8/21/2021 Schneider Springs Update

Yesterday: Overall, fire growth was much slower yesterday, thanks to a favorable shift in winds, overcast skies, cooler temperatures, and higher humidity. On the west flank of the fire along Bumping River, crews continued to strengthen contingency lines using existing roads and topographical features. In the north dozer work began to connect a break between 1706 and Bumping River Road to the west, which will slow any fire spread up to the area that is settled directly south of Hwy 410. Structure protection preparation and scouting for hot spots continued along the Hwy 410 corridor. Mop-up between Bethel Ridge Road and Clover Springs Road commenced. South of Nile Road west of Hwy 410, crews worked to determine values at risk and plan for any future structure protection needs. The fire was most active in the south and southwest portion of the fire, especially in the William O. Douglas Wilderness Area where much of the fire is in steep, dangerous and inaccessible terrain. North of US 12, scouting for areas for containment lines was a priority. The fire moved within four miles of US 12, impacting critical infrastructure (communication tower). Three Type 1 and one Type 2 helicopters conducted water drops on the southern and eastern flanks.

Today: Firefighting response today will look much like it did yesterday: South and east of Bumping Lake, crews will build dozer lines, connecting existing roads to create more defensible space due to continuous slow backing and flanking. In the north, dozers will construct fireline from the 1706 road westward to Bumping River, utilizing roads and natural topographic features. Scouts are actively patrolling areas west of Hwy 410 from Halfway Flat south to Cliffdell and on to Nile Road, conducting pump and plumbing checks around structures. During the night, firing operations behind private property near the Nile community continued to strengthen protection measures, and mop up in the area between Bethel Ridge and Clover Springs Roads will continue today. Assessments for values at risk along Hwy 410 and US 12 remains a priority, and scouting for control line opportunities from Indian Creek west toward the 1500 Road will continue. Crews are working shifts around the clock. Four helicopters will perform water drops if conditions are ideal for air activity. An air quality advisory is in effect. The Northwest Team 2 Type 1 Incident Management Team will assume command of the Schneider Springs Fire at 0600 on Sunday, August 22.

Evacuations: LEVEL 3: Bumping River Road from north to south; Hwy 410 from Bumping River Road to U.S. Route 12. LEVEL 2: From U.S. 12 at Hwy 410 west to Tieton Reservoir Road. Yakima County Office of Emergency Management’s official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/YakimaCountyOEM. Yakima County geo-specific emergency alert system: www.yakimacounty.us/2222/Alert-Yakima. A Red Cross shelter has been established at Summit View Church of Christ, 100 North 72nd Avenue in Yakima.

Closures:  A temporary Forest closure order for National Forest lands is in effect. The closure order and map are available at https://bit.ly/ForestClosureOrders (Naches Ranger District table).

Smoke Information, Campfire and Flight Restrictions: Visit https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ for local air quality information. Campfires are prohibited throughout the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. 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