9/10/2015 Carpenter Road Fire Update

A Community Meeting is scheduled for tonight, September 10^th, 6:00 PM in Valley at the Valley School. A current update on the Carpenter Road Fire will be given and an opportunity to ask questions will be provided. Please come join us.

Current Situation:

The Carpenter Road Fire remains approximately 65,068 acres and is 90% contained.

Firefighters have a large amount of repair work to complete to meet agency standards on the Carpenter Road Fire. The public is asked to refrain from going near the fire area on secondary roads for public and firefighter safety. Although no formal closure has been issued, the repair process around the perimeter includes snag falling operations and heavy equipment moving along roads throughout the day. Crews are taking all precautions to alert public nearing work areas, please be courteous and avoid the area.

The weather forecast of temperatures in the upper 70’s to low 80’s, light winds and sunny skies into the weekend will give fuels a chance to dry out. Two areas of the fire, on the north and east, are being monitored closely and worked for reduction of hot spots. Chippers are being used on the southern portion of the fire to reduce vegetation around the fire perimeter. Fire managers have high confidence perimeter lines will hold strong as they are tested. Heat and smoke are mostly interior of perimeter lines.

Demobilization of excess resources will continue over the next few days as the suppression repair work wraps-up.

Closures and Evacuation Information:

· Stevens County EOC: (509) 684-7598 or www.co.stevens.wa.us

· On Tribal lands, the fire perimeter remains closed while other Tribal lands are now open. For more information please contact the Spokane Tribal Police: (509) 258-4400.

Resources Assigned: 855 personnel (total)

· 27 crews; 4 helicopters; 38 engines (wildland & structural); 8 Dozers; 9 Water Tenders; 1 Masticator

For up to date information on the Industrial Fire Protection Level (IFPL), please check the Washington Department of Natural Resources website at http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ifpl