Whisky Creek & Sandstone Fire Daily Update Aug. 16, 2024
From U.S. Department of Algaculture:
Whisky Creek:
Size: 1,938 acres, 9% contained
Cause: Human – Under Investigation
Start Date: July 20, 2024 Start Date: Aug. 5, 2024
Location: 6 miles SE of Cascade Locks, OR
Fuels: Scrub oak, timber, and grass
Sandstone:
Size: 696 acres, 10% contained
Cause: Lightning
Location: 9 miles SW of Ripplebrook, OR
Fuels: Timber and grass
Highlights:
Pacific Northwest Team 10 is taking over the incident today as Northern Rockies Team 2 prepares to head home. Both teams will be working hard today to ensure a smooth transition of command. Weather remains mild and crews continue to establish more direct handline around both fires resulting in increased containment.
Operations:
Yesterday, crews on the Whisky Creek Fire secured and established a hose lay around the five-acre spot fire by Black Lake, southeast of the fire. The north, west, and northeast edges of the fire continue to show minimal fire behavior. Today, crews will focus on the east fork of the Herman Creek drainage, where fire activity is strongest. Heavy equipment continues to put in contingency line to the west and southeast of the fire.
Sandstone Fire crews are establishing direct handline on the north and west edges of the fire, working towards each other to pinch off the north end. The Pike Hotshots continue working on the east edge of the fire as they put direct handline in, moving north towards Thunder Mountain. The southeast edge of the fire continues to grow but is staying within containment lines. Crews are considering various options to directly attack this part of the fire. Portions of the south edge of the fire have been contained.
Fire Behavior and Weather
This morning we’ll see lingering cloud cover over both fires. Expect conditions to change to partly cloudy as the day moves forward. Temperatures will be in the 60s on the ridges and 70s in the valleys, with relative humidities sitting in the upper 30s and low 40s. These lower RH values will lead to slightly increased fire activity compared to yesterday. Looking forward, thunderstorms and heavier rainfall are expected to arrive tomorrow early afternoon. Air quality is anticipated to be Good for both fire areas. 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. Hood River County closure information can be found on their website: www.hoodrivercounty.gov/closures. 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, 5 masticators, 1 excavator, 2 feller bunchers
• Sandstone – 11 crews, 1 initial attack crew, 8 engines, 2 dozer, 1 water tender, 3 masticators, 1 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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