InciWeb Articles WA

 Cheney, WA – Crews worked on the line today to cool hot spots that were identified overnight with handheld infrared technology. This is a piece of technology that provides an extra set of “eyes” to help make sure the fire is totally out and there are no hot spots within the mop up area. Firefighters continued mopping up 200 feet in from the perimeter, 500 feet from structures as well as making repairs to areas affected by suppression activities. In the initial attack of a fire the crews may have to cut fence or drive into areas we wouldn’t normally drive into. It is the goal of the team to return those areas to the way they were before the fire began. The fire is now 80% contained.  Some firefighters have begun the process of demobilization, this process with continue through tomorrow.   Tonight will be the last night shift that firefighters will be on the fire line.  Crews will again work with the infrared scanner to identify and extinguish any remaining hot spots.  The...

INFORMATION RELEASE: 2:30PM July 9, 2021The Asotin County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, Public Works, and Emergency Services have collaborated to release the following updates to evacuation zones due to wildfires:  Evacuations: Level 3 (Go Now) are still in place for residences on Asotin Creek Road west of the Cloverland fork. This also includes Back Road and Bowman Road. Level 2 (Get Set) evacuations are in place for Cloverland Road and streets off of Cloverland Road, as well as the Harlow Ridge area, George Creek Road, and Hostetler Road.Level (Be Ready) 1: In Clarkston Heights, the areas south of Critchfield Road until Morgan Road and Maguire Gulch are now at Level 1. Peola Road, Silcott Wye Road, and the surrounding roads are also at a Level 1. Shelter: Evacuees are able to take shelter at Lincoln Middle School in Clarkston. The shelter is being staffed by Red Cross Volunteers. Livestock and large animals can be evacuated to the Livestock Market at 3200 E Main St,...

INFORMATION RELEASE: 2:30PM July 9, 2021The Asotin County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Department, Public Works, and Emergency Services have collaborated to release the following updates to evacuation zones due to wildfires:  Evacuations: Level 3 (Go Now) are still in place for residences on Asotin Creek Road west of the Cloverland fork. This also includes Back Road and Bowman Road. Level 2 (Get Set) evacuations are in place for Cloverland Road and streets off of Cloverland Road, as well as the Harlow Ridge area, George Creek Road, and Hostetler Road.Level (Be Ready) 1: In Clarkston Heights, the areas south of Critchfield Road until Morgan Road and Maguire Gulch are now at Level 1. Peola Road, Silcott Wye Road, and the surrounding roads are also at a Level 1. Shelter: Evacuees are able to take shelter at Lincoln Middle School in Clarkston. The shelter is being staffed by Red Cross Volunteers. Livestock and large animals can be evacuated to the Livestock Market at 3200 E Main St,...

 Silcott Fire Fire Information Number: (509) 731-4074Email: sewaimtpio@gmail.comInciWeb site: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7626/Incident Commander: Leonard JohnsonPublic Information: Cole Massey (Lead), Grace DeBusschereUPDATE: 8:30AM July 9, 2021‬Incident Summary: Southeast WA Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 is working in cooperation with Asotin County Fire District 1, the Washington State Patrol-Fire Marshal’s Office, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), WA DNR, US Forest Service and the Asotin County Sheriff and Emergency Management to manage the response to the Silcott fire, which started in the area of Silcott Grade Road west of the city of Clarkston. Containment: 10% (Silcott fire) Size: 8,633 acres (Silcott fire)Start Date: 7/7/2021Resources: 4 Strike teams4 single engines additionally5 Hand crews1 Tender2 DozersKnown structures lost: None on SilcottStructures threatened: 150Transition: At 6:00 am this morning, Type 2 Northwest Incident Management Team 7 assumed...

 Cheney, WA – Crews overnight worked on the line with infrared technology to look for hot spots. This is a piece of technology that provides an extra set of “eyes” to help make sure the fire is totally out and there are no hot spots within the mop up area. Today crews will keep mopping up 200 feet in from the perimeter and start the repair process. In the initial attack of a fire the crews may have to cut fence or drive into areas we wouldn’t normally drive into. It is the goal of the teams to return those areas to the way they were before the fire. The fire is 55% contained, this number is expected to increase this afternoon.   Today the temperatures are expected to be in the mid 90’s with calm winds. There are approximately 272 personnel assigned to the incident and to date there have been no reported injuries or any structures lost.  More crews will check out from the incident today and return to their home agency or move to another fire. The total acreage remains at...

Access to better mapping technology has led to a reduction in the total acreage of the Batterman Road fire, which is located east of East Wenatchee. The fire is being managed by Northwest Incident Management Team (IMT) 12 in coordination with the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, Spokane BLM, Washington DNR Southeast Region, and Douglas County Fire Districts 1 and 2. This collaboration has led to success in meeting firefighting objectives as well as maintaining firefighter and public safety. Fire crews continued to monitor and patrol established fire lines throughout yesterday’s shift, focusing on interior pockets of fire activity in the drainages to ensure no future threat to containment. Night shift resources were utilized for initial attack on a new fire start to the east. Demobilization of fire resources was paused today as crews and engines that were set to be released were sent to support efforts on nearby fires that started overnight. IMT 12 is working closely with...

UPDATE: 9:30PM July 8, 2021‬Incident Summary: Southeast WA Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 is working in cooperation with Asotin County Fire District 1, the Washington State Patrol-Fire Marshal’s Office, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), WA DNR,  US Forest Service and the Asotin County Sheriff and Emergency Management to manage the response to the Silcott and Dry Gulch fires. The Dry Gulch fire has been burning in the Dry Gulch area west of Asotin Creek Road. The Silcott fire started in the area of Silcott Grade Road west of the city of Clarkston. Containment: Silcott: 10%; Dry Gulch: 0% Size: 27,929 acres (Total, Dry Gulch/Lick Creek at 19,346 & Silcott at 8,633 acres)Start Date: 7/7/2021Resources: 4 Strike teams5 single engines additionally4 Hand crews2 Tenders2 DozersAir Attack3 Helicopters availableKnown structures lost: 6 outbuildings.Structures threatened: 450Today: The Silcott Fire remained primarily within its existing perimeter throughout the day.  Fire crews...

 Cheney, WA – Crews today continued their focus on mop up operations and moving 100-200 feet in from the perimeter.  Containment of the fire has now increased to 55% and the incident is starting to wind down. Over the next few days excess crews will be released back to their agency or to another fire. The incident is expected to get turned over to the local agencies no later than Sunday. This will not happen until the fire is 100% contained.   Today the temperatures hovered in the mid to upper 80’s.  Today was likely the coolest day of the week as temperatures are back in the mid 90’s starting tomorrow. There are approximately 272 personnel assigned to the incident and to date there have been no reported injuries or any structures lost. The total acreage remains at 232 and is expected to stay at that number.   Evacuation levels: The only evacuation orders that remain in place are at a level 1. This area affects approximately 24 residents that are adjacent to the fire and...

Containment: Silcott: 10%; Dry Gulch: 0% Size: 27,929 acres (estimate)Resources: 4 Strike teams5 single engines additionally3 Hand crews2 Tenders2 DozersAir Attack3 Helicopters availableKnown structures lost: 6 outbuildingsStructures threatened: 450Last night: Firefighters worked to maintain containment lines and on structure protection. Today: Fireline resources are focused on securing the edge of the fire, structure protection, mopping up around structures, and strengthening and building on the control lines that they have already established. Most of the smoke visible today is from the more southern Lick Creek fire. Interior pockets of the fire are putting up significant smoke. The Dry Gulch fire merged into Lick Creek this morning. Road closures: new road closure at Peola and McGuire; Asotin Creek Road remains closed after the Cloverland forkEvacuations: Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are in place for residences on Asotin Creek Road west of the Cloverland fork. Level 2 (Get Set)...

Asotin Creek Road north of the Cloverland fork is closed.

UPDATE: 1:00AM July 8, 2021 Incident: The Asotin Complex is made up of two fires: one is the Dry Gulch fire, which has been burning in the Dry Gulch area west of Asotin Creek Road. The other is the Silcott fire, which started in the area of Silcott Grade Road west of the city of Clarkston. Southeast WA Type 3 Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the two fires at 11:30 pm on July 7th. They are working in cooperation with Asotin County Fire District 1, the Washington State Patrol-Fire Marshal’s Office, the Bureau of Land Management, WA DNR, and the US Forest Service. Containment: 0% Evacuations:Level 3 (Go Now) evacuations are in place for residences on Asotin Creek Road west of the Cloverland fork. Level 2 (Get Set) evacuations are in place for Cloverland Road and streets off of Cloverland Road, as well as the Harlow Ridge area. In Clarkston Heights, the areas south of Peola Road and Critchfield Road south to Asotin Creek are also at Level 2. Shelter: Evacuees are able...

The Batterman Road fire, located east of East Wenatchee, is being managed by Northwest Incident Management Team (IMT) 12 in coordination with the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, Spokane BLM, Washington DNR Southeast Region, and Douglas County Fire Districts 1 and 2.  This collaboration has led to success in meeting firefighting objectives as well as maintaining firefighter and public safety. Yesterday, crews protected established fire lines as they were tested by a wind event that came through the area. Interior pockets of fire activity, mostly in the drainages, did not threaten containment lines in spite of elevated temperatures and sustained winds over the fire. Patrols of the fire line continued throughout the night. Some firefighting resources assigned to the Batterman Fire were released to move to higher priority incidents across the region as there were many new starts, and firefighters that remained assigned to this fire were also available for initial attack in...

Douglas County Sheriff's Office has released the following Thursday, July 8th at approximately 8:45am: Effective immediately evacuation levels for all residents affected by the fire are being lowered to Level 1. Please be aware there is areas of active fire and everyone needs to remain on alert until full fire containment is obtained.

 Cheney, WA – Overnight crews continued their mop up operations on the fire. The overall goal for mop up is to work 200 feet in from the perimeter of the fire line and 500 feet out from structures. Today, crews will continue mopping up and clearing dangerous trees from the perimeter that have been deemed a hazard due to fire activity.  Cooler weather and low winds are expected today.   Evacuation levels: The only evacuation orders that remain in place are at a level 1. This area affects approximately 24 residents that are adjacent to the fire and road blocks are still in place. Local residents only are allowed past the road blocks. This helps with the safety of residents and firefighters on the line. The fire has not grown in size; updated mapping has the fire at 232 acres with 30% containment.   There are approximately 282 firefighters from all over the state working on the fire and there have been no injuries or structures lost.   Spokane County Fairgrounds is still open...

 Cheney, WA – Crews are into their 3rd day on the fire and are making great progress. The focus today was continuing to secure perimeter with handline and begin mopping up 50-100 feet interior and mop up around structures up to 500 feet.  The threat of thunderstorms dropped off late morning. Cooler drier weather filled in behind the system and brought breezy conditions throughout the afternoon. The winds will weaken overnight. The fire has not grown in size; updated mapping has the fire at 232 acres and containment has gone from 20% to 30%.   Level 1 & 2 evacuation orders remain in place.  Due to the evacuation levels being lowered roads that were previously closed are only open to local residents. If you do not live in the area, please adhere to the road closures and stay clear. For current evacuation orders please see Spokane County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Facebook page.   There are approximately 282 firefighters from all over the state working on the fire...

 Cheney, WA – Overnight crews worked to extinguish hot spots and secure perimeter lines. Today firefighters are watching the weather closely and prepared to address any new activity on and around the fire. The focus is to work on snags (trees that have burned and are ready to fall), fire line strengthening, and gridding the fire for any additional hot spots. This important work will help containment numbers to rise. Current containment on the fire is 20%.   Level 1 & 2 evacuation orders remain in place.  Due to the evacuation levels being lowered roads that were previously closed are only open to local residents. If you do not live in the area, please adhere to the road closures and stay clear. For current evacuation orders please see Spokane County Department of Emergency Management (DEM) Facebook page.   There are approximately 210 firefighters from all over the state working on the fire and there have been no injuries or structures lost.   The Red Cross shelter at Medical...

The fire is located east of East Wenatchee. Northwest Incident Management (IMT)Team 12 is managing the fire response in cooperation with the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, Spokane BLM, Washington DNR Southeast Region, and Douglas County Fire Districts 1 and 2.  These cooperative efforts have contributed to the significant progress toward containing the fire. Yesterday, crews continued to construct hand line with the support of air resources and dozers. Firefighters tied in the previously active Beaver Creek and Rock Island Creek drainages along with the northeast perimeter of the fire. Last night, firefighters continued to patrol. The IMT provided five initial attack engines to support a local new fire near Spanish Castle. The fire was quickly extinguished with help from Douglas County Fire District 2, Washington DNR, and Spokane BLM. Temperatures today are predicted to be in the upper 80s to lower 90s. A Red Flag Warning is in effect through sunset due to anticipated...

The Northwest Incident Management Team 12 is hosting a virtual community meeting tomorrow, July 7 at 8PM PST for the Batterman Road fire.  For those interested in attending, please call or email Batterman Road public information for the Zoom

 Cheney, WA – The Andrus Fire started Monday morning at approximately 11:30 am near Andrus Rd. The fire spread quickly due to low relative humidity and unseasonably dry conditions. After a more accurate assessment of the perimeter today the acreage is approximately 225, with 20% containment.  Firefighters from Fire District 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, Airway Heights Fire, Spokane City Fire, Spokane Valley Fire, Lincoln County, Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and numerous other agencies were critical in slowing the spread of the fire. The collaborative efforts and teamwork between the agencies were critical in slowing fire spread and protecting lives and property.   Crews were able to get a good assessment of the fire today and continue working on structure assessments, securing fire lines and gridding for hot spots. Due to the progress, evacuation levels have decreased one level in each evacuation zone. If you were a level 3 you are now bumped to a level 2 and so on. Due to the...

The fire is located near Batterman Road and Rock Island Grade in Douglas County Fire District 2, Washington. Type 2 Northwest Incident Management Team 12 assumed command of the Batterman Road Fire at 6:00 AM, relieving Type 3 SE Washington Incident Management Team 1. Team 12 is managing the fire response in cooperation with Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, Spokane BLM, WA DNR, and Douglas County Fire Districts 1 and 2. Douglas County Fire District 1 and 2 personnel and fire equipment have been working very hard to protect private property and homes. They have done an excellent job and are greatly appreciated for all their efforts. Last night, firefighters continued to focus on the most active portions of the fire in the Rock Island Creek Drainage. Weather today is expected to be hot and dry, with temperatures nearing 100° and 12-16% relative humidity. Thunderstorms and gusty winds are forecast for late tonight and Wednesday. Operations Today: Firefighters will continue...