Sunday, September 13, 2015

9/13/2015 Carpenter Road fire Update

A guided tour of the Incident Command Post at Fruitland Bible Camp will be offered to the public this afternoon at 2:00 pm. Guests will learn about the Incident Command System and the functions of an Incident Management Team during large incidents. Please wear sturdy shoes and be prepared for touring outside.
Current Situation:
The Carpenter Road Fire holds at 63,972 acres and is 90% contained.
The transition to cooler and windy conditions today will be the biggest test of the fire lines as gusts are expected to reach 25 mph. Fuels have been curing since the last significant rainfall just under a week ago and crews are very mindful of the weather changes and are poised to react quickly. Continued use of handheld infrared heat detectors, heavy equipment and multitudes of fire apparatus surround the Carpenter Road Fire. A helicopter is available for air support and water drops if deemed necessary. The crews are working steadily to decrease the amount of heat along fire perimeters and performing repair work.
The spike camp in Valley will be shut down today and from now on all personnel will work from the Incident Command Post near Fruitland, WA. We wish to thank the community for the support to our firefighters.
A transition to a Type 3 incident management organization will occur on Tuesday September 15, 2015, at 6:00 am.as Oregon Team 3 has reached the end of their tour. The complexity of the Carpenter Road Fire has decreased (firefighter safety, organization, values to be protected, anticipated fire behavior) allowing a Type 3 organization to assume management.
The public is asked to refrain from going near the fire area on interior roads for public and firefighter safety. Fire managers would like to remind the public to watch out for fire equipment working in the area. Bow hunting and bear season is open and hunters and outdoor enthusiasts should use caution while recreating on private and public lands.
Closures and Evacuation Information:
· Stevens County EOC: (509) 684-7598 or www.co.stevens.wa.us
· On Tribal lands, the areas within the fire perimeter remain closed while other Tribal lands are open. For more information please contact the Spokane Tribal Police: (509) 258-4400.

Fire Prevention:
Roadside fires are extremely common this time of year. Be particularly cautious any time you pull a trailer; ensure your tires are inflated to the proper level and check the grease on your wheel bearings to avoid a blown tire. A safety chain dragging too low will bounce off the road surface and produce sparks that are difficult to see as you drive and start fires without you being aware of the ignition. Avoid driving your vehicle off of road surfaces and into tall grasses. Catalytic converters and exhaust systems heat up to very high temperatures, easily igniting dry grasses and shrubs.

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