8/16/2015 Stickpin Fire Update

Incident Summary: The Stickpin fire is located on the Kettle Crest in northern Ferry County, Washington

Current Situation:  Firefighters continue to arrive to work on the Stickpin fire. Crews were able to take advantage of cooler weather and mild winds yesterday. The west side of the fire is the first priority; firefighters are providing structure protection and looking for options to construct fire lines. Dozer line was started yesterday in the Boulder Creek and Long Alec areas. Public and firefighter safety is a significant concern, and incident management personnel are looking at all options for suppression. Fire crews from across the state are in place to assist Ferry County Fire District 14 with structure protection under the State Mobilization Act as approved by the Chief of the State Patrol and the State Fire Marshal. Significant fire activity occurred across the region yesterday and fire officials are working together to prioritize incident personnel and manage numerous incidents. A warming and drying trend is forecast for the next few days and fire activity is expected to increase. Northwest-north winds will be 3-5 miles per hour.

Community Meetings: A community meeting was held last night in Malo. Approximately 135 community members attended and received an update from fire and local officials. Another meeting will be held at the Malo Grange on Tuesday, August 18 at 7 PM. An additional meeting is being planned for Monday evening in Orient. Details will be available as soon as possible and will be posted on Inciweb.

Evacuation Information: No changes. LEVEL I: Deadman Creek; LEVEL II: Lone Ranch Road, Hurl Burt, Danville Area, Everything South to Lambert Creek; LEVEL III: Long Alec, Boulder Creek/Deer Creek. The American Red Cross has a shelter at the Republic School.

Closures: Deer-Boulder County Road 602 is closed; Highway 20 is recommended as an alternate. Colville National Forest is closed from the Canadian Border to Deadman Creek. All trails, roads, and access are temporarily closed due to extreme fire activity. No campfires, charcoal or chainsaw use is allowed.

Smoke: The Tri-County Health Department has issued a wildfire smoke advisory. Air quality in the area is being impacted from recent wildfires.  On-going observation of air quality has shown conditions worsening, reaching a “very unhealthy” level for air quality in some areas. People with asthma, lung and heart disease have an increased risk of symptoms or worsening of their disease. It should be stressed that wildfire smoke is not a major health threat for most people under most conditions.  However, for sensitive groups, it can be a serious issue.  Masks are available at the Red Cross Shelter in Republic. Health information is located at: http://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/AirQuality/OutdoorAir/SmokeFromFires/WildfireSmoke.aspx

Cooperating Agencies: Department of Natural Resources Northeast Region, USDA Forest Service Colville National Forest, Ferry County Fire Districts 13 and 14, Ferry County Sheriff, Ferry County, City of Republic, Washington State Patrol, Washington State Fire Marshal, US Border Patrol

FIRE STATUS Acres Burned:  27,343 acres Cause:  Lightning

Structures Destroyed:  None

Crews:  6

Engines: 24

Dozers: 6

RESOURCES

Closures:  Deer-Boulder County Road 602, Colville National Forest Area Closure Evacuations: see below

Containment:  0%

Water Tenders: 15

Helicopters: 0 assigned (available if needed)

Total personnel: Approx. 300

Injuries: 0