8/26/2016 Cayuse Mountain Fire Update

Cayuse Mountain Fire Information

August 26, 2016, 10 am

NW Incident Management Team (IMT) 9, Brian Goff, Incident Commander

Start date:  Aug. 21, 2016     Current Size:  18,417 acres     Percent Containment: 50%

Structures lost: 14 houses, 9 other structures

Location:  Wellpinit, WA on the Spokane Indian Reservation

Firefighters made excellent progress yesterday in improving and securing containment lines around the fire, which is now 50% contained. Fire activity yesterday was all within the fire perimeter, mostly in islands of unburned vegetation. Suppression actions focused on mopping up hot spots near the fire perimeter and around residences.

Fire managers have identified a contingency line between the fire perimeter and Wellpinit. This line would serve as a secondary line designed to catch the fire should it escape containment lines. Today, heavy equipment and crews will work to improve the contingency line. They will also mop up near the fire perimeter. A structure group has been brought in to assess structures within the perimeter and complete mop up around these structures.  Currently, 346 personnel are assigned to the fire.

A Fire Weather Watch is in effect for Saturday afternoon for high winds and low humidity. Two additional helicopters, including a heavy helicopter, have been ordered as a precautionary measure. Other firefighting aircraft are available if needed, including retardant delivering air tankers.

Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations and road closures remain in place. Road closures include Elijah Road, Flett Road, Matthews Lake Road, Jacobs Road, Brandom Road, and Wynecoope-Cayuse Road. Non- paved roads have numerous hazards including holes, snags and falling trees.

Wellpinit water levels are improving, however residents are asked to continue to conserve water.

The Environmental Protection Agency is advising Spokane Indian Reservation and area residents to protect their health from wildfire smoke. For information on smoke conditions and appropriate actions, please visit http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.

Fire information, including evacuation notices, road closures, and daily updates, is posted on Inciweb at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4986/ and on the Rawhide Press Facebook page and website at www.spokanetribe.com. The fire email address is cayusemountainfire@gmail.com . The fire information phone is 509-416-6056.