Wenaha E/W keep or not?

[BLUEBULLS]

It sounds like they're using bluewood or the parking at touchet corral as a sort of camp/base. I imagine the road on up from there is busy.

[BLUEBULLS]

That wouldn't make much sense.

[Landowner]

Tonight's InciWeb reports says the fire is only 17 percent contained.   That isn't much.  And the report estimates an October 31 containment date. 

If it were me, I'd be thinking like a government bureaucrat.   Meaning what do I think a highfalutin USFS official/DNR official will do so far as allowing hunters into an area full of burning snags, roots, and a perimeter with limited primitive roads and a lot of firefighter traffic.  Remember, a "bureaucrat" will be making those decisions.   

I'd be trying to talk to any meteorologists familiar with SE WA about the extended forecast.  Temps, moisture and wind forecasts.  The weather will be a major factor in how soon this Grizzly Bear fire will be contained.    It has a lot of places to go if the weather wants to move it, and considerable staying power. 

And I'd be asking the bios where the elk have been seen recently.  Elk don't like fires and smoke. 

Tough call.  Feel for those holding permits. 

[jackelope]

I'd turn it in and take my chances. I really feel bad for the Tucannon guys. Unless something's changed, those guys are pretty much screwed. Can't get into the wilderness which is where the best elk hunting is. The areas you can get into are not the prime elk areas but there is opportunity to hunt so the way I read it, there won't be the opportunity to return permits there.

[Ridgeratt]

I'd turn it in and take my chances. I really feel bad for the Tucannon guys. Unless something's changed, those guys are pretty much screwed. Can't get into the wilderness which is where the best elk hunting is. The areas you can get into are not the prime elk areas but there is opportunity to hunt so the way I read it, there won't be the opportunity to return permits there.

Or Was. 

[autodink13]

I don't get why wdfw is making the lucky/unlucky tag holders bet if the wilderness will open or stay closed. I think everyone should assume it's going to open up and if it doesn't then get their points reinstated. I would love a Tucannon tag! Lots of good area to hunt outside the wilderness.

[autodink13]

With 8 points cold steel I think I would keep the tag though. I could see the wilderness opening up around the 15th.

[coldsteel3d]

17% contained is pretty good compaired to what it's been though and it sounds like there fire lines are all holding pretty good. I have seen pretty big fires go from 5%-10%  containment to 80%-100% containment in a matter of days. I know this fire is in a steep rugged area but the fact that their lines are holding mewns they can work on furthering containment.

[coldsteel3d]

With 8 points cold steel I think I would keep the tag though. I could see the wilderness opening up around the 15th.

That's kinda what I am hoping for, just hang on to my permit and give it hell the last week.

[jackelope]

I don't get why wdfw is making the lucky/unlucky tag holders bet if the wilderness will open or stay closed. I think everyone should assume it's going to open up and if it doesn't then get their points reinstated. I would love a Tucannon tag! Lots of good area to hunt outside the wilderness.

But can you get to those areas??

[Ridgeratt]

Current updates:



Grizzly Bear Complex August 31, 2015 Morning Update

Incident: Grizzly Bear Complex Wildfire
Released: 9 hrs. ago
Grizzly Bear Crews Increasing Containment
Elgin, Ore. – Yesterday’s rain was sparse over most of the fire area and did not penetrate the tree canopy. Fire will still be active, finding its way through heavier fuels. Gentle breezes and damp fine fuels will slow its ability to spread. Days are getting shorter. The “burn window” of most active fire behavior during the hottest, driest time of day now only lasts about three to four hours, down from seven hours or longer during hotter summer days.
Robert Trujillo, Agency Administrator for the Umatilla National Forest, warned crews to watch for complacency as they work to contain the 74,471-acre Grizzly Bear Fire Complex. 17 percent containment has been achieved, but hazards such as weakened trees and snags, ash pits, and driving on rough roads still exist.
Crews are scouting the Bear Ridge Fire area, constructing and improving fire line where breeches occurred along the Misery Trail system.
Contingency line construction and improvement continues on the western flank along Forest Road 64 and on the southwest flank in the Elk Flats area. A contingency route to the north from Road 4039 is being scouted. On the northeast corner of the fire, helicopters will slow fire growth up drainages, especially First Creek.
Crews continue the arduous work of increasing fuel breaks around structures and building containment lines around the fire. National Guard members will add their strength to crews in Troy and Grouse Flats, enlarging defensible space near structures and widening fire lines.
When crews mop up inside a fire containment line, they examine the soil and debris for hot spots. They expose any burning material and soak the embers. They cut down fire-weakened trees ensuring that any burned material inside is extinguished. Unburned material is pulled out of the containment line.
Due to increases in containment and moderation of the weather, at 12 noon today, the Evacuation Levels in place to the south and east of the Grizzly Bear Complex Fire will decrease. Areas currently at Level 3 (Troy, Grouse Flats, Eden Bench area) will become Level 2. Areas currently at Level 2 (Asotin county north and east of Boggan’s Oasis and Big Butte) will become Level 1. The evacuation warning has been lifted from areas that were previously Level 1. Please look at inciweb and other websites listed above to view the current (August 31) Evacuation Level map.

[mburrows]

I would probably turn it in, easy for me to say as I dont have that tag burning a hole in my pocket though.  Would really suck to not be able to take full advantage of that hunt and be confined to  small area and lose your points to mediocre experience. 

[blackveltbowhunter]

I agree with those saying it should just be allowed to play out. If access is not given by say the 18 th reinstate all permit holder points and call the game at that point.

[BENCHLEG]

Coldsteele3d , with 8 pts I would frame that permit. You got lucky and this is why I hate wa draws. Many people have max and can't draw  if we had a 75-25 split like Oregon and wyoming we wouldn't worry about this hurting so bad. Because taking back points would put you into a small pool to draw from. In WASHINGTON your screwed !! Wdfw needs to change things for this reason. Give points back today and it doesn't mean squat. Give them back in a 75-25 pool +1or 2 for fire loss and it does. The only thing CRUSHING DREAMS.  Is WDFW.   

[Ridgeratt]

Coldsteele3d , with 8 pts I would frame that permit. You got lucky and this is why I hate wa draws. Many people have max and can't draw  if we had a 75-25 split like Oregon and wyoming we wouldn't worry about this hurting so bad. Because taking back points would put you into a small pool to draw from. In WASHINGTON your screwed !! Wdfw needs to change things for this reason. Give points back today and it doesn't mean squat. Give them back in a 75-25 pool +1or 2 for fire loss and it does. The only thing CRUSHING DREAMS.  Is WDFW.   

Why should we hold the WDFW responsible for an Act of God? I didn't know they also controlled the weather.