InciWeb Articles WA

Demon CleanersBy Grant Tucker To our brothers and sisters on the fireline From the Aussies It starts with lightning and a huge roar as heaven strikes earth with the hammer of Thor The south wind blows hard and pushes the flames across the mountains and into the plains The devil does run fast, much faster than man the firefighters work hard and do what they can The sun sets, the dew settles, the temperature drops time to surround it or it will not stop As night falls the flames die, but embers still glow like a city for one night, only firefighters will know The dawn brings a new land, a kingdom of black a vast ocean of ashes where ancient timber was stacked An air filled with smoke haze and ghosts of old logs crisscross the landscape between the bare rocks The demon has been cleaned, the fire is now gone a moment of still silence and then life goes on

Monday, September 7, 2015, PM Carpenter Road Fire – Fruitland, Washington Location: 35 miles NW of Spokane, WA; Information Center: 509-722-6010 or 509-722-6040 Incident Commander: Doug Johnson Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4549/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarpenterRoadFire Washington Smoke Information: http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ A Community Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday evening at 6:00 PM in Hunters at the Columbia School. A current update on the Carpenter Road Fire will be given and an opportunity to ask questions will be provided. Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire remains estimated at 65,068 acres and is now 85% contained. Firefighters were fully engaged on the containment lines of the Carpenter Road Fire today. Crews continued to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and moisture and finished construction of containment lines surrounding the entire fire. Firefighters patrolled for hot spots and mopped...

.On August 26, 2015, a fire raged through the dense forest on Turk Road in Fruitland, WA. An assorted team of structural fire fighters named “the Billy Goats” raced to protect the homes on the rugged narrow mountainous roads. The Billy Goats, were comprised of Pullman Fire Department, Kennewick Fire Department, Walla Walla County Fire Department #4 and Benton County Fire Department #1 and #4. While protecting Greg and Mary Howard’s home, they saw a large American flag beginning to catch fire. Quick action saved the home, but the flag was damaged beyond repair. Taking possession of the tattered flag, former Marine now Spokane Bureau of Land Management employee, Anthony Matthews, took lead of proper flag retirement and securing a new flag. Anthony was able to obtain a replacement flag from a friend and former Navy corpsman Cader Brown of Post Falls, ID. On September 2nd, the Billy Goats drove back up the rugged roads to Greg Howard’s home. A small ceremony was performed before...

A Public Meeting is planned for September 8th, 6:00 pm at the Columbia School in Hunters, WA. Please come to hear an update on firefighting operations of the Carpenter Road Fire and an opportunity to ask questions.

Kettle Falls, WA. – Pacific Northwest Team 2, the National Incident Management Team in command of the Kettle Complex, coordinated community meetings on September 5th in Orient and 6th in Malo, Washington. Residents of Malo and Orient received updates on the Kettle Complex and North Star/Tunk Block fires this weekend. The Ferry County Emergency Operation Center and Red Cross presented information about evacuations and emergency shelters. Washington Department of Natural Resources, Ferry County Conservation District, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Firewise/Ready, Set, Go, and Pacific Northwest Team 2 presented information about post-fire safety. Attendees learned about steps they can take to make homes and businesses safer from future wildfires. Resource lists are available on Facebook at KettleComplexFire, kettlecomplexfire.wordpress.com, http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4536/#, or by emailing stickpinfireinfo@gmail.com. You can watch the meetings on Youtube by...

As a result of the Okanogan Complex fires, the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest has issued an area closure order, effective Friday, September 4, 2015. The public is not allowed on federal lands, roads, and trails within the area closure. PDFs of the closure order and map are linked (right) under "related information."

Deer Creek-Boulder Creek Road opened to traffic today at 8:00 a.m. Please use caution while driving on this and other roads due to the risk of falling trees, debris in the roadway, fire vehicles, isolated smoke obscuring visibility, and wildlife on the move. The rain and cooler than normal temperatures this past weekend has aided firefighters significantly, allowing crews and bulldozers to construct direct fireline and perform mop-up operations along many parts of the fire edge. Minimal fire activity is expected for the next 48 hours in the Colville National Forest and surrounding area. The improving conditions have allowed the last British Columbia Wildfire Services firefighters to return home to Canada. Their contributions have been outstanding.While conditions have improved, there is still a risk of isolated flare-ups when fuel, topography, and weather align to promote fire spread. Ridgetops and southern exposed slopes are most at risk for open flames. Even with the recent rains,...

Reunión pública de la comunidad: No hay para hoy. El Pacific Crest Trail ya está abierto en el Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Los cierres forestales todavía están en su lugar, pero han sido modificados. Favor de chequear el sitio de Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest para más detalle. Los negocios alrededor de Lake Wenatchee están abiertos este fin de semana. Como comportamiento del fuego disminuye y todos disfrutan un cielo claro y bonitas costas le pedimos que recuerde que las restricciones de fuego siguen. El Aumento de vientos y las temperaturas puede traer más comportamiento activo del fuego en los combustibles afectados por la sequía. First Creek: El fuego recibió aproximadamente un décimo de una pulgada de lluvia ayer. Los equipos siguen patrullando y trabajando en rehabilitación. Pedimos que residentes recuerden que los humos interiores seguirán ocurriendo. Ya que los residentes están regresando al área, se les pide que sean conscientes de la...

Smoke Summary: Light downslope winds Monday turning to the SW in the afternoon. Inversion will cap smoke and minimize transport in the morning, lifting in the afternoon. A trend of warmer temperatures forecasted, with a slight chance of light scattered rain on Tuesday. Expect some elevated smoke levels in Republic from the north end of the North Star fire throughout the day. Okanogan and Nespelem may see early morning impacts from local fires.

Smoke Summary: Light downslope winds Monday turning to the SW in the afternoon. Inversion will cap smoke and minimize transport in the morning, lifting in the afternoon. A trend of warmer temperatures forecasted, with a slight chance of light scattered rain on Tuesday. Expect some elevated smoke levels in Republic from the north end of the North Star fire throughout the day. Okanogan and Nespelem may see early morning impacts from local fires.

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire UpdateSeptember 7, 2015, 9:00 AMFire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PMOkanogan Complex Size: 148,780 acres Containment: 70 percent Estimated Cost to Date: 30.3 million Injuries: 7 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 123 Total Personnel: 1,300 Committed Resources: 25 crews, 73 engines, 9 helicopters18 dozers, 25 water tenders, 9 skidgines, 1 masticator Chelan Complex Size: 94,301 acres Containment: 75 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $16.1 million Injuries: 9 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 23 Total Personnel: 680 Committed Resources: 11 crews, 52 engines, 6 helicopters, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders, 4 skidgines, 1 masticator OKANOGAN COMPLEXLime Belt Fire (132,838 acres, 60 percent contained): The priority for firefighters today is to mop up and secure the contained line that they’ve worked hard to establish. On the west side, tree-falling crews, in coordination with resource advisors, will continue to work...

GLENWOOD, WA – Today firefighters will continue mopping up and improving the strength of existing containment lines. Crews are also focused on completing a small portion of containment line on the north end of the fire in an area of heavy fuels and large timber. Today will be another opportunistic fire weather day for mopping up and improving strength of existing firelines, however a warming and drying trend begins today as high pressure gradually builds over the region. An upper trough is expected to bring cooler and more humid conditions late in the weekend. Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) teams have arrived to assess the needs of these fires. BAER teams consist of scientists and specialists such as hydrologists, geologists, soil scientists, road engineers, botanists, wildlife and fisheries biologists, archeologists, geographic information specialists, and silviculturists from federal, tribal and state agencies. BAER reports are shared with...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update September 7, 2015, 9:00 AM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Okanogan Complex Size: 148,780 acres Containment: 70 percent Estimated Cost to Date: 30.3 million Injuries: 7 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 123 Total Personnel: 1,300 Committed Resources: 25 crews, 73 engines, 9 helicopters 18 dozers, 25 water tenders, 9 skidgines, 1 masticator Chelan Complex Size: 94,301 acres Containment: 75 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $16.1 million Injuries: 9 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 23 Total Personnel: 680 Committed Resources: 11 crews, 52 engines, 6 helicopters, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders, 4 skidgines, 1 masticator OKANOGAN COMPLEX Lime Belt Fire (132,838 acres, 60 percent contained): The priority for firefighters today is to mop up and secure the contained line that they’ve worked hard to establish. On the west side, tree-falling crews, in coordination with resource advisors, will continue to work...

Fire Update – Monday, September 7, 2015 – 9:00 a.m. Note: The Pacific Crest Trail is now open on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Forest closures are still in place but have been modified. Please check the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest webpage for details. The businesses around Lake Wenatchee are open this holiday weekend. As fire behavior diminishes, we ask you to remember that fire restrictions remain in effect. Increasing winds and temperatures may usher in more active fire behavior in drought-stricken fuels. Please remain vigilant and prevent human-caused wildfires. First Creek: The fire received about a tenth of an inch of rain yesterday. Crews continue patrolling for any hot spots and rehabilitating fire lines. We ask residents to remember that interior smokes will continue to occur. As residents return to the First Creek area, they are asked to be aware of the possibility of mudslides following any rain events. Visit...

Yesterday’s Activities: The fuels in the fire area began drying after the rain Saturday. Parts of the southwest and northwest corners of the North Star Fire dried sufficiently for small burnouts to secure containment lines. Hand and dozer lines to control fire spread continued to be constructed along the southwest and west portions of the North Star Fire, and the northeast boundary of the Tunk Block Fire (NE Tunk Mountain). A large portion of the Tunk Block Fire and the southern edge of the North Star fire are in mop-up and patrol. About 150 people participated in the public meeting in Republic. Today’s Operations: If conditions permit, crews will continue burnout in portions of the north (Cornell Butte), northeast and southwest portion of the North Star Fire. In the Highway 21 corridor, crews will try to keep the fire on the higher slopes above the road in the Nanamkin Creek area. Fireline construction, mop-up and patrol will continue, and rehabilitation of firelines may...

Yesterday’s Activities: The fuels in the fire area began drying after the rain Saturday. Parts of the southwest and northwest corners of the North Star Fire dried sufficiently for small burnouts to secure containment lines. Hand and dozer lines to control fire spread continued to be constructed along the southwest and west portions of the North Star Fire, and the northeast boundary of the Tunk Block Fire (NE Tunk Mountain). A large portion of the Tunk Block Fire and the southern edge of the North Star fire are in mop-up and patrol. About 150 people participated in the public meeting in Republic. Today’s Operations: If conditions permit, crews will continue burnout in portions of the north (Cornell Butte), northeast and southwest portion of the North Star Fire. In the Highway 21 corridor, crews will try to keep the fire on the higher slopes above the road in the Nanamkin Creek area. Fireline construction, mop-up and patrol will continue, and rehabilitation of firelines may...

Alder Lake Fire Update Date: September 7, 2015 Phone: 360-496-5429 The Alder Lake Fire was ignited by lightning and first reported on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 in very steep inaccessible terrain with heavy dead and down fuel loading. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest, in coordination with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, is currently managing the fire that is approximately 4 miles East of Elbe, Washington on the south side of Alder Lake. Road closures are in effect for the 74 and 7409 roads and the area of fire containment and need to be followed. See attached map and closure order for specifics. Columbia Cascade Type 3 Incident Management Team is currently assigned to the fire. The fire is 280 acres, 17% contained, with 118 personnel working on the incident. There has been an immense amount of work done by crews to create containment lines consisting of 12.7 miles of roads, dozer, and hand line. Despite recent moisture, interior areas and the west and...

F or 50ion: http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/Current Situation:The Carpenter Road Fire is estimated at 65,068 acres and 70% containment. Yesterday afternoon, multiple rounds of gun fire were discharged near the fire area. The number one objective of every fire management organization is to provide for firefighter and public safety during wildland fire suppression efforts. Firefighters will not engage if their safety is in question. Please be cautious during any activities near the firefighters and suppression efforts.Along the southern portion of the fire, mostly along tribal lands, suppression repair work is well underway. Crews assigned to the west and northwest areas of the fire are in a patrol and mop up. This is to ensure that any remaining hot spots within the burn area do not make their way beyond the containment line. Firefighters in the northeast division will continue to construct direct lines along the fire’s edge. Additional crews will start mop up and suppression repair on...

Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire is estimated at 65,068 acres and 70% containment. Firefighters were able to successfully access the containment lines of the Carpenter Road Fire and continue working this morning after Mother Nature’s assistance with almost an inch of rain over most of the fire area. The fire had not moved from its foot print of the past several days. This afternoon, several crews of firefighters on a portion of the east side of the fire had to disengage from the fire lines after multiple rounds of gun fire were discharged near the fire area. The number one objective of every fire management organization is to provide for firefighter and public safety during wildland fire suppression efforts. Firefighters will not re-engage if their safety is in question. Please be cautious during any activities near the firefighters and suppression efforts. Firefighters are concentrating on completing direct containment line as close to the fire’s...

There are multiple fires being managed in north central Washington. Please use extreme caution when driving through fire areas. Stay alert and be aware of fire equipment and firefighters working along the roads. Drive with headlights on and do not stop or park along the roads to watch the fire or firefighting activities. Also be aware that hazard trees and rocks could fall on the roads. Drive