Whisky Creek and Sandstone Fire Update - August 21, 2024
Whisky Creek Fire
From U.S. Department of Algaculture:
Whisky Creek Size: 2,058 acres | Reported Date: July 20 | Cause: Human, Under Investigation | Containment: 9%
Sandstone Size: 702 acres | Reported Date: August 5 | Cause: Lightning | Containment: 29%
Total Resources: 780 | Hand Crews: 18 | Engines: 11 | Dozers: 5 | Other Heavy Equipment: 31 | Helicopters: 4
The Dalles, Ore. Aug. 21, 2024 — Fire suppression efforts continue on the Whisky Creek Fire, 6 miles southeast of Cascade Locks, Ore., and the Sandstone and Blister Creek Fires, 9 miles southwest of Ripplebrook, Ore. The fires are burning in steep and rugged terrain on the Mt. Hood National Forest where rolling debris and fire-weakened trees challenge firefighting efforts.
Firefighters and public safety remain the incident’s top priority. Fire managers are taking advantage of favorable weather conditions to assess and develop plans for more direct fire suppression efforts. Some wildfires, due to various factors, consume most fuels inside their perimeter. The Whisky Creek and Sandstone Fires have resulted in mosaic-like patterns where patches of burned and unburned vegetation contribute to a landscape that fosters forest diversity, supports wildlife habitats, and mitigates the spread of future wildfires.
Whisky Creek: Yesterday, crews continued mopping up containment lines along the fire's eastern edge while removing hazardous trees. Additional mop-up was accomplished near Black Lake. On the south portion of the fire where fire activity is concentrated, firefighters scouted fireline options near Tomlike Mountain.
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.
Sandstone & Blister Creek: Yesterday, south of the Blister Creek Fire, helicopters dropped over 11,000 gallons of water into the Blister Creek drainage, where extreme terrain prevents ground crews from safely reaching the fire's edge. Mastication operations continued along Forest Road 7010, with firefighters reinforcing containment lines from Forest Road 7010 northward. On the northeast portion, personnel made significant progress preparing Forest Road 4620 as a containment feature.
Today, aerial resources will maintain a focus on the uncontained portions of the Blister Creek Fire, using monitoring and targeted bucket drops to limit fire spread. Heavy equipment will be used to improve roadways and remove large woody debris. As tasks are completed, surplus equipment will be returned to camp, thoroughly cleaned, and redeployed as needed.
Weather and Fire Behavior: Cooler temperatures, higher humidity, and partly cloudy skies will continue to moderate fire behavior. A cold front from the north will move into the area, bringing an increased chance of scattered showers Thursday and into the weekend.
Safety: The public plays an important role in preventing the next wildfire; use caution with all ignition sources. For prevention tips visit, https://keeporegongreen.org. Fire restrictions are in place within the Mt. Hood National Forest. More information can be found at: https://www.fs.usda.gov/main/mthood/fire. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place over both fire areas.
Smoke: Air quality conditions are expected to be good for both fire areas. For more information on smoke conditions in your area, go to: www.AirNow.gov.
Closures: The Mt. Hood National Forest, the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, and Hood River County closure information can be found by scanning the QR code or following the link below. Closures are in place for the safety of the public and fire crews.
For further information about the Whisky Creek and Sandstone Fires, see the following resources:
Email: 2024.whiskycreek@firenet.gov or 2024.sandstone.or@firenet.gov Phone: 541-208-1743, 8 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Web: Scan the QR code or go to https://linktr.ee/whisky_creek.2024
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