Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires Daily Update, September 5

September 5, 2022  Daily Update – 8:00 AM 

Highlights: Fire activity was significantly less on Sunday for both the Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires. Although temperatures were warm and relative humidity values were low, winds were much lighter than the previous day. Additional resources continue to arrive, including task forces form the Oregon Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM).

Double Creek Fire: 43,668 acres | 0% contained | 401 personnel assigned

The lightning caused Double Creek Fire is a full suppression fire, and the protection of lives and property remain the primary objectives of this incident. New resources from OSFM arrived on Sunday to provide additional structure protection capacity. Task forces from OSFM initiated structure protection, cleared brush, and increased defensible space around homes along the Freezeout and Imnaha Roads. Firefighters secured a private inholding (Section 36) along Grizzly Ridge between Buck Point and Pumpkin Creek. Dozers cleared vegetation along the powerline in the Imnaha River corridor. All the known hunting parties were safely evacuated from the area. On Monday, firefighters will scout additional options on the northern and southern portions of the fire. Crews will mop up and patrol around structures along Freezeout Road and north along the Upper Imnaha Road. Firing operations will continue along the Upper Imnaha Road to secure the fire backing down drainages to the east. OSFM task forces will continue to assist with structure protection along the Imnaha Road and ensuring the protection of life and property in the community of Imnaha.

Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires:  

There are four lightning caused fires within the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The Goat Mountain 1 Fire is currently not active. The Nebo, Sturgill, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires are active and being managed to protect public and private infrastructure, while playing a natural role within designated Wilderness.

Nebo Fire: 7,277 acres | 0% contained | 50 personnel assigned

On Sunday, firefighters begin building a control line along the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road (Forest Service Road 39) to the 200 Road. On Monday, additional resources will be assigned to assist with fireline construction and initiate firing operations along the Wallowa Mountain Loop (Forest Service Road 39) and 200 Roads. Crews and heavy equipment will be used to keep the fire west of the road. Firefighters will also implement structure protection for Forest Service infrastructure, including the Lick Creek Campground, as the fire continues to move to the north and east.

Sturgill Fire: 12,703 acres | 0% contained | 31 personnel assigned

Fire activity on the Sturgill Fire was minimal Sunday with no significant growth reported. Firefighters worked on structure protection for residences in the area. On Monday, the Wildland Fire Modules (WFMs) will continue to implement structure protection for private inholdings along the Minam River. Smokejumpers will assist with structure protection efforts.

Goat Mountain 2 Fire: 118 acres | 0% contained | 2 personnel assigned

There was no significant growth on the Goat Mountain 2 Fire on Sunday. Lookouts will continue to monitor the fire, and firefighters will take action to suppress the fire in Lostine Canyon if needed.

Weather: A weak cold front will move through the area in the early morning hours. Below normal fire weather conditions are expected Monday with moderate temperatures, higher relative humidity values, and light northwest winds behind the morning’s cold frontal passage. Tuesday and Wednesday’s weather is expected to result to above normal fire activity with increased winds from the southwest and temperatures in the 90s.

Smoke: Current air quality information for the local area is available on the PurpleAir website.

Evacuations: On Sunday, the Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office modified the evacuation levels for the Double Creek Fire. A Level 3 “Go Now” is in effect for the Town of Imnaha and south to Freezeout Road. The Upper Imnaha Road, Hat Point Road, and Wallowa Mountain Loop Road (Forest Service Road 39) are closed.

A Level 2 “Get Set” is in effect for the area from the Town of Imnaha north to Fence Creek including the lands east toward Lightning Creek. A

Level 1 “Be Ready” is in effect from Freezeout south to the Pallette Ranch and Imnaha River Woods. There are currently no evacuations for the Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires.

Closures: There are currently trail and road closures in effect for the Double Creek Fire as well as the Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires. Closure Orders and Maps are available on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest Fire Incident Updates page.

Airspace: Several airspace restrictions have been issued for the Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires. Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) 2/1532 is in place to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations on the Double Creek Fire. Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) 08/234 and NOTAM 08/235 were issued to provide safe airspace for the Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires. Flight restrictions also apply to drones. Drones flying in areas of wildfire activity will cause tactical firefighting aircraft to be grounded.

Restrictions: Forest Order #06-16-00-22-04 covers Phase B Fire Restrictions for all National Forest System Lands within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, except for the area within a ¼ mile of the Snake River between Hells Canyon Dam, River Mile 247.5, downstream to the Oregon-Washington border at Snake River Mile 176.0, which is regulated by Forest Order #06-16-04-22-01.