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Date: Sunday, August 15, 2021 – 8:00 a.m.
Contact: Naches Ranger District: 509-653-1468
START DATE: August 3, 2021
Cause: Lightning
SIZE: 16,521 acres
Percent Contained: 0%
Resources Assigned: ~371 personnel
Crews (12); Engines (17); Dozers (6); Water Tenders (5); Other heavy equipment (11)
Yesterday: A public meeting was held at 6:30 at the Nile-Cliffdell Fire Department, and the public was presented valuable updates and contact information and were able to hear from collaborators and partners actively engaged in keeping their communities protected. Perimeter growth mainly occurred western and southern portions. Fire personnel were in and around properties and homes along both the Highway 410 corridor and the Bumping River Road, planning and preparing for structure protection on private property and mapping areas suitable for containment line construction. This is an essential step in preparing to defend the area from possible future fire spread. Firefighter and public safety remain the number one priority of the incident, and incident managers, cooperators and local partners do not take decisions lightly. An extension to the Forest Closure Order was authorized, extending the closure to cover lands north of Highway 410 and to the western portion of the Wilderness Area to Highway 410.
Today: Expect smoky conditions to linger through the day, causing potential visibility and air quality issues. Drivers are reminded to remain cognizant of changing conditions, and for an increase in traffic from emergency response vehicles. A frontal passage will mostly push the fire south and east. With a shift in winds forecasted, fire growth will be to the northeast toward Highway 410 and west toward Bumping River Road. Crews are utilizing hoses and sprinklers along Bumping River Road, and along the Highway 410 corridor. Structure preparation is being conducted to the north, and dozer containment lines are holding well in the south east along the Rattlesnake drainage. Cooler weather and higher humidity are expected next week, which will provide better conditions for both ground and air support. The new Forest Closure Order (dated August 14) does not affect travel on Hwy 410, nor does it mean the highway is closed. However, residents and visitors to the area are encouraged to remain mindful of rapidly changing conditions. An Excessive Heat Warning and Air Quality Alert are in effect for today: https://bit.ly/SSFweather.
Evacuations: Bumping River Road and drainage remains at a LEVEL 3 evacuation. This means if you live in the area that you need to evacuate now. Hwy 410 from Eagle Rock north and west to Bumping River Road is currently in a LEVEL 2 Evacuation. This means if you live in the area you need to BE SET. Please check with Yakima County Office of Emergency Management on their official Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/YakimaCountyOEM for updates on evacuation information. Residents and visitors are encouraged to sign up for geo-specific emergency alerts through Yakima County: https://www.yakimacounty.us/2222/Alert-Yakima
Closures: An extension to the current temporary Forest closure order for National Forest lands has been issued, and covers the northwest portion of the William O. Douglas Wilderness Area to Hwy 410, and north of Hwy 410 in the Little Naches drainage. Agency personnel have been making notifications in recreation areas, advising visitors to vacate the area. The closure order and map will be available soon at https://bit.ly/ForestClosureOrders (see the Naches Ranger District table).
Smoke and Fire Restrictions Information: The Forest Service works closely with other federal and state partners to predict and mitigate smoke impacts on individuals and communities during wildfires. Visit https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ for local air quality information. Campfire restrictions are in effect and prohibited throughout the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Contact local ranger district offices for more information: https://tinyurl.com/yby4oysq
SAFETY: A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place above the Schneider Springs Fire area.Wildfires are a No Drone Zone. Visit Know Before You Fly: http://knowbeforeyoufly.org
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