Year: 2022

Grangeville, ID – The Jones Creek Fire is burning east of the Snake River on public lands administered by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, about seven miles north of Pittsburg Landing. It was reported early in the morning on September 4th, 2022. The cause is under investigation. Northwest Team 7, Incident Commander Nate LeFevre, assumed command of the fire at 8 pm Sept 8th, 2022.

Highlights: The passage of a cold front over the fire area yesterday brought gusty, erratic winds, which produced rapid fire growth on the Double Creek Fire. Before the strongest winds arrived in the evening, firefighters were able to complete firing operations along the Lower Imnaha Road to protect the community of Imnaha. Tactical firing and structure protection operations also took place on the south side of the Double Creek Fire. There was little fire growth on the fires in the Eagle Cap Wilderness.

September 7, 2022, Daily Update – 8:00 AM
Community Meeting: There will be a community meeting to discuss the Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires on Thursday, September 8, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Joseph Event Center (102 E First, Joseph, OR) and will also be streamed live on Facebook. Highlights: Higher temperatures, steady winds, and very low relative humidity created critical fire weather conditions yesterday. There was active fire growth on all fires. Critical weather conditions will continue through today, and we anticipate another day of active fire growth. Firefighters are actively protecting structures and values immediately threatened by fire and continue to prepare structure that could be threatened as the fire continue to spread.

ENTERPRISE, OR. Sept. 6, 2022 – Due to the growth of the county’s wildfires, the Wallowa County Board of Commissioners closed the Lower Imnaha River Road from the town of Imnaha north six miles to Fence Creek and the Lostine River Road from its junction with Highway 82 in the town of Lostine. Oregon Governor Kate Brown declared a conflagration in the Lostine Canyon. Several resources were deployed to the area on Monday by the Oregon State Fire Marshal’s office.
A Level 1, “Get ready”, evacuation order was issued from Highway 82 to the 6-mile bridge on the Lostine River Road.

ODOT: East. Ore.: OR Highway 350 (Little Sheep Creek Highway) in Wallowa County is closed between milepost 6 (six miles east of Joseph) and milepost 29, where the highway ends. Crews are battling the Double Creek Fire in the area that has resulted in some evacuations. Local traffic will be allowed, but residents should check with Oregon State Police for evacuation details. Continue to check TripCheck.com for highway conditions or call 511 / 800-977-6368. Outside Oregon call 503-588-2941.

RIGGINS, Idaho (September 6, 2022) – On September 4, initial attack resources responded to the...

Highlights: There was an increase in fire activity on the southern end of the Double Creek Fire on Monday afternoon. Fire activity remained relatively light on the Nebo, Sturgill, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires. In anticipation of extreme fire weather, Oregon Governor Kate Brown night invoked the Conflagration Act for the Sturgill Fire on Monday. The Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) ordered five additional task forces to support the fire. 

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). 

Level 3 Evac from Imnaha to Pallette Ranch. State Fire Marshall will close Forest Road 39/Wallowa Mountain Loop Road at forest boundary today due to Nebo Fire. Campers have been evacuated from the affected areas.

(Salem, OR) — Governor Kate Brown invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act this morning in response to the Double Creek Fire burning near the community of Imnaha in Wallowa County. This declaration allows the Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) to take unified command today. The fire activity significantly increased overnight to approximately 10,000 acres in size. The Wallowa County Sheriff’s Office has issued Level 3, Level 2, and Level 1 evacuation orders for homes near the fire.

Double Creek Fire: 3,843 acres | 0% contained | 192 personnel assigned. Sturgill Fire: 6,564 acres | 0% contained | 35 personnel assigned. Nebo Fire: 3,856 acres | 0% contained | 25 personnel assigned. Goat Mountain 2 Fire: 100 acres | 0% contained | 7 personnel assigned. Weather: Temperatures will be in the 70s on ridgetops and 80s on the lower elevations with relative humidity values of 15-20 percent on the ridges and 8-14 percent in the drainages. South winds will be 10-20 mph on ridges and 7-14 mph on the lower slopes. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Temperatures will cool to the mid-50s in the evening with relative humidity values of 50%. 

Click on the play button in the center of the video to watch the briefing ...