Monday, August 11, 2014

8/11/2014 AM Devil's Elbow Complex



A Community Meeting will be held tonight, Monday August 11 at 7 pm at the Keller Community Center. Tribal and fire management officials will provide an update on the fire situation.

The 19,698 acre fire is burning 10 miles north of Keller, and continues to threaten nearly 150 homes and 90 other structures along Hwy 21. Thirty-two residents living nearest the fire have been evacuated. Others who live near the fire have been alerted to be ready to leave at a moments notice.

Critically hot and dry conditions, combined with unstable weather patterns, will result in a Red Flag Warning from noon today through Wednesday evening. Weather will moderate Wednesday with a chance for precipitation. Firefighters will be working very hard to hold anchors and flanks of fire through the critical weather timeframe.

Last night crews continued burnout operations on all branches of the Fire. These operations are done during the night when cooler, more humid conditions allow firefighters to work more safely and have better control over the fire. Over one hundred crew members worked last night to extend control lines and gradually extend burnout beyond anchor points. These operations will likely be completed on the western flanks (McAllister Creek to South Nanamkin Roads) today. Burnout to secure east and north flanks (Keno Trail, Thirty Mile and Twentyfive Mile Roads) will also continue within the next twenty-four hours as conditions allow.

Firefighters will work on all branches of the fire today, strengthening and extending control lines. As crews work, they will monitor for spot fires out in advance of the Fire and control fire that had expanded over the control lines. Temperatures today will rise to the mid 90s and into the low 100s. Coupled with record moisture fuel levels, active fire behavior with sustained crown runs is expected. Smoke will be heavy through the day and two major flaming fronts will produce smoke columns up to 15,000 feet. Fire behavior analysts are warning crews to remain vigilant with safety at all times and expect extreme fire behavior over the next couple days.

Because the forest is so dry and lightning is forecasted, resources have also been identified to provide initial attack support to the Colville Agency Mt. Tolman Fire Center as needed. Resources are stretched so thin in the northwest, we simply cant afford to have any new large fires in the area,” said Larry Nickey, incident commander for the Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #4.

Evacuation notifications and closures changed yesterday, resulting in several

expanded closures. The public is advised that any of the evacuation levels and road closures can change with short notice. As these changes occur, they will be posted on Inciweb at  www.inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4059.

The current list follows:

·       Level 3 along Hwy 21 from Capoose Creek/Meadow to the Bear Creek Campground. This indicates an immediate threat and people should leave the area immediately.

·       Level 2 evacuations exist for the Bridge Creek Road from Hwy 21 east to the Keno Mine Campground; on Hwy 21 from Capoose Creek south to Cache Creek Road; and on Hwy 21 from the Bear Creek Campground north to Anderson Creek. Residents should be ready to leave at a moments notice.

·       Level 1 on Hwy 21 from Anderson Creek north to the Twentyone Mile Road junction. Residents should be alert that there is fire activity in the general area.

·       On the east side of Hwy 21, the AREA contained by Bridge Creek Road to the south; Upper Bridge Creek Road, Red Thunder Cutoff, and the Thirty Mile Road to the east; and the Twentyfive Mile Road to the north are closed.

·       On the west side of Hwy 21, the AREA contained by Cache Creek Road, the Central Peak Road, and the South Nanamkin Road is closed. These roads surrounding these areas are not closed, but these area is restricted to firefighters, law enforcement and other authorized personnel. Avoiding this vicinity will help ensure that the firefighters can complete their containment lines and burnout operations safely.

Areas that are currently open include the Cache Creek Road, Bridge Creek Road and Hwy 21 between Cache Creek Road and Bridge Creek Road. Travelers are advised to be aware that the status of these roads may change at any time. People traveling on these roads are advised to drive with extreme caution, slowly and with headlights on, to protect their safety and that of area firefighters. Smoke, heavy equipment and livestock are expected to be on these roads today.

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