7/13/2015 Newby Fire Update AM

The Pacific Northwest National Incident Management Team 3 led by Incident Commander Ed Lewis assumed command of the Newby Lake fire today at 6 a.m.  Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 2 has completed their 14 day deployment and is headed home today.  We thank them for their service.

Firefighters continue to take advantage of the recent rainy weather to construct fire line directly at the edge of the fire where terrain allows.  Yesterday, the northern portions of the fire received one quarter to nearly a half inch of rain.  There were also areas of the fire which received no rain.  Weather tomorrow is predicted to be drier following a more seasonal pattern.

In open areas with no forest canopy, the rain penetrated the soil to a depth of approximately three inches. In areas of closed forest canopy, the rain penetrated the soil only to a depth of a half of inch. Although the recent rain has stopped the fire from being spread by fine fuels, such as grasses, heavy large fuels with diameters three inches and larger are still very dry and are still carrying the fire.

At the northern and eastern portions of the fire near and in the Loomis State Forest, hot shot crews are building hand line and tying portions of line together. Dozer line is also being completed at this section of the fire. Although some dozer line is already completed south of the current perimeter of the fire, today scouts are attempting to locate possible locations for dozer line closer to the fire. The objective is to minimize the amount of acres burned in the Loomis State Forest.

An area closure remains in place on all National Forest Lands and WA DN lands affected by the fire.

For the most up-to-date trail, road and campground closure information on National Forest and Washington DNR lands, please contact the appropriate land management agency or visit their websites

Washington DNR:  www.dnr.wa.gov/managed-lands/forest-and-trust-lands/loomis-and-loup-loup-state-forests

Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest: www.fs.usda.gov/okawen/