Single Publication

Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires
September 3, 2022
Daily Update – 8:00 AM

Highlights: Pacific Northwest Team 2 assumed command of the Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires (Sturgill, Nebo, and Goat Mountain) at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 3.

Double Creek Fire: 3,843 acres | 0% contained | 192 personnel assigned
The lightning caused Double Creek Fire is a full suppression fire, and the protection of lives and property are the primary objectives of this incident. Firefighters will minimize fire spread to the north and west of the Double Creek Fire to prevent adverse impacts to values along the Imnaha River and the community of Imnaha. Overnight, the Double Creek Fire moved into Adams and Double Creek drainages. There was also additional growth in the Granny Creek drainage towards Freezeout Road. Today, firefighters will continue to focus on providing structure protection along the Imnaha River and Freezeout Roads. They are also working to keep the fire east of the Upper Imnaha Road and will improve dozer lines on the west side of the fire. On the north side and west sides of the fire, firefighters will be scouting ridges to identify control features and keep the fire out of Hells Canyon. Aircraft will assist firefighters on the ground, as conditions allow, to minimize the spread of the fire.

Weather: Temperatures will be in the 70s on ridgetops and 80s on the lower elevations with relative humidity values of 15-20 percent on the ridges and 8-14 percent in the drainages. South winds will be 10-20 mph on ridges and 7-14 mph on the lower slopes. There is a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Temperatures will cool to the mid-50s in the evening with relative humidity values of 50%.

Smoke: An Air Resource Advisor has been ordered to assist in the development of localized smoke forecast outlooks. The smoke forest outlooks, when available, will be posted to the Smoke Forecast Outlooks website and on InciWeb. Air quality information is also available on the PurpleAir website.

Evacuations: There are current evacuations in place for the Double Creek Fire. Hat Point and Freezeout Roads are under a Level 3 “Go Now” evacuation. The Hat Point Road is also closed due to the fire activity. Imnaha River Road, from Rippleton Creek to the Imnaha Grange is under a Level 2 “Get Set” evacuation. Imnaha River Road, from the town of Imnaha to Rippleton Creek and from the Imnaha Grange to the Pallette Ranch including Imnaha River Woods is under a Level 1 “Be Ready” evacuation. 

Closures: There are currently trail and road closures in effect for the Double Creek Fire as well as the Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires. Closure Orders and Maps are available on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest Fire Incident Updates page. Wallowa County issued an Order to restrict use by the general public of the Upper Imnaha Road from Imnaha to the junction of Upper Imnaha Road and Forest Service Road 39.

Air Space: Several Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs) have been issued for areas surrounding the Double Creek and Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires. NOTAM 2/0826 and NOTAM 2/0849 have been issued to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft. Do not operate drones near wildfires. If public drones are flying in areas of wildfire activity, tactical firefighting aircraft will be grounded.

Restrictions: Forest Order # 06-16-00-22-04 covers Phase B Fire Restrictions for all National Forest System Lands within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, except for the area within a ¼ mile of the Snake River between Hells Canyon Dam, River Mile 247.5, downstream to the Oregon-Washington border at Snake River Mile 176.0, which is regulated by Forest Order #06-16-04-22-01.

Fire Information:
Office Hours: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Phone: 541-216-4579
Email: 2022.doublecreek@firenet.gov
Double Creek Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8366/
Double Creek Fire Facebook: www.facebook.com/doublecreekfire2022
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbA2Wt0syaYv4Vh4g9_Ungg