8/13/15 Baldy Fire evening Update (6:00pm)

Baldy Fire Update August 13, 2015  1800 Hours 

Extreme heat, low humidity and high winds atop the Baldy Fire cause increased fire activity in interior fuels, some tree torching

            Ione, Wash. – Extremely low humidity, high temperatures and increased winds, stirred up activity in ultra-dry fuels this afternoon in the interior of the 515-acre Baldy Fire. The Washington Interagency Incident Management Team fire behavior analyst said that he expects consumption of fuels and spotting within the interior of the fire, but does not anticipate any spotting outside the established fire lines.

A red flag warning was issued for hot, dry, unstable conditions today. Other large fires have developed throughout northeast Washington, including the Stickpin Fire, burning east of the Kettle Range at the headwaters of the South Fork of Boulder Creek, and the Tower Fire, burning near the South Baldy Lookout Tower, approximately 20 miles north of Newport, near the Idaho-Washington state line

The Nation and the Pacific Northwest are now under Preparedness Level 5 (PL5), the highest fire preparedness rating allowing more federal and state employees to be available for mobilization if needed. PL5 has only been issued 5 times in the past 10 years.

Firefighters continue to mop up inside the Baldy Fire perimeter and monitor the fire activity. The control lines are plumbed and firefighters are able to cool down flare-ups they observe near fire lines. 

Winds are expected to increase tomorrow afternoon as a predicted cold front moves over the Pend Oreille Valley.  A severe weather watch has been issued for winds up to 25 miles per hour, large hail and some possible lightning.  There is a slight chance of thunderstorms late this evening.  Firefighters mitigated hazard tree risks along all fire lines in preparation for increased winds. 

A thunderstorm is expected to bring rain and 20-degree cooler temperatures this weekend.  Equipment and personnel excess to the needs of the Baldy Fire are being demobilized.  A Type III organization led by incident commander Peter Meyer will assume command of the Fire on Monday morning, August 17, 2015.

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