7/16/2015 Newby Lake Fire Update AM

Yesterday, two hot shot crews working in Canada are in good spirits even though their camp received snow.  The heat found in the area was interior of the fire and not a threat.  They plan to finish mop up today.   On the east side of the fire with the aide of palm infra-red devices, firefighters continued to mop up hot spots adjacent to the fire line.  Work stills remains after a day of falling snags and installing hose lay on the south end of the fire.

Today, on the north section in Canada crews will complete mop up and return to base camp when wind conditions permit helicopter flights.  Crews on the east side of the fire will continue mop up using the palm infra-red to locate areas of heat.  

In the southeast area, crews will continue securing the 4000 road.  Plumbing is complete with hose lays and pumps on the south end, but many hazard snags will be removed to improve fire lines.

Crews will continue to build contingency lines in the Branch Creek and Nine Mile Drainage.

Weather:  Winds are expected to peak around midmorning with speeds of 15 to 20 miles per hour with gusts of 30 miles per hour.  Winds should decrease in the p.m. to 8-13 miles per hour.  Temperatures will range from upper sixties to lower seventies at the fire.  Relative humidity is expected to be 30%. 

Closures:  An area closure remains in place on all National Forest Lands and WA DNR 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/