Tiger Creek Fire update for Oct. 14
By Dan Thesman on Monday, October 14th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Umatilla National Forest released the following update today (Monday) on the Tiger Creek Fire:
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.
Tiger Creek Fire map for Oct. 14, 2024
