Single Publication

Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, Goat Mountain Two Fires
September 7, 2022
Daily Update – 8:00 AM

Community Meeting: There will be a community meeting to discuss the Double Creek, Sturgill, Nebo, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires on Thursday, September 8 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Joseph Event Center (102 E First, Joseph, OR) and will also be streamed live on Facebook.

Highlights: Higher temperatures, steady winds, and very low relative humidity created critical fire weather conditions yesterday. There was active fire growth on all fires. Critical weather conditions will continue through today and we anticipate another day of active fire growth. Firefighters are actively protecting structures and values immediately threatened by fire and continue to prepare structure that could be threatened as the fire continue to spread.

Eagle Cap Wilderness Fires
There are three lightning caused fires within the Eagle Cap Wilderness. The Nebo, Sturgill, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires are active and being managed to protect public and private infrastructure, while playing a natural role within designated Wilderness.

Sturgill Fire: 16,914 acres | 0% contained | 103 personnel assigned The fire was very active yesterday and continued to back downslope on the east side of the Minam River and back downslope toward Bear Creek on the eastern side of the fire. Wildland Fire Modules (WFMs), Smokejumpers, and OSFM task forces expect to complete preparation for structure protection of private inholdings along the Minam River. Fire resources have begun constructing a shaded fuel break between Lostine and Bear Creek to prevent fire growth to the north.

Weather: A Red Flag Warning continues to be in effect until 8:00 p.m. A cold front is expected to pass over the fire area midday today causing the wind direction to switch to a west-northwest wind. There will be a chance for showers and thunderstorms after the font passes which will produce little rain along and erratic, gusty winds; potentially more than 50 mph. These critical fire weather conditions have the potential to produce rapid fire growth and extreme fire behavior.

Smoke: Current air quality information for the local area is available on the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality - Air Quality Monitoring website and PurpleAir website.

Evacuations: A Level 3 “Go Now” is in effect for the Town of Imnaha north to Fence Creek (including lands east to Lightning Creek) and south to Grouse Creek. A Level 2 “Get Set” is in effect for Lostine River Road from Fir Road to Two Pan (including all campgrounds and trailheas), Upper Imnaha from Grouse Creek to Pallete Ranch, and areas around Dug Bar Road north of Fence Creek. A Level 1 “Be Ready” is in effect for Lostine River Road from Highway 82 to Fir Road and for Upper Imnaha Road from Pallette Ranch to Wallowa Mountain Road (FSR 39).  

Closures: The Wallowa Whitman National Forest issued Temporary Area Closures for the Double Creek Fire, Nebo Fire, and Sturgill Fire (includes Goat Mountain 2 Fire) on Monday. Closure Orders and Maps are available on the Wallowa Whitman National Forest Fire Incident Updates page. The Wallowa County Sheriff's Office has closed several roads associated with evacuation orders. The Upper Imnaha Road, Hat Point Road, and Wallowa Mountain Loop Road (Forest Service Road 39) are closed. Wallowa Mountain Loop Road (FSR 39) is closed from Target Springs Junction to Ollokot Campground including the Canal Road (FSR 3920), and Lick Creek Rd (FSR 3925).  

Airspace: Airspace restrictions have been issued for the Double Creek, Nebo, Sturgill, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires. New Temporary Flight Restrictions were issued for the Double Creek Fire (TFR 2/2527) and the Sturgill Fire (TFR 2/304) to provide a safe environment for firefighting aircraft operations over the fires. Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) 08/234 and NOTAM 08/235 were issued to provide safe airspace for the Nebo, Sturgill, and Goat Mountain 2 Fires. Flight restrictions also apply to drones. Drones flying in areas of wildfire activity will cause firefighting aircraft to 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

Sturgill Fire InciWeb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8364/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SturgillNemoGoatMountain2Fires
YouTube: https://tinyurl.com/Eagle-Cap-Wilderness-Fires