9/28/2021 Schneider Springs Fire Update

 

Contact: Schneider Springs Information at (509) 653-1468, 8AM-7PM  ‌ ‌ Schneider Springs Fire Update September 28, 2021 Start Date: August 4, 2021 Cause: Lightning Size: 107,118 acres (43,349 hectares) Percent Contained: 49% Resources Assigned: 422 resources including Crews (10); Engines (23); Dozers (1); Air Resources (2); Other Heavy Equipment (14) Yesterday and Overnight: Cool temperatures and high humidity moderated fire behavior across the area, including in the wilderness to the west. Snow and hail were reported at Bethel Ridge. The fire’s eastern and southern flanks moved to patrol status while firefighters continued to make significant progress toward containment in the north. Repair work was on-going across the fire area. As more of the fire reaches containment, fire managers are beginning to demobilize personnel in order to right-size the team. Crews kept watch, monitoring the safety of the structures throughout the fire area. On the fire’s northwest corner around cabin communities, firefighters reinforced structure protection and prepared for burning operations as a contingency in the event of a return to summer-like weather and fire behavior. Containment line construction and mop-up continued across the fire’s northern edges. Overnight, crews patrolled at multiple summer home groups. Today: Crews will patrol and monitor the fire across the eastern, southern and western flanks while firefighters diligently work to deepen containment lines across the north where the fire has been most active. Crews will continue to backhaul the significant amount of equipment in the field. At the fire’s peak, there were over 100 miles of hose deployed to fight the Schneider Springs Fire. Repair crews, guided by plans and priorities established by subject matter experts known as Resource Advisors (READS), will continue their work to repair suppression-related damage and restore the landscape and road systems.  Closures: Closures remain on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest lands. For current forest closure information, see https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices. Campfire restrictions are in place for Washington Dept. of Natural Resources (WADNR) lands. WADNR managed lands outside the fire area are open. For more information, go to https://tinyurl.com/WADNR-lands-reopen. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been established to protect aircraft that are involved in the firefighting operation. Please do not use drones or any other restricted aircraft listed near the fire as it is a federal crime. Smoke Information: Visit https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ for local air quality information. Safety: National Fire Prevention Week starts this coming weekend, and runs through October 9. Although the observance was originally inspired by the Great Chicago Fire of October 8, 1871, a more devastating wildfire near Peshtigo, Wisconsin scorched 1.2 million acres and killed over 1,200 people on the same day. The theme of this year’s Fire Prevention Week is “Learn the Sounds of Fire Safety,” with a focus on knowing alarms and what to do when they sound.  Find out more at www.fpw.org. Know when there’s a wildfire or other disaster by signing-up for your county or city’s alert system, and make an evacuation plan with tips at www.wildlandfirersg.org.  Click here for maps and smoke outlook Stay connected to your public lands. Get the latest forest news and alerts by texting ‘follow OkaWenNF’ to 40404, 'liking' us on facebook or following us on twitter @OkaWenNF.  ‌ ‌ ‌ The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.