Size: 24,091 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: 80% Personnel: 226 Fire Strategy: Full suppression
Resources Assigned: 4 crews, 18 engines, 8 water tenders, 3 heavy equipment
The Cougar Creek Fire is burning within a mountainous and remote area on the Umatilla National Forest bordering the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness.
Wildland firefighting crews continue to engage a steep and rugged section between Mt. Horrible and Saddle Butte area along the 40 road. With the steep and rugged terrain, crews continue to evaluate their surroundings before engagement to maintain a safe pace and appropriate risk evaluation.
Along the 43 road and between Indian Tom to Willow Spring Saddle, crews continue to patrol the area for missed or rekindled hotspots. Equipment, such as pumps and hoses, continue to be dismantled and brought back to base camp to be restored to cache. Dozer lines, that are not part of the primary containment line, continue to be rehabilitated between Cougar Creek and Grouse Flats in the southern section of the fire.
Demobilization of fire crews and camp facilities will be a focus for the incident management team in the next two days in a continuation right size the needed resources for the fire. Crews that are demobilized will be assigned to aid nearby wildfires or are returning to their home units. The incident management team is anticipating returning command to the local district on Thursday, August 22nd.
Evacuations and Closures: FOREST ROAD CLOSURES HAVE BEEN REDUCED descriptions and maps are available online on the Umatilla National Forest closure website. Please respect area closure orders and use extra caution while driving for your safety as well as our firefighters. All evacuation orders have been lifted.
Weather and Smoke: High 79/Low 51: Dry conditions will prevail through the forecast period. Daytime temperatures will be below seasonal average which will assist with keeping daytime RHs values in upper
20s to mid 30%. Winds will be northwest at 5 to 7 mph before shifting to the west and increasing to 8 to 10 with gusts to 20 mph, higher along ridge tops. Overnight RH recoveries will be moderate 45-50% with breezy conditions through 2 to 3 AM before shifting to the west at 5 to 7 mph. Daytime RH values Tuesday will be good to moderate.
Fire Information Line: 509-210-2928, 8 AM to 6 PM
Email: [email protected]
