7/30/2015 Blue Creek Fire Update

THIS WILL BE THE FINAL UPDATE FOR BLUE CREEK FIRE

Incident Commander Mike Ciraulo and all the members of Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 1 would like to express their thanks to the Walla Walla Valley for their support during the suppression of the Blue Creek Fire.

Transition: Today will be the final operational shift for most of the incident personnel. A smaller type 3 incident management organization will be in place.  Smoke may be visible in the interior of the fire until significant rainfall occurs. Fire personnel will continue to mop-up, patrol and monitor.  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4401/ will be updated until the Type 3 team departs.

Fire Prevention: Fire science research and case studies reveal that it is not where a home is located that necessarily determines risk, but the landscape around it, often referred as the “home ignition zone”. The home ignition zone is designated as the home and its immediate surroundings up to 200 ft. It is quite common to have neighbors whose ignition zone overlaps yours. Buildings that are closer than 100 feet apart can ignite each other if they are in flames. To be most effective, neighbors need to work together and with their local fire service to increase wildfire safety.  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. Two helicopters are available as needed; all others have been released to assist other incidents.

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 remain closed. 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