7/27/2015 Blue Creek Fire Update

Incident Summary: The Blue Creek Fire, located ten miles east of Walla Walla, started on Monday, July 20 around 12:30 PM. The fire was human-caused and is under investigation. The fire is burning in grass, brush and timber on state-protected private land.

Current Situation: All efforts are being made to minimize acres burned and keep the fire out of the Mill Creek Watershed. The fire has not burned into the watershed. Fire managers are cautiously optimistic that the tremendous work completed by the firefighters will keep the fire north and west of the Klicker Mountain Road and the Mill Creek Watershed. Fuel continues to burn in the interior and smoke will be visible.  Motorists in the area are asked to drive cautiously and watch for firefighters and apparatus both day and night. The Army Corps of Engineers has reopened Bennington Lake to boats. State mobilization has ended and structure protection resources have returned to their home units.

Planned Actions Today:  Firefighters continue to strengthen firelines lines, complete mop-up and begin rehabilitation activities. Mop-up means that crews will locate and extinguish any pockets of heat around the fire perimeter ensuring the lines will hold.  Crews continue to solidify firelines along the Mill Creek Watershed boundary and strengthen the fuel break that has been constructed. Aviation resources are available to provide support to the ground resources.

Crews continue patrolling the fire with hand held infrared devices (Palm IR) to locate pockets of heat not visible to the human eye. They work within 500 feet of all structures and 200 feet around the fire perimeter. Palm IR crews work in pairs and travel on foot. Teams work around the clock if conditions allow, but the devices are most effective in cooler overnight temperatures. When a pocket of heat is located, it is marked with a ribbon or flag.  Hand crews follow behind Palm IR teams to fully extinguish detected heat pockets. Residents are asked not to remove any ribbons or flags on their property.

Weather Outlook: The upper low will move through the region today. This will bring a chance of showers and isolated thunderstorms.  High pressure will return Tuesday bringing warmer and drier conditions through Friday.

Evacuation Information: Level 3: Blue Creek Road, Klicker Mountain Road because of firefighters and apparatus in the immediate vicinity. It is requested that people leave these areas so that firefighters may work safely. There are no Level 2 or Level 1 evacuation orders.

Closures: Traffic control points remain at 5 Points and at Blue Creek Road. Only local traffic will be allowed past the traffic control point. The Umatilla National Forest has lifted the forest closure. Blacksnake Ridge Road from Five Points to Klicker Mountain Road is closed to vehicle traffic at the request of firefighters and the Sheriff.

Cooperating Agencies: Department of Natural Resources Southeast Region, Walla Walla County Fire District 4, Washington State Patrol, Washington State Fire Marshal, Walla Walla Emergency Management Department, Walla Walla County Sheriff, Columbia County EMD, USDA Forest Service Umatilla National Forest