07/08/2015 Newby Lake Fire afternoon update

Newby Lake fire continues to burn northwest from Loomis, Washington. The lightning caused fire started on July 2, in British Columbia south of Keremeos in the Snowy Creek Protected Area. Cooperating agencies include U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Washington State Department of Natural Resources (WA DNR), and British Columbia Ministry of Forest Lands and Natural Resource. Additional information, including maps, photos and area closures, is at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4355/ or bcwildfire.ca.

Dry fuels consisting of timber on steep, rocky terrain challenge suppression efforts for fire crews. The fire has crossed the Loomis State Forest boundary in the area of the Snowshoe Meadow. Fires burning in British Columbia are contributing to eighty percent of the smoke in the region.

Today, hand crews are working multiple fronts of the fire. The Groveland and Colton hotshot crews from California are attempting to build direct fire line at the eastern edge of the fire to prevent the fire from progressing further east into the Loomis State Forest. Six hand crews are building fire line today. Two heavy Type I helicopters, four Type II helicopters, and one Type III helicopter continue to assist ground crews in checking the spread of the fire with water bucket drops. Fire lines used during the 2006 Tripod Fire are being re-established for use as contingency lines. Due to the remote location of the fire, fire fighters are being “spiked out” at a camp established south of Snowshoe Cabin.

Yesterday, there were no sustained runs and no significant movement of the fire. The fire is estimated to be 1990 acres in size. An infrared flight last night improved the mapping and size of the fire.

An area closure is in place and encompasses all National Forest Lands, both in and out of the Pasayten Wilderness, north of Fourteen Mile and Iron Gate Trailheads, and Windy Peak north of Haig Mountain up to the Canadian Border. For closure information go to inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4355/.

WA DNR has issued a recreation closure due to the Newby Lake fire which include outdoor activities on WADNR managed lands within Township 40 North, Range 24 East. Those areas west of Cold Springs Campground, and north of the Disappointment Trailhead, including all trail routes are closed until further notice as a safety precaution. These trails include Albert Camp, Goodenough, Snowshoe, North Fork, Border Camp, Olallie, Johnny Beall, as well as the Chopaka Jeep trail and 14 Mile Roads. (Issued at 1400 hrs. July 6, 2015)

Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 2 (WA IMT2) would like to thank the public for their continued support during the Newby Lake fire. Fire danger remains extremely high across the state. Be sure to check your fire agencies for local restrictions, forest and state closures.