W.I.S.E. Fire Tracking

Gnarl Ridge Fire (Repost)

Location: 14 miles S of Parkdale, Hood River Co., OR

Specific Location: Cold Springs Ck, 3 mi SW Cloud Cap Inn, Mt. Hood NF, Lat 45° 22´ 21″ Lon 121° 37´ 40″

Date of Origin: 08/08/08
Cause: Lightning

Situation as of 10/05/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 132
Size: Size: 3,280 acres
Percent Contained: 90%

Costs to Date: $15,000,000

Transition and turnback from Type III IMT to district Type IV organization in progress. Demobilization of Type III project NLT 1700 tomorrow. Type IV organization will retain 2 crews, 2 engines and some overhead.

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Situation as of 10/04/08 5:00 PM
Total Personnel: 272
Size: Size: 3,280 acres
Percent Contained: 90%

Costs to Date: $14,900,000

Precipitation delayed today’s rehab operations due to road and flood safety concerns. In process of demobilizing operational resources to those needed for continued work after turnback to the district.

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Situation as of 10/02/08 5:00 PM
Total Personnel: 272
Size: Size: 3,280 acres
Percent Contained: 90%

Costs to Date: $14,500,000

Area closure reduced in size. Type III IMT assumed command at 0600. Significant demob of resources continued. Mopup and rehab continued on Divs D, G and K.

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Situation as of 10/01/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 471
Size: Size: 3,280 acres
Percent Contained: 90%

Costs to Date: $14,200,000

The area closure is scheduled to be reduced in size effective tomorrow, Thursday, October 2, 2008.

The retardant was cleaned off of the historic structures at Cloud Cap. Yellow Spike, which had been used to spike up to 3 crews for suppression operations in Division M, was demobilized this afternoon.

A type 3 organization led by Type 3 IC Leo Segovia and trainee Matt White is scheduled to be delegated the responsibility for the suppression of this Incident as of 0600 hours, tomorrow, Thursday, October 2, 2008 at 0600 hours.

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Situation as of 09/30/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 571
Size: Size: 3,280 acres
Percent Contained: 80%

Costs to Date: $13,800,000

Red Spike, which had been used to spike 4 crews for suppression operations in Division A, was demobilized this afternoon. Yellow Spike, which is being used to spike 3 crews for suppression operations in Division M, is scheduled to be demobilized tomorrow. The Area Closure has been reviewed and is expected to be reduced in size effective Thursday, October 2, 2008. Contractors will be allowed access to the Cloud Cap Inn beginning tomorrow to continue remodeling efforts which had started prior to the occurence of this Fire.

A Type 3 organization led by Type 3 IC Leo Segovia is scheduled to be delegated the responsibility for the suppression of this Incident as of 0600 hours, Thursday, October 2, 2008. A transition day for the Type 3 organization is expected to occur tomorrow, Wednesday, October 1, 2008.

Some open flame in unburned islands and in large fuels, otherwise creeping and smoldering fire.

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Situation as of 09/29/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 613
Size: Size: 3,280 acres
Percent Contained: 70%

Costs to Date: $13,400,000

The existing closure order around the fire remains in effect. 7 crews were demobilized from the Incident today.

Some open flame in unburned islands and in large fuels, otherwise creeping and smoldering fire.

Night operations tonight includes 5 engines with overhead to patrol and mop up. For day operations tomorrow, initial attack all new starts in the initial attack responsibility area. Continue securing and mopping up containment lines. Continue to use the hand held Palm IR and the Helicopter RAM IR to identify heat targets to assist in the mop up operation. Continue using aviation resources to provide logistical support to the spike camps, to check the fire spread in the unlined areas, and to support ground crews in the suppression effort. Continue to mop up the unburned islands along the Cloud Cap access road. Continue to clean the retardant off of the Cloud Cap historic structures.

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Situation as of 09/28/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 765
Size: Size: 3,280 acres
Percent Contained: 65%

Costs to Date: $12,800,000

Progress is being made in securing containment lines and mopping up on all perimeter. Flew the fire perimeter today with helicopter FLIR to identify heat targets to assist in the mop up.

Some open flame in large fuels and within unburned islands, otherwise creeping and smoldering fire.

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Situation as of 09/27/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 774
Size: Size: 3,280 acres
Percent Contained: 60%

Costs to Date: $12,350,000

Continued good progress is being made securing containment lines and mopping up on all fire perimeter. Incident personnel began cleaning the retardant off of the historic structures at Cloud Cap today. Five IHC crews from the SW are scheduled for demobilization on Monday September 29, 2008.

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Situation as of 09/26/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 774
Size: Size: 3,280 acres
Percent Contained: 50%

Costs to Date: $11,700,000

The level 3 evacuation notice for the subdivisions in the Cooper Spur area has been reduced to a Level 1 as of 1200 hours today.

A containment line has now been established on the perimeter, however, there are several portions on the perimeter where the containment lines are natural barriers tied into glaciers.

Securing and mopping up containment lines. Using Palm IR units to assist with the mop up operations. Continuing with excavator suppression rehabilitation and chipping operations on contingency containment lines and access roads. Continuing with BAER team assessment. Using air resources to provide logistical support to the 2 spike camps, for bucket work in the suppression effort, and backhaul of excess material from the spike camps.

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Situation as of 09/25/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 807
Size: Size: 3,280 acres
Percent Contained: 38%

Costs to Date: $10,900,000

The Level 3 evacuation notice for the subdivisions in the Cooper Spur area remains in effect, it is tentatively scheduled to be reduced to a Level 1 9/26/2008 at 1200 hours.

No change in acreage reported, minimal perimeter growth. Approximately 0.25 inches of precipitation fell over the fire area beginning yesterday evening and through the night. Fire most active above Cold Springs Ck on the E side of Mt Hood.

For night operations tonight 9/25/2008, use 5 engine crews to continue with structure protection and for mop up. For day operations tomorrow, 9/26/2008, continue establishing, securing, and mopping up containment lines on the fire perimeter. Continue with excavator suppression rehabilitation and chipping operations on the indirect contingency containment lines and access roads. Continue with hazard tree felling for fire fighter safety on all fire perimeter and on the access roads. Begin with the BAER team assessment. Continue using air resources to provide logistical support to the 2 spike camps, for bucket work with the suppression effort, for BAER assessment reconaissance, and backhaul of excess material from the spike camps.

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Situation as of 09/24/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 809
Size: Size: 3,280 acres
Percent Contained: 30%

Costs to Date: $10,300,000

No change in acreage reported, overnight IR indicated minimal perimeter growth. Significant precipitation.

2 spike camps, Red Spike and Yellow Spike, serving 7 total crews plus miscellaneous overhead, for facilitating the suppression effort in Divisions A and M. Establishing and securing containment lines on the fire perimeter, mop up on some areas. Hazard tree felling on all perimeter and access roads for firefighter safety. Structure protection. Using air resources for bucket work to check the fire spread and to provide logistical support to the spike camps. Use the portable retardant plants for helicopter bucket operations.

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Situation as of 09/23/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 860
Size: Size: 3,280 acres
Percent Contained: 25%

Costs to Date: $9,600,000

Light amounts of precipitation were recorded over portions of the west side of the fire area yesterday. Good progress continues to be made with establishing and securing direct containment lines on much of the fire perimeter, however, establishing the containment lines on the perimeter in Divisions A, G, M, and P remains uncompleted.

Of the 3280 acres reported in block 15, 1675 acres are within the Mount Hood Wilderness area and 1605 acres are outside of the wilderness area.

Using air resources to check the fire spread, assist suppression forces with bucket work in conjunction with direct line construction, and to provide logistical support to the spike camps.

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Situation as of 09/21/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 843
Size: Size: 3,216 acres
Percent Contained: 10%

Costs to Date: $8,257,820

A level 3 evacuation notice remains in effect for the subdivisions around the Cooper Spur Winter Sports area. An area closure remains in effect for a large area northwest of Mount Hood. 7 security checkpoints in place to enforce the area closure.

Higher humidities and cooler temperatures again today, with strong gusty west winds. Minimal increase in acreage over the past 24 hours. Establishing and securing direct containment lines on the east and north fire perimeter while reconnaissance continues on the west perimeter.

The increase in acreage and costs due to the inclusion of the acres/costs associated with the previous suppression of this Incident. 516 acres and $5,187,186 from the previous suppression of this Incident has been added to the totals.

Structure protection in the Cooper Spur area and nearby subdivisions and at the Tilly Jane/Cloud Cap site. Felling of dead trees with a feller/buncher along the access road into Cloud Cap and Tilly Jane. Using air resources to check the fire spread, for crew shuttles, and to provide logistical support to the spike camp. Opening up and brushing out access roads and trails.

[Excellent report from a top-notch IMT. This is how it should be done. Other IMTs please take note. - Ed]

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Situation as of 09/19/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 433
Size: Size: 2,570 acres
Percent Contained: 5%

Several engine crews sent into Tilly Jane and Cloud Cap to provide structure protection and to put out some hot spots around the historic structures. A level 3 evacuation remains in effect for the subdivisions around the Cooper Spur Winter Sports area. An
area closure remains in effect for a large area NW of Mount Hood.

Active fire behavior, running surface fire with occasional tree torching with the relative humidities that were in the single digits. Fire in Elliot, Tilly Jane, Doe, and Polallie Creeks.

The Northwest Oregon IMT (West) managing the fire.

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Situation as of 09/18/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 229
Size: Size: 2,300 acres
Percent Contained: 5%

A Level 3 evacuation advisory has been declared for the Mountain Shadows Subdivision, a Level 2 evacuation advisory has been declared for the Snowbird Subdivision. A closure order has been put in place for a large area around Mount Hood, the closure area is expected to be expanded today.

Crown fire, pluming, torching and spotting up to 1/2 mile. Retardant and helicopter bucket drops during yesterday’s operations to slow the fire’s progression towards the private land and structures. Fire in Elliot, Tilly Jane, Doe, and Polallie Creeks.

The Northwest Oregon IMT (West) managing the fire. Structure protection at the Cooper Spur winter sports area lodge and the Mountain Shadows and Snowbird subdivisions.

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Situation as of 09/17/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 105
Size: Size: ~2,000 acres
Percent Contained: 0%

A Level 3 evacuation advisory has been declared for the Mountain Shadows Subdivision, a Level 2 evacuation advisory has been declared for the Snowbird Subdivision. A closure order has been put in place for a large area around Mount Hood, the closure area is expected to be expanded today.

Crown fire, pluming, torching and spotting up to 1/2 mile. The thermal belt has produced active burning during the evening hours, over the past several overnight burning periods.

The Northwest Oregon IMT with IC Carl West has been ordered, they are on site today and are scheduled to take over the responsibility for management of the Incident as of 0600 hours tomorrow, September 18, 2008. The NWO IMT (West) had previously contained the Gnarl Ridge Fire at 516 acres a month ago, but local Mt. Hood NF fire teams failed to mop up the fire.

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Situation as of 09/17/08 9:00 AM
Total Personnel: unknown
Size: Size: 200 to 2,000 acres
Percent Contained: 0%

The Gnarl Ridge Fire has flared up again. Evacuation ordered for Cooper Spur Inn, Mountain Shadows, and other homes on the south end of Cooper Spur Road. A large fire plume is visible. Strong winds are preventing air attack. A Type 2 IMT has been requested.

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Situation as of 08/22/08 6:15 PM
Total Personnel: 174
Size: Size: 516 acres
Percent Contained: 90%

Costs to Date: $4,800,000

Crews are continuing with rehabbing of trails, repairing water damage to access routes and inventorying equipment and materials to be left around the fire line. Air support has been assisting in removal of excess materials and equipment including trash. Demobilization of crews and resources continues in preparation of hand off to the type III team tomorrow. Closing of the Mt Hood Meadows ICP, complete Type II demobilization and hand off is anticipated to be completed by 1400 hrs Saturday. The Type III team will work out of the County fairgrounds in Odell.

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Situation as of 08/21/08 4:30 PM
Total Personnel: 208
Size: Size: 516 acres
Percent Contained: 80%

Costs to Date: $4,600,000

No fire activity observed today, air resources grounded. Demobilization of crews and resources is being matched to the transition time and the needs of the incoming Type III team.

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Situation as of 08/20/08 4:30 PM
Total Personnel: 353
Size: Size: 516 acres
Percent Contained: 80%

Costs to Date: $4,500,000

Incident command staff has reevaluated resource needs. Demobilization of crews and resources are being matched with the remaining tasks at hand. Crews are still assigned for IA activities. Confirmation a Fire Use module will arrive 8/22/08 at 1800 hrs. Finalized a Type III team organization and will be ordering resources to fill out the organization.

Significant rain has fallen within the last 24hrs and is expected to persist through tonight returning to showers through midday Thursday. No fire activity observed today, air resources grounded and the area is unsafe for ground crews, especially at water crossings. With heavy rain persisting through today, and no activity on the fire lines, it is anticipated that crews will be on the line again tomorrow afternoon to recover excess equipment and materials and rehab to meet turn back standards.

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Situation as of 08/19/08 4:30 PM
Total Personnel: 510
Size: Size: 516 acres
Percent Contained: 40%

Costs to Date: $4,100,000

Crews have finished construction of line from the S edge of the fire to Elk Meadows trail on the E side of the fire. Crews also left the S line plumbed with hose and pumps. Excess equipment and material was placed at sling sites for removal. All crews walked out yesterday due to heavy rain overnight last night.

Operational needs have been adjusted to reflect the revised strategy that includes placement of contingency lines to keep the fire within agreed geographical boundaries.

Some larger 1000 hr fuels are still burning, and fire may be creeping in the ground fuels in areas of established canopy.

Additional crews have been reassigned for IA activities to assist in controlling many of the lightning starts in the forest beyond the confines of the agreed IA area. Three new starts were attacked today. Crews are working with the Clackamas office of the Mt Hood NF.

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Situation as of 08/18/08 8:00 PM
Total Personnel: 544
Size: Size: 516 acres
Percent Contained: 25%

Costs to Date: $3,500,000

Threatened Structures: 43. Cooper Spur and Mountain Shadow residents remain in a precautionary notification status.

Minimal fire activity today, 8/18/2008. The possibility of measurable amounts of precipitation exists over the next two days. Crews have been working to finish construction of line on S edge of the fire to Elk Meadows trail on E side of fire. Some crews remain at the lower elevation spike camp ovenight while others will hike out due to continuing threat of showers and cooler weather.

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Situation as of 08/17/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 529
Size: Size: 516 acres
Percent Contained: 8%

Costs to Date: $2,425,000 reported 08/16, est $3.2 million today

An advisory notice has been given by the Hood River County Sheriff to residents of the Cooper Spur and Mountain Shadow residents. Residents were notified of the fires movement and inquiries were made of any special needs by the residents should evacuation become necessary. The Sheriff’s office is monitoring the fires progress and will notify residents should the situation deteriorate. [Correcting yesterday’s report of a Level 1 Evacuation Notice - Ed]

Acreage reported 8/16/08 was an estimate only. The large plume from the spot fire prevented accurate measurement. The revised acreage estimate is based on infra-red data observations.

With 80-100% cloud cover 8/17/08 there has not been significant fire activity. Crews worked to establish, reinforce, and construct a contingency line on the south edge of the fire. Contingency line of 3000 feet was built proceeding east to an established trail. Line was started to the west to tie existing containment lines to the timberline on Mt Hood. The 200 acre spot fire from 8/16/08 was worked with helicopter and buckets only. Crews worked to establish another spike camp further to the west to replace White Spike Camp that was burned over 8/16/08. All crew activity today was limited to the south side of the fire. Additional crews and engines have been requested and are beginning to arrive.

The large numbers of snags requiring mitigation before line can be safely built is significantly slowing forward progress, as is the deep layer of dry duff that is now being encountered. [Professional contract firefallers are needed in this type of situation - Ed]

No mention of airtankers in the report.

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Situation as of 08/16/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: 415
Size: Size: 800 acres
Percent Contained: 5%

Costs to Date: not reported, est $3.2 million

A level 1 evacuation notice was implemented for the Cooper Spur Ski Area, Cooper Spur Inn, Mtn. Shadows. Decision point to begin structure protection on the historic structures at Cloud Cap and Tilly Jane campground has been reached, therefore structure protection has been initiated.

Fire escaped containment lines early the afternoon of 8/16/08 and made a very large run to the north. All ground forces have been disengaged for safety reasons. White spike camp (located on the northwest side of the fire) was burned over and has been emptied, all personnel have been safely relocated.

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Situation as of 08/15/08 8:00 PM
Total Personnel: 392
Size: Size: 299 acres
Percent Contained: 50%

Costs to Date: not reported, est $2.4 million

There is a Red Flag Warning for dry and unstable conditions through Saturday. Should constructed fire line be compromised there is potential for significant growth. The large numbers of snags requiring mitigation before line can be safely built is significantly slowing forward progress, as is the deep layer of dry duff that is now being encountered.

Retardant was utilized 8/15/08 to assist in maintaining control of the northern fire line.

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Situation as of 08/14/08 5:00 PM
Total Personnel: 401
Size: Size: 296 acres
Percent Contained: 50%

Costs to Date: not reported, est $1.8 million

The fire is burning in the Mount Hood Wilderness in steep, rugged terrain. There is a heavy dead and down timber component and limited access for ground crews. It is a 3 hour walk one way into the fire perimeter. Ten crews are in two spike camps. Helicopters are used to provide logistical support for the spike camps.

Crews continue to make good progress in constructing containment lines around the fire perimeter. Helicopters are being used for bucket drops on spots outside the constructed fireline to hold them until ground crews can build containment lines around them.

The Carson Type 1 helicopter will not work 8/15/08 to allow personnel to attend memorial services for firefighters recently killed in California.

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Situation as of 08/13/08 4:00 PM
Total Personnel: 414
Size: Size: 270 acres
Percent Contained: 37%

Costs to Date: $1,400,000

Est date of containment: 08/17/2008

A second spike camp within the wilderness, supporting two crews is established to support firefighting activities. The area of public closure remains in effect. Additional felling crews are being utilized in preparation of line construction.

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Situation as of 08/12/08 4:30 PM
Total Personnel: 393
Size: Size: 270 acres (not updated)
Percent Contained: 30%

Costs to Date: $1,000,000

Spike Camp has been established within the wilderness boundary to support firefighting activities. Scouting has taken place for the possibility of an additional spike camp. The area of public closure remains in effect.

[No, no no. Build the damn line, Carl!!! This is not a wienie roast, it is a forest fire. Your job is to contain and control it, not have a campout. It is only 270 acres, according to you. 300 people could have lined it already. Do not delay and dawdle, farting around while my forest incinerates. - Ed]

Continue with intelligence gathering on the fire perimeter looking for opportunities to contine perimeter lines and venues for resupply.

[What??? The whole damn place has trails. Everybody knows where everything is and have for 100 years!!!! It is not a mystery. Mt. Hood has been mapped and remapped and combed over since the 1800’s. Your team was right there 2 years ago. Stop acting stupid. - Ed]

Using wilderness MIST tactics, continue containment lines. Using aviation resources provide logistical support to the spike camp and firefighting activities. Continue to provide access for structure protection resources to address needs at Cloud Cap histirical [sic]

[The fire is not near Cloud Cap and should NEVER get there. Use the aircraft for bucketing water on the fire. It should have been contained by now. Put the damn fire out, Carl. Stop playing incineration games. Fork MIST. Put the fire out. - Ed]

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Situation as of 08/11/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 335
Size: Size: 270 acres
Percent Contained: 22%

Costs to Date: $600,000

Spike camp has been established within the wilderness boundary to support fire fighting activities. The area of public closure remains in effect.

Isolated individual torching with some running and spotting fire. Continue with intelligence gathering on the fire perimeter looking for opportunities to continue containment lines. Using wilderness MIST tactics; aviation resources to provide logistical support to the spike camp and firefighting activities. Continue structure protection efforts on the Cloud Cap historical structures and Tilly Jane campground.

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Situation as of 08/10/08 3:00 PM
Total Personnel: 194
Size: Size: 150 acres (not updated)
Percent Contained: 0% (not updated)

A relatively large area closure was put into place today for the safety of firefighters and the public.

Northwest Oregon IMT (West) assigned 0600 hours 8/10/2008. Base camp at Mount Hood Meadows ski area. Structure protection on the Cloud Cap historic structures and Tilly Jane campground area. Using wilderness MIST tactics, aviation resources. Several washed out stream crossings on access trails are being reestablished to allow firefighing crew walking access.

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Situation as of 08/09/08 6:00 PM
Total Personnel: not reported
Size: Size: 150 acres
Percent Contained: 0%

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Situation as of 08/08/08 5:30 PM
Total Personnel: not reported
Size: Size: 80 acres
Percent Contained: 0%

Steep, heavily wooded terrain. Close to Blueridge Fire (2006). Heavy smoke visible in HR Valley. W winds 15 to 25 mph.