8/19/2021 Ford Corkscrew Fire Update

 Ford Corkscrew Daily Fire Update 8-19-21

Virtual public meeting tonight; Firefighters and additional staff continue to arrive and support daily and overnight operations

Announcement:  A virtual public meeting for the Ford Corkscrew Fire will be held tonight, August 19, 2021, via Facebook at 7pm/PDT. To join, please visit the Northeast Washington Fire Information Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/newfireinfo. 

Overview: Yesterday, the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 assumed command of the Ford Corkscrew Fire and immediately went to work to build on the success of the local initial attack team. Ground and aerial operations, including hand crews, engines, heavy equipment, helicopters, and airtankers continued to support firefighting operations, successfully increasing containment on the west side of the perimeter. Residents and visitors should continue to expect an increase in fire traffic around the Lakeside Middle School in Nine Mile Falls as more crews arrive to support the fire fighting efforts. 

Fire Update: The Ford Corkscrew Fire showed active fire behavior yesterday with torching, spotting, and uphill pushes throughout the fire area. Crews were successful in putting out several spot fires on the southern edge yesterday and will continue structural protection efforts as well as constructing direct and indirect line where safe to do so. 

Today, crews will continue the extensive including work being done across the fire area to protect surrounding communities including Williams Valley, infrastructure, and the perimeter as a whole. Residents are encouraged to contact Stevens County Emergency Management for more information on structure status assessments and follow updates on the Northeast Washington Fire Information Facebook page and Ford Corkscrew Fire Inciweb page (links below). Crews will continue monitoring fire behavior, conducting mop up operations, and patrolling/securing the fire perimeter today and throughout the night. 

Weather: Weather today will be hotter and drier than yesterday, which will support an increase in fire behavior. A return of southwest winds with lower relative humidity values and higher temperatures are expected today. These conditions are expected to be followed by two days of moderated fire weather prior to a stronger wind event and chance for showers or thunderstorms by the weekend. 

Closures/Restrictions: The following roads are closed: SR 231 between milepost 50, from the Ford-Wellpinit Road to Hidden Road, milepost 60 northwest of Spokane; Rail Canyon Road; McAlister Road and Scott’s Valley Road (at intersection with Burroughs). Additionally, a temporary flight restriction (TFR) is in effect around the fire area. Residents and visitors are also encouraged to maintain a safe distance from working air craft conducting water filling operations on local water ways and lakes, including Loon and Long lakes.

Ways you can help: We greatly appreciate the support and generosity of the community! Our team’s focus is on the mission of fire suppression while keeping firefighter and public safety our number one priority. Our wildland fire crews and staff at Incident Command are well equipped and cared for. While we will not be accepting donations, residents are encouraged to support firefighter efforts and the local community in other ways such posting thank you or consider financial contributions to a voluntary organization of your choice (i.e., American Red Cross, local fire department, etc.).

If you fly, we can’t: Flying recreational drones over or near wildfires could cause injury or death to firefighters and hamper the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. If recreational drones are detected over or near a wildfire, aerial firefighting aircraft may be grounded, causing wildfires to grow larger and unduly threaten lives, property, and natural and cultural resources. Individuals who interfere with wildfire suppression efforts may be subject to civil penalties.

More Information:Ford Corkscrew Fire Daily Updates on Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7803Northwest Washington Fire Information Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newfireinfoStevens County Emergency Management Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stevenscountyemEvacuation Notices and Updates via Hyper-Reach: https://secure.hyper-reach.com/comsignupw.jsp?id=41001Structure 
Information via Stevens County Emergency Management: 509-684-7563