8/7/2015 Baldy Fire Update

Since the Baldy Fire was discovered on August 1, firefighters have been identifying and constructing containment lines to stop its spread. Sometimes this is referred to as building a “box” for the fire. The box being built for the Baldy Fire includes portions of the Cedar Creek and Jim Creek Roads, powerline easements, and lines dug by hand and with bulldozers. Much of the initial work on these proposed lines has been completed.

Contingency lines are being prepared further from the Baldy Fire in case the fire escapes the primary containment area. Ideally, these lines won't be needed.

Today, firefighters began work on a smaller containment box due to favorable weather and lessened fire activity. An old, overgrown road has been located along Baldy Mountain, on the west side of Cedar Creek. Another old road was found that ties to Jim Creek Road. Bulldozers have started clearing vegetation and flammable debris off of these old roads, making them into new control lines for the fire.

There are several miles of roads that need to be cleared. Dead snags, common on much of Baldy Mountain, will have to be felled where they pose a danger to firefighters. Hand crews will need to do fuel reduction work along these new control lines before they can be expected to stop the fire. It will take several days to complete the work on these lines. Water drops from aircraft will continue to be used to slow the fire's progression long enough for these lines to be completed. If firefighters succeed in completing these control lines, the fire will be contained to a much smaller footprint.

Although the weather was cooler and a little more humid today, warmer and drier weather is expected to return tomorrow. Fire Behavior Analyst Dean Warner said, “Expect a change in the weather, but not a big change in fire activity. Most of the current fire activity is under the tree canopy. It is not as heavily influenced by the solar heating or the wind as it was when it was burning on the open ridges.”

There will be a public meeting Friday, August 7th at 6:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the Ione Baptist Church. All are welcome to attend.

Quick Facts:

Fire Size: 507 acres

Fire Start Date: Saturday, August 1, 2015

Location: Six miles northwest of Ione, WA

Hazards: Dangerous snags, heavy ‘jackstraw’ ground fuels, steep terrain, remote location, lack of safety zones and escape routes, poor access

Values at Risk: Power lines east and south of the fire, private property, fish habitat, water resources, timber, structures

Cause: Under investigation

Containment: 2%

Resources:

3 Type I Crews

7 Type II Crews

12 Engines

1 Type I Helicopter

1 Type III Helicopter

2 Air Attack

Additional air support available as needed

5 Dozers

Personnel: 395

Area Closures: Area surrounding the Baldy Fire is closed to vehicle and foot traffic