7/12/2015 Little Spokane Fire and 231 Fire FINAL Update

THIS WILL BE THE FINAL UPDATE FOR 231 FIRE AND LITTLE SPOKANE FIRE

Incident Commander Mike Ciraulo and all the members of Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 1 would like to express their thanks to the communities of Springdale, Tum Tum, Nine Mile Falls, and Spokane for their support during the suppression of the 231 and Little Spokane Fires.

Today will be the final operational shift for most of the incident personnel. Initial attack responsibilities will shift back to local resources. A smaller type 4 incident management organization will be in place for the 231 and Little Spokane Fires. Smoke may be visible in the interior of both fires. Fire personnel will continue to patrol and monitor.

Fire science research and case studies reveal that it is not where a home is located that necessarily determines risk, but the landscape around it, often referred as the “home ignition zone”. The home ignition zone is designated as the home and its immediate surroundings up to 200 feet.  It is quite common to have neighbors whose ignition zone overlaps yours. Buildings that are closer than 100 feet apart can ignite each other if they are in flames. To be most effective, neighbors need to work together and with their local fire service to increase wildfire safety. For more information, visit www.firewise.org.

Lake Spokane Campground and boat launch remain closed, however, they will tentatively reopen on Tuesday, July 14 after fire personnel have departed. Riverside State Park has closed the Painted Rock Trailhead for public safety. Complete recreation information can be found by calling 509-465-5064.

Little Spokane is located in Riverside State Park near mile marker 10 off Highway 291, and started at approximately 5 PM, Monday, July 6. The 231 Fire, located seven miles south of Springdale, started on Friday, July 3 around 3PM, and is burning on state and private land. The cause of both fires is under investigation.