“Another good day on the
line,” said Kim Valentine, Field Operations Chief on the Baldy Fire at the 6
a.m. briefing Sunday morning. Most of the work to improve contingency lines will
be completed today. Crews and equipment continue to work directly along the
fire’s edge. Observers on the fire overnight reported that the fire was very
quiet.
Fire Behavior Analyst Dean Warner cautioned the
firefighters not to be complacent. He emphasized that fuel moistures are still
extremely low. Rates of spread will remain slow today due to the cloud-cover,
but the consumption of interior fuel will continue.
Warner urged the crews to remain vigilant to the
possibility of spot fires from torching trees that could loft embers across
containment lines. He added that the dry fuels and the weather we’re
experiencing closely mimic those of the Pend Oreille Fire of 2007 which grew to
10,000 acres in Canada.
John Fox, Incident Meteorologist warned the
firefighters that we are in a changing weather pattern. The cooler and cloudier
weather we’re experiencing this morning will give way to hotter temperatures
later in the week with possible thunderstorms and lightning.
The Incident Management Team is very thankful for
the support the community and cooperating agencies have provided over this last
week of fire suppression efforts. The Team is offering the public a chance to
tour the Incident Command Post (or Fire Camp) this afternoon and tomorrow. Tours
will begin at 2 p.m. today (Sunday) and then at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday.
Participants are directed to enter the Selkirk High School grounds through the
north entrance and park in the lower lot near the track and football field. A
tour guide will meet them there.
Additional information about the tours or fire
suppression activities is available at 509-446-1292.
Quick Facts:
Fire Size: 535 acres
Fire Start Date: 8/1/15
Location: Six miles northwest of Ione,
WA
Hazards: Dangerous snags, heavy ‘jackstraw’
ground fuels, steep terrain, helicopter operations, 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: 7%
Resources:
4 Type I Crews
6 Type II Crews
12 Engines
1 Type I Helicopter
1 Type II Helicopter
1 Type III Helicopter
2 Air Attack Platforms
Additional air support available as needed
5 Dozers
7 Water tenders
2 Skidgeons
Personnel: 441
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