Single Publication

Cougar Creek Fire Update for August 12, 2024

Incident Commander Jeff Dimke

Complex Incident Management Team Northwest 12

509-210-2928, staffed 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  

2024.cougarcreek@firenet.gov 

Quick Facts:

Size: 23,614 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: 50%              Personnel: 373                       Fire Strategy: Full suppression                       

Resources Assigned: 5 crews, 3 helicopters, 30 engines, 12 water tenders, 8 heavy equipment

The Cougar Creek Fire is burning within a mountainous and remote area on the Umatilla National Forest bordering the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. 

Operations:  On Sunday, firefighters continued firing operations to increase depth on containment lines on the northwestern fire perimeter. A helicopter-mounted PSD (plastic sphere dispenser) dropped 5000 combustible “fireballs” to initiate firing operations on interior areas of the fire. On the south end of the fire, firefighters worked to remove structure wrap and collected and removed equipment no longer needed. Fire crews continued to secure and hold fire control lines in areas of recent burnout operations. A masticator and grader continued work on FSR 4039 to reduce woody debris and repair damage from heavy equipment.

Today, firefighters will assess the interior islands burned out yesterday. Crews will continue to monitor the fire perimeter and mop up hotspots near containment lines. The masticator and grader will continue repair work and activity fuels reduction on FSR 4039. Firefighters will backhaul excess equipment and remove hose from the line where it is no longer necessary. A group of senior firefighters from Australia and New Zealand recently arrived in the U.S. to assist with wildfire management, and we are grateful to have a few of them join us here to assist with the Cougar Creek Fire.

Evacuations and Closures: All level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations for the Cougar Creek Fire were removed this morning. The Grand Ronde Road will be reopened soon. Forest closure descriptions and maps are available online on the Umatilla National Forest closure website. In Washington, evacuation notices are posted on the Asotin County Sheriff website and Asotin County Emergency Management Facebook website. The TFR remains in effect: https://bit.ly/4duptei. Drone activity is prohibited under the TFR as firefighting aircraft cannot fly with unauthorized drones present. Please respect road and area closure orders and use extra caution while driving for your safety as well as our firefighters. 

Weather and Smoke: The next in a series of weather disturbances will move through the region today. This wave is stronger and packing more moisture, increasing the chances for showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and tomorrow morning. The incoming storm is forecasted to result in much cooler temperatures and widespread measurable rain. Air quality in the region remains at Moderate quality. Learn more about smoke at http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.