#HopeFire #StevensCounty #WAwx
Justin Roberts, Reporter
Jul 28 at 12:04 PM EDT
Update from NE WA IMT: You may have noticed that the acres went up overnight. That is because of the successful burn out operations from this weekend. Yesterday fire crews made great progress at the South, Southwest and Northeast flanks of the fire and were able to push the black up to 100 feet from the fire line and 150 feet from structures. Crews reported that the back burn was very successful, and the dozer and hand lines held up well and kept the fire within the fire line perimeter. Patrolling crews reported fewer hot spots and smoke and are confident that with fire suppression efforts the fire will continue to burn itself out within the secured perimeter.
Today: Crews will be conducting infrared scans of the fire over the South, Southwest and Northeast flanks. The infrared system allows crews to measure surface temperatures that allows for precise identification of any remaining hot spots and potential risks to the fire line. Mop up and patrol of containment lines will ensure that the fire spread has halted and there is no continued threat to structures, and green patches within the fire line. Crews will be monitoring Bull Hill and mopping up with hand crews along Lael Rd and Flat Creek. The goal for today will also be to look for opportunities to start suppression repair and rehab work in the areas deemed safe to prevent future fire damage and erosion...
#LakeSpokaneFire #StevensCounty #WAwx
Justin Roberts, Reporter
Jul 27 at 9:54 AM EDT
July 27th Lake Spokane Fire Update:
The fire is now 52% contained.
Yesterday: Firefighters have been working to create depth along containment lines around the fire perimeter, utilizing hose lays to cool areas of heat. Crews have been engaged in mop and gridding on all divisions and repair was initiated on indirect dozer lines.
Today: Mop up and repair will continue across the fire. Wood chipping operations to remove brushy fuels will begin around the perimeter. Firefighters will also undertake backhaul missions to remove hose lays and other equipment in areas where mop up has been completed. Resources remain prepared to respond in the event of any new fire starts in the area.
#LakeSpokaneFire #StevensCounty #WAwx
Katlyn C, Staff Reporter
Jul 26 at 11:18 AM EDT
…Evacuation levels have been reduced across the Lake Spokane Fire. If you live in this area, please remember it is still an active and uncontained fire and there are many hazards within the fire perimeter.
Fire traffic will be heavy along roadways around the fire area and visibility may be impacted by smoke. Fire-weakened trees, unstable ground, ash pits from burning root systems and other dangerous environmental hazards may be near homes, driveways and other area.
Please use extreme caution if you choose to re-enter the area and give firefighters plenty of space to work as they move toward full containment.
…Today: Firefighters will be engaged around the perimeter of the Lake Spokane Fire, creating depth along containment lines and mopping up areas of heat that remain near the edges. Containment percentage is expected to increase as crews gain a high level of confidence that hot, dry and windy conditions will not pose a threat to established lines. Crews will continue to utilize hose lays around the fire to cool heat sources and mop up toward the interior. Resources assigned to this fire will continue to be at the ready for initial attack in the area in the event of new fire starts…
#LakeSpokaneFire #StevensCounty #WAwx
Justin Roberts, Reporter
Jul 25 at 9:45 AM EDT
Daily update from National IMT 3:
…Today: Crews will be engaged in securing and improving containment lines while interior pockets of fuel continue to consume as warmer temperatures and decreased relative humidities persist. Firefighters will prioritize work along areas of line with higher potential for spot fires as an uptick in wind speeds is predicted going into the weekend. Efforts will be focused on ensuring that established containment lines will withstand the test of warmer weather and higher winds around the fire perimeter today. Air resources will be available to provide support for resources on the ground. Fire crews assigned to the Lake Spokane Fire remain prepared to respond to new fire starts in the area with changing weather conditions.
#HopeFire #StevensCounty #WAwx
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Jaimee Whitfield, Reporter
Jul 19 at 12:54 PM EDT
Operational Update: Yesterday, work on the southern end of the fire continued to focus on mop up. Hand crews continued strengthening lines along the western flank and heavy equipment completed a segment of contingency line to the west from the Hope Creek drainage. Along the northwestern corner of the fire, line was constructed from Lael Road eastward into the Crown Creek drainage; tactical burning operations were used to secure the line along the ridgetop. Helicopters supported crews on the ground with numerous bucket drops along the northern end of the fire. An Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) or drone, conducted an Infrared Flight (IR flight) around structures along the east flank to look for previously undetected heat. Night shift reported mostly quiet conditions with the exception of an area of cedar groves along Lael Road where falling trees prevented crews from entering the area.
Today’s cooler, moist conditions will benefit suppression efforts throughout the fire footprint. Mop up and monitoring will continue on the south end of the fire with an emphasis on existing control line around structures and increasing containment. On the northwestern corner, crews will construct handline and evaluate the need for tactical burning to secure the line.
#HopeFire #StevensCounty #WAwx
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Overnight, poor humidity recovery in Flat Creek allowed the fire to burn actively through the night where the fire has yet to be contained.
Today, crews working the fire in the northwest corner will continue their work of direct and indirect line construction to tie in the dozer line to the south with Lael Road to the north. Heavy equipment will construct dozer line around the northwest finger of the fire, while crews build, strengthen and improve direct line in the Ansaldo Lake area...
Weather: Shifting winds will begin out of the northeast in the morning before pivoting to northwest in the afternoon, 5-7 mph with gusts up to 15 mph. Temperatures will be in the mid 80s at the higher elevations and low 90s in the valleys, while relative humidity should stay in the 20s on the ridges but dip back into the teens at lower elevations.
Evacuations: Evacuations remain in effect. Evacuation and road closure information is available on the Stevens County Emergency Management Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stevenscountyem/.
Shelters: The Red Cross Evacuation Center at the Kettle Falls Middle School, 105 W. 11th Ave, Kettle Falls, WA is now only open on an on-call basis. The Animal Evacuation Center at the Northeast Washington Fairgrounds, 317 W. Astor Ave, Colville, WA remains open.
#HopeFire #StevensCounty #WAwx
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Katlyn C, Staff Reporter
Jul 17 at 12:25 PM EDT
The Forest Service has issued a road closure for the Lael Road and Crown Creek Road for public safety. The closure is focused on the NFS roads that originate on Forest Service lands and was designed to keep those roads clear for emergency personnel assisting with the Hope Fire. This is a good reminder to limit travel within the fire footprint – it’s critical that firefighters have the space necessary to do their work.
Operational Update: Yesterday, moderating wind speeds contributed to good progress made across the incident. In the northwest corner of the fire, crews and heavy equipment worked spot fires with support from aviation assets and completed construction of dozer line to the south between Flat Creek and the 1520300 Road. Fire personnel continued to scout for opportunities to tie in the north side of this area with dozer line. Along the north side of the fire, near Cougar Mountain, firefighters continued taking advantage of moderate fire activity in the area by strengthening and improving direct line and structure protection in the Ansaldo Lake area. On the western and eastern flanks, mop-up work and scouting efforts for contingency lines continued as some more containment was secured. Fire personnel continue to remain on the fire overnight with patrols around structures and control lines to extinguish hot spots.
#HopeFire #StevensCounty ##WAwx
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On the southwestern side of the fire, crews will continue mopping up, strengthening and improving line, and begin to build contingency lines. On the eastern flank, fire personnel will work to add more containment as mop-up efforts continue.
Weather: After cooler conditions yesterday, temperatures will begin to rise again today – high 80s at the lower elevations and low 80s on the slopes and ridges. Relative humidity should stay in the low 20s in the valleys and high 20s at elevation. Wind conditions should be in the 8-10 mph range and shifting, starting in the northeast before turning to the east, southeast and finally southwest for the last few hours of the day.
Evacuations: Level 1, 2 and 3 Evacuations remain in effect. Evacuation and road closure information is available on Stevens County Emergency Management
Shelters: The Red Cross Evacuation Center at the Kettle Falls Middle School, 105 W. 11th Ave, Kettle Falls, WA is now only open on an on-call basis. The Animal Evacuation Center at the Northeast Washington Fairgrounds, 317 W. Astor Ave, Colville, WA remains open.
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