Fire report: Weather change could make fire season worse

Portland, Ore. – Although recent cool and rainy conditions have moderated fire activity in the Northwest, the fire season is continuing with a change in the weather pattern, according to the U.S. Fire Service. Light easterly winds are expected later this week with hotter and drier conditions expected across Oregon and Washington.

East wind events are common this time of year, the Forest Service wrote. It often begins in late August, lasts until September, and even occurs in October in some years. East winds produce strong, dry winds west of the Cascades. They increase the likelihood of wildfires and rapid growth of existing fires; However, the intensity and duration of easterly winds varies greatly.

Most of the area is already experiencing moderate to severe drought, the Forest Service statement said. Fire managers expect higher than normal numbers of energy release components through Monday. This basically means that as fuel begins to dry out, fires are likely to burn at a higher intensity.

Overall, fire managers expect to see an increase in fire danger through early next week across much of the region. This means new wildfires may be difficult to contain until the weather moderates again. Existing fires that have shown little growth and smoke over the past week may also become more active.

The Cowlitz Complex fire in the Gifford Pinchot National Forest between Mount Rainier and the Columbia River remained 21% under control Thursday at 672 acres, according to the Forest Service. A total of 328 personnel were working in firefighting. Costs were estimated at $10 million.

These fires were also burning Thursday, according to data from the National Interagency Fire Center:

Rose slope: This fire about 8 miles north of Selah was 60% contained to 200 acres on Thursday. Costs were estimated at $1.5 million. It was discovered on September 12.

South slope: This fire was discovered Sept. 12 about 6 miles north of Selah, and was 60% contained to 400 acres on Thursday. Costs were estimated at $1.5 million.

Diamond Mountain: This fire was discovered about 25 miles south of Port Angeles on Sept. 1 and spread to 30 acres on Thursday. The cause was determined to be normal. It was not contained and its costs were estimated at $10,000.

Low division: This fire was discovered in the Olympic National Forest on September 1 and reached 60 acres on Thursday. It was not contained and its costs were estimated at $125,000. The cause was determined to be normal.

Lake Martin: This fire was discovered in the Olympic National Forest on September 1 and was at 30 acres on Thursday. It was not contained and its costs were estimated at $50,000.

Eagle point: This fire was discovered Aug. 29 about 12 miles south of Port Angeles, and remained at 85 acres Thursday. It has not yet been contained and its costs have been estimated at $100,000.

Oregon State Road: This fire was discovered Aug. 18 about 31 miles north of Spokane, and was still 99% contained at 10,817 acres on Thursday. Costs are estimated at $14.2 million.

Salmo Basin: That fire, which occurred on the Canadian border 55 miles north of Newport, reached 75 acres on Thursday. The fire was discovered on July 30. Containment information was not available. Costs are estimated at $500,000.

Blue lake: This fire about 53 miles west of Omak was 80% contained Thursday at 1,075 acres. Costs were estimated at $5 million. It was discovered on July 29.

Shout: This fire was discovered Sept. 1 about 14 miles southeast of Kennewick on the Columbia River and has burned 1,582 acres. It was 100% contained on Thursday and costs were estimated at $100,000.

Sourdough: The Ross Lake National Recreation Area fire in the North Cascades has been burning since July 29 and was 30% contained Thursday at 6,234 acres. Costs are estimated at $24 million.

Dome top: This fire, located northeast of the Mount Baker National Forest, remains out of control as of Thursday and is at 1,076 acres. The fire was reported on July 29. Costs were estimated at $100,000.

Lake Whatcom: Discovered on August 28 about 9 miles southeast of Bellingham, this fire was 100% contained to 40 acres on Thursday. Costs were estimated at $850,000.

Kennedy Creek: That fire was discovered Aug. 18 in the mountains above Lake Chelan about 75 miles northwest of Wenatchee, and was still at 197 acres Thursday. It was not contained and its costs were estimated at $90,000.

Plane lake: This fire about 53 miles northwest of Wenatchee remained at 5,160 acres Thursday and had an estimated cost of $500,000. It has been reported as uncontained and no cause has been determined. It was discovered on July 7.

Chocolate Creek: This fire about 58 miles northwest of Wenatchee was not contained Thursday to 15 acres. Costs were estimated at $90,000.

ashen: It was discovered Aug. 18 about 17 miles west of Spokane, and was 99% contained across 10,085 acres on Thursday. The cause of the fire was determined to be human activity and its costs were estimated at $10.4 million.

serrated: 300 acres burned about 8 miles southeast of Kennewick. The fire was discovered on August 17. It was 100% contained on Thursday at an estimated cost of $350,000.

Consular incident: About 475 acres burned near the Idaho border east of Little Oreille National Wildlife Refuge. The fire cost about $12 million and was 100% contained Thursday. The authorities stated that the cause of the fire was natural.

Several other fires were reported across the state but burned less than 10 acres and are not included in this report. The majority are less than 1 acre.

Joel Martin can be reached via email at jmartin@columbiabasinherald.com.