Whisky Creek & Sandstone Fire Daily Update Aug. 15, 2024
Whisky Creek:
Size: 1,905 acres, 7% contained
Cause: Human – Under Investigation Cause: Lightning
Start Date: July 20, 2024
Location: 6 miles SE of Cascade Locks, OR
Fuels: Scrub oak, timber, and grass Fuels: Timber and grass
Sandstone:
Size: 671 acres, 0 % contained
Start Date: Aug. 5, 2024
Location: 9 miles SW of Ripplebrook, OR
Fuels: Scrub oak, timber, and grass Fuels: Timber and grass
Whisky Creek Highlights:
The west and north edges of the fire continue to show minimal fire behavior, with containment achieved on the northeast edge of the fire. The Dozer line has been completed on the southeast edge, and additional heavy machinery has arrived and will start constructing a contingency line, utilizing old road systems, on the southeast edge.
Sandstone Highlights:
With the dozer line completed on the west side of the fire, hand crews have started to construct a direct handline on the west and north edges of the fire, and the Pike Interagency Hotshot Crew is attacking the Thunder Mountain area on the southeast edge of the fire. Steep, rugged terrain and snags make this a hard country to work in.
Operations:
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. Crews continue to perform mop-up, searching for and extinguishing hotspots near the fire line. On the Sandstone Fire, a contingency dozer line was completed on the west flank. Many of the spot fires to the southeast have been secured with fireline and mop-up operations have begun, with line construction slated to begin around the finger on Thunder Mountain. Handline construction continues on the northeast ridge of the Sandstone Fire
Fire Behavior and Weather
As a new system moves into the eastern Pacific, cooler temperatures and higher relative humidity will reduce fire spread rates. Highs will be around 70 degrees, with relative humidities in the 50 to 60 range. There’s a 15 percent chance of rain for both fires. Air quality is anticipated to be between Good to Moderate for much of the area. Smoke forecasts can be found at AirNow.gov.
Road and Trail Closures:
The Mt. Hood National Forest and the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area closure information can be found by scanning the QR code or following the link in the bottom right corner of the page. River County closure information can be found on their website. Closures are put in place for the safety of the public and fire crews – intrusion in a closure area can stop fire suppression activities, endanger life and property, and can result in fines.
Total Fire Resources Assigned:
• Whisky Creek – 7 crews, 3 initial attack crews, 3 engines, 2 helicopters, 2 dozers, 3 water tenders, 1 feller buncher
• Sandstone – 11 crews, 1 initial attack crew, 8 engines, 3 dozer, 1 water tender, 4 masticators, 3 skidders,1 feller buncher
Contact Information:
Email: 2024.whiskycreek@firenet.gov, 2024.sandstone.or@firenet.gov
Phone: 541-208-1743, 8 A.M - 8 P.M
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