9/03/2016 Cayuse Mountain Fire Update

The Cayuse Mountain Fire remains at 95% contained and 18,116 acres. Today, firefighters will continue to secure the containment line in the Matthews Lake area. In other areas of the fire, the focus is on patrol and mop up. Fire personnel are available to assist with initial attack if needed. A Burned Area Emergency Response Team (BAER) will continue their work to assess threats to critical values (human life and safety, property, critical natural and cultural resources) caused by the fire.

 

The Spokane Tribe of Indians Pow Wow is underway in Wellpinit. Last night, a ceremony was held to recognize the brave firefighters and public safety officers who battled the Cayuse Mountain Fire during the initial attack and in the days to follow.

Light rain showers passed through the fire area yesterday. Below normal temperatures will continue through the weekend and into next week.

 

Level 1 and Level 2 evacuations are still in place. The community of Wellpinit is currently under Level 1 (READY) evacuation notice and all residences in the fire footprint are currently under a Level 2 (SET) evacuation notice. Road closures also remain in place. They include Elijah Road, Flett Road, Mathews Lake Road, Jacobs Road, Brandom Road, and Wynecoop-Cayuse Road.

Spokane Tribal Fire Management has scheduled presentations in the communities of Wellpinit, Westend, and Ford next week to teach individuals who live in high risk wildfire areas how to best prepare themselves and their properties against wildland fire threats. Ready, Set, Go! is a three step process that helps homeowners create their own action plan for getting their property wildfire prepped and ready long before a fire threatens. More information on READY SET GO! can be found at http://www.wildlandfirersg.org/

Fire information and daily updates are posted on Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4986/ and on the Rawhide Press Facebook page and website at www.spokanetribe.com. The fire email address is cayusemountainfire@gmail.com . The fire information phone numbers are 509-416-6056 and 509-258-4515.

Start date: Aug. 21, 2016
Current Size: 18,116 acres
Percent Containment: 95%

Structures lost: 14 houses, 9 other structures

Location: Wellpinit, WA on the Spokane Indian Reservation