Fire - Eagle Bluff

[pasayten]

August 7 Daily Update
Eagle Bluff
News - 08/07/2023
TONASKET, Wash. August 7, 2023 –This will be the last update from Northwest Incident Management Team 7 for the Eagle Bluff Fire. A Type 4 incident management team will assume command of the fire at 6 a.m. on Tuesday August 8, 2023. For further inquiries related to the fire, please contact the Washington Department of Natural Resources. Acreage remains at 16,428 and containment is 80 percent. Crews continue to mop up, secure perimeters, and complete repairs around fire lines. The fire is west of Oroville, Wash. on lands managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Bureau of Land Management—Spokane District.

Yesterday, night shift crew responded to a large burning tree, north of Oroville, determining no significant threat. On the eastern perimeter thermal imaging and repairs were completed. Personnel on the southern perimeter utilized an excavator for repairs, while continuing to mop up. To the northwest most of the repair work has been completed and firefighters remained diligent in strengthening the perimeter.

Today, on the western portion, north of Ellemeham Mountain Road, firefighters are focused on strengthening established fire lines. Further to the north, above the Similkameen River, the goal will be to wrap up repair work and patrol the line entirely. Patrols will be conducted throughout the day to the east, working their way to the south to expand resources for mop up, repairs, and thermal imaging for hot spots. All personnel on the ground will be removing any non-essential equipment.

WEATHER: A flood watch remains in effect until Monday evening for Okanogan and the surrounding counties.

A weak front is expected to move into the region from the west bringing bands of showers and thunderstorms. Chances of precipitation diminish in the afternoon and give way to partly cloudy skies.

SMOKE: Air quality forecast for today is moderate. Precipitation arriving in the area should help lesson active smoldering of any remaining pockets for fuel within the fire perimeter, lessening smoke production.

SAFETY: Roads may be slippery from overnight precipitation, use caution when driving in and around the fire area. Soils in a burn scar can be as water repellant as pavement, increasing the chances for debris flow and rolling materials, even with little precipitation. Be alert for changing conditions.

The British Columbia Wildfire Service is overseeing the fire on the Canadian side. For more information, please visit the Canadian Wildland Fire Information System at https://cwfis.cfs.nrcan.gc.ca/home.

Evacuation levels have decreased in Okanogan County, but some road closures remain in place. For up-to-date information on wildfire closures and evacuations, follow Okanogan County Emergency Management at https://okanogancounty.org/government/e ... anagement/

[pasayten]

Wed, 08/02/2023 - 14:32

16,110 Acres

Percent of Perimeter Contained 10%

Planned Actions

Burnout operations, line construction, secure control line and mop-up around structures.

Projected Incident Activity

Fire is expected to remain active late into the evening and early morning hours due to low relative humidity overnight. Steady perimeter growth is probable in areas without containment features.

Current WeatherWeather Concerns

Very dry with poor relative humidity recovery forecast for the fire area today through Thursday with the possibility of single digit relative humidity values. A chance for thunderstorms will come at the end of the week and into the weekend as monsoonal moisture moves over the districts. NWCC predictive services has forecast
"high-risk" for significant fire activity on Saturday, August 5th, for existing fire growth and possibility of new ignitions in the area.

[pasayten]

OKANOGAN COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT EAGLE BLUFF FIRE MORNING UPDATE 8/1/23 10AM
As of 10 AM Tuesday August 1, 2023 the Eagle Bluff Fire burning near Oroville WA. is estimated at approximately 15,349 acres.
The fire is still active north of the Loomis -Oroville Road east of Nighthawk. Night crews also worked in the area near 700 Ellemeham Mountain Road last night where it was actively burning.
The Level 2 (Be Ready) evacuation level along State Route 97 from West Lake Rd to the Canadian Border and along the Loomis-Oroville Road around the Golf Course have been reduced to a Level 1 (Advisory).
Fire crews are still working on internal burns and along the perimeter.
Citizens will continue to see internal smoking and burning in the black area. There is NO need to report these.
Fire crews are aware of the smoke near the Golf Course on the ridge and there is no need to report it.
Yesterday July 31, 2023 Okanogan County PUD worked along the Loomis-Oroville Road from the Golf Course west replacing poles near the roadway, today they are still in the area replacing damaged poles off the roadway.
The Loomis – Oroville Road closure has changed, it is closed from Miners Landing to Similkameen Road near Nighthawk. We are working on getting this open but remains closed.
Blue Lake Road has OPENED. Caution fire personnel still in the area.
Ellemeham Road is CLOSED at Golden Road and Wannacut Lake Road.
Boaters should be aware of helicopters dipping out of many lakes and ponds in the area and to remain clear when operations are occurring.
Even as citizens are seeing the fire activity slow around the city of Oroville, fire crews are still working internally of the fire perimeter. Citizens should be very cautious venturing out for a look. A lot of heavy equipment and fire personnel are moving up and down on the roads.
If anyone has received damage or lost structures, please call Okanogan County Emergency Management and report it at 509-422-7206
**Looking for something to do in Oroville tonight?
Enjoy a fun night out with your neighbors, Police, and First Responders to celebrate National Night Out.
This event will be at Prince Heritage Park located at 5th Ave and Highway 97 in Oroville WA. from 6 PM to 8:30 PM. For more information see Oroville Police Department Facebook page.

OCEM provided news release from IMT and partners:

[pasayten]

First reported on Saturday, July 29, the Eagle Bluff Fire has grown to 15,349 acres with yesterday’s growth occurring mostly on the western flank. The fire is burning in steep and rugged terrain in northern Okanagan County. The cause remains under investigation by the Washington Department of Natural Resources.

Crews have confirmed the loss of four structures.

Fire management objectives include limiting the fire’s size and duration while accounting for public and firefighter safety and protecting values at risk. Those values include human safety, private property, cultural and natural resources, utilities, and other critical infrastructure.

The fire is burning just west of Oroville, Wash. on lands managed by the Washington Department of Natural Resources and the Spokane District – Bureau of Land Management and has crossed into Canada.

More than 400 personnel are assigned to the fire. Firefighting efforts today will focus on continued mop-up and cold trailing around structures and along the eastern flank near Oroville and Highway 97. Crews continue building containment lines on the western flank to keep the fire east of the Loomis-Oroville Road and prevent further western spread. Ongoing coordination with the British Columbia Wildfire Service will seek to tie in firefighting efforts on both sides of the border.

A dry air front with lower humidity coupled with frequent gusts and shifting wind directions may lead to instances of active fire spread today. Uphill runs in light, flashy fuels and spotting up to a quarter mile in timbered areas are possible. An overnight inversion is expected to push smoke into the Okanagan Valley.

Evacuation levels have decreased in Okanagan County, but some road closures remain in place. For up-to-date information on wildfire closures and evacuations, follow Okanagan County Emergency Management at https://okanogancounty.org/government/e ... anagement/

[pasayten]

Over 15,000 acres...

https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-infor ... agle-bluff

[pasayten]

10,245 acres...

[pasayten]

Jim... fixed the link... thanks

[pasayten]

Katherine Gunn Bennett

Current as of Sun, 07/30/2023 - 21:09
Incident Type Wildfire
Cause Currently under investigation
Date of Origin Sat, 07/29/2023 - 11:15
Location Approximately 3/4 mile to the West of the town of Oroville, North to the Canadian Border
Incident Commander Beginning on July 30 at 0700hrs, Northeast Washington Type 3 Incident Management Team #2 assumed command of the Eagle Bluff Fire.
Coordinates 48° 53' 20'' Latitude
-119° 28' 10 '' Longitude
Current Situation
Total Personnel: Approximately 250
Size 10,245 Acres
Percent of Perimeter Contained 0%
https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident-infor ... agle-bluff

[pasayten]

[Rideback]

The 8,671 acre figure was reported at 6am this morning so likely the fire's closer to 10,000 acres by now.

Time to be extra careful not to light a fire up here in the valley.

[pasayten]

Katherine Gunn Bennett
Admin

Loomis just toned for a spot fire as large as a football field on ellemeham mt rd. Per scanner also home in danger loomis fire told dispatch to have the people in home to evac due to at least 40 minute delay to respond. Not sure when they were toned. I just got this message.

[pasayten]

8671 acres!!!

Picture at 10am Sunday

[Rideback]

Heavy smoke has arrived in the Methow with Purple Air monitors in the 150's AQ.

[pasayten]

[Rideback]

No surprise, this was posted this morning for the Methow Valley.

RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 10 PM PDT THIS
EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR THE METHOW VALLEY...

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag
Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect
from noon today to 10 PM PDT this evening.

* Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 704 Methow Valley (Zone 704).

* Winds: West to northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts up to 30 mph.

* Relative Humidities: 11 to 19 percent.

[pasayten]

Katherine Gunn Bennett
Admin
I have no words to describe what just happened today. I think it has crossed the border, our friends need our prayers, and need all the support we can offer.
My thoughts are with all affected, please reach out to us if you are in need and we will do our best. ❤

https://www.facebook.com/groups/okanoganfirealertinfo

[pasayten]

Level 3 Immediate Evacuation for the Eagle Bluff fire near Oroville Washington. Fire has changed directions and is now moving south. Level 3 for persons living on the east and west sides of State Route 97 from Shirley Road near the border to Oroville. Evacuate south towards Oroville. Shelter available at the Oroville High School. Date July 30, 2023 Time 12:50 AM Level 3 Immediate Evacuation Border to City of Oroville.

[pasayten]

07/29/23 1403
WANES-1759
PN QF7F (1522)
JDN - 221
Wildfire
EAGLE BLUFF
OKANOGAN COUNTY - EAGLES BLUFF ROAD, T39 R27 S8
48.889047, 119.469658
W Uplnd 10, BC 11, SO 7211, DNR 60, BC 91, E 692, C 7340, BC 12, SO 7203, SO 25, SO 7201, SO 27, HI 25 , HI 27, DZ 7150, Fuels 9, HI 7103, HI 7108, HI 7104, SO 7209, SO 7208, HI 7111, NE 82, BR 1523, DZ 7251, DNR 33, HI 60, Fuels 1
2500 acres