Significant fire activity quenched as thunderstorms approach the Winding Waters Complex in Wallowa County
By Joe Hathaway on Saturday, August 3rd, 2024 in Northeastern Oregon News
WALLOWA COUNTY – During the last operational period crews used drones with infrared cameras to locate hot spots inside the fire’s perimeter on the Courtney Creek and Charlie Brown fires. Infrared technology helps locate heat that isn’t otherwise visible, allowing crews to find and extinguish lingering hot spots.
The Water fire is in patrol status, which means that crews will patrol daily and respond to fire activity as needed. Elsewhere on the complex, crews will remove snags and hazard trees, mop up deeper into the interior and return supplies that are no longer needed back to camp. Suppression repair work is also underway to remove berms along dozer lines and install water bars to minimize erosion during rain. Air support is available to assist firefighters on the ground, and patrol for any fire spreading beyond the containment lines.
A Red Flag Warning for abundant lightning is in effect over the fire area from 2 PM this afternoon through 7 AM Sunday morning. A Heat Advisory is in effect for temperatures of 90 to 100 degrees.
If gains to secure the fire’s perimeter proceed per plan, a Transfer of Command to a robust Type 4 Incident Command is projected for August 6, 2024.
The Winding Waters Complex is comprised of the following fires, listed by name and Acres:
Big Canyon: 288 Acres
Mountain View: 318 Acres
Charlie Brown: 69 Acres
Water: 18.5 Acres
Courtney Creek: 59 Acres
Public use and industrial restrictions remain in effect on both ODF and USFS jurisdictions.
Contact Blue Mountain Interagency Dispatch Center at (541) 963- 7171 or dial 9-1-1 to report a fire or smoke. Find Blue Mountains fire-updates at http://bluemountainfireinfo.blogspot.com/
FIRE AT A GLANCE
Estimated Size: 752 Acres
Containment: 43%
Cause: Lightning
Estimated Cost: $4.6 Million
Evacuations: None
Resources
Total Resources: 485
Hand Crews: 18
Engines: 21
Dozers: 4
Water Tenders: 9
Masticators: 2
Skidgens: 2
Excavator: 1
Helicopters:
Type 1 – 2
Type 2 – 2
Type 3 – 2
