TROY — The Cougar Creek Fire burning in Southeastern Washington has topped 20,000 acres, but the blaze now is 35% contained, according to an update issued Monday, Aug. 5 by fire officials.

The 20,712-acre fire, burning in a mountainous and remote area southwest of Clarkston, was first reported on July 15 and quickly prompted a closure of the Grande Ronde River Road from Troy to Boggan’s Oasis on Washington Highway 129.

That closure remains in effect, and an area of northern Wallowa County from Grouse Flat from Bear Creek north to the state border all the way to the Grande Ronde River remains under a Level 2 (“Be Set”) evacuation warning. 

The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

Precipitation and cooler temperatures have moderated fire activity, the update reported, allowing firefighters to begin work on an indirect fireline north from Saddle Butte. (Indirect lines involve building control lines some distance from the main fire edge and burning out the intervening fuel.)

Heavy equipment cleared vegetation and debris along Forest Service Road 40, while firefighters removed hazardous trees on the east side of the road. Fire crews continued to strengthen and deepen firelines north of Saddle Butte and just west of Forest Service Road 40 to prevent the fire’s entry into the wilderness.

Firefighters are scouting the ridgeline to the east of Forest Service Road 40 to assess the viability of stopping the fire on the ridge above the road.

In all, 488 personnel in eight crews are on the blaze, as are three helicopters, 32 engines, 13 water tenders and 29 pieces of heavy equipment.

Heavy and medium helicopters dropped 20,000 gallons of water Sunday on spot fires on the fire’s western flank, while firefighters continued working to secure spot fires below Forest Service Road 40. Firefighters hope to finish that work Monday.

Firefighters on the northern portion of the fire continued to hold and secure the area that was burned out Saturday night, while chippers grind activity fuels along Forest Service Road 43 to clear roadside debris.

Due to the milder weather, fire activity is expected to decrease over the next two to three days, allowing a window of opportunity for firefighters, although isolated showers and thunderstorms with dry lightning may occur in the fire vicinity on Monday.

Risks to structures in the Grouse Flat area continue to decrease as the southern flank holds firm. 

Drone activity is prohibited under the temporary flight restrictions as firefighting aircraft cannot fly with unauthorized drones present.

For more information, visit https://tinyurl.com/cougarcreek0805, the Cougar Creek Fire Facebook page or call 509-210-2928 or email 2024.cougarcreek@firenet.gov.