Grizzly Bear Fire-Wenaha

[92xj]

Either it's blowing up or there's a storm brewing that direction. Can see a huge thunderhead from the tricities.

[Woodchuck]

It is windy enough I don't think you would see smoke from there. Hoping it is a big nasty rainstorm, with no lightning.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

1600 update
The Grizzly Bear Complex Fire made a significant run to the east this afternoon pushed by sustained winds of 10 MPH and gusts up to 25 MPH. The plume is now visible from La Grande, Oregon, Walla Walla, Washington and surrounding communities.


A Level Three Evacuation notice has been issued by Wallowa, Garfield and Asotin County officials for the Eden Bench, Troy and Grouse Flat communities. Level Three Evacuation means danger is currently affecting your area or is imminent, and you should LEAVE IMMEDIATLY. Forest officials have recommended a Level One evacuation notice for the outlying communities north and east to Anatone, Washington.

Had to go to Walla Walla today.  This morning was looking and saw no indication of a fire other than haze.  Left town this afternoon and holy moly.  Big ole plume.  I'll try to post a pic that i took with the phone.

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Here's the pics.  First is from just East of Walla Walla.  Second is from just West of Pomeroy

[Sumpnneedskillin]

Latest update


ANATONE, WA/TROY, OR - Approximately 20,000 acres have burned as a result of the wind-driven Grizzly Bear Complex in Garfield and Asotin Counties (WA) and Walllowa County (OR). Asotin County Emergency Management Director Butch Aiken says three homes and about 12 outbuildings have been lost. Approximately 60 people continue to fight the fires and a helicopter dumped water on it until dark last night.

 From Boggan's to Troy, Oregon is at a LEVEL 3 evacuation level. The area from Anatone to Big Butte to the US Forest Service line, and from Anatone to Boggan's is a LEVEL 1 evacuation.


 There are several road closures, including off of Asotin Creek and Lick Creek, and all of the forest is closed.

 Meanwhile, Wallowa County officials issued a LEVEL 1 evacuation from Flora, Lost Prairie North, and East to Highway 3.

"If anyone knows anyone that might still be camping out there...they need to text them or try to figure out where they are," Aiken says. He adds that there are officials searching the areas trying to make sure everyone is out of harm's way.

 Fire officials are expecting the fire to become very active again with gusty winds today.

 Aiken will be at the Anatone Community Center at around noon to hand out maps and information to residents in the fire area.

An evacuation center has not been set up in the Anatone area because of the potential for the evacuation level being increased there. The Grange and the school in Flora will be open for shelter purposes. Enterprise High School will also be available for shelter purposes.

[emac]

I posted these in another thread but probably better here. This was yesterday at 5:30 from peola.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

[andersonjk4]

Latest from Inciweb:

Grizzly Bear Complex Update, August 21, 2015

Incident: Grizzly Bear Complex Wildfire
Released: 33 min. ago

Grizzly Bear

Complex Fire
DAILY UPDATE
 August 21, 2015
1100 Hours

 Fire Information Center

(541) 612-0059 7am to 9pm

Firefighters working to manage rapidly growing Grizzly Bear Complex on three fronts
 
 Elgin, OR.,  The Grizzly Bear Complex has been burning in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness of the Umatilla National Forest for several days. It grew significantly yesterday and last night, within the Wilderness and running to the south and east. Critical weather conditions continue today and additional fire growth is expected. The fire is currently estimated at 48,000 acres.

Evacuation notices include:

Level 3: Troy, Eden Bench, Grouse Flat, Bartlett
Level 3: From Troy to Hwy 129 at Boggan’s Oasis (16 miles northeast of Troy)
Level 2: From Boggan’s Oasis to Anatone
Level 2: From Clearwater Guard Station to Lick Creek Road; from Lick Creek Rd. to Asotin city limits; around Asotin to the Snake River; from the Snake River south to the state line; from the state line west to Highway 129
Level 2: Flora, Lost Prairie, Redmond Grade northeast to Highway 3

Sheriffs are making personal contact with affected residents. Most of Troy and surrounding Level 3 evacuations are cleared of people. Only a few remained behind to aid in suppression efforts and to feed and care for firefighters.

Three primary residences and twelve outbuildings have burned. Additional assessments continue. A structure protection task force from the Oregon State Fire Marshall’s office is arriving today to assist.

The fire continues to spread east and additional evacuations are being proposed and will be announced as they occur.

The fire is currently being managed by Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #4 with Brian Gales Incident Commander. The day’s effort continues to focus on point protection of primary residences with current resources on scene. Fire personnel will continue to identify opportunities to safely contain the fire and establish communication between fire managers and local officials to ensure that evacuations are implemented as needed.

Grizzly Bear Complex InciWeb site: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4511/

Facebook: www.facebook.com/UmatillaNF

Twitter: @UmatillaNF

Forest Website: www.fs.usda.gov/umatilla/

Quick Facts:

Fire Size: 48,000 acres

Fire Start Date: August 13, 2015

Location: Walla Walla and Pomeroy Ranger Districts, Umatilla National Forest

Hazards: Rapid fire growth with crowning and spotting behaviors.

Values at Risk: Public safety, Communities of Troy, Grouse Flats, Eden Bench; Long Meadows Guard Station; Historic Hoodoo lookout and compound

Cause: Lightning

Containment: 0%

[Timberstalker]

Holy crap! 48K acres already.  The evacuation area covers like 4 freaking counties.
In 2 states.

Damn

[BLUEBULLS]

it's now scary bad.

[Timberstalker]

It must be moving North now, according to those evac notices.

[coldsteel3d]

I bet they are regretting the decision to just let it burn itself out when it was only 500 acres now. Probably wishing they would of thrown more man power at it instead of pulling man power off of it.

[jackelope]

I bet they are regretting the decision to just let it burn itself out when it was only 500 acres now. Probably wishing they would of thrown more man power at it instead of pulling man power off of it.

Again........

[rosscrazyelk]

I feel bad for everyone.  But to
I hope the wolves were chased back into Oregon ...

[kenjo]

I bet they are regretting the decision to just let it burn itself out when it was only 500 acres now. Probably wishing they would of thrown more man power at it instead of pulling man power off of it.

From where? Chelan? John Day? Okanogan? Any of the other fires that were burning at the same time but threatening homes? The reason more resources weren't used is because they weren't available.

[coldsteel3d]

All I was saying is with the conditions we have had this summer thinking any fire will burn itself out is crazy. We all know how fast fire can spread and getting the fire contained at 500 acres would of been a lot easier than when it is 48,000 acres and threatening entire towns. They started taking volunteers on thursday but they said that they really only want volunteers who have previously held a red card or blue card and that most of the people volunteering have not held one in the past or do not currently hold one. It seems to me if you have strong willing and able volunteers then use them. Partner them with someone with experience and as long as they do a decent job screening the volunteers for common sense they will pick up on what needs to happen pretty fast.