8/3/2015 Baldy Fire PM Update

Ione, Wash., -- The 286-acre Baldy Fire, burning approximately six miles northwest of Ione, Wash., is creeping through the mixed forest stands of subalpine fir, lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, and western redcedar along the ridge east of Baldy Mountain.  The fire is burning primarily through heavy ground fuels and has had limited spotting outside the primary fire ‘footprint’.  The fire’s slow growth is attributed to heavy smoke from other fires in Chelan County blocking daytime heat and by calm wind conditions.

The Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #4 (WAIIMT #4) under the direction of Brian Gales, incident commander, will transition with a Type III team (Tony DeMasters, IC) tonight at 8 p.m.  The two teams are working together to determine the most safe and effective firefighting strategies and tactics. Building fire lines along the perimeter of the fire is difficult because of heavy ground fuels.

Gales and his staff are working closely with the Washington Department of Transportation, Pend Oreille County Sheriff, Emergency Services, Bonneville Power, Seattle City and Light and the PUD to evaluate the risks to private property, utility lines and roads.  A notification system is being established to warn residents should the need for evacuation arise through the Pend Oreille County Sheriff.  

Presently, the fire is not posing an immediate threat to the Ione community or any communities along the Pend Oreille River.  The fire is backing downhill slowly toward Cedar Creek, an important watershed resource.  Firefighting crews today are brushing and improving the Cedar and Jim Creek roads for access to the fire and potential contingency fire lines. Crews are also locating and creating safety zones, escape routes and helispots for use by firefighters.

The fire was detected on Saturday, quickly burning yesterday to its present size.  Water and retardant drops from air tankers and helicopters helped minimize its growth yesterday. Fire managers are working to develop a strategy to minimize fire growth while balancing firefighter exposure, resource values and risks. Low winds and the smoky haze are expected to help slow the fire today and tomorrow, but extremely dry conditions are expected to continue through the month.  A storm, with potential lightning is predicted later this week. 

Fire Size:   286 acres 
Location:  East flank of Baldy Mountain, Sullivan Lake Ranger District,  Colville  National Forest

Hazards: Dangerous snags, heavy ‘jackstraw’ ground fuels, steep terrain, remote location, lack of safety zones and escape routes, poor access 
Values at Risk: Electric lines east and south of the fire, private property near the Pend Oreille River, fish habitat, water resources, timber
Cause:Undetermined
Containment: 0%
Resources Committed or Available: 

• 3 Type I Crews

• 3 Type II Crews
  

• 1 Engine

• 1 Type II Helicopter
  

• 1 Type III Helicopter

Personnel: 200
Road Closures: Cedar Creek Road closed because of present firefighting activity; potential road closures:  Jim Creek and Smackout roads