Shissler Fire Daily UpdateAugust 20, 2020
Incident Commander: Rod Weeks, Northern Rockies Incident Management TeamFire Information: 208-310-0317Size: Approximately 722 acres Containment: 0% Cause: LightningLocation: Two miles south of Red River Hot Springs near Elk City, IdahoStructures destroyed: 0
 Rod Weeks’ Type 3 incident management team assumed management of the Shissler fire at 0600 on August 20, 2020.Fire Managers will host a public meeting, Friday August 21, 6:00 p.m., at the Red River Campground. The meeting will be held outside due to COVID concerns. Please bring a chair!Fire management actions: Yesterday aircraft were able to deliver retardant along the southern and northwestern boundaries to prevent movement toward private structures. Today, firefighters will continue to engage the fire and construct direct line where feasible (most likely along the western and northwestern fire perimeter). Air support will continue to support crews on the ground.Resources Threatened: Private property, structures, and infrastructure along Hot Springs Road and Red River Hot Springs.Evacuations and Closures: No evacuations have occurred due to the Shissler Fire. Several roads, trails, and campgrounds in the area are closed to provide for public safety:• 505 Trail – From the Montana State border to the intersection with the 668 Trail• 541 Trail – From Forest Service Road 234 to Green Mountain• Bridge Creek Campground• Butter Creek – Undeveloped Campground• FSR 1170• FSR 1166Be advised that fire traffic is present along Highway 14, use caution along narrow sections and around corners.Please visit the incident inciweb page ‘Closures’ tab for up to date information: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7014/.Weather & Fuel Conditions: The National Weather Service predicts a mainly dry cold front will pass through the area this afternoon resulting in breezy winds. Temperatures are expected to be quite a bit cooler than in recent days due to cloudcover and high atmosphere smoke. This should also help keep humidity readings up as well. The post frontal environment appears to be quite dry, so humidity will be once again low despite more normal temperatures. The drier air will also bring about the development of valley cold pools which could also enhance the presence of narrow mid slope thermal belts. A second dry cold front could bring yet another threat for low humidity and gusty winds on Saturday.Temporary Flight Restrictions: Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) are in effect around the entire fire area. Remember, that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones), so if you fly, we can’t!

STATE OF OREGON  -  DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY  -  FIRE RESTRICTIONS

 Smoking is prohibited while traveling, except in vehicles on improved roads, in boats on the water, and other designated locations.

 Open fires, including campfires, charcoal fires, cooking fires and warming fires are permitted all day during low () fire danger with landowner permission. Open fires are only allowed at locations designated by the forester during moderate (high () fire danger. All open fires are prohibited during extreme fire danger (). Portable cooking stoves using liquefied or bottled fuels are allowed.

 The use of power saws are permitted all day during low fire danger () and moderate fire danger (). During high fire danger, () saws are allowed before 1:00 p.m. and after 8 p.m. The use of power saws are prohibited during extreme fire danger (). Each power saw is required to have one shovel and one fire extinguisher of at least 8 ounce capacity. A Firewatch of at least one hour is required following the use of each saw.

 Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is permitted all day during low fire danger () and during moderate fire danger (). During high fire danger () it is allowed before 1:00 p.m. and after 8 p.m. as long as it is conducted in a cleared area and has a charged garden hose or one 2 ½ pound or larger fire extinguisher immediately available. Cutting, grinding and welding of metal is prohibited during extreme fire danger ().

 The mowing of dried, cured grass is permitted all day during low fire danger () and moderate fire danger (). During high fire danger () it is allowed before 1:00 p.m. and after 8 p.m. The mowing of dried, cured grass is prohibited during extreme fire danger (). The culture and harvest of agricultural crops is exempt from this requirement.

 Motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, on un-improved roads are permitted all day during low fire danger () and moderate fire danger (). During high fire danger () it is allowed before 1:00 p.m. and after 8 p.m. Motor vehicles, including motorcycles and all-terrain vehicles, on un-improved roads are

News Release

Jason Cox, ODF Public Affairs Specialist, 503-945-7427, jason.r.cox@oregon.gov

Due to the unhealthy and hazardous air quality conditions in Oregon and Washington, EPA has issued a Burn Ban on all Tribes in this region until further notice. EPA will meet again on Monday, September 13, 2020 to assess the conditions.

Tim Outman, Air Quality Specialist 
Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs

EPA Air Quality Advisory and Open Burning Ban for Reservations in Oregon and Washington

(Seattle – Friday, Sept. 11, 2020) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 10 has issued a ban on open burning for all reservations in Oregon and Washington State, due to smoke from large wildfires. This ban takes effect immediately and will remain in effect until further notice.

The burn ban applies to all outdoor and agricultural burning—including camping and recreational fires—in all areas within external reservation boundaries regardless of ownership or tribal membership. Ceremonial and traditional fires are exempt from the burn ban. For areas outside reservation boundaries, please contact your local clean air agency, fire department, or department of ecology.

EPA requests that reservation residents reduce all sources of air pollution as much as possible, including driving and idling of vehicles.

Air pollution can harm your health and can have lasting effects. Community cooperation with the ban will help people who are most at risk, including children, the elderly, pregnant women, people with asthma or difficulty breathing, diabetes, heart problems or otherwise compromised health. These sensitive groups should avoid outdoor exercise and minimize exposure to outdoor pollution as much as possible. Under the most severe pollution levels all residents should restrict their activities.

The burn ban is effective immediately. This burn ban may be downgraded or removed depending on air quality and weather conditions. Please check our website for the latest information:  https://www.epa.gov/farr/burn-bans-indian-reservations-id-or-and-wa

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To check conditions in your area, go to http://www.airnow.gov/ .

For current burn ban status, please visit https://waburnbans.net/, the tribal air quality office at (509) 865-5121 Ext. 6078 or 1-509-945-6675, or the EPA at 1-800-424-4372, email to R10_farrhotline@epa.gov. 

Please check our website for the latest information:  https://www.epa.gov/farr

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The last daily update for the White River Fire was posted on Tuesday, September 8, 2020.  For information about the Lionshead Fire to the south, visit https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7049/

Yesterday’s strong winds brought smoke into the area from new fires in Washington. With continued strong northeastern winds today, smoke from Washington will continue to move

into the Columbia River Gorge and throughout the fire area today.

Expect similar conditions in the area today – smoke may be in “Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups” range later today.

Quick Facts - Fire Summary

Start Date: 8/17/2020 
Cause: Lightning 
Incident Commander: Noel Livingston, Pacific Northwest Team 3
Approximate Size: 17,507 acres 
Containment: 70% 
Total Personnel: 809
Approximate Distance:  8 miles from Maupin/7 miles from Tygh Valley 

Resources on the Fire: 
25 crews
30 engines 
9 dozers
17 water tenders
7 helicopters 

Cooperating Agencies:
Wasco County Sheriff
Wasco County Emergency Management
NTSB/FAA

The fire containment line was tested by yesterday’s high winds and did not grow in size. Firefighters will continue to patrol the fire perimeter.  This is the last daily update for the White River Fire.  Additional updates will occur as changes warrant. 

Weather and Fire Behavior:  Much of the state is under a Red Flag Warning today indicating increased risk of fire danger due to strong gusty winds associated with yesterday’s cold front. High winds with gusts up to 30 miles per hour will continue into the evening. Temperatures will be much cooler today with highs in the low 70s. Logs and stumps continue to smolder and unburned islands are likely to burn today inside the fire perimeter. Blowing dust and ash from fires in Washington is limiting visibility.

Last 24 hours: Crews patrolled the fire perimeter, concentrating on the southern edge which was most likely to be impacted by northeast winds. Crews continued improving containment lines, checking for residual heat, and extinguishing smoldering stumps and logs near the fire perimeter. Fire crews worked to repair areas damaged by suppression activities. This included hauling out unneeded hose lines and equipment, building water bars to prevent erosion, restoring damaged stream banks, and chipping and spreading tree limbs and brush that were cut during fire suppression.

Today’s Activities: With fire containment lines holding and fire activity increasing across the west, some crews and equipment will be shifted to other fires. The remaining crews will patrol the fire perimeter while continuing to reinforce established containment lines and extinguish heat in smoldering logs and tree stumps near those lines. Resource advisors will work with crews and heavy equipment operators to repair areas damaged by suppression activities and remove unneeded equipment and trash.

National Forest Closures: A Closure Order remains in effect for portions of Mount Hood National Forest, including Forest Road 48. Check the Mount Hood National Forest website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/mthood/) for details.

Evacuations: For the most up-to-date information please visit the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page (www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff). An interactive evacuation map can be found at https://arcg.is/1janHC .

FOR ADDITIONAL FIRE INFORMATION:

Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7013      

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhiteRiverFire

Email:  2020.whiteriver@firenet.gov    

Fire Information: 541-604-8582

Quick Facts - Fire Summary

Start Date: 8/17/2020 
Cause: Lightning 
Incident Commander: Noel Livingston, Pacific Northwest Team 3
Approximate Size: 17,507 acres 
Containment: 55% 
Total Personnel: 1,003
Approximate Distance:  8 miles from Maupin/7 miles from Tygh Valley 

Resources on the Fire: 
32 crews
42 engines 
12 dozers
20 water tenders
7 helicopters 

Cooperating Agencies:
Wasco County Sheriff
Wasco County Emergency Management
NTSB/FAA

Weather and Fire Behavior:  Much of the state is under a Red Flag Warning today through Tuesday as a dry cold front moves through the area bringing high winds with gusts up to 35 miles per hour. Temperatures are expected to reach the low 80s today and drop into the low 70s on Tuesday. The fire has not grown in size for several days. Logs and stumps continue to smolder and unburned islands are likely to burn today inside the fire perimeter.

Last 24 hours: Crews continued improving containment lines, checking for residual heat, and extinguishing smoldering stumps and logs near the fire perimeter. Resource advisors (trained in minimizing suppression damage and repairing fire lines) worked with fire crews to evaluate and repair areas damaged by suppression activities. This includes hauling out unneeded hose lines, supplies and trash, building water bars to prevent erosion, restoring damaged stream banks, and chipping and spreading tree limbs and brush that were cut during fire suppression. In the southwest section of the fire near Clear Creek, crews reinforced the containment line recently established in steep, complex terrain.

Today’s Activities: Crews will patrol the fire perimeter, watching for changes in fire activity triggered by anticipated strong northeast winds, while continuing to reinforce established containment lines and mopup smoldering logs and tree stumps. Resource advisors will work with crews and heavy equipment operators to repair areas damaged by suppression activities and remove unneeded equipment and trash.

Evacuations and Forest Closures may impact holiday weekend activities in the area. Check the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page (facebook.com/wascocountysheriff) and the Mount Hood National Forest website (https://www.fs.usda.gov/mthood/) for details.

Evacuations:  The Wasco County Sheriff has updated evacuation notices. For the most up-to-date information please visit the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page (www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff). An interactive evacuation map can be found at https://arcg.is/1janHC .

Wasco County residents are encouraged to register for Wasco County Citizen Alert at: https://member.everbridge.net/index/453003085612392#/login All emergency information including evacuations will be distributed through the citizen alert system.

FOR ADDITIONAL FIRE INFORMATION:

Inciweb:  https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7013      

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhiteRiverFire

Email:  2020.whiteriver@firenet.gov    

Fire Information: 541-604-8582

The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning for the area of the White River Fire on Monday, September 7th from 11 a.m. through Tuesday 11 p.m.  
A dry cold front arrives tomorrow bringing extreme fire weather conditions across much of Oregon. 

Multiple days of 100+ degree temperatures along with low humidity and sustained high, and sometimes erratic, winds have created conditions that are ideal for wildland fire combustion and rapid spread.
Firefighters have made tremendous progress on strengthening containment lines over the last few days.  We are prepared for these lines to be tested throughout the day.
Mt Hood National Forest Fire Restrictions remain in effect: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd776420.pdf