9/14/2018 Iron East Fire Update

Iron East Fire Morning Update 9/14/18

Total acreage for the Iron East Fire is approximately 150 acres. The fire is 50% contained. There are about 300 personnel on the fire.

Ensuring public safety and the safety of firefighters is the utmost priority. Level 2 Evacuations continue to be in effect for structures 1/2 mile to the northeast of the fire. Highway 97 remains closed until Friday morning to allow the installation of culverts. Old Blewett Pass is closed for fire activity.

We thank the public and recreationalists for their cooperation in avoiding the area.

Night operations will continue for the next few days. This team will be transferring command of the fire early next week to the local unit.

The west side fire is fully lined with hand-dug line.

Mop up is occurring in several areas of the fire. Hot spots and smoke will be present in the interior until heavy rain or snow. These fires will be smoky until it rains consistently for a number of days, thoroughly wetting the fire, or a significant amount of snow falls.

Firefighters are “cold trailing” the fire line, searching for any hot spots in the perimeter. If a hot spot is identified, firefighters will dig down to the spot, bring it up to the surface, douse it with water and use other methods to extinguish all heat.

To assist in minimizing erosion, water bars will be constructed to divert water runoff on hand and dozer lines. These water bars are constructed at an angle to the roadway to assist in diverting water across the roadway.

More information on this fire can be found on https:// inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6195/

Quick Facts:
Fire Size: ~150 acres
Initial Start: 9/7/18 approx. 10:00pm
Location: 12 miles northeast of Cle Elum
Values at Risk: Structures threatened, Steelhead and Spotted Owl habitat
Cause: Lightning Containment: 50%
Road Closures: Avoid Old Blewett Pass for Fire Activity
FIRE INFORMATION:
IronEastFireInfo2018@gmail.com
(509) 416-6169
Southeast Washington Interagency IMT Type 3, Team 3
Bob Gear, Incident Commander