Boulder Fire Rages On in Mt. Hood National Forest
Northwest Incident Management Team 10, Incident Commander Alan Lawson gave an update on the fire this afternoon.
Photo by Darlene Ashley Sunday afternoon.
by Cole Goodwin
Dufur, OR July 11, 2023– The Boulder Fire, which ignited near Boulder Lake Trailhead in Mt. Hood National Forest's Barlow Ranger District on July 8, has scorched approximately 237 acres. The fire is being fueled by dead and down debris and fire fighting efforts have been complicated by steep, rugged terrain. Fire managers have received enhanced mapping data from an overnight flight using infrared-capable aircraft.
Photo Credit David Lindley. Dipping at Timothy Lake for the Boulder Fire.
With the utmost priority placed on public and firefighter safety, crews are diligently working to contain the fire from both the ground and the air. The incident management team has allocated significant resources, including a total of 229 personnel, six hand crews, six engines, one heavy equipment unit, one water tender, four fixed-wing aircraft, and three helicopters.
Yesterday's efforts saw the establishment of initial attack and contingency groups. Crews operating on the eastern flank successfully constructed a fire line directly along the fire's edge, spanning from Spur 123 to the 48 Road. On the western flank, firefighters cleared brush to improve access along existing roadways and scouted potential contingency line locations. Fixed-wing and rotor aircraft provided crucial assistance in extinguishing isolated flare-ups. Fortunately, no new fire starts were reported in the immediate vicinity.
Weather conditions have been a mixed bag, with trace amounts of rain observed in certain parts of the fire area yesterday morning. However, warm and dry conditions have prevailed, and today's forecast calls for even warmer and drier weather with lighter winds, potentially intensifying the fire threat.
Today, a temporary helibase will be set up at Pine Hollow, approximately 12 miles east of the fire, while helicopters will also be deployed from Dallesport. Firefighters will focus their efforts on the fire's eastern flank, working to connect established handlines with Boulder Creek, a natural containment feature. As additional heavy equipment arrives at the scene, crews will further enhance roads for better access and containment along the western flank.
Level 3- GO NOW evacuation orders have been issued for:
Boulder Lake campground
Little Boulder Lake
Bonney Meadow campground
Badger Lake campground
Camp Windy
Post Camp campground
For the most up to date information regarding evacuation levels visit The Wasco County Sheriff's Office facebook page at www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff.
Forest Roads 4880, 4881, and 4890 have been closed as a precautionary measure, while restrictions on open fires and target shooting are in effect throughout the Mt. Hood National Forest due to the heightened wildfire risk. Further information can be found on the forest's webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mthood/alerts-notices.
To ensure public safety, motorists are urged to exercise caution and avoid areas where firefighters and heavy equipment are operating, including Forest Road 48. Timothy Lake, a popular water recreation site, is currently being utilized by water-scooping aircraft, while the Rock Creek OHV Area serves as a staging area for firefighters. The public is kindly requested to steer clear of these fire suppression operations to ensure the safety of all involved.
At present, there are no significant smoke impacts from the Boulder Fire. Regular updates on smoke conditions can be accessed at oregonsmoke.blogspot.com or airnow.gov for the latest air quality information.
For additional information and updates on the Boulder Fire, visit The Mt. Hood National Forest's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/mthoodnf/ provides further updates and notifications.
As firefighting efforts continue, the Boulder Fire serves as a stark reminder of the unrelenting threat wildfires pose to the natural beauty and communities of Mt. Hood National Forest. The dedicated efforts of firefighters and the cooperation of the public remain paramount in containing and eventually extinguishing this destructive blaze.
AI was used in developing this story.
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