Information updated: Friday, July 26, 10:00 a.m.
INCIDENT: The Desert Canyon Fire started on Tuesday July 23, 2019 at 2323.
The Southeast Washington Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the Desert Canyon Fire at 2200 on Wednesday July 24th. Leonard Johnson is the Incident Commander. Working with the Douglas County Sheriff the areas with evacuation levels have been dropped to a level one. The road at Brown’s Canyon is still officially closed due to the amount of large trucks and crews actively working near the road.
OVERNIGHT : Crews monitored and patrolled the fire through the night. It was determined that some personnel could be released so they could get some rest and be released from the fire later today. There were not any flare ups or added growth to the fire.
TODAY :Crews will be patrolling and extinguishing any remaining hot spots left that could heat up with the forecasted weather event.They will be working on getting depth of the line around the fire.
SUMMARY: The fire is estimated at 1467 acres. The change is due to better mapping. Bonneville Power restored power to the previously shut down transmission lines around 2000 hours. Working with Douglas County Sheriff’s Department, all previous evacuations are now at a Level 1.
A big concern today is the new weather from The National Weather Service. Gusty winds are in the forecast for this area and lower relative humidity. We could see wind gusts up to 30 mph at times. For more info, go to this link: https://www.weather.gov/pdt/
Story Updated 7/25/19: 9:00 p.m.
INCIDENT: The Desert Canyon Fire started on Tuesday July 23, 2019 at 2323.
The Southeast Washington Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the Desert Canyon Fire at 2200 on Wednesday July 24th. Leonard Johnson is the Incident Commander.
TODAY : Crews continued lining the perimeter of the fire, and mopping up interior hot spots. There was no new growth in the fire today.
TONIGHT: Night shift will continue to patrol and monitor hot spots while reinforcing containment lines.
SUMMARY: The fire is estimated at 1467 acres. The change is due to better mapping. Bonneville Power will restore power to the previously shut down transmission lines around 2000 hours. Level 3 evacuations for 2 homes in the Browns Canyon Road area will be downgraded to a level 2 and Level 1 for a dozen homes in the area of Auvil Fruit will remain in effect.
A big concern now is the new weather for Friday July 26th from The National Weather Service. Gusty winds are in the forecast for this area and lower relative humidity. We could see wind gusts up to 30 mph at times. For more info, go to this link: www.noaa.gov .
Story Updated 7/25/19: 10:30 a.m.
INCIDENT: The Desert Canyon Fire started on Tuesday July 23, 2019 at 2323.
The Southeast Washington Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the Desert Canyon Fire at 2200 on Wednesday July 24th. Leonard Johnson is the Incident Commander.
OVERNIGHT: Crews made good progress overnight, conducting burnouts to secure the perimeter of the fire.
Today: More resources arrived overnight and are heading to the fire line. Crews will be operating in steep terrain as they work to improve containment lines. Approximately 200 firefighters are expected to be on the fire today.
SUMMARY: The fire is estimated at 1000 acres and moved Northeast along Browns Canyon Road last night. Bonneville Power has shut off transmission lines within the fire perimeter. Level 3 evacuations for 2 homes in the Browns Canyon Road area and Level 1 for a dozen homes in the area of Auvil Fruit remain in effect.
Story Updated 7/25/19: 5:00 a.m.: Fire Grows to approximately 1,000 acres
Southeast Washington Type3 Incident management team- Team 2 has assumed command of the Desert Canyon Fire.
The Southeast Washington Interagency Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the fire at 2200 on Wednesday July 24st. Leonard Johnson is the Incident Commander.
Today (Thursday): Level 3 evacuations for 2 homes in the Browns Canyon Road area and Level 1 for a dozen homes in the area of Auvil Fruit.
SUMMARY: The fire is currently estimated at approximately 1000 acres and moving Northeast towards Browns Canyon Road. Bonneville Power has shut off transmission lines within the fire perimeter.
Information released by Douglas County Sheriff’s Office, Sy Stepanov photo
Story Updated 7/24/19: 4:30 p.m. The Desert Canyon Fire has grown to approximately 500 acres, moving NE upriver towards Brown’s Canyon. There are two residences under Level 3 evacuation notices and Level 1 evacuation notices are in place for the Auvil area. Douglas County Sheriff’s Office Deputies are in place to make the evacuation notices.
Original Story 7/24/19: Noon — Air support has been called in to help battle an approximate 350 acre-fire, ignited by last night’s lightning storm, which is burning in the Brown’s Canyon Road area near Orondo.
The fire is being referred to as the Desert Canyon Fire. Brown’s Canyon Road has been closed. Motorists are asked to be aware of fire activity and to avoid the area if possible.
One residence has been placed on a level 3 (get out now) evacuation notice and another is on level 1 evacuation status.
