Wallowa County Fire Update: Jones Creek Fire

By Garrett Christensen on Sunday, September 11th, 2022 in More Top Stories

Daily Update — 10:00 a.m.

Stats today:

4,429 acres

90% contained

131 personnel

Grangeville, ID – The Jones Creek Fire is burning east of the Snake River on public lands administered by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, about seven miles north of Pittsburg Landing. The fuels in the area are composed of primarily grass, with timber stringers. It was reported early in the morning on September 4^th, 2022. The cause is under investigation.

Status: Firefighters have increased containment to 90%. The fire has not gained acreage in several days. Northwest Team 7 will transfer command of the incident back to the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest this evening at 8 p.m. This will be the last update issued by NW Team 7.

Yesterday two crews and an engine continued structure protection around the High Range cabins on the north edge of the fire. On the eastern perimeter crews continued mop-up and cold trailing to secure the fire’s edge. Cold trailing means firefighters search for hidden heat and move along the fire’s edge leaving cold ground behind them. Firefighters assessed structure protection needs at Pittsburg Landing, and patrolled the Snake River at the eastern edge of the neighboring Double Creek Fire to watch for spots across the river. Firefighting equipment that is no longer needed was retrieved from the fire.

Today: Dozers are staged at Pittsburg Landing if needed to reinforce fire lines. The fire has burned to the Snake River along the western edge. There is no immediate threat to river travel or boating facilities. River users are asked to remain aware of the status of both fires.

Firefighters continue repairing dozer and hand lines where the fire’s edge is cold. Repair involves creating diversions to direct rain water off of fire lines to prevent erosion and restore natural drainage patterns.

Firefighters and two engines will continue structure protection work near the High Range cabins. Retrieval of firefighting equipment will continue today.

Weather: As a ridge of high pressure strengthens over the area, warm and dry conditions will continue through today and early next week, with very low relative humidity, temperatures into the low 90’s and light, variable winds from the south and southeast.

Smoke: Along with the much larger Double Creek Fire burning west of the Snake River, this fire has periodically filled the Snake River Canyon with smoke. Today expect smoke to be trapped in the valleys as stable conditions develop.

Closures/Restrictions: As of August 5^th, 2022, the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest has entered fire restrictions that prohibit building, maintaining, attending or using a fire, campfire or stove fire except within designated campfire rings at a developed recreation site.

Evacuations: 25 homes in the Getta Creek and Deer Creek areas remain in a Level 1 “Get Ready” status.

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Jones Fire

September 9, 2022

Daily Update — 10:30 AM

Joseph – The Jones Creek Fire is burning east of the Snake River on public lands administered by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, about seven miles north of Pittsburg Landing. It was reported early in the morning on September 4^th, 2022. The cause is under investigation. Northwest Team 7, Incident Commander Nate LeFevre, assumed command of the fire at 8 pm Sept 8^th, 2022.

Status: Successful suppression actions have resulted in slowing the fire’s progression and limiting impacts to values at risk. The fuels in the area are composed of primarily grass, with timber stringers. A wet summer early in the season has resulted in an abundance of grass, and recent hot, dry unstable conditions lead to rapid rates of fire spread experienced during initial attack. Aerial resources and ground crews have been successful in suppression actions.

Firefighters have completed indirect contingency dozer and hand lines on the east and south side of the fire where terrain and fuels permit, which could be used if the fire grew significantly in those directions. Dozers are staged at Pittsburg Landing if needed to reinforce fire lines. The fire has burned to the Snake River along the western edge.

Today: Firefighters are looking for opportunities to strengthen the contingency line on the east flank in the Camp Howard Ridge area, and are assessing structure protection needs if the fire moves north into the Getta Creek drainage. The fire has not increased in acreage in the past 48 hours. Some limited pockets of heat remain in isolated areas of heavy fuel. Firefighters will keep a close eye on a pocket of heat in a stringer of timber just west of Fir Ridge on the eastern edge of the fire, and will use a helicopter to drop water on the area as needed.

Weather: Today will bring a wind shift to the north and northeast, with ridgetop gusts to 20 mph. Temperatures will remain warm, in the 80–85-degree range, with very low relative humidity in the 9-13% range. These conditions will tend to favor fire growth toward the south.

Smoke: Along with the much larger Double Creek Fire burning west of the Snake River, these fires have periodically filled the Snake River Canyon with smoke. There is no immediate threat to river travel or boating facilities. River users are asked to remain aware of the status of both fires.

Evacuations: Homes in the Getta Creek and Deer Creek areas remain in a Level 1 “Get Ready” status.

JOSEPH – (Release from the U.S Forest Service) On September 4, initial attack resources responded to the Jones Creek Fire burning in the Jones Creek area 21 miles northwest of Riggins, Idaho on the east side of Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Resources include approximately 40 ground fire fighters, helicopters dropping water and air tankers depositing retardant to slow fire growth.

As of September 6, the fire is reported at approximately 4000 acres, primarily in grass. The Jones Creek Fire is a full suppression fire, and the protection of lives and property are the primary objectives of this incident.

The fire is burning in areas managed by the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, Idaho Department of Lands, and the Bureau of Land Management. A Type 2 Incident Management Team has been ordered to the incident. A Type 1 Incident Management Team is currently managing the Double Creek, Nebo, Goat Mountain 2 and Sturgill Fires to the west.

The public is encouraged to avoid this area. Until further notice, Big Canyon Road will be closed at Pittsburg Landing. The Pittsburg Landing Campground and Deer Creek Road will remain open at this time.

To learn more about the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, please visit our website (www.fs.usda.gov/wallowa-whitman) or contact your local Forest