9/02/2015 Carpenter Road Fire Update

Carpenter Road Fire – Fruitdale, Washington

Location:  35 miles NW of Spokane, WA;

Incident Commander:  Doug Johnson

Information Center: 509-722-6165

Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4549/

Facebook: Carpenter Road Fire

Washington Smoke Information: Washington Smoke Blogspot

Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 3 (Oregon Team 3), IC Doug Johnson, assumed command of the Carpenter Road Fire this morning.  The Incident Command Post is located at the Fruitdale Bible Camp and the Fire Information Center contact numbers will remain the same.

Oregon Team 3 wishes to thank the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Blue Team, IC Jay Esperance, for the herculean suppression efforts on the Carpenter Road Fire to date.

Current Situation:

 

The Carpenter Road Fire is estimated at 64,419 acres (from infra-red flight last night), 45% containment and 870 personnel.

 

Unseasonably cool weather conditions have slowed the Carpenter Road Fire expansion and allowed firefighters to make significant progress on containment. Perimeters where indirect containment lines were constructed are being reworked to construct line closer to the fire’s edge to reduce the burned acreage footprint.

 

The southwest, south and southeast flanks of the fire are in various stages of mop-up and patrol.  Very few smokes were visible along these flanks. Hand held, infra-red, heat detection devices are being utilized along these flanks to locate heat sources for mop-up. Opportunities for suppression repair will begin on these lines. Direct and indirect dozer line on the east flank has been constructed and will be improved to secure this edge. Direct and in-direct line construction on north and northeast flanks will continue preparing for burnout operations. Planned burnout operations will bring fire off the very steep hill consuming fuels to secure this line. Spot fires across the containment lines in this area are in mop-up. Point protection is being provided for the Stensgar Communication site infrastructure on the ridge.

 

Aerial assets remain at the ready to assist firefighters.  The structure group of engines is patrolling and remains vigilant to provide structure protection. Snag falling operation along the Springdale-Hunters Road continues in an effort to open this road for safe public passage.

 

Closures and Evacuations:

For evacuation and road closure information call the following numbers

Stevens County EOC:  509 684-7598 or by visiting www.co.stevens.wa.us 

Spokane Tribal Police:  509 258-4400

With bow hunting season opening, hunters and recreationalists using private and public lands should use caution while enjoying the outdoors.  The recent precipitation has done little to alleviate the extreme drought conditions occurring in northeastern Washington.  The winds will quickly dry light fuels to where any type of spark or flame may ignite a wildfire.  Please follow local fire restrictions and remain mindful of fire prevention.