Scappoose Fire Keeps Wildfire Small (Photo) -08/03/21

At 4:20 this afternoon, several calls were placed to Columbia County 911, about a fire in the brush on Scappoose Vernonia HWY near milepost 10. The fire was in a very rural area on the Western most edge of the fire district. Scappoose Vernonia HWY was shut down for several hours to allow firefighters the ability to park fire engines across the road while suppress the fire.

Scappoose Fire crews arrived in just under 12 minutes to a fire that was burning in grass and brush that was also headed into the timber. The adjacent fuels were timber and brush, but the terrain included slopes of over 20% grade. At the time of arrival, the wind gusts were 14 miles an hour, temperature was 95 degrees, humidity was 32% and the probability of ignition was 60%. The potential for rapid rate of spread was significant.

Crews were able to contain the fire by stretching fire hose using progressive techniques around the fire in 16 minutes. Despite the quick knockdown, it still took over 5 hours to “mop up” (Mop up is: Extinguishing or removing burning material near control lines, felling snags, and trenching logs to prevent rolling after an area has burned, to make a fire safe, or to reduce residual smoke [NWCG]). Crews also constructed fire lines with hand tools and chainsaws.

This fire was managed jointly using “unified command” between Scappoose fire and Oregon Department of Forestry.

The fire response was made up of Scappoose Volunteer and Career firefighters, Mist-Birkenfeld Fire, Vernonia Fire, Oregon Department of Forestry, Columbia River Fire & Rescue and Columbia County Road Department. In total, there was one structure engine, 3 water tenders, 5 brush engines, 5 chief officers, 2 ambulances and a rehab unit. 2 Fire investigators were called to the scene and at this point the fire is still under investigation. 

Over 50% of the responders were volunteer, the fire was kept to 1/3 of an acre and at the time of this posting, Scappoose Vernonia HWY is back open in both directions. 

Thank you to all who called 911 and helped us to keep this fire small. A special thanks to the individual who assisted us with a shovel before we got there. 

 

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Jeff Pricher