Single Publication

Resources: 348 Total Personnel | 6 Hand Crews | 8 Engines | 2 Heavy Equipment | 9 Water Tenders | 1 Fixed-Wing Aircraft | 2 Helicopters

(Dufur, OR) The Boulder Fire started on July 8 near Boulder Lake Trailhead 26 miles southwest of Dufur in the Mt. Hood National Forest Barlow Ranger District. The fire has been burning in dead and down woody material located in steep, rugged, alpine-like terrain. An estimated 233 acres have burned. Firefighters have completed mop-up and, as of this morning, containment has increased to 100%. Fire managers are releasing resources to right-size the team. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. The temporary flight restriction over the fire has been lifted.

By the end of shift yesterday, firefighters had finished mop-up. Mop-up is the process of ensuring that the fire will not spread beyond existing containment lines, and it is very labor and time intensive. On the Boulder Fire this work has been especially challenging at the southern edge where the vegetation is very thick and dense. Firefighters have gridded the ground to systematically seek out and extinguish any remaining heat. When heat has been found, crews have used hand tools and water to ensure that the ground remains cool and free of flammable materials.  Multiple heat-detecting flights have found no hot spots.

Also on Tuesday, one of the helicopters assigned to the Boulder Fire was reassigned to the growing Flat Fire in southwestern Oregon and many of the hotshot crews on the incident have been demobilized.

On Wednesday, the temporary helibase at Pine Hollow is closing and aviation resources will be consolidated at Dallesport. Crews will patrol the fire to watch for any new hot spots, work on repairing damage caused by suppression activities to roads and continue backhauling equipment. Firefighters are moving resources out of the Rock Creek OHV area.   
Weather: Today is forecast to be the hottest and driest day of the week with temperature in the high 80’s and relative humidity in the low 20’s at mid-day. Light winds out of the east are expected.

Closures and Restrictions: Many of the roadways, campgrounds and trails north and east of Forest Road 48 in the Barlow Ranger District are closed during the Boulder Fire.  Due to the high fire danger, open fire and target shooting restrictions have been implemented.  For more information or to view the full closure order, visit the Forest webpage at www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/mthood/alerts-notices.   

Evacuations: Boulder Lake Campground, Little Boulder Lake, Bonney Meadows Campground, Badger Lake Campground, Camp Windy and Port Camp Campground are under a Level 3 – Go Now evacuation. Evacuations levels are Level 1 – Be Ready to Evacuate, Level 2 – Be Set to Evacuate, and Level 3 – Go Now.  More information is available from the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office at www.facebook.com/WascoCountySheriff

Public Safety: Firefighters and heavy equipment continue to work on and around the area roadways, including Forest Road 48. Drivers can help keep everyone safe by avoiding these areas.

Smoke: Currently, there are no significant smoke impacts from the Boulder Fire. For air quality updates, visit www.oregonsmoke.org or www.airnow.gov