Single Publication

Newell Road Fire

Incident Commander: Kevin Stock

Fire Information Phone: 208-713-2740

Media Fire Information Phone: 208-891-7491

Email: 2023.NewellRoad@firenet.gov

Facebook: facebook.com/NewellRoadFire

Inciweb: inciweb.wildlfire.gov/newellroad

Morning Update, July 26, 2023

Estimated size: 59,858 acres

Containment: 40%

Start Date: July 21, 2023

Area of Origin: Klickitat County near Newell Road

Cause: Under Investigation

Structures Damaged: Currently being assessed

Total people assigned: 564

Engines: 48

Dozers: 9

Handcrews: 11

Water Tenders: 10

Skidgen: 3

Overhead: 126

Type 1 Helicopter: 2

Type 2 Helicopter: 2

Air Tankers: As Needed

Thank You to the community members and speakers who attended last night’s Newell Road Fire Community Meeting! A recording of the meeting is available on the Newell Road Fire Facebook page.

Fire Update: Containment of the Newell Road Fire has increased to 40%. Yesterday, firefighters were able to stop forward progression of the spot fire on the east side of Dot Road. Fire personnel took advantage of the overnight conditions (lower temperatures, higher moisture levels and easing winds) to conduct firing operations that will strengthen the northern containment lines. Burnout operations are a tactic used by firefighters to eliminate fuel between the fire’s edge and containment line. Air resources, engines, handcrews and dozers supported the burnout operations.

There was a vehicle accident yesterday on the fire involving a rollover of a water tender. The driver of the water tender has been released from the hospital after receiving medical attention.

Today’s activity: Fire personnel will be working an area on the southwest corner of the fire that is continuing to burn and showing more smoke than the last couple of days. Burnout activity as needed, and mop-up will take place on the northern side of the fire, including the eastern side of Dot Road. Crews will continue to cold trail, mop-up and patrol the eastern and southern edges of the fire to ensure the wind-tested lines continue to hold.

Evacuations and Road Closures: The fire spotting over Dot Road yesterday increased evacuations levels – Bickleton residents are advised to evacuate north and east. For the latest evacuations, please see: http://www.facebook.com/klickitatDEM911

Road closures include: Roosevelt Grade Road, Old Highway 8 north to and including Dot Road.  Also closed is Rock Creek Road, Bikelton Highway between Old Mountain Road and the county line, Highway 14 is closed except for local traffic, and Hoctor Road is closed east of Oak Flat.

Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR): TFR is in place over the Newell Road Fire. Please review the Notice to airmen in its entirety.

Sheltering: The American Red Cross has a shelter established at the Goldendale Middle School 520 E. Collins Street, Goldendale, WA. Due to the spotting across Dot Road, a second shelter has opened at Grandview Middle School: 1401 W 2nd St, Grandview, WA