Columbia Community Connection was established in 2020 as a local, honest and digital news source providing meaningful stories and articles. CCC News’ primary goal is to inform and elevate all the residents and businesses of the Mid-Columbia Region. A rising tide lifts all boats, hop in!
All tagged Whisky Creek Fire Update
The Whisky Creek Fire is in steep and rugged terrain within the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness in the Mt. Hood National Forest. The fire remains within the control lines along the southern and eastern edges. The Eagle Creek Fire scar continues to be a barrier along the western and northern edges of the fire.
The Whisky Creek Fire is in steep and rugged terrain within the Mark O. Hatfield Wilderness in the Mt. Hood National Forest.
The fire grew minimally yesterday with the most activity on the south flank in the headwaters of Herman Creek. Firefighters filled portable water tanks by pumping water from Wahtum Lake up the hose lay along the southeast flank.
The higher temperatures and easterly winds caused an uptick in fire activity yesterday, and increased smoke is expected today with the Red Flag conditions. There has been minimal fire growth, and firefighters are well prepared for any increase in fire activity.
Fire managers flew over the fire and observed minor fire growth in the east fork of Herman Creek yesterday. Excess hose was pulled from Tomlike Mountain and the northeast side of the fire. Crews repaired hand line and a temporary helicopter landing spot.
Despite cool and moist weather yesterday, the fire continued to creep in surface fuels and deep duff layers in the east fork of Herman Creek. Gusty winds and fog prevented aircraft from reconnaissance flights and long-line external cargo missions for equipment backhaul. Water tenders, a hand crew, and a group of sawyers successfully secured the nearby Knebal Fire and returned to the Whisky Creek Fire.
Yesterday, after a delay for firefighter safety due to unfavorable weather conditions, the handline on Tomlike Mountain ridge was successfully connected to the fire’s edge, with air resources assisting ground crews on reconnaissance missions.
Yesterday, crews monitored the west side of the fire in the Herman Creek area, observing no fire activity. Hand crews continued work on the Tomlike Mountain ridge control line, while on the southeast edges, firefighters monitored and patrolled containment lines.
Yesterday, crews continued to patrol and monitor along the fire’s contained edge, confirming old spot fires have been completely extinguished. Hand crews extended control lines north on the Tomlike Mountain ridge as mastication efforts along Forest Road 2810 were completed.
Yesterday, crews successfully constructed over half a mile of new fireline near Tomlike Mountain, removing hazard trees while coordinating closely with resource advisors. Resource advisors are subject-matter experts, helping firefighters identify and protect natural and cultural features.
Yesterday, crews confirmed that the southern line options were not suitable as control features and were found unsafe due to terrain hazards. However, options near Tomlike Mountain were identified as more feasible and line construction began.
Today, crews will work to strengthen established containment lines. Heavy equipment operators will utilize masticators, skidders, and feller bunchers to process suppression-generated debris, converting it into more manageable and less flammable material.
Today, crews will patrol the northeast edge of the fire, looking for hot spots near containment lines. Mop up and strengthening of containment lines on the east side of the fire is ongoing. South of the fire near Wahtum Lake, mastication operations along roads will continue.
Heavy focus remains on the southeast edge of the Whisky Creek Fire where crews have been able to perform fire suppression activities more directly. The Dozer line has been completed and firefighters are continuing to construct the handline.
Today, on both the Whiskey Creek Fire and Sandstone Fire, crews will continue holding and securing line. On the Whisky Creek Fire, construction of indirect line around spot fires in the southeast corner of the fire is ongoing and mop up is happening to the northeast and southeast of the fire.
Crews responded to yesterday's increased fire activity by continuing to construct and improve the direct containment line on the north and east sides of the fire. Today crews will resume mop-up operations and proceed to scout for spot fires across the containment line.
Aerial and ground firing operations were successful yesterday. Crews are mopping up and securing the burnout operations from yesterday. Burnout operations may continue today as conditions warrant.
There were no operational burning operations yesterday. A small spot fire located in rough terrain was reported approximately 1.3 miles from the fire edge. Crews continued to improve contingency lines in preparation for future firing operations if conditions warrant.
Firing operations were successful in the southeast corner of the fire yesterday. Crews were able to construct fireline down to the old Eagle Creek burn scar and connect to established control lines in the northeast part of the fire.
Thunderstorms early yesterday morning brought isolated rainfall and lightning with no new fire starts detected near the Whisky Creek Fire. Firing operations were attempted in the northeast corner of the fire, but conditions on the ground were not receptive to fire.
