8/4/2015 Baldy Fire EVENING Update

Today’s clear weather provided good views of smoke rising from the fire perimeter across the south and east sides of Baldy Mountain, northwest of Ione. Dry ground fuels, burning material rolling downhill, and diurnal winds have contributed to the fire’s growth to the east and west last night and today. A thunderstorm predicted for today did not reach the fire area
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The Baldy Fire is now estimated to be approximately 390 acres. An infrared flight requested for tonight to provide an exact estimate of fire size and reveal the locations of spotting and hot fuels will not be available due to mechanical interruptions with that service. Firefighters have continued improving the upper Jim Creek Road (Forest Road 424) south and west of the Baldy Fire and the Cedar Creek Road (Forest Road 420) east of the fire as potential containment fire lines.

 Fire managers plan to use a combination of roads and hand line to establish effective fire lines close to the fire, allowing the fire to move toward areas that are too wet to carry it further, or to where fuels have been removed or burned out. As sun exposure heated the fire today, water was dropped by helicopters and single engine air tankers (SEATs) to cool down the fire and slow its movement in these directions.
 

A Closure Order was released today by the Colville National Forest for the area surrounding the Baldy Fire. The order prohibits entry by vehicle or foot into the area described legally and by a physical map. The Closure will protect safety of the firefighters and the public. Its size will be reevaluated as containment objectives are met. Excellent collaboration continues between Fire managers, the Pend Oreille County Sheriff, Emergency Services, Fire Departments, Power Companies, and other agencies to plan, share information and communicate quickly should the fire make any significant runs.