updates on fires in the Blue Mountains, follow our blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.

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PENDLETON, Ore. – The Umatilla National Forest has reopened some access within the Tucannon watershed following reduced firefighter activity along Forest Service Road (FSR) 47. 

Effective Wednesday, Sept. 2, FSR 47 and FSR 4620 will both be open to the Little Tucannon Bridge. FSR 47 will remain closed from the bridge up to the intersection with FSR 4712 and FSR 4713, which also both remain closed. The area closure is also still in effect for both firefighter and public safety. 

Forest officials will continually review the area and road closure needs based on fire activity, hazards and continued repairs on Forest Service Road (FSR) 47 above the Little Tucannon Bridge. Detailed closure maps are available on the Forest website and at any Forest office. Closure signs will also be posted on the ground.

Local fire managers from the Pomeroy Ranger District took command of the Rattlesnake Fire today from the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3. The fire is 497 acres in size and is burning in the 2006 Columbia Complex fire scar within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness approximately 20 miles south of Pomeroy, Washington and a quarter mile south of Panjab campground. The Rattlesnake Fire is 95% contained.

Firefighters completed line construction around the fire perimeter and are beginning suppression repair and mop up activities. Mopping up includes searching for pockets of heat, digging out the heat source, and cooling with water.  A 20-person crew will remain on the fire for a few more days. Fire behavior is minimal, but heavier fuels within the interior are still burning and smoldering, particularly in the north east corner where crews will continue to use hose lays to cool heat near the Tucannon River. Some smoke will be visible in the interior as stumps and heavy fuels continue to burn out.

The public is advised to avoid the area. Although fire activity is minimal, many hazards are still present within the burn scar, including fire weakened trees, weak and unstable ground due to  burnt-out stump holes, loose rocks , logs and debris and increased danger of flash floods due to lack of vegetation in the fire perimeter. 

The Forest will share updates on the Rattlesnake Fire as conditions warrant. Additional information is also available at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/.

Hot and dry conditions are expected to persist throughout the week. Fire officials want to remind everyone that the current fire danger rating remains at HIGH and Public Use Restrictions involving chainsaw use are in effect.

Regulated closures have also been implemented on State and private lands protected by Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) in northeast and central Oregon. Similar restrictions may be in effect on State and private lands protected by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (WA-DNR). 

For more information regarding Restrictions, please contact the Umatilla National Forest information hotline at (877) 958-9663.  The latest fire information will be posted on the Blue Mountains Fire Information Blog. To receive updates on fires in the Blue Mountains, follow our blog at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/.
 

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Fire Information Line:  458-207-0058  

Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov 

Incident Commander:  Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 

 

This will be the final Rattlesnake Fire Daily Update issued by the Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3. Contact and other information can be found on Inciweb at the link above.

 

Forest visitors are asked to drive slowly on the Tucannon Road (FS Road 47) due to heavy fire and recreational traffic. Yield to fire vehicles where possible and avoid distracted driving.

The Rattlesnake Fire is burning in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness on the Pomeroy Ranger District in Washington. It is located approximately twenty miles south of Pomeroy and thirteen miles southeast of Dayton. The fire is burning in a fifteen-year old fire scar which left a mosaic of vegetation and is approximately 486 acres in size.

Some burning and smoldering in heavier fuels remains, particularly in the north east corner where crews will continue to use hose lays to cool heat near the Tucannon River. Some smoke is still visible in the interior as stumps and heavy fuels continue to burn out. However, fire line construction is now complete and suppression repair work continues. The majority of the crews will be working their way out today, adding water bars where appropriate to aid with future run off and minimize erosion. A type 2 crew will remain on the fire for a few more days.

The mastication operation, consisting of clearing and chopping up downed brush, is finished, leaving a good fuel break along the Tucannon Road.

Resources Threatened: Private lands, wilderness, recreation and a threatened and endangered fish species are being protected.  

Evacuations and Closures:  The Tucannon Road is closed at the Tucannon Campground with no access into Panjab or Lady Bug Campgrounds. Panjab Trail 3127 and Rattlesnake Trail 3129 are closed.  Forest Road 4620, known as Patrick Grade, is also temporarily closed at the Forest boundary due to fire traffic.  In addition to these road and trail closures there is an area closure south of the Panjab and Tucannon Creek junction.  Follow posts on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7069/ for the closure order details and the latest updates.  Please respect the posted closures. 

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Cloudy with temperatures in the upper 60’s and 70’s. Winds will be from the west at 4 to 9 mph on ridgetops, with gusts up to 16 mph. At lower elevations winds will be upslope and generally lighter.  Fuels continue to dry out. Grass and shrubs are curing as autumn approaches.

Fire Information Line: 458-207-0058

Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov

Incident Commander:  Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/ 

Forest Users - Please drive slowly on the Tucannon Road (FS Road 47) from all access points due to heavy fire and recreational traffic. Yield to fire vehicles where possible and avoid distracted driving.

The Rattlesnake Fire is burning in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness on the Pomeroy Ranger District in Washington. It is located approximately twenty miles south of Pomeroy and thirteen miles southeast of Dayton.  The fire is burning in a fifteen-year old fire scar which left a mosaic of vegetation and is approximately 486 acres in size.

Higher winds from a passing cold front on Saturday tested fire containment lines.  Residual heat in heavier fuels remains on the north end near Panjab Campground, and on the southern edge of the fire. Lower wind speeds and cooler nighttime temperatures forecasted for Monday should result in less active fire behavior.  The fire is expected to continue creeping and smoldering within the existing perimeter in islands of green brush, grass and timber.  

Fire line construction is now complete.  The remaining four crews will focus on improving fire lines, mopping-up and patrolling along the east and west flanks of the fire.  In the north portion of the fire, crews are using pumps and hoses to cool hotspots in the steepest areas. Helicopters are available to assist fire crews with bucket drops today.

The mastication operation, consisting of clearing and chopping up downed brush, has been completed, leaving a good fuel break along the Tucannon Road.  

Resources Threatened: Private lands, wilderness, recreation and a threatened and endangered fish species are being protected.  

Evacuations and Closures:  The Tucannon Road is closed at the Tucannon Campground with no access into Panjab or Lady Bug Campgrounds. Panjab Trail 3127 and Rattlesnake Trail 3129 are closed.  Forest Road 4620, known as Patrick Grade, is also temporarily closed at the Forest boundary due to fire traffic.  In addition to these road and trail closures there is an area closure south of the Panjab and Tucannon Creek junction.  Follow posts on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7069/ for the closure order details and the latest updates.  Please respect the posted closures. 

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Cloudy with temperatures in the upper 60’s and 70’s.  Winds will be from the west at 4 to 9 mph on ridgetops, with gusts up to 16 mph. At lower elevations winds will be upslope and generally lighter.  Fuels continue to dry out.  Grass and shrubs are curing as autumn approaches. 

  

Fire Information Line: 458-207-0058

Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov

Incident Commander:  Mike Almas, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7069/ 

Forest Users - Please drive slowly on the Tucannon Road (FS Road 47), from all access points due to heavy fire and recreational traffic. Yield to fire vehicles where possible and avoid distracted driving.

The Rattlesnake Fire is burning in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness on the Pomeroy Ranger District in Washington. It is located approximately twenty miles south of Pomeroy and thirteen miles southeast of Dayton. The fire remains at approximately 485 acres and has been burning in the same footprint for several days.  It is burning in a fifteen-year old fire scar which left a mosaic of vegetation. 

The anticipated cold front brought westerly winds with gusts as high as 25 to 35 mph on the fire area on Saturday. Fire activity increased but did not move across containment lines. Heat remains on the north end near Panjab Campground, and on the southern edge of the fire. Where there is enough heat, the fire is expected to continue to creep and smolder in islands of green brush, grass and timber within the existing perimeter.

Firefighters are improving containment lines along the northern perimeter, using hoses to extinguish heat sources in the steep terrain. Crews continue to mop-up and patrol along the east and west flanks of the fire area.  Masticators are chopping and spreading brush along the Tucannon Road to strengthen the contingency line.  Crews are cooling hot spots and improving the contingency line from the Panjab to Rattlesnake trails. Seven crews remain on the fire and three helicopters are available to assist. 

Resources Threatened: Private lands, wilderness, recreation and a threatened and endangered fish species are being protected.  

Evacuations and Closures:  The Tucannon Road is closed at the Tucannon Campground with no access into Panjab or Lady Bug Campgrounds. Panjab Trail 3127 and Rattlesnake Trail 3129 are closed. Forest Road 4620, known as Patrick Grade, is also temporarily closed at the Forest boundary due to fire traffic. In addition to these road and trail closures there is an area closure south of the Panjab and Tucannon Creek junction. Follow posts on https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/closures/7069/ for the closure order details and the latest updates. Please respect the posted closures. 

Weather & Fuel Conditions: Sunny with temperatures in the 60’s. It will remain dry and breezy. Fuels continue to dry and the grass and shrubs are curing as autumn approaches.