7/26/2015 North Boulder 2 Fire Update

July 26, 2015 - Noon

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

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

 

The North Boulder 2 is located 3 ½ miles southwest of the town of Orient, Washington. The fire is burning in heavy mixed conifer with a large amount of standing dead trees and heavy surface fuels. Washington Incident Management Team 2 (WAIMT2) is managing the North Boulder 2 fire working closely with the Colville National Forest fire managers in developing fire suppression strategies.

With limited road access, firefighter safety was of the utmost concern. Yesterday afternoon, fire crews took advantage of the cooler, more favorable weather conditions working close to the fire’s edge. Firefighters scouted the perimeter and determined a safe, direct attack could be initiated. Mechanized equipment, such as dozers and excavators were used to remove dead and down trees, logs, and other debris.

The structure protection group completed an inventory of structures in the Orient area, as well as other area structures adjacent to the fire. Although no structures are threatened at this time, preparing a structure inventory plan can assist firefighters in the event that the fire were to move through that specific area. An added benefit is that the inventory and plan will be available to local fire agencies in the future.

Today, the focus will be to continue the work to remove danger trees, and construct line along portions of the fire to reduce firefighter exposure. Hotshot crews will be constructing line adjacent to the burned edge on the east flank. Fire crews will also continue working on an indirect attack for an alternate fire line along the northern perimeter brushing roads and clearing debris.

Approximately 356 firefighters are assigned to the fire with additional resources ordered. The fire is in the municipal water supply of the town of Orient. Fire behavior is minimal as the fire creeps along with isolated torching and minimal fire spread.  As a result of the infrared flight overnight, the updated acreage on the North Boulder 2 fire is at 176. There are no threats to private property and no injuries have been reported. Firefighter and public safety is the top priority on the North Boulder 2 fire.

A low pressure system will linger over the fire area and slowly move out of the region on Monday. Cooler temperatures, higher relative humidity, and scattered showers will continue today keeping fire behavior low. Some smoke may be visible to the public along Hwy 395. 

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 your fire agencies for local restrictions, forest and state closures.