Cougar Creek Fire Update for August 6, 2024

Size: 20,653 Acres*

Start Date: July 15, 2024

Cause: Under investigation

Location: SW of Clarkston, 1 mile west of Hwy 129 and Grand Ronde River intersection

Containment: 35%

Personnel: 480

Fire Strategy: Full suppression                   

Resources Assigned: 8 crews, 3 helicopters, 32 engines, 13 water tenders, 17 heavy equipment

The Cougar Creek Fire is burning within a mountainous and remote area on the Umatilla National Forest bordering the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.

Operations: Yesterday’s weather brought light rain and scattered hail with little overall wetting effect on the fire, and as a result there was limited fire activity. Firefighters focused yesterday’s efforts on controlling and mopping up the spot fire west of FSR 40 near the wilderness. Firefighters discovered two small spot fires along FSR 40 yesterday, responding quickly to extinguish and mop up both fires. A helicopter flew several scouting missions yesterday to search for new fire starts from the recent lightning that moved through the area. No new fires were located within the Cougar Creek Fire TFR, although lightning did ignite new fires within the region. Several firefighting resources working on the Cougar Creek Fire, including helicopters, were diverted to assist with these new initial attack fires. Firefighters will continue constructing the handline on the ridge above FSR 40 near Saddle Butte today.

Based on the success along the south flank of the fire, firefighters began the arduous task of pulling and retrieving fire hose back to staging areas. Over seven and a half miles of hose was back hauled to be inspected, rolled up, and returned to regional fire warehouses. Firefighters are monitoring a pocket of residual heat in a steep drainage within the northeast fire perimeter and will take action if control lines are threatened. Firefighters will be looking for opportunities for direct line placement north of the Spring Creek trail head. Chipping continues near the FSR 43-40 junction along with heavy equipment work.

Evacuations and Closures: Forest closure descriptions and maps are available online on the Umatilla National Forest closure website. In Washington, evacuation notices are posted on the Asotin County Sheriff website and Asotin County Emergency Management Facebook website. Grande Ronde Road is closed from Troy, Oregon, to the Highway 129 junction in Washington. A level 2 evacuation remains in effect for all of Grouse Flat from Bear Creek Road north to the State boundary and the Garfield County line to Grande Ronde River. The TFR remains in effect: https://bit.ly/4duptei. Drone activity is prohibited under the TFR as firefighting aircraft cannot fly with unauthorized drones present. Please respect road and area closure orders and use extra caution while driving for your safety as well as our firefighters.

Weather and Smoke: A Red Flag Warning for thunderstorms is in effect through 5 PM. The weather forecast also calls for gusty winds and low relative humidity along the ridge lines. Temperatures will be cooler but still above seasonal norms. Air quality in the region remains at Moderate quality. Learn more about smoke at http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.