7/28/2015 Blue Creek Fire Update

Fire Information:  509-724-0040

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4401/

email:  bluecreekfire2015@gmail.com

FIRE STATUS Acres Burned:  6,004 acres

Cause:  Human – Under Investigation

Structures Destroyed:  1 primary, 11 outbuildings

Crews:  19

Engines: 60

Dozers: 5

RESOURCES

Closures: Local roads Evacuations: see below Containment:  73%

Water Tenders: 17

Helicopters: 3

Total personnel:  952

Injuries: 10 (many bee stings, twisted ankle, moderate burn to leg)

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. Due to better mapping the fire size has been reducedto 6,004 acres.

 

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. Fuel continues to burn in the interior and smoke will continue to be visible. Motorists in the area are asked to drive cautiously and watch for firefighters and apparatus both day and night. Forces are slowly being released as conditions improve. Three helicopters are available as needed; all others have been released to assist other incidents.

 

Planned Actions Today:  Firefighters continue to strengthen firelines, mop up hot spots and complete rehabilitation activities. Mop-up means that crews will locate and extinguish any pockets of heat around the fire perimeter ensuring the lines will hold. Efforts continue to focus on solidifying firelines along the Mill Creek Watershed boundary and the fuel break that has been constructed.

 

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. Teams work in pairs, on foot around the clock if conditions allow. 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.

 

Weather Outlook: A high pressure system will move in to the area and last throughout the week. This will result in lower humidity and temperatures rising into the 80s and lower 90s. Winds will be light.

 

Evacuation Information: Blue Creek Road, Klicker Mountain Road and Blacksnake Ridge Road were lowered to Level 1, meaning residents can return with caution.

 

Closures: Blue Creek Road and Klicker Mountain Road continue to be closed. Traffic control points remain at 5 Points and at Blue Creek Road. Only local traffic will be allowed past the traffic control point.

 

Fire Prevention: With continued dry conditions, fire season is still not over in Washington. Firefighters count on the public to help reduce risk. When residents of a fire prone community clear brush, trees and other flammable materials away from their homes, it helps keep residents and firefighters safe. More information on what can be done around homes in fire prone communities is at: www.firewise.org.