Tiger Creek Fire update for Oct. 11
By Dan Thesman on Friday, October 11th, 2024 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – The Umatilla National Forest released the following update today (Friday) on the Tiger Creek Fire:
Current Situation: Acreage has decreased to 532 acres with improved ground mapping on the Tiger Creek Fire and 19 percent containment has been achieved with 486 firefighting resources assigned. Full suppression of the fire remains the top priority of the crews operating on the fire.
Crews continued to mop up, monitor, and patrol the south edge of the fire and south end of the 65 road near Tiger Creek as it remains a concern to containment. Hose lays continue to be placed and several were rerouted for better water delivery to the fire line to ease mop-up activity, including the horseshoe area of the fire. Sawyer crews have completed the removal of fire weakened and hazard trees along the fire’s edge to enable safer working conditions for fire crews. Hand line has been completed all the way around the eastern spot fire with hose lays in place to assist in mop-up of the spot fire. A road crew will begin evaluating areas impacted by heavy fire equipment and traffic along the 65 road.
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: Humidity recoveries overnight were moderate to excellent. A stronger inversion will be expected today and will lift late morning. Moderate cloud cover until midday will be present. Temperatures will be trending warmer. As cloud cover decreases over the day, winds are expected to increase but remain light. Today’s weather will see highs in the mid 50s to mid 60s and afternoon humidity will reach 35-45%. The winds will be westerly at 3-6 mph with a few higher gusts on the ridgelines. Tomorrow, expected weather will partly cloudy becoming clear in the afternoon with temperatures around 55-65 degrees.
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. 11, 2024
