7/27/2015 North Boulder 2 Fire Update

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.

With limited road access, firefighter safety is of utmost concern. Yesterday, firefighters had good success in continuing to brush out roads and open old trails to provide an indirect fireline around all sides of the fire, using dozers and excavators to remove dead and down trees, logs, and other debris.  Additionally, hand crews began building direct fireline around two sides of the fire and have scouted locations for additional fireline around the rest of the fire.  Cooler more humid weather has allowed them to work closer to the fire. 

An inventory of structures is complete and a Structure Protection Plan is in place, if the fire were to threaten any structures in the area.  This plan includes actions by the local County Fire Districts.

Last night the fire received between 8 and 16/100ths of an inch or rain.  While this amount of rain will soak down only the smaller fuels, it does bring up the humidity in the area in general and allow firefighters to work more safely, closer to the fire.

Today, the focus will be to continue the work on the indirect and direct fire lines.  Hotshot crews will be constructing hand line adjacent to the burned edge on the east and south flanks.  Fire crews and machinery will also continue working on the indirect fire line around the fire, brushing roads and clearing debris.

The fire is now 175 acres and 360 firefighters are assigned to the fire.  The fire is in the municipal water supply of the town of Orient.  Firefighter and public safety is the top priority on the North Boulder 2 fire.

A low pressure system will linger over the fire area today and slowly move east.  Warmer and drier weather is forecast beginning Wednesday.

Visitors and residents are urged to use caution and reduce their speed on the Boulder Creek Road (Ferry County 602) in the fire area, and along Hwy 395, as fire traffic has increased congestion in the area.

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