Garfield County Emergency Management

08/12/2024

Cougar Creek Fire Daily Update
August 12, 2024
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/.
InciWeb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wases-cougar-creek-fire
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CougarCreekFire2024
Fire Information Line: 509-210-2928, 8 AM to 6 PM
Email: [email protected]

08/02/2024

News Release – Lower Granite Fire
FINAL UPDATE
August 2, 2024
Pomeroy, WA: On July 29th, 2024 around 11:42 am The Lower Granite Fire ignited. The fire quickly spread east with strong, gusty winds, threatening croplands, cattle, rangeland and structures. Initially, Garfield County Fire District 1 responded to the incident; working with local farmers and ranchers to prevent additional fire progression. As the fire continued to grow, aerial support and additional resources were requested. Washington State Patrol authorized the response of state firefighting resources, mobilizing four strike teams of district fire engines to respond to the fire.
Aviation assets began fire retardant drops around structures at risk, while Initial Attack crews worked the active fire zone.
The Northeast Washington Incident Management Team Type 3 Team 1, took command of the fire on Tuesday, July 30th at 10:00am. Aviation and ground operations began immediately to identify unburned fuels, hazard zones, and mitigate hotspots. Initial assessment identified structures, rangeland, crops, and cattle within the fire zone. Concentrated efforts in the Kluge Canyon area just north of Tramway Road, northern flank fire line on Wawawai Grade Road, and on the south flank fire line on Kirby-Mayview Road prevented the fire from growing. Crews worked on the interior to clear hotspots that threatened unburned fuels.
During fire operations, it was discovered that a large area of unburned fuels located in the canyon between the Snake River and the Uplands on Mayview road posed a high risk to the community, firefighters, and rangeland if left untreated. As a precaution, fire mitigation strategies were implemented to reduce the risk of flareups while also helping secure and maintain the fire line.
On Thursday, August 1, 2024 at 8:00 am fire evacuation levels were downgraded to level 1. As of 7pm that evening the Lower Granite Fire was 59% contained, with 144 personnel assigned to the incident.
Crews worked throughout the night and into the following day on the south flank on Wawawai Grade Road, and along the south flank on Kirby-Mayview Road while other crews worked along the fire perimeter continuing to address hotspots, snags, and checking structures for continued heat 300 feet round the perimeters.
Around 1 pm that afternoon, fire crews reported increased fire activity in the canyon between the Uplands and Snake River area. Smoke was visible as fire crews engaged these flareups with in the canyon. Aviation assets performed water drops, as hand crews monitored and secured the perimeter preventing embers from breaching the Uplands plain. Crews monitored the canyon overnight for any additional activity.
On August 3rd, Wildland crews will begin demobilizing with the fire command being turned over to local officials with anticipated containment goals of 99% by this evening. The Garfield County Fire District 1 will resume command.
The Northeast Incident management Team Type 3 Team 1, would like to thank the town of Pomeroy and the surrounding communities for their support and hospitality in helping make this operation successful.

Current evacuations are updated on the Garfield County Sheriff's page at:
https://www.facebook.com/GarfieldCountySheriff

Law enforcement agency

08/01/2024

IMT Press Release – August 1, 2024
Lower Granite Fire

Beginning at 8:00 am this morning, evacuation levels for the Lower Granite Fire located Northeast of Pomeroy, WA will be downgraded.
Current Level 2 evacuations in and around the fire zone will be downgrade to Level 1 (Get Ready)
Current Level 1 evacuation levels will be removed
Fire crews will work throughout the day and into the evening hours hand trailing along the fire line 100 feet checking structures for continued heat 300 feet round the perimeters. Helicopter crews will continue to assist ground operations.
The Lower Granite Fire currently has consumed 14,482 acres since its start on July 29 and is now 50% contained. Northeast Washington Incident Management Team Type 3 Team 1 is in command with 144 personnel assigned.

07/31/2024

At around noon on Monday morning, July 29th, a call went out for a pasture fire on South Deadman. Due to strong winds this quickly turned into a major fire, resulting in the loss of two main structures and about 14,000 acres being lost. Had it not been for the amazing help of local farmers responding with tractors, water tanks and additional aid this could have been much more devastating. It's times like these that show the true blessing of living in a small community.
Unfortunately, Emergency Management was out on the fire line, making it hard to communicate live updates on this page. However, we appreciate the Garfield County Sheriff's office and dispatchers for facilitating Evacuation Notices and helping with communication to Garfield County citizens. The Garfield County Fire District #1 firefighters did an outstanding job, along with the help of air support. The fire was turned over to State Mobilization teams on Monday night.
We thank the community for their continued support and please check here or the Garfield County Sheriff's Office page for any updates.

07/22/2024

The Cougar Creek Fire is currently moving West toward Garfield County. Due to fire movement, a Level 2 Evacuation Notice has been implemented for the Grouse Flat area of Garfield County and Wallowa County. Please contact the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office if you have any questions.

07/18/2024

For up-to-date information on the Cougar Creek Fire, check out the following page.
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562674513551&__cft__[0]=AZUciYPVnZadhVyRS9zBJsiffe2rzQfJUl4gNil7w3bVa5G9RD_N1aaI0EKcOMeP2SsOfeojfjiPoTgQS2u9S4hdYsbFanchN79oVPumtkTWEiiGr7o_DySgtINf3ijLuY_q1bMIZs7DrHTCpI3lHqXI18L4aY30-8mOepqhutLhnF-5D16WYstk4kQaN4qctIlHwBnRcCvcm1EMMdxNmqdt&__tn__=-UK-R

The official source of fire information for the Cougar Creek Fire.

07/17/2024

There are currently NO evacuation notices issued for Garfield County in regards to the Cougar Creek Fire. Garfield County will be attending the Incident Briefing this afternoon to gather more information. Any critical updates will be posted as soon as they are available to us.

06/23/2024

RED FLAG WARNING SUNDAY JUNE 23rd
Critical Fire Conditions due to high winds and low relative humidity.

08/18/2023

The weather service has issued a RED FLAG Warning for today until 9 PM. Please take time to consider fire safety in everything you do.

08/17/2023

The weather service has issued a RED FLAG Warning for today and Friday. Please take time to consider fire safety in everything you do.

08/01/2023

It is National Night Out! Please join us at the City Park for a fun filled evening!

04/18/2023

* * * EARTH WEEK SPECIAL * * *

EARTH WEEK IS COMING!!!!

It's that time of year for all of you that have been saving all your cans! Starting Monday 4/17 and running through Friday 4/21, we will be paying $.50/ #.
We'll have a live DJ Wednesday. To add a little fun, you'll have the opportunity to win fun little prizes with our Prize Queen. Free Pepsi and other goodies too! We hope to see you here!!
If you have any questions, give us a call at 208-743-2181 or stop in and see us.