Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team

08/15/2025

This site is no longer active new site is located at: https://www.facebook.com/newfireinfo/

Official fire information for northeast Washington State

08/14/2025

Central Fire 8/14/25 Fire Update Fire Information

Email: [email protected] – Phone: 509-796-7909
PUBLIC AND FIREFIGHTER SAFETY IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY

Estimated Acres: 6,000 Personnel: 68 + Containment: 0% Cause: Vehicle Fire

Air Operations: NO DRONES IN FIRE AREA. Air resources are being used on the Central Ferry fire. If drones are seen within or near the fire, aircraft will not be able to assist fire fighters.

Operational Accomplishments: Air resources, fire fighters and local farmers with disc plows were engaged in suppressing the fire. High winds caused rapid fire spread, jumping over disc plow lines. Aircraft assisted fire fighters during the afternoon and early evening. Fire line construction has started and will need to be completed.

Today: Three strike teams of engines arrived overnight; additional fire crews will be arriving throughout the day. Fire Fighters will continue to work on establishing fire line around the fire and securing existing fire line. Air resources will be used as needed during the day.

Weather: Temperature high near 85, southwest winds 8 to 10 mph with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Evacuations: Level 2 Evacuations are in place. South Boundary is the Snake River. West Boundary Hwy 127 from Peyton to Dusty, North Boundary Hwy 26 from Dusty to Sommers Road. East Boundary from Hwy 26/Sommers Road jct, along Sommers rd., and Almota rd. south to the Snake River.
If you feel threatened by the fire evacuate, do not wait to be notified.

Safety: IF YOU FLY WE CAN’T. No Drones Please in fire area. We ask all community members, visitors, and travelers to please slow down on the roads, look out for fire crews, fire equipment, and be aware of drifting smoke. We are still in the area working and have crews and equipment on the roadways.

05/29/2024

ATTENTION:
This page is no longer in use and will not be updated in the 2024 Wildland Fire Season. Please subscribe to Northeast Washington Fire Information for up-to-date fire information from the NEWIMT3 Teams in the NE Region of Washington State.
Thank You…

09/11/2023

Oregon Fire Final Update 9-11-2023

Fire Size: 10,817 acres

Initial Start: 8/18/2023 at 1600 pm

Location: Approximately 4 miles northeast of Elk, WA.

Cause: Human- Still under investigation

Containment: 97%

Resources Committed:
11 Engines, 3 Crews, 1 Bulldozer, 5 Water Tenders, 1 Skidgen, 3 Excavators

Personnel: 137

Road Closures: None

Elk, WA, - Current Situation: Today Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 will be transitioning command back to the local unit. This will be the final update and any further information requests can be routed through NEWICC(509-685-6900)

Today’s activities: Crews will continue to patrol the area, both on road and by foot, to find and mop-up any of those isolated heat sources. Throughout the day out of area resources will be going through the demobilization process. Those residing in and around the fire area will see salvage logging and post fire clean up by landowners within in the fire perimeter. These activities will likely cause clouds of dust and ash that resemble smoke. While local crews will continue to be working to the area and able to verify any new report of smoke, we are asking the public to be certain of a new fire before calling local dispatch centers or 911. With the team handing the fire back to local resources, unverified reports put strain on local resources and their ability to respond to emergencies.

Weather: Generally dry weather will continue over the fire area as a series of disturbances enter the area. Winds will begin to slowly increase as a cold front moves into the area by Wednesday. Temperatures will moderate with the arrival of this cold front but will warm later in the week as another high pressure system arrives.

09/10/2023

Oregon Fire Update 9-10-2023

Fire Size: 10,817 acres

Initial Start: 8/18/2023 at 1600 pm

Location: Approximately 4 miles northeast of Elk, WA.

Cause: Human- Still under investigation

Containment: 95%

Resources Committed:
9 Engines, 5 Crews, 1 Bulldozer, 5 Water Tenders, 2 Skidgens, 3 Excavators

Personnel: 163

Road Closures: None

Elk, WA, - Current Situation: Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 is in command of the Oregon and Gray fires. The Oregon Fire continues to remain within the current footprint with no further growth, the strategy remains full suppression and work is progressing as expected. Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 will continue their efforts through the 11th before turning the fire back to local resources next week.

Today’s activities: Crews will continue to patrol the area, both on road and by foot, to find and mop-up any of those isolated heat sources. Those residing in and around the fire area will also start to see salvage logging and post fire clean up, by landowners, within in the fire perimeter. These activities will likely cause clouds of dust and ash that resemble smoke. While crews will continue to be working to the area and able to verify any new report of smoke, we are asking the public to be certain of a new fire before calling local dispatch centers or 911. As the team prepares to hand to the fire back to local resources in the near future, unverified reports put strain on local resources and their ability to respond to emergencies.

Weather: Today looks to be the warmest day since the high pressure system has been in place over the area. Winds will begin to slowly increase as a cold front moves into the area by Wednesday. Temperatures will moderate with the arrival of this cold front and as of now, there is no critical fire weather forecasted.

For fire information contact the Public Information Officer at 509-508-3323 or email [email protected]

09/09/2023

Oregon Fire Update 9-9-2023

Fire Size: 10,817 acres

Initial Start: 8/18/2023 at 1600 pm

Location: Approximately 4 miles northeast of Elk, WA.

Cause: Human- Still under investigation

Containment: 94%

Resources Committed:
9 Engines, 5 Crews, 1 Bulldozer, 5 Water Tenders, 2 Skidgens, 3 Excavators

Personnel: 163

Road Closures: None

Elk, WA, - Current Situation: Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 is in command of the Oregon and Gray fires. The Oregon Fire continues to remain within the current footprint with no further growth, the strategy remains full suppression and work is progressing as expected. Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 will continue their efforts through the 11th before turning the fire back to local resources next week.

Today’s activities: With the dry weather taking hold over the fire area after the recent moisture, there is the possibility for isolated sources of heat to pop up. Crews will continue to patrol the area, both on road and by foot, to find and mop-up any of those isolated heat sources. Those residing in and around the fire area will also start to see salvage logging and post fire clean up, by landowners, within in the fire perimeter. These activities will likely cause clouds of dust and ash that resemble smoke. With crews in the area for the foreseeable future, they will be able to verify if any reports are false alarms or cause for response.

Evacuations: All evacuations throughout the entire fire area have been rescinded.

Weather: There is a slight chance for lightning activity today as a front moves into the Oregon Fire area. After that front passes, continued dry air will reside over the area with relative humidity at or below 25% through the weekend.

For fire information contact the Public Information Officer at 509-508-3323 or email [email protected]

09/08/2023

Oregon Fire Update 9-8-2023

Fire Size: 10,817 acres

Initial Start: 8/18/2023 at 1600 pm

Location: Approximately 4 miles northeast of Elk, WA.

Cause: Human- Still under investigation

Containment: 93%

Resources Committed: 8 Engines, 5 Crews, 1 Bulldozer, 6 Water Tenders, 2 Skidgens

Personnel: 152

Road Closures: None

Elk, WA, - Current Situation: Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 is in command of the Oregon and Gray fires. The Oregon Fire continues to remain within the current footprint with no further growth, the strategy remains full suppression and work is progressing as expected. Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 will continue their efforts through the 11th before turning the fire back to local resources next week.

Today’s activities: With the dry weather taking hold over the fire area after the recent moisture, there is the possibility for isolated sources of heat to pop up. Crews will continue to patrol the area, both on road and by foot, to find and mop-up any of those isolated heat sources. Those residing in and around the fire area will also start to see salvage logging and post fire clean up, by landowners, within in the fire perimeter. These activities will likely cause clouds of dust and ash that resemble smoke. With crews in the area for the foreseeable future, they will be able to verify if any reports are false alarms or cause for response.

Evacuations: All evacuations throughout the entire fire area have been rescinded.

Weather: There is a slight chance for lightning activity today as a front moves into the Oregon Fire area. After that front passes, continued dry air will reside over the area with relative humidity at or below 25% through the weekend.

For fire information contact the Public Information Officer at 509-508-3323 or email [email protected]

09/07/2023

Oregon Fire Update 9-7-2023

Elk, WA, - Current Situation: Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 is in command of the Oregon and Gray fires. The Oregon Fire continues to remain within the current footprint with no further growth, the strategy remains full suppression and work is progressing as expected. Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 will continue their efforts through the 11th before turning the fire back to local resources next week.


Today’s activities: Mop-up, patrol and suppression repair will continue across all divisions of the fire. Resources needs continue to be evaluated each day as the team works to right size the incident.

Evacuations: All evacuations throughout the entire fire area have been rescinded.

Weather: A period of drier weather has arrived over the fire area with relative humidities of 30%. The drying of the airmass will equate to cooler morning lows in the 40’s.

For fire information contact the Public Information Officer at 509-508-3323 or email [email protected]

Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wanes-oregon-fire
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newfireinfo

09/06/2023

Oregon Fire Update 9-6-2023

Fire Size: 10,817 acres

Initial Start: 8/18/2023 at 1600 pm

Location: Approximately 4 miles northeast of Elk, WA.

Cause: Human- Still under investigation

Containment: 91%

Resources Committed:

13 Engines, 5 Crews, 1 Bulldozer, 6 Water Tenders, 2 Skidgens

Personnel: 181

Road Closures: None

Elk, WA, - Current Situation: Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 is in command of the Oregon and Gray fires. The Oregon Fire continues to remain within the current footprint with no further growth, the strategy remains full suppression and work is progressing as expected. Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 will continue their efforts through the 11th before turning the fire back to local resources next week.

Today’s activities: Mop-up, patrol and suppression repair will continue across all divisions of the fire. More resources are planned to be released today as the team continuously works to right size the incident.

Evacuations: All evacuations throughout the entire fire area have been rescinded.

Weather: A subtle warming and drying trend will begin today and continue through the week. Look for mid and high-level clouds passing through in the morning giving way to fair afternoon cumulus. Winds will be light and variable in the early morning with speeds generally under 10mph. the drying of the airmass will equate to cooler morning lows in the 40’s while highs rebound in the 70’s.

For fire information contact the Public Information Officer at 509-508-3323 or email [email protected]

09/05/2023

Oregon Fire
Announcement - 09/05/2023
Fire Size: 10,817 acres

Initial Start: 8/18/2023 at 1600 pm

Location: Approximately 4 miles northeast of Elk, WA.

Cause: Human

Containment: 90%

Resources Committed: 18 Engines, 4 Crews, 1 Bulldozer, 6 Water Tenders, 2 Skidgens

Personnel: 213

Damage Assessment: 126 primary homes and 258 outbuildings destroyed.

Road Closures: None

Elk, WA, - Current Situation: Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 is in command of the Oregon and Gray fires. The Oregon Fire continues to remain within the current footprint with no further growth, the strategy remains full suppression and work is progressing as expected. Northeast WA Incident Management Team 3 will continue their efforts with local resources through next week.

Today’s activities: Mop-up, patrol and suppression repair will continue across all divisions of the fire. Handheld Infrared will be utilized to survey the fire area to continue to seek out remaining sources of heat. More resources are planned to be released today as the team continuously works to right size the incident.

Evacuations: All evacuations throughout the entire fire area have been rescinded.

Weather: A subtle warming and drying trend will begin on Tuesday and continue through the week. Look for mid and high-level clouds passing through in the morning giving way to fair afternoon cumulus. Winds will be light and variable in the early morning with speeds generally under 10mph. the drying of the airmass will equate to cooler morning lows in the 40’s while highs rebound in the 70’s.

For fire information contact the Public Information Officer at 509-508-3323 or email [email protected]

09/04/2023

On Wednesday September 13, 2023 staff from the Northeast Region Department of Natural Resources and Spokane Conservation District will be holding a Post Fire Recovery Assistance Meeting.

This meeting will be held at the Medical Lake High School Gym in Medical Lake, WA from 06:30 PM to 08:30 PM for property owners affected by the Gray Fire.

Topics covered will be:
Assessing Tree Survivability
Salvage Logging
Forest Practices and Regulations
Slope Instability
Reforestation
Noxious Weeds
Forest Health
Assistance Programs

09/04/2023