InciWeb Articles WA

Hart Fire Update 8/23/2016 2:00 p.m. PT Fire Information: (509) 542-7928 Location-The Hart Fire is located 13 miles north of Davenport, WA and south of the Spokane River. At 0600 today, Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 7 took over management of the Hart Fire. The Incident Command Post is located at the Davenport Middle School. Yesterday’s Operations – Last night firefighters conducted burnout operations with the objective of strengthening the fire line. Today’s Operations – Today, crews will continue construction of direct and indirect fireline, scouting for potential contingency lines, and securing firelines around structures. Additional crews and equipment have been ordered to assist with the efforts. Weather and Fire Behavior – Temperatures will be in the low 80s today, with light winds out of the northwest, which should aid firefighters in construction of fireline and protection of structures. Evacuations and Closures- The entire fire area...

Local community members have been very generous and have showed their appreciation to firefighters by offering food and other supplies for the firefighters use. Firefighters are thankful for the large outpouring of support from the community. This show of support truly helps firefighter morale as they continue their arduous work fighting the fire. However, firefighters are well cared for due to pre-season agreements with caterers, and other vendors who supply showers, and other needed equipment. Firefighters are asking members of the local community to consider helping their neighbors instead by donating to a local charity of their choice or to a local food bank. If so inclined, yard signs expressing thanks to firefighters are always greatly appreciated by firefighters. Firefighters thank the community for its strong

CONTACT: District Ranger Jeff Rivera Paul Laak, Fire Information 509-548-2558/ 509-679-9294 cell Cary Stock, Fire Management Officer 509-548-2581/ 509-679-9294 cell DATE — August 23, 2016 9:00 am Forest health benefits continue: weather slows new growth on Buck Creek Fire Leavenworth, WA – For several days warmer, drier conditions have aided new, healthy fire spread in old growth areas of the Glacier Peak Wilderness. As forest restoration occurs, smoke has been and will likely continue to be noticeable in local communities including Leavenworth, Chelan, and Wenatchee especially during the morning hours in adjacent valleys. Today, fire managers anticipate cooler, more humid conditions to moderate fire growth. “The fire is continuing to grow, but not as quickly,” said Incident Commander, Dave Nalle. “However, we are continuing to actively prepare for future growth as this fire helps restore the forest.” Operations continue to focus on providing for...

Northwest Incident Management Team 11 Nathan Rabe – Incident Commander Gary Jennings – Deputy Incident Commander Bruce Holloway – Deputy Incident Commander Fire Information: (509) 477-2780 Email: spokanecomplexfires@gmail.com Website: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4978/# Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Spokane-Complex-Fires-654661321356517/ Tuesday, August 23, 2016, 9:00 am Governor Jay Inslee will arrive in Spokane to meet with fire officials this morning to assess the fire situation. Yale Fire Last night, the fire did not significantly spread beyond the area of its initial growth on Sunday. Today on the Yale Fire, firefighters continue to be challenged by active fire burning in timbered draws. Locations where the draws meet agriculture lands present challenges to the fire suppression efforts. Wildland fire suppression tactics are also more complex in the urban interface where wildland meets urban development. Hand crews, engine crews, and dozers continue...

Tuesday, August 23, 2016, 9:00 am Senator Patty Murray will arrive at Spokane Complex Incident Command Post at 12:00 noon to be briefed by fire officials regarding the fire situation. The Incident Command Post is located at the Spokane County Fairgrounds, 404 N.

Incident Summary: The Deep North Fire is currently burning approximately eight miles southeast of the town of Northport, Washington, on the hillsides above Deep Lake in Stevens County. The fire was reported to have started at approximately 2:30 pm on August 21, 2016. The fire is burning in heavy brush and Douglas fir tree stands. The fire has been challenging for fire resources due to steep terrain and limited accessibility to the fire lines. Bodie Fire: This fire started on August 18, at approximately 4:00 pm near Bodie Mountain about six miles east of Deep Lake. It is burning on Hancock Timber Resource Group lands. The fire is estimated at 41 acres and has been fully lined. It is roughly 75% contained and crews continue to secure the line. Planned Actions Today: Public and firefighter safety will continue to be the top priority. State Mobilization engines will help to secure and protect the homes near Deep Lake. Firefighters will build direct and indirect firelines around...

Governor Jay Inslee will be briefed by fire officials managing the Spokane Complex on Tuesday morning, August 22. The Governor is scheduled to arrive in Spokane between 9:00 and 10:00

Olympic National Park Fire Update Monday, August 22, 2016 – 5:00 pm Eight-Mile Section of Elwha River Trail Closed for public safety Park officials and fire managers closed an approximately eight-mile section of the Elwha River Trailat 3:30pm Monday afternoon, to provide for public safety in the vicinity of two wilderness fires. The trail will be closed from the Hayes River Ranger Station south to Chicago Camp. The trail remains open from Hayes River north to the Whiskey Bend Trailhead and from Chicago Camp south. Fire crews reported three new spot fires on Monday afternoon from the Godkin Fire in the Elwha River valley. Two of the spot fires were approximately one-tenth of an acre, and one was reported even smaller, at approximately 30 feet by 30 feet in size. Camp Wilder shelter is approximately 100 yards north of one of the spot fires. Water drops from helicopters are being used to cool the fire spots. Wilderness permit holders for that area will be apprised on the...

A weather pattern shift on Sunday changed fire activity. Both the Hayes and Godkin wilderness fires within the Olympic National Park experienced moderate growth Sunday. Sunday evening, gusty winds blew embers from the Godkin Fire onto vegetation on a river bar of the Elwha River. Monitoring crews located a small patch of fire away from the main fire. The spot fire was estimated at 30 by 30 feet, and is approximately a quarter-mile south of Wilder Camp. Fire managers quickly reassessed the situation and determined the potential threat to resources of value called for a change in strategy on this fire. Crews who found the spot were directed to take suppression actions due to the new threat to park structures. Their work successfully limited the spread overnight, and Monday morning a helicopter will deliver a pump and hoses so they can fully suppress the small spot. Fire managers observed the Hayes Fire spreading primarily south and east. Crews monitoring this fire reported...

CONTACT: District Ranger Jeff Rivera Paul Laak, Fire Information 509-548-2558/ 509-679-9294 Cary Stock, Fire Management Officer 509-548-2581/ 509-679-9294 cell DATE — August 21, 2016 1:00 pm Buck Creek Fire growth minimal, smoke more noticeable NOTICE: Fire closures remain in effect for the Buck Creek Fire, which include the Buck Creek Trail No. 1513, Chiwawa River Trail No. 1550, Phelps Creek Trail No. 1511 and the Carne Mountain Trail No. 1508. Also closed are the Phelps Creek Campground and Forest Road 6200 immediately north of Alpine Meadows Campground. Leavenworth, WA –The Buck Creek Fire did not see substantial growth yesterday, but smoke lingering in the local valleys did make more people notice that there is an active fire in the area. A Type 3 team has come in to the Chiwawa River Valley today with a joint command being taken over by Dave Nalle from the Wenatchee River Ranger District and trainee Jon Tepley...

Lower temperatures are expected Sunday which should result in reduced fire behavior for all four fires currently burning within Olympic National Park. Fire managers are taking advantage of cooler weather to prepare for the forecast return to hot and unstable conditions later this week. Fire personnel will continue monitoring and patrolling the trails in the vicinities of the fires today, providing for human safety. Smoke from the fires will likely be visible around the peninsula and Puget Sound Region, especially in the lower Elwha River valley and other low lying valleys surrounding the park. Obstruction Point Road remains closed. Hayden Pass Trail also remains closed from Dose Meadows to the junction with the Elwha River Trail. These closures will remain in effect until fire managers determine the areas are safe to reopen. Hot and dry conditions on Saturday resulted in elevated fire activity. The Hayes fire, which is largely burning through subalpine fir, spread southeast...

Another hot and dry day with active fire is expected Saturday. The Red Flag warning was extended through Saturday evening. Saturday's forecast is for temperatures in the high 80’s to low 90’s, minimum relative humidity 19%, lighter winds from the southwest 3 to 8 mph. With these conditions fire managers are anticipating another active fire day. Helicopters will continue to drop water on the Cox Valley fire as needed, to check the spread of the fire. Monitoring and patrolling along the trails in the vicinities of the other fires will continue, providing for public and firefighter safety. Smoke generated from these fires was very visible around the Puget Sound Region Friday evening and Saturday morning. As the temperatures drop into the evening smoke will naturally settle into the lower valley bottoms surrounding the park. The lower Elwha valley including Lake Sutherland and Lake Crescent, Queets Valley, Morse Creek and the Deer Park areas and potentially the Sequim...

Effective on Saturday morning, August 20th, 2016, the Hayden Pass Trail is closed from Dose Meadows at the east to the junction with the Elwha River Trail at the west.Fire managers and wilderness rangers worked together to determine the fire is within a quarter-mile of a trail. This was a pre-determined location for when a closure would be issued for the trail.Fire crews will post the Hayden Pass Trail closed at both ends, then walk through the area to escort any hikers in that section to the open areas. Staff at the wilderness information center will contact anyone with backcountry permits that included that portion of trail, to inform them of the closure.This decision supports the commitment to firefighter and public safety in the management of the

Effective on Saturday morning, August 20th, 2016, the Hayden Pass Trail is closed from Dose Meadows at the east to the junction with the Elwha River Trail at the west. Fire managers and wilderness rangers worked together to determine the fire is within a quarter-mile of the trail. This was a pre-determined location for when a closure would be issued for the trail. Fire crews will post the Hayden Pass Trail closed at both ends, then walk through the area to escort any hikers in that section to the open areas. Staff at the wilderness information center will contact anyone with backcountry permits that included that portion of trail, to inform them of the closure.This decision supports the commitment to firefighter and public safety in the management of the

Fire growth is expected on Friday and Saturday on the fires in the Olympic National Park wilderness. A Red Flag Warning is in effect until midnight Friday. Friday’s forecast is for temperatures in the high 80’s, relative humidity 15% to 20%, and northeast to easts winds 6 to 12 mph, with a moderate level of atmospheric instability. These conditions indicate of the potential for rapid fire growth, especially in the afternoon to late evening.Water drops by helicopters may be strategically directed on the Cox Valley Fire to help confine the fire to the north of Obstruction Point Road. Fire crews in the wilderness are closely monitoring the Godkin Fire and will share fire status information with hikers along the Elwha River trail who may be concerned about the smell of smoke. Fire activity increased Thursday The Cox Valley Fire grew Thursday afternoon as temperatures climbed and relative humidity dropped sharply. The combination of weather conditions and steep slopes contributed to...

Fire activity increased on the Cox Valley Fire today. At 3:45pm, fire managers and park rangers decided to temporarily close the Obstruction Point Road due to smoke affecting visibility. Travelers are restricted from heading into Obstruction Point Road. Visitors who are parked at the trailhead will be escorted out the road by park rangers and fire crews. The Incident Commander is conducting aerial observations of the fires within Olympic National Park, including the Cox Valley Fire. Safety for personnel and visitors is the top priority for park and incident managers. The National Weather Service upgraded the Fire Weather Watch to a Red Flag Warning for all of the Olympic National Park through Friday night at midnight. When fire activity changes, updates are posted to the Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest Fire Information Facebook page first. You do not need a Facebook account to view this page. Photos, maps, and updates are also available on the Inciweb page. ...

Cox Valley Fire smoke remains visible from Hurricane Ridge Road Fire activity moderated Wednesday afternoon, and much less smoke was visible to visitors traveling Hurricane Ridge Road. The Godkin Fire was active only along the southern perimeter with little smoke being produced Wednesday, and little to no smoke visible from the Hayes or Ignar Creek Fires based upon aerial observations from park fire managers. Fire activity is expected to increase the next few days as hot and dry weather conditions continue over the area. This morning a fire manager flew over the Cox Valley Fire to assess conditions and reported a noticeable increase in smoke. He verified that the current portion burning is still a small area at the bottom of the fire. The amount of smoke produced by these fires is not necessarily an indication of rapid fire growth. Even small fires within the park produce larger amounts of smoke due to the extreme quantities of burnable material such as logs, sticks, and deep...

Cox Valley Fire smoke visible from Hurricane Ridge Road again Fire activity increased Tuesday afternoon, and wildfire smoke was obvious to visitors traveling Hurricane Ridge Road. Although there was significantly more smoke than the last two weeks, only a small area was actively burning as shown in the photo to the right. The burning trees are surrounded by moist meadows, which naturally slow or can stop fire movement. The Godkin Fire also burned actively in two locations, based on observations from park staff. Very little smoke was visible from the Hayes or Ignar Creek Fires.Fire monitoring personnel heading into wilderness today Six fire personnel were briefed this morning on monitoring protocols for the Godkin and Hayes Fires. They will be transported to the Hayes River ranger station and will establish lookout points to monitor the Hayes and Godkin Fires. Their role is to provide fire activity updates and take hourly weather readings. If fire activity escalates in the next few...

Wilderness fires still quiet Monday afternoon On Monday afternoon, an Olympic National Park fire manager flew over the park to check the status of the four lightning-caused fires in the Olympic National Park wilderness. On each fire, only one source of smoke was observed. None of the fires have grown since July 31. Smoke from the Cox Valley Fire is intermittently visible from portions of Hurricane Ridge Road. Photos from the observation flight are on the photos tab on this Inciweb site, as well as on the Olympic National Park - Olympic National Forest Fire Information Facebook page. Preparing for increased smoke and fire activity The National Weather Service forecast indicates that increased fire activity is likely on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday due to the combination of dry fuels, hot temperatures, low relative humidity, and moderate breezes.In preparation, fire managers have ordered more resources. Additional staff and equipment will arrive today and transition to more...

Olympic National Park Fire Update Friday, August 12, 2016 Only a few smokes visible on Thursday from four wilderness fires On the afternoon of Thursday, August 11, an Olympic National Park fire manager flew over the four wilderness fires to monitor their condition after nearly a week of cloud-covered skies. During the flight, no smoke was observed from the Cox Valley Fire or the Ignar Creek Fire. Only two sources of smoke were visible on the Godkin Fire. On the Hayes Fire, four isolated sources of smoke were identified. All four fires were ignited by lightning on July 21, and have had limited growth since July 31. They are all located in remote, steep, and very rugged terrain. Fire activity expected to increase with warmer weather aheadWarm, dry weather is forecast for the region through August 18, with above normal temperatures predicted through August 25. With these conditions, the vegetation will dry out from the recent rain, and increased fire activity is anticipated....