7/10/2015 Little Spokane and 231 Fire Update AM

Little Spokane is located in Riverside State Park near mile marker 10 off Highway

291, and started at approximately 5 PM, Monday, July 6. The 231 Fire, located seven miles south of Springdale, started on Friday, July 3, and is burning on state and private land. The cause of both fires are under investigation. Public and firefighter safety is a significant concern. There are approximately 450 total personnel.

Little Spokane Fire: The Little Spokane Fire is 176 acres and is 20% contained. There is a line around the fire and firefighters will continue to work today to strengthen that line. Firefighters have hose lays around the entire perimeter and will locate and extinguish any remaining pockets of heat within 200 feet of the line. Smoke may continue to be visible.  Painted Rocks trailhead is closed.  Evacuation orders in the area have been lifted. Seven 20-person crews, 3 water tenders, 16 engines, and 1 dozer are assigned to Little Spokane Fire.

231 Fire:  Crews have a line constructed around the fire continue to seek and extinguish all pockets of heat within 200 feet of the fire perimeter. Rehabilitation of fire line is underway. Crews continue to patrol the fire perimeter. Smoke may continue to be visible on the interior of the fire. One 20-person crew, 10 engines, a dozer, and 4 water tenders are assigned to 231 Fire.

Weather Outlook: Hot and dry conditions will continue – maximum temperature will be slightly lower than yesterday at 95 degrees with south to southwest winds at 4-7 mph. Humidity will increase today to19 – 24 percent. There is a fire weather watch for lightning and gusty winds Friday afternoon.

FireWise Message: Fire season is far from over. Fire fighters 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.

Closures: Lake Spokane Campground and boat launch remain closed. Riverside State Park has closed the Painted Rock Trailhead.

Injuries: There have been five injuries; a fall in camp and heat related illness. 

Cooperating Agencies: Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Stevens County Fire District 1, Spokane Fire District 4, Spokane Fire District 9