7/12/2015 Newby Lake Fire Update AM

Rain, cooler temperatures, and higher relative humidity are assisting firefighters as they build fire line to minimize the amount of acres burned in the Loomis State Forest.  Minimal growth of the fire occurred yesterday and the total acreage of the burn area remains at 5,065 acres.  The fire is now 15% contained.

Today, the Pacific Northwest Team 3 Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Ed Lewis is “shadowing” the Washington Incident Management Team 2 currently managing suppression on the fire.  This team will assume management of the fire.

Six Hot Shot crews and five Type II crews are deployed in the steep, rocky fire area and are successfully corralling the fire at the northern, northeast, and southeast portions of the fire.  Firefighters continue to construct line directly at the edge of the fire. 

In addition to steep rocky terrain, firefighters are faced with an abundance of dead snags. Yesterday, a falling snag caused a minor injury to a firefighter.  The firefighter was evaluated at a local medical facility and released. 

Ground crews continue to be assisted by helicopters making water drops as needed to cool hot spots.  Six helicopters are assigned to the fire.  Mechanized equipment including dozers, feller bunchers, and masticators are improving fire lines on the Loomis State Forest portion of the fire.