7/29/2015 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. The fire remains at 6,004 acres.

FireWise Message: Firefighters are trained to safely and efficiently suppress wildland fires, but their effectiveness is reduced when they must sweep decks, move wood piles and patio furniture while trying to fight a fire. Here are some things that you can do to help: prune low hanging limbs to reduce ladder fuels, clean roofs and gutters of pine needles and dead leaves, keep flammable plants and mulches at least 5 feet away from your home’s perimeter, use low-growing, well pruned and fire-resistant plants around home, screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire screening no larger than 1/8-inch

mesh, sweep decks and porches clear of fallen leaves, move woodpiles away from the home during non- winter months, bring doormats and furniture cushions inside when an area is threatened by wildfire. For

more information, visit  www.firewise.org.

Current Situation:  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. Efforts continue to focus on solidifying firelines along the Mill Creek Watershed boundary and the fuel break that has been constructed.

Weather Outlook: High pressure will continue to build, bringing increasingly warmer and drier conditions through the end of the week with poor overnight humidity recovery. However, winds will generally be

light. Monsoonal moisture will eventually return, leading to a slight chance of thunderstorms by next

Tuesday.  Maximum temperatures today will be 90 degrees in valleys, 85 degrees on ridgetops.

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.

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