PNW Area Situation
7/24/05 0730Hrs
New Suppression on 07/23/05: Light initial attack on 7/23. There is one new large
fire in Klickitat county.
Dispatch Offices reporting new incidents: Northeastern office of Washington DNR
reported the 2 new fires for three acres. Other units reporting one new fire were:
Prineville District, WA-DNR Northwest office, Mt Hood NF, Willamette NF, and the
Wallowa-Whitman NF. All were Class A fires except the Wallowa-Whitman fire which
was a Class C 10 acre fire 20 miles east of La Grande, OR.
The Siskiyou NF reported 3 new incidents which was statistical catch-up reporting
activity of 7/21.
Major activity on 7/23 was a flare-up on the Schoolie Rim Fire, which resulted in a 90
acre slopover after sudden NW winds caused the fire to jump the Warm Springs River
and burn on Eagle Butte.
New Large Fires for 7/23/05
WA-WFS Wood Gulch Fire
650 acres 0% containment
This fire is burning in grass and scattered brush on private land south/southeast of
Bickleton, WA, and approximately 3 miles north of the Columbia River and the towns of
North and West Roosevelt WA, in Wood Gulch. The Fire Mobilization Act has been
authorized and numerous cooperating agencies have responded.
Outstanding orders include:
Two additional 20-person hand crews
One additional T-2 Helicopter
One additional Task Force – (5 wildland engines, 1 tender and an STL)
This will bring the total to: 4 20-person hand crews, 2 T-2 Helicopters and approximately
159 total people.
In addition, numerous cooperator mutual aid engines are on the fire. At least 15
structures are threatened, and approx 20 people were evacuated but damage has been
reported. A Type 3 Helicopter and 2 Task Forces of engines have been ordered.
Weather near this fire:
Today: Sunny. West wind 7 mph. High 90.
Tonight: Clear. West wind 16 gusting to 31 mph. Low 62.
Monday: Sunny. Northeast wind 8 mph. High 89
Ongoing Suppression :
OR-WSA-O55- Schoolie Rim Fire 1,220 acres 10% containment
This fire is located on the Warm Springs Agency, five miles northwest of Warm Springs.
Fire is burning primarily in grass and sagebrush with very scattered timber along water
courses. Gusty northwest winds blew the fire over containment lines on 7/23 resulting in
a 90 acre slopover which was contained with key assistance from a Type 1 helicopter.
Crews will continue to secure lines today.
OR-WSA-057- Rattlesnake Springs Fire 2,500 acres 40% containment
This fire is located approximately 10 miles northeast of Warm Springs at the east end
of SR 200 on the Warm Springs Agency. Fire is on lower elevation ground burning in
grass, sage, and scattered juniper. Fire has 95 personnel assigned. Five residences
remain threatened but there are no evacuations in effect. Fire remained calm on 7/23.
OR-WSA- 056 Shitike Creek Fire 650 acres 40% containment
This fire is located approximately 2-3 miles west/northwest of Warm Springs in the
Shitike Creek Canyon. Fire is burning in grass, brush, and scattered timber. The fire was
calm on 7/23 but the threat to structures remains high.
Weather near these fires:
Today: Sunny. North wind 9 mph. High 86.
Tonight: Clear. Northwest wind 8 mph. Low 50.
Monday: Sunny. Northeast wind 12 mph. High 85
OR-SIF-011 Blossom Complex: Three fires totaling about 30 acres are burning in the
Wild Rogue Wilderness approximately 30 miles E of Port Orford, OR.. The largest fire is
estimated at 10 acres. Rappellers are assigned to all three fires, two of which are in
extremely steep and rugged terrain with 80% slopes. Rolling burning material is a
constant threat and hindrance to full containment. On 7/23, Type1 Helicopters and heavy
air tankers made numerous water and retardant drops in efforts to contain spread and
cool down hot spots on steep slopes. The Zig Zag IHC Crew has been committed. A
decision to deploy an Incident Management Team will be made at 1200 today, 7/24.
Weather near this fire:
Today: Sunny. North wind 15 mph. High 89.
Tonight: Clear. North wind 16 mph. Low 55.
Monday: Sunny. North wind 15 mph. High 89.
Weather Synopsis:
High pressure offshore will keep the area cooler Sunday, with light to
moderate onshore flow. However, as the new week starts, the high pressure will
strengthen over the region, with a return to warmer temperatures for Monday through
most of the coming week. Could see some marine air invade the west side PSAs
towards the end of the week, with a bit of cooling expected at that time. Will have to
watch C3 and E5 towards the end of the week, as computer models hint at
another low pressure area of the California coast. This would bring a threat of
thunderstorms to southeast Oregon, but at this time confidence is not high.
Large Fire Potential:
Large fire growth potential remains low at this time, mainly due to lack of triggers.