TROY — A Level 2 evacuation warning remains in effect for a portion of northern Wallowa County, as the Cougar Creek Fire burning just north of the Grande Ronde River in Washington continues to grow.

A Level 2 (“set”) warning means that residents in the affected area should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice.

The Level 2 warning includes all of Grouse Flat from Bear Creek Road north to the state and Garfield County, Washington, lines to the Grande Ronde River, according to an update on the fire issued Tuesday morning, July 23 by the Northwest Incident Management Team. Level 2 warnings also are in place in Garfield and Asotine counties in Washington.

The fire, burning northeast of Troy, now is at 10,766 acres and 23% contained, up about 2,000 acres from Monday. In all, 459 firefighters in 11 hand crews are on the scene along with 39 engines and six water tenders.

The fire has yet to cross the Grande Ronde River, the Garfield County Sheriff’s Office said Monday.

A total of 31,722 gallons of fire retardant was dropped on the blaze Monday.

The fire continues to move to the southwest and east, according to the update, and recent operations have focused on the southwest and northeast edges of the fire. 

Decommissioned roads are being explored to determine which ones will have the highest probability to work as fire breaks, and those roads will be reopened and reinforced. Those roads will be reopened and reinforced.

In areas where it is currently unsafe for firefighters to directly engage, such as the northwest corner, the fire is expected to continue to grow into the Umatilla National Forest. Fire managers are planning containment lines that take advantage of natural barriers and existing roads.

Exceptionally dry and hot conditions along with steep terrain make it challenging for fire crews to directly engage the fire in some areas. 

Temperatures are expected to cool a few degrees on Tuesday, but the relative humidity will dip back into the mid-teens.

Winds are expected to continue out of the east-northeast at the ridge tops with terrain-driven winds below that. Fuels are exceptionally dry, increasing potential for fire growth.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined. One residence has been destroyed, and 153 remained threatened, according to the Northwest Interagency Coordination Center. Three minor structures have been destroyed and five damaged, with 409 still threatened, the center said.

The Wallowa County Board of Commissioners closed the Grand Ronde River Road on July 17 from Troy to the state line and the junction with Washington Highway 129. The road remains closed.