Wildfire
Prescribed Fire
Burned Area Response
OtherRattlesnake Fire
Unit Information
Umatilla National Forest
U.S. Forest Service
72510 Coyote Road
Pendleton, OR 97801
Incident Contact
Darcy Weseman
Email: 2020.meacham@firenet.gov
Phone: 541-278-3722
Hours: M-F 8-5
Highlighted Activity
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The Umatilla National Forest received abundant lightning on Tuesday, Aug. 18 across the Forest. The Rattlesnake Fire was reported on Aug. 19 at 10:35 a.m. It is located in the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness approximately 20 miles south of Pomeroy, Washington and a quarter mile south of Panjab campground. The fire is between two steep ridges within the 2006 Columbia Complex fire scar, in grass, brush, snags and timber with dead and down trees.
Some burning and smoldering in heavier fuels remains and some smoke is still visible in the interior as stumps and heavy fuels continue to burn out. However, fire line construction is complete and suppression repair work continues. A type 2 crew remains on the fire for a few more days.
The Northern Rockies Incident Management Team 3 turned the Rattlesnake Fire back to the local unit on Wed., Sept. 2 at 6 a.m. The Forest has implemented a temporary road, trail and area closure surrounding the Rattlesnake Fire for public safety.
Effective Wednesday, Sept. 2, FSR 47 and FSR 4620 will both be open to the Little Tucannon Bridge. FSR 47 will remain closed from the bridge up to the intersection with FSR 4712 and FSR 4713, which also both remain closed. The area closure is also still in effect for both firefighter and public safety.
Basic Information
| Current as of | |
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | Wednesday August 19th, 2020 approx. 10:35 AM |
| Location | Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness |
| Incident Commander | Umatilla National Forest |
| Coordinates | 46.185 latitude, -117.685 longitude |
Current Situation
| Size | 497 Acres |
| Percent of Perimeter Contained | 100% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Friday September 25th, 2020 approx. 12:00 AM |
| Fuels Involved | Timber with litter and grass, timber understory, and brush. |
Outlook
| Projected Incident Activity | Suppression repair and mop-up. Fire behavior is minimal, but heavier fuels within the interior are still burning and smoldering, particularly in the north east corner where crews will continue to use hose lays to cool heat near the Tucannon River. Some smoke will be visible in the interior as stumps and heavy fuels continue to burn out. |
| Remarks | Effective Wednesday, Sept. 2, FSR 47 and FSR 4620 will both be open to the Little Tucannon Bridge. FSR 47 will remain closed from the bridge up to the intersection with FSR 4712 and FSR 4713, which also both remain closed. The area closure is also still in effect for both firefighter and public safety. The public is advised to avoid the area. Although fire activity is minimal, many hazards are still present within the burn scar, including fire weakened trees, weak and unstable ground due to burnt-out stump holes, loose rocks , logs and debris and increased danger of flash floods due to lack of vegetation in the fire perimeter. |
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