8/21/2021 Ford Corkscrew Fire Update

 

Announcement:  A virtual public meeting for the Ford Corkscrew Fire will take place tonight, Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 7pm PDT via the Northwest Washington Fire Information Facebook page. Please note, you do not need to have a Facebook account to attend a live video.

Overview: The Ford Corkscrew Fire showed moderate fire behavior yesterday due to cooler weather conditions. Arial resources and ground crews working day and night operations have been successful in increasing containment of the fire. The Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 is working closely with local partners and stakeholders to continue evaluating evacuation levels across the fire area. Residents are encouraged to continue monitoring the Northeast Washington Fire Information Facebook page and Ford Corkscrew Fire Inciweb page (links below) for updates.

Fire Update: Moderated fire behavior will continue throughout the day for the Ford Corkscrew Fire. A slow start to today’s burn period will reduce the opportunity for fire to build energy before afternoon clouds and potential thunderstorms. Fire is expected to continue spreading through surface area fuels, but struggle to build momentum in live brush and timber. Rain events will assist in reducing fire behavior, but interior unburned islands will continue to consume fuels, with smoke likely present.

Crews will continue to scout and construct direct fire line where safe to do so. Resources in all divisions will monitor and mop up within completed containment lines and provide point protection where needed. Crews will also secure unburned islands around structures, including in Rail Canyon.

Weather: It was warm, muggy, and smoky across the region yesterday, with isolated showers and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Today, a low-pressure system will bring cooler temperatures, higher humidity, showers and thunderstorms with the potential for heavy downpours and lightning strikes in and around the Ford Corkscrew Fire. As the system tracks to the east, the fire will experience a wind shift from northeast to southwest with potential for gusts near 15 mph in the evening. Persistent clouds will keep temperatures in the upper 60s and a cold front will bring windy conditions tomorrow.

Closures/Restrictions:The following roads are closed: Rail Canyon, McAlister, Scotts Valley and Casberg-Burroughs at the Williams Valley intersection. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) remains in effect around the fire area. Residents and visitors are also encouraged to maintain a safe distance from working aircraft 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.