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Resources: 200 Total Personnel | 2 Hand Crews | 3 Engines | 0 Heavy Equipment | 4 Water Tenders | 1 Fixed-Wing Aircraft | 1 Helicopter

(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. An estimated 233 acres have burned, and the fire is 100% contained. Completion of the objectives on the Boulder Fire include suppression repair, backhauling equipment and patrolling the fire area. Fire managers continue to right-size by releasing resources as objectives are met.

Fire managers are taking great care to leave the area as safe and as close to pre-fire conditions as is feasible. Yesterday, firefighters completed another objective by finishing the backhaul process; all supplies and equipment have been returned to camp. More resources were demobilized.

The remaining firefighters will continue patrolling the fire. During the mop-up process, crews extinguished all accessible hot spots but some heat may remain deep in the fire’s center where hazards prevented firefighters from reaching some areas. Light smoke from the interior may be visible to the public. Generous fire breaks were created to contain any residual heat.

Weather: A cooling trend is expected to continue into the weekend with today’s mid-day temperature peaking in the high 70s. Relative humidity is forecast to remain low at less than 30% with westerly winds of 6 – 10 mph.   

Closures and Restrictions: Many of the roadways, campgrounds and trails north and east of Forest Road 48 in the Barlow Ranger District remain closed at this time. 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.

Investigation: The cause of the fire remains under investigation. If you have information that could assist fire investigators of the Boulder Fire, please contact: SM.FS.R6TipHotLine@usda.gov

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