8/27/16 Cayuse Mtn. Fire

August 27, 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: 60%
Structures lost: 14 houses, 9 other structures
Location:  Wellpinit, WA on the Spokane Indian Reservation

The Cayuse Mountain Fire is now 60% contained and remains at 18,417 acres. Yesterday, firefighters
continued to strengthen lines around the fire perimeter, and also completed construction of a
contingency line between the fire and Wellpinit. The contingency line will provide an opportunity
to safely stop the fire progression if it escapes the current perimeter and advances towards
Wellpinit.

A red flag warning has been issued for today. Southwest winds could produce gusts up to 30 mph on
the ridgetops, humidity may reach the teens. An Incident Meteorologist from the National Weather
Service has been assigned to the fire to provide ongoing fire weather forecasts. A structure group
of engines will continue to focus on reducing the potential of fire impacting residences and other
structures. Mop up and patrol will continue along the fire perimeter. Resources have been
identified to support initial attack on potential new fires in the area. Currently, 412 personnel
are assigned to the fire.

Level 2 and Level 3 evacuations and road closures remain in place. A level 3 evacuation means “Go”;
conditions present an immediate threat to life and safety.  A level 2 evacuation means “Set”; be
ready to leave immediately. Road closures include Elijah Road, Flett Road, Matthews Lake Road,
Jacobs Road, Brandom Road, and Wynecoope-Cayuse Road. Drivers are asked to use extreme caution as
non-paved roads have numerous hazards including holes, snags and falling trees.

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 number is 509-416-6056 or 509-258-4515.