Single Publication

Cougar Creek Fire Update for August 13, 2024

Complex Incident Management Team Northwest 12

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

2024.cougarcreek@firenet.gov 

Quick Facts:

Size: 24,096 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: 60%              

Personnel: 380                       

Fire Strategy: Full suppression                       

Resources Assigned: 6 crews, 3 helicopters, 28 engines, 11 water tenders, 6 heavy equipment

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

Today is Northwest Team 12’s last day on the Cougar Creek Fire. Fire management will transition to Northeast Washington Team 1 at 7 PM tonight. Northwest Team 12 would like to thank the community for your support and for hosting our team at Heights Elementary and Lincoln Middle Schools and over the past two weeks. With the school year starting soon, the incoming team will be based at the fire camp near Fields Spring State Park.  

Operations:  Yesterday firefighters used the aerial UAS platform with a plastic sphere dispenser (PSD) to finish firing gaps on the north side of the fire along FSR 43; the mosaic pattern of vegetation made some of these areas resistant to firing operations. There was a small slop over fire in debris from a dozer line across FSR 40 near Saddle Butte yesterday; firefighters quickly lined the slop over fire and remained vigilant in their mop up work on the fire perimeter. Fire crews continue to patrol around the fire and mop up near containment lines. The masticator and grader are completing repair work and debris removal on FSR 4039. 

Today firefighters continue to backhaul excess equipment and remove remaining hose from the line. Given the widespread rain across the fire area this morning, firefighters will be cautious on muddy roads around the fire and will focus on completing mop up as needed.

Evacuations and Closures: All level 1, 2 and 3 evacuations for the Cougar Creek Fire were removed yesterday. The Grand Ronde Road has fully reopened in both Oregon and Washington. 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 over the fire 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: A series of weather disturbances will move through the region this week, with a slight chance of rain occurring this morning across the fire area. Passing thunderstorm cells with lightning were observed this morning at the fire base camp and Incident Command Post. Air quality in the region is good today. Learn more about smoke at http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.