07/29/2015 North Boulder 2 Fire Update

North Boulder 2 Fire Update

July 29, 2015 –  Noon

Fire Information: (509) 738-7018 Email: NorthBoulder2Fire@gmail.com

Website:  www.inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4411/

The North Boulder 2 fire is located 3 ½ miles southwest of the town of Orient, Washington. The lightning caused fire is burning in heavy mixed conifer with a large amount of standing dead and down trees and in abundant surface fuels. The fire is 192 acres in size with 378 personnel and is now 25 percent contained. Only three minor injuries have been reported on the fire. 

Another day of solid progress took place yesterday. Along both the east and west side of the fire, helicopters assisted by dropping water as needed in support of the mechanized equipment  and firefighters working close to the fire’s edge. 

Today, firefighters will be working using skidgines, a rubber-tired tractor used for building logging roads and retrieving downed timber. Part fire engine, the skidgine carries a water tank, pump and hose mounted behind the cab. This specialized equipment has the versatility of bringing water over rough terrain when crews are in remote sections of the fire area. Work is also being completed to inventory, document, and map the area. 

A warming and drying trend will begin with temperatures warming to above normal, and fire activity expected to increase. A strengthening surface inversion will result in poor to moderate overnight recoveries of fuel moistures. 

Visitors and residents are urged to use caution and reduce their speed on the Boulder Creek Road (Ferry County 602) in the fire area, and along Hwy 395, as fire traffic has increased congestion in the area.

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