Tiger Creek Fire 2024

Tiger Creek Fire 2024 Official fire information for the 2024 Tiger Creek Fire.

10/17/2024

A quick video of "Thank You's" from area children, courtesy of the Walla Walla Public Library. Thanks to the entire community for your hospitality during the , from California Interagency Complex Incident Management Team 15!

10/16/2024

Final morning operational update (Wednesday, Oct. 16) from Frank Alves, Planning Operations, and Incident Commander, Tom Clemo, Team 15 thank you to the local community.

on the U.S. Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest.

Walla Walla Public Library

Current Situation: **This is the last update unless significant fire activity occurs. ** For all future information on ...
10/16/2024

Current Situation: **This is the last update unless significant fire activity occurs. ** For all future information on the Tiger Creek Fire, please visit the Umatilla National Forest Service page, https://www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF or the Blue Mountain Fire Information Blog at https://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/

The Tiger Creek fire remains at 534 acres, containment has increased to 89%, and personnel assigned to the fire now stands at 250. Crews continue to patrol and repair areas within the fire footprint. Due to the containment and weather predicted, many resources will be released this afternoon. California Interagency Complex Incident Management Team 15 will be transferring command of the Tiger Creek Fire at 6pm on October 16, 2024, back to the Umatilla National Forest.

California Interagency Complex Incident Management Team 15 wishes to thank the Umatilla National Forest, Oregon Department of Forestry and Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days for their friendliness, professionalism, and courtesy during our time on the incident. The team would also like to extend many thanks to the residents affected by the Tiger Creek Fire for their patience, understanding and hospitality over the last two weeks.

Closures and Restrictions: Access through Forest Service Road (FSR) 65 up through FSR 64 to the junction with Indian Camp is closed. Government Mountain Road/FSR 6511 is closed from North Fork Walla Walla trailhead to the junction with FSR 65 at Tiger Saddle. Government Mountain Rd/FSR 6511 is open from the west to North Fork Walla Walla trailhead. The current fire danger rating is MODERATE and public use restrictions phase A for Umatilla National Forest are in effect. For more information regarding restrictions, please contact Umatilla National Forest Toll-free Information Hotline: 1.877.958.9663.

Weather: The weather shifted last night into this morning with 100 percent chance of precipitation continuing into this afternoon. The relative humidity yesterday reached 71 percent and higher winds were recorded. The rain coming in will make for excellent recovery overnight into Thursday. Snow is possible about 3500 feet Wednesday into Thursday.

Smoke: Walla Walla’s air quality for today is good, some residents along Mill Creek may experience smoke as the fire continues to burn. Check out https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/?m=1 for more information.

10/15/2024

Incident Meteorologist, Terry Lebo and Team 15 Fire Behavioral Analyst, Dan O'Connor, provide a short-term weather and fire behavior forecast for the on the U.S. Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest.

10/15/2024

Tuesday, October 15th morning operational update for the on the U.S. Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest.

California Interagency Complex Incident Management Team 15

Current Situation: The Tiger Creek fire remains at 534 acres, containment has increased to 83%, and personnel assigned ...
10/15/2024

Current Situation: The Tiger Creek fire remains at 534 acres, containment has increased to 83%, and personnel assigned to the fire now stands at 270. Yesterday, spot fires were located to the southwest of Low Ridge. Firefighters assisted by air resources quickly mitigated all areas of concern. Firefighters remain vigilant in patrolling the fire line to ensure the fire is secure. While the fire remains in its current footprint, most of the work is now on mop up and backhaul of equipment. Water bars have been installed on the handline and hazardous trees removed on much of Forest Service Road 65 within the burned area.

A total of 15 miles of fire hose was utilized on the Tiger Creek Fire. This is the equivalent of the driving distance between Walla Walla and Kooskooskie, or 265 football fields! All that hose is now being backhauled from the fireline. Once backhauled, each hose will be sent to the La Grande fire cache, where it will undergo thorough cleaning, testing, and inspection. After this process, the hoses will be prepared and ready for redeployment to assist with the next incident, wherever that may be. This backhaul effort is a critical step in ensuring equipment is ready for the next wildfire response, and it’s a testament to the dedication and hard work of the fire crews in maintaining the tools needed for future firefighting efforts.

Closures and Restrictions: Access through Forest Service Road (FSR) 65 up through FSR 64 to the junction with Indian Camp is closed. Government Mountain Road/FSR 6511 is closed from North Fork Walla Walla trailhead to the junction with FSR 65 at Tiger Saddle. Government Mountain Rd/FSR 6511 is open from the west to North Fork Walla Walla trailhead. The current fire danger rating is MODERATE and public use restrictions phase A for Umatilla National Forest are in effect. For more information regarding restrictions, please contact Umatilla National Forest Toll-free Information Hotline: 1.877.958.9663.

Weather: It will remain sunny with temperatures in the 60s and 70s during the day, with winds about 9 miles per hour, but a cold front will arrive on Tuesday night and bring with it some precipitation, starting out as a light rain, with snow showers later at higher elevations. Wednesday has a 100% chance of precipitation and temperatures in the 50s.

Smoke: Walla Walla’s air quality for today is good, some residents along Mill Creek may experience smoke as the fire continues to burn. Check out https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/?m=1 for more information.

10/14/2024

Monday, October 14th morning operational update for the on the U.S. Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest

California Interagency Complex Incident Management Team 15

Current Situation: The fire remains at 534 acres and containment has increased to 73 percent with 348 firefighting reso...
10/14/2024

Current Situation: The fire remains at 534 acres and containment has increased to 73 percent with 348 firefighting resources still assigned. Crews have achieved containment on the Low Creek Ridge portion of the fire in challenging steep, difficult terrain. Line construction is complete, and hose lays are being removed in areas of containment. Roads crews have repaired and improved Mill Creek Road as well as the bridge leading to the fire area. Road repair will continue up the 65 road to the fire over the next several days.

Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or drones continue to be utilized for aerial reconnaissance for detecting hot spots. As a reminder to the public, the use of personal aircraft (UAS) or drones is restricted within the temporary flight restriction (TFR) airspace over the fire is prohibited. Any unidentified aircraft within the TFR that is detected will result in all aerial operations over the fire to cease and pose a safety hazard to aerial and ground personnel.

Closures and Restrictions: Access through Forest Service Road (FSR) 65 up through FSR 64 to the junction with Indian Camp is closed. Government Mountain Road/FSR 6511 is closed from North Fork Walla Walla trailhead to the junction with FSR 65 at Tiger Saddle. Government Mountain Rd/FSR 6511 is open from the west to North Fork Walla Walla trailhead. The current fire danger rating is MODERATE and public use restrictions phase A for Umatilla National Forest are in effect. For more information regarding restrictions, please contact Umatilla National Forest Toll-free Information Hotline: 1.877.958.9663.

Weather: Today, mostly clear with a few afternoon clouds and temperatures in the mid-60s to mid-70s. Winds are expected to be out of the west at 5-8 mph and gusting 10-15 mph along ridgetops. Relative humidities will drop down to 25-30 percent.

A warm and dry trend is expected for the next two days. Tuesday, a chance of rainfall is forecasted to begin later in the day and into the next several days as a cold front arrives Wednesday. Breezy conditions may exist with the frontal passage.

Smoke: Walla Walla’s air quality for today is good to moderate. Some residents along Mill Creek may experience smoke as the fire continues to burn. Check out https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/?m=1 for more information.

How do Temporary Flight Restrictions work? This image shows the detailed flight patterns of fixed-wing aircraft over a ...
10/13/2024

How do Temporary Flight Restrictions work?

This image shows the detailed flight patterns of fixed-wing aircraft over a fire. Air Attack Group Supervisors work tirelessly to manage the airspace and ensure enough separation between aircraft, allowing them to safely perform their missions. Helicopters flying below 500 feet navigate closer to the fire, alongside incident UAS (drones) that operate in the same low-altitude zone.

For everyone’s safety, from firefighters to the public, a Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is established over these incidents. Private pilots always check TFRs and Notice to Airmen Mission (NOTAM) to avoid restricted areas. Flying into these zones could result in fines up to $10,000 and suspension of their pilot’s license. Drone hobbyists, however, often aren’t aware of these restrictions and may unknowingly fly near active firefighting efforts. Even if the skies look clear of smoke, the TFR remains in place until the mission is complete.

When a private drone enters the restricted airspace, it forces all firefighting aircraft to stop operations for at least 30 minutes after the drone is last seen. This could cause critical delays in fighting the fire. Worse, a drone collision with one of the fire's assigned aircraft would result in a catastrophic accident.

The U.S. Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest and California Interagency Complex Incident Management Team 15 would like to remind everyone that the safety of firefighters on the ground and in the air is our top priority. Please respect the TFRs. Thank you again for your continued support.

10/13/2024

Sunday, October 13th morning operational update for the on the U.S. Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest.

California Interagency Complex Incident Management Team 15

Important Message: For the second time in two days, a civilian drone entered the restricted airspace over the Tiger Cree...
10/13/2024

Important Message: For the second time in two days, a civilian drone entered the restricted airspace over the Tiger Creek Fire, forcing fire managers to halt aerial firefighting operations and once again cause a critical delay in wildfire suppression efforts. According to Marshall Wallace, Region 6 Unmanned Air Support (UAS) Specialist, “Due to the drone incursion, operations had to halt air operations for at least 30 minutes until the airspace was confirmed clear.” When drones fly within the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR), airtankers and helicopters cannot safely operate. These suspensions put lives, property, and natural resources at risk by allowing the fire to grow and spread beyond containment lines. Wallace continued, “While the safety of the crews remains the number one priority, a violation of a TFR can result in a $10,000 fine from the FAA.”

Current Situation: The fire remains at 534 acres and due to the hard work of firefighters on the line containment has increased to 53 percent with 392 firefighting resources still assigned. As of Saturday, crews have completed line construction around the entire fire. The steep, difficult terrain will be patrolled daily with direct handline containment continuing to increase. Firefighters will begin the task of collecting over four miles of hose lay around the fire. On Saturday, road crews began repairing and grading all gravel and dirt roads leading to the fire. Thank you to the community for your continued support and cooperation as we work to keep everyone safe.

Closures and Restrictions: Access through Forest Service Road (FSR) 65 up through FSR 64 to the junction with Indian Camp is closed. Government Mountain Road/FSR 6511 is closed from North Fork Walla Walla trailhead to the junction with FSR 65 at Tiger Saddle. Government Mountain Rd/FSR 6511 is open from the west to North Fork Walla Walla trailhead. The current fire danger rating is MODERATE and public use restrictions phase A for Umatilla National Forest are in effect. For more information regarding restrictions, please contact Umatilla National Forest Toll-free Information Hotline: 1.877.958.9663.

Weather: Beginning today, a warm and dry trend will settle in for the next few days with highs in the 60s to 70s and light northwest wind at three to six miles per hour. For the next few days, humidity likely will stay around 15 to 30 percent. Cloud cover will begin to move in Tuesday with a chance of rain in the fire area. There is a chance of snowfall at higher elevations beginning Wednesday into Thursday.

Smoke: Walla Walla’s air quality for today is good to moderate. Some residents along Mill Creek may experience smoke as the fire continues to burn. Check out https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/?m=1 for more information.



California Interagency Complex Incident Management Team 15
U.S. Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest

🚨 2nd Drone Incursion in Two Days Over Tiger Creek Fire 🚨For the second time in two days, a civilian drone entered the r...
10/13/2024

🚨 2nd Drone Incursion in Two Days Over Tiger Creek Fire 🚨

For the second time in two days, a civilian drone entered the restricted airspace over the Tiger Creek fire, forcing fire managers to halt aerial firefighting operations once again. This occurred during the day shift on October 12th, causing a critical delay in wildfire suppression efforts.

When drones fly within the Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR), airtankers and helicopters cannot safely operate. These suspensions put lives, property, and natural resources at risk by allowing the fire to grow and spread beyond containment lines.

🔥 Reminder: If You Fly, We Can’t! 🔥

The public is urged—once again—to keep drones away from wildfire areas. Federal, state, and local agencies, along with the FAA, remind everyone that flying drones near wildfires not only threatens firefighter and public safety but may also result in serious legal consequences.

Thank you to the community for your continued support and cooperation as we work to keep everyone safe.



U.S. Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest
California Interagency Complex Incident Management Team 15
Walla Walla County Emergency Management

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Walla Walla, WA

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