Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, Goat Mountain Two Fires and Smoke Update, September 17

Highlights: The Southern Area Blue Team assumed command of the Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires at 6:00 a.m. today. The team worked alongside the outgoing Pacific Northwest team yesterday to assess the current situation of the fires and gain knowledge of the area that will help develop their plan moving forward. The Southern Area Blue Team plans to use the favorable current weather to make operational decisions that will set firefighters and the community up well when the forecasted warmer and drier weather arrives. Suppression and protection strategies will continue to be used but the team will also look to establish suppression repair branches in the coming days.  

Double Creek Fire: 157,185 acres | 27% contained |720 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. The control line on the north of the fire was completed to Dug Bar Road. Crews will continue improving the fireline and are working with local resource advisors to protect cultural sites to the north in anticipation of increased fire activity during a forecasted warming period. From Imnaha to the spot fire area west of the Imnaha Grange remains in patrol status. An east-west line was established on the southern end of the fire that crews will work to tie into the trail system that runs along the rim of Hells Canyon Recreation Area.  

Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires  

There are three lightning caused fires within the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The Nebo, Sturgill, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires are being managed to protect public and private infrastructure while playing a natural role within designated Wilderness.  

Nebo Fire: 12,588 acres | 92 personnel assigned 

Fire activity has been minimal. Crews were able to continue cleaning up the roadside fuels reduction project that was done on 39 Road yesterday after operations were delayed by weather on Thursday. Crews will work on the 3925 road today, cleaning up the remaining trees and brush left over from prepping that road. The Southern Area Blue Team will continue to improve on a fuel break north of the fire. 

Sturgill Fire: 20,075 acres | 51 personnel assigned 

The north end of Sturgill Fire is showing heat and moderate fire behavior. The fire will continue to be monitored by air, and personnel remain at structure protection sites in the area. Work will continue on the shaded fuel break from Lostine to Bear Creek Road. The fuel break is approximately 50 percent completed with the remainder expected to be completed within a week.  

Goat Mountain 2 Fire: 536 acres | 0 personnel assigned 

Fire activity on the Goat Mountain 2 Fire is minimal. Firefighters will continue to monitor the fire by air as smoke and weather permit. 

Weather: This weekend will be cool and recent high humidity will remain. There are chances of rain this weekend, but the rain will not fall across a wide area. The system will likely come from the south and the Sturgill Fire currently has the best chance of receiving rain. The Nebo Fire and Double Creek Fire may receive little to no precipitation. This afternoon shows chances for thunderstorms that could last into the evening. One week remains in this period of cooler, wetter conditions before the area trends back to a warmer, drier period. 

Smoke: A smoke outlook for northeast Oregon is available from the wildland fire air quality program. Additional information can be found at PurpleAir website.  

Evacuations: The Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office rescinded all evacuation levels at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 14.  

Wallowa Whitman National Forest Temporary Area Closures:
The Wallowa Whitman National Forest issued Temporary Area Closures for the Double Creek Fire, Nebo Fire, and Sturgill Fire (includes Goat Mountain 2 Fire). Closure Orders and Maps are available on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest Fire Incident Updates page. 

Road Closures:
Lostine River Road at the Forest Service boundary is closed. Highway 350 going to the town of Imnaha is open. Lower Imnaha Road and Dug Bar Road are closed, Upper Imnaha Road is closed, Hat Point Road is closed, and FS 39 Road is closed from Target Springs Junction to Ollokot Campground [including the Canal Rd (3920) and Lick Creek Road (3925)].  

Airspace: A Temporary Flight Restriction is in place for the Double Creek Fire (TFR 2/5592) to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations over the fire. The Sturgill Fire TFR (TFR 2/3189) was released on September 15 after the fire was placed in patrol status. Flight restrictions also apply to drones. Drones flying in areas of wildfire activity will cause 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.