Representatives from the Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #4,
USDA Forest Service, Washington Department of Natural Resources, local Pend
Oreille County Sheriff, Emergency Management, and Fire District #2 presented
plans for containing the 521-acre Baldy Fire to a supportive and appreciative
group of citizens from the Ione community last night.
According to incident commander, Brian Gales, the interactive discussions and support expressed by citizens after the meeting were very helpful. Gales passed on the concern for firefighter safety and welfare and appreciation expressed during the meeting to his staff and firefighters at this morning’s briefing.
The fire was quiet last night under calm and cool night conditions. A few trees were observed torching in the interior. Firefighters will work under warmer and breezier conditions today, and have been alerted to watch out for pre-heated fuels that can potentially ignite the crowns of trees and cause some uphill runs. The fire has created some cleared paths for debris to roll downhill and ignite unburned ground fuels below.
An infrared flight last night validated intense heat along the northeast and southeast perimeters and isolated heat throughout the fire interior.
Today, firefighters will continue to work to directly contain the fire where they can. Hot shots are building hand lines along the northern flank, tying in with dozer line to the northeast. Direct fire lines are being improved by hand and dozer, and plumbed with hose along the southern flank. The west flank is being mopped up with hose lays and water. Firefighters will continue to prepare indirect fire lines west and east of the fire along forest roads in the Jim Creek and Cedar Creek drainages and power line corridors.
Steep slopes, hazard trees and helicopter operations have been identified as the primary safety issues for the fire, and mitigations for these hazards are defined for firefighters in a Deliberate Risk Assessment for the Baldy Fire. A blasting team has been ordered to eliminate risks to firefighters from burned, dangerous snags near the edges and in the interior of the fire. Hazard tree blasting, if it can be done safely, could be initiated next Monday.
Quick Facts:
According to incident commander, Brian Gales, the interactive discussions and support expressed by citizens after the meeting were very helpful. Gales passed on the concern for firefighter safety and welfare and appreciation expressed during the meeting to his staff and firefighters at this morning’s briefing.
The fire was quiet last night under calm and cool night conditions. A few trees were observed torching in the interior. Firefighters will work under warmer and breezier conditions today, and have been alerted to watch out for pre-heated fuels that can potentially ignite the crowns of trees and cause some uphill runs. The fire has created some cleared paths for debris to roll downhill and ignite unburned ground fuels below.
An infrared flight last night validated intense heat along the northeast and southeast perimeters and isolated heat throughout the fire interior.
Today, firefighters will continue to work to directly contain the fire where they can. Hot shots are building hand lines along the northern flank, tying in with dozer line to the northeast. Direct fire lines are being improved by hand and dozer, and plumbed with hose along the southern flank. The west flank is being mopped up with hose lays and water. Firefighters will continue to prepare indirect fire lines west and east of the fire along forest roads in the Jim Creek and Cedar Creek drainages and power line corridors.
Steep slopes, hazard trees and helicopter operations have been identified as the primary safety issues for the fire, and mitigations for these hazards are defined for firefighters in a Deliberate Risk Assessment for the Baldy Fire. A blasting team has been ordered to eliminate risks to firefighters from burned, dangerous snags near the edges and in the interior of the fire. Hazard tree blasting, if it can be done safely, could be initiated next Monday.
Quick Facts:
Fire Size: 521
acres
Fire Start Date: Saturday, August 1, 2015
Location: Six miles northwest of Ione,
WAHazards: Dangerous snags, heavy ‘jackstraw’ ground fuels, steep terrain, helicopter operations, remote location, lack of safety zones and escape routes, poor access
Values at Risk: Power lines east and south of the fire, private property, fish habitat, water resources, timber, structures
Cause: Under investigation
Containment: 5%
Resources: 4 Type I Crews, 6 Type II Crews, 12 Engines, 1 Type I Helicopter, 1 Type III Helicopter, 2 Air Attack Platforms, 5 Dozers. Additional air support available as needed
Personnel: 430
Area Closures: Area surrounding the Baldy Fire is closed to vehicle and foot traffic
Fire Start Date: Saturday, August 1, 2015
Location: Six miles northwest of Ione,
WAHazards: Dangerous snags, heavy ‘jackstraw’ ground fuels, steep terrain, helicopter operations, remote location, lack of safety zones and escape routes, poor access
Values at Risk: Power lines east and south of the fire, private property, fish habitat, water resources, timber, structures
Cause: Under investigation
Containment: 5%
Resources: 4 Type I Crews, 6 Type II Crews, 12 Engines, 1 Type I Helicopter, 1 Type III Helicopter, 2 Air Attack Platforms, 5 Dozers. Additional air support available as needed
Personnel: 430
Area Closures: Area surrounding the Baldy Fire is closed to vehicle and foot traffic
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.