9/6/2017 Bridge Creek Fire Update

The Bridge Creek Fire has now reached 84 percent. Fire personnel are beginning to demobilize as more of the work is completed and fewer resources are needed. The fire is burning within the containment lines in a mosaic pattern in tall grass, timber, dead and downed debris. Some interior islands of fuel will continue to burn with isolated torching and smoldering.

Today’s focus will be in Division G where much of the heat of the fire is located, along the northeast perimeter and interior. Crews are working to establish a solid mop-up line 100 feet from the fire’s edge. The greater number of fire personnel remaining on the Bridge Creek Fire are working in this division.

Firefighters will continue utilizing the infrared camera along the southeast perimeter of the fire. Only three small areas of heat associated with smoke were observed in the interior of this area. Along the southern boundary, all of the hose lays were pulled and the area is now in patrol status. In Division A, the western perimeter of the fire, crews will begin pulling hose and pumps out of the “no name creek” draw and transporting this equipment back to base camp.

The heavy smoke moderated temperatures and humidity across the fire area yesterday. The blanket of thick smoke over the fire meant air attack was unable to fly. Due to smoke drifting from the fires in the Northwest, visibility may be limited again today. Once the smoke lifts, air operations will assist in moving equipment back to the supply unit and continue to support suppression efforts where needed.

Air quality across the region is currently in very unhealthy and hazardous conditions. Northeast and east winds brought thick smoke in from Montana and British Columbia wildfires. Children, the elderly, and individuals with respiratory illnesses are most at risk of serious health effects. For additional information on wildland fire smoke impacting Washington, visit the Washington smoke blog at http://wasmoke.blogspot.com . Additional information on wildland fire smoke impacting Washington visit: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/ .

The public is asked to drive cautiously due to increased traffic and potential smoke over the roadway. In addition to fire traffic primarily along the Bridge Creek Road, fire danger remains high. Mount Tolman Fire Center has set the fire danger level at ‘very high’ across the Colville Reservation.

Road/Area Closures:  Road closures around the fire, which were installed for firefighter safety, are posted with CCT: DOT road closure signs. Thirty Mile Road remains open northwest of the fire. Road closures are at Daisy Trail/Lynx Creek Road, Red Thunder Cutoff, BIA Road 1045, Oregon City Road, Beaver Dam Road, and Boss Creek Road. Additional closures are at Summit Trail and Oregon City. For information regarding road closure changes, please refer to the Colville Tribal Broadcast, News and Information Facebook page or call the Bridge Creek Fire Information line. You may also find the incident on Inciweb.