InciWeb Articles WA

The Babb-Malden, Manning and Colfax Fires started on Monday, September 7, 2020. Babb-Malden Fire - Approximately 17,781 acres have been burned and the fire is at 0 percent containment. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Several structures have been destroyed. Crews continue to patrol the town of Malden and Pine City.  Today's  fire operations is focusing on suppression activities, putting out hotspots within the fire perimeter. Crew have made good progress on this fire. Pine City-Malden Road is currently closed to the public from the westside of Pine City to the eastside of Malden. The communities of St. Johns, Sunset, Thorton and Ewan are at a Level 1 Evacuation. Please be sure to refer to the Whitman County Sheriff's Facebook page for more information on closures and evacuations.Manning Fire: Approximately 3,063 acres have burned with 25 percent containment. Crews continue to make good progress on the fire. Engine crews will work to build and strengthen control lines....

 Apple Acres and Pearl Hill Fire Update for Friday, September 11, 2020 There will be a virtual public meeting today at 5:00 p.m. for the Pearl Fire and at 6:00 p.m. for the Apple Acres Fire. To participate please go to:  Northeast Washington Fire Information Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/newfireinfo. Pearl Hill Fire The significant increase in today’s reported acreage is due to smoke clearing and new terrain becoming observable in the northwest portion of the fire. Very little additional acreage was burned yesterday. A two-day push begins today with hand crews trying to tie off the backing and flanking flames in the northwestern corner of the Pearl Hill Fire across steep slopes and challenging terrain. Suppression activity will be complicated by the change in wind direction as described in the weather section below. Flare-ups continue along the western edge of the Pearl Hill Fire while power poles and fence posts hold fire deep in the ground throughout the...

Omak, WA – Anoche: Anoche las tripulaciones trabajaron para fortalecer las lineas de contención ya existentes y crearon otra línea. Hoy: Las prioridades de hoy se centrarán en el área al este de Omak Lae y el área de Haley Lake. Esta es la zona de mayor actividad de fuego y los bomberos en tierra serán asistidos por un helicóptero que echará agua. Otra prioridad es fortalecer el área del molino viejo en la ciudad. El molino y el área alrededor del molino están ardiendo y las tripulaciones intentan calmar esa área. Las líneas de buldócer y de mano se fortalecerán y los bomberos trabajarán desde el perímetro del fuego en los focos calientes. Las compañías eléctricas están reemplazando postes y restaurando la luz en las áreas afectadas. Esta mañana está programado un vuelo en helicóptero de reconocimiento para tener una mejor idea de las áreas quemadas. El fuego mide 187,689 acres y está contenido en un 25%. Las temperaturas estarán en los bajos 90 y los...

Northwest Incident Management Team 12 took command at 6:00 AM on the Big Hollow Fire 15 miles northwest of Carson and 7 miles southeast of Cougar, Washington. Weather is expected to be partly cloudy and very smokey, with temperatures in the low to mid-70s. Light westerly winds of 7 to 12 mph are forecasted, shifting to southwesterly in the evening.    Operations Today: Indirect control lines are being constructed with heavy equipment and roads to protect the communities of Cougar, Chelatchie and Yale to the west. Structure protection is being implemented to protect cabins at Government Mineral Springs and the Carson National Fish Hatchery. Firefighters are also assessing the risk to structures to the north and east in the fire area. Closures: The Forest Service has issued area closures in the southwest portion of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest that include most developed campgrounds, dispersed camping, day-use and wilderness areas, and most forest roads and trails within...

 Pearl Hill and Apple Acres Fire Update for Friday, September 11, 2020There will be a virtual public meeting today at 5:00 p.m. for the Pearl Fire and at 6:00 p.m. for the Apple Acres Fire. To participate please go to:  Northeast Washington Fire Information Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/newfireinfo. Pearl Hill Fire The significant increase in today’s reported acreage is due to smoke clearing and new terrain becoming observable in the northwest portion of the fire. Very little additional acreage was burned yesterday. A two-day push begins today with hand crews trying to tie off the backing and flanking flames in the northwestern corner of the Pearl Hill Fire across steep slopes and challenging terrain. Suppression activity will be complicated by the change in wind direction as described in the weather section below. Flare-ups continue along the western edge of the Pearl Hill Fire while power poles and fence posts hold fire deep in the ground throughout the burned...

 Please see attached Whitney Fire

 Please see attached update in PDF

(Lincoln County, Washington) – The Whitney Fire is located six miles northwest of the town of Davenport, WA. Fire is burning in timber, sagebrush, range and farmlands. State Route 2 runs through the northern portion of the fire but remains open to traffic at this time. Approximately 4 primary structures were destroyed during the fire. Fire officials continue to assess the total loss to primary and secondary structures (outbuildings, haybarns, fences, etc.). Some ranchers have lost livestock. Yesterday: Several Lincoln County Fire Districts and the Type 3 Interagency Team 3 worked together to secure firelines around the perimeter with a surge force (extra firefighting resources) focused on the area nearest Highway 21. Within the fireline, areas of unburned fuels north of State Route 2 and surrounding areas continued to burn. Water drops by a helicopter and ground crews successfully worked to cool any flare ups. Firelines continued to be secured and patrolled. Today: Weather for this...

Three fires actively burning in a mix of timber and brush on the Colville Indian Reservation comprise the Inchelium Complex: the Fry Fire, the Inchelium Highway Fire, and Kewa Field Fire.  All three fires are being managed for full suppression. The cause of the fires remains under investigation. Crews remain focused on point protection with an emphasis on structures and natural and cultural resources, and minimizing the footprint on all three fires. A night shift is assisting with holding and securing fire lines, with additional resources being added as they become available. Current Situation:  On the Fry Fire yesterday, fire lines remained secure on the north, east, and southern flanks.  On the west flank crews worked to improve fire line. Another successful day was had on Inchelium Highway Fire with direct line completed across the entire north flank.  Crews also picked up several small slopovers on the west flank. Retardant drops and fire boss water drops were used when...

Omak, WA – Last night: Crews overnight night worked to strengthen containment lines that are in place and create additional containment line.   Today: Priorities today will focus on the area east of Omak Lake and the Haley Lake area. This area is where the most fire activity is and firefighters on the ground will be assisted by bucket operations from a helicopter. One other priority is shoring up the Old Mill area in town. The mill and the area around the mill is smoldering and crews look to cool off that area. Dozer and hand lines will be shored up and firefighters will work in from the perimeter of the fire on hot spots. Power companies are working on replacing poles and to restore power in affected areas. A reconnaissance helicopter flight is scheduled this morning to get a better idea of the areas burned. The fire is 187,689 acres and is 25% contained. Temperatures will be in the low 90’s and humidity levels will be in the low teens.   The Cold Springs Fire started Sunday...

 There will be a virtual public meeting for the Pearl Hill Fire  at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2020. It will be hosted on the Northeast Washington Fire Information Facebook web page at the following link Northeast Washington Fire Information facebook web page  You do not have to have a Facebook account to view this

 There will be a virtual public meeting for the Apple Acres Fire  at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2020. It will be hosted on the Northeast Washington Fire Information Facebook web page at the following link Northeast Washington Fire Information facebook web page  You do not have to have a Facebook account to view this

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Omak, WA – The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of an infant and serious injury of 2 individuals that were found yesterday within the fire perimeter. Structures and outbuildings were damaged and/or lost during initial attack. The team is continuing structure assessments.       Today: Priorities consisted on focusing on the area east of Omak Lake.  Firefighters worked in steep rocky terrain assisted by four fire boss planes dropping water in the area.  Safety measures were taken to protect water resources while retardant was dropped in the Haley Creek Area to protect homes.  Due to the hard work of the crews the containment area of the fire is now 25%.  Power Company began restoring damaged poles and working on restoring infrastructure.   Citizens are urged to stay out of the burn area if possible.  We continue to receive additional resources for the fire. The fire is 187,689 acres. Temperatures were in the low 90’s today and are expected to...

The Whitney Fire is located in Lincoln County, Washington between the towns of Davenport, Creston, and Odessa. State Route 2 runs through the northern part of the fire and is open. Fire continues to burn in timber, sagebrush, range and farmlands. Current fire size is approximately 122,000 acres, 4 primary structures (homes) and unknown number of secondary (outbuildings haybarns, fences, etc.) have been destroyed.  Some ranchers have lost livestock as well.Yesterday: Interagency Team 3 and multiple Lincoln County Fire districts engaged in suppression efforts and structure protection. North of Hwy 2 (northeast portion of the fire) has been lined and is holding well. Light winds and receptive fuels (dry brush, grass), resulted in fire movement south of Hwy 2 along the south and north perimeters of the fire, increasing fire size by about 22,000 acres. Crews, aircraft, and equipment (engines, brush trucks, dozers) were successful in minimizing fire spread.  Today: Weather for this...

Apple Acres and Pearl Fire Update for Thursday, September 10, 2020 Northwest Incident Management Team 6 led by Incident Commander Shawn Sheldon assumed command of the Pearl Hill Fire on 9/8 at 6:00 p.m. and the Apple Acres Fire at 6:00 a.m. on 9/9. Today’s Weather Favorable weather conditions are expected today.  Light easterly winds are predicted with today’s temperatures expected to be about five degrees warmer than yesterday.  However, dry relative humidity conducive to fire spread is expected to register at 15-20%. Apple Acres Fire Yesterday, firefighters made excellent progress in suppressing the Apple Acres Fire, continuing line construction, mop up and burn-out operations.  Today crews will continue mopping up hot spots along the perimeter of the fire and around structures within the perimeter of the fire.  Crews continue to be supported by helicopters with buckets of water where needed. Pearl Hill Fire The fire is most active at the northwest portion of the...

Pearl Hill and Apple Acres Fire Update for Thursday, September 10, 2020Northwest Incident Management Team 6 led by Incident Commander Shawn Sheldon assumed command of the Pearl Hill Fire on 9/8 at 6:00 p.m. and the Apple Acres Fire at 6:00 a.m. on 9/9. Today’s Weather Favorable weather conditions are expected today.  Light easterly winds are predicted with today’s temperatures expected to be about five degrees warmer than yesterday.  However, dry relative humidity conducive to fire spread is expected to register at 15-20%. Apple Acres Fire Yesterday, firefighters made excellent progress in suppressing the Apple Acres Fire, continuing line construction, mop up and burn-out operations.  Today crews will continue mopping up hot spots along the perimeter of the fire and around structures within the perimeter of the fire.  Crews continue to be supported by helicopters with buckets of water where needed. Pearl Hill Fire The fire is most active at the northwest portion of the...

Three fires actively burning in a mix of timber and brush on the Colville Indian Reservation comprise the Inchelium Complex: the Inchelium Highway Fire, Fry Fire and Kewa Field Fire.  All three fires are being managed for full suppression. The cause of the fires remains under investigation. Current Situation:  Yesterday, on the Fry Fire, firefighters constructed fire line directly against the burning perimeter on the north, east, and south sides.  On the Inchelium Highway Fire, fire bosses slowed the fire’s spread while dozers constructed line on the majority of the northern flank, up and around to Hall Creek Road.  On the south flank crews worked from the highway and to the west, securing and improving fire lines.  On the Kewa Fields Fire, dozer operations were followed up by hand crew efforts to secure and protect structures. Crews remain focused on point protection with an emphasis on structures and natural and cultural resources.  The high demand for firefighting...

Omak, WA – The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the death of an infant and serious injury of 2 individuals that were found yesterday within the fire perimeter. Multiple structures have been lost and level 2 & 3 evacuation orders are in place.      Crews made good progress yesterday and overnight. Overnight crews worked on containment lines in all 3 divisions of the fire with the main focus being the Haley Creek area. This is the area where the most active fire is located, and additional crews are working in that area today. We continue to receive additional resources and aircraft will be available to assist firefighters on the ground as needed.  Firefighters will continue the process of assessing properties that were lost as well as damaged infrastructure.  Warmer weather is expected today with light winds.   The Cold Springs Fire started Sunday evening at approximately 9:45 pm. and quickly spread due to high winds and low relative humidity. The...

Omak, WA – The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office is currently investigating the death of an infant and serious injury of 2 individuals that were found today within the fire perimeter. Multiple structures have been lost and level 2 & 3 evacuation orders are in place.      Firefighting efforts today focused on structure protection of the homes where active fire is burning and working in many other areas to get containment on the fire. Air resources were effective today and supported the firefighting on the ground. Structure protection continues to be the primary focus for day and night shifts.  Firefighters were able to start the process of assessing properties that were lost as well as damaged infrastructure. This will be a continuous process due to the large area the fire has burned. There are approximately 275 firefighters engaged in firefighting operations.   The Cold Springs Fire started Sunday evening at approximately 9:45 pm. and quickly spread due to high winds and low...