10/5/2022 White River, Irving Peak and Minnow Ridge Fire Update

 

White River, Irving Peak, and Minnow Ridge Fires Update Fire Information Line: 509-557-0973 October 5, 2022  -- 4:45 p.m.

·   Acres: 12,336 ·   Personnel: 120 ·   Location: 15 miles northwest of Plain, WA ·   Start Date: August 11, 2022 ·   Estimated Completion: October 30, 2022               Fire updates will be occurring about once a week, or as conditions change.   Unseasonably warm and dry conditions, with temperatures about 10 degrees above average, have contributed to a slight increase in fire activity over the past week. As a result of the natural increase in fire activity and lack of wind, the concentration of smoke has also increased.   White River and Irving Peak Fires:  The fire continued to progress toward the FS 6500 and 311 roads on the south and east perimeters. Last week, several spot fires were located across these roads and were successfully contained by fire crews. In order to protect values at risk and prevent unwanted spread of the fire to the south and east across FS 6500 and 311 roads, firefighters implemented tactical firing operations to strengthen the containment lines. The tactical firing operation has taken several days to complete with limited daily ignitions to avoid excess smoke production. The firing operations have been successful in keeping the fire north of FS 6500 road.   A Type 3 Incident Management Team and numerous fire resources including helicopters, multiple engines, handcrews, and an Interagency Hotshot Crew remain engaged in the full suppression effort.   Operations on the Minnow Ridge Fire:  The Minnow Ridge fire has had moderate growth with the most activity on the south-southeast perimeter in the Marble Creek area. The western edge has not crossed Chickamin Creek.   Weather and Smoke Updates:  The past several days have been warm and dry, conducive to active fire conditions. Smoke from the White River, Irving Peak, and Minnow Ridge fires continues to impact local communities. A frontal weather system bringing winds out of the west/northwest is predicted to move into the area on October 10 which will help to disperse the smoke and improve air quality.   Smoke from the Minnow Ridge fire is likely to impact the local vicinity until a season-ending event such as multiple days of significant rain or snow occurs.   Individuals who are sensitive to smoke may want to take precautions and limit outdoor activities.   Closures:  Fire closure orders remain in place with the following new trail closure additions: ·      Mad River Trail #1409 between Marble Meadow and Blue Creek Cabin ·      Blue Creek Trail #1426 between Marble Meadow and the intersection with North Tommy Trail #1425   Blue Creek Trail #1426 will remain OPEN between Blue Creek Cabin and North Tommy Trial #1425.   Evacuation levels:  All evacuations have been reduced to a level 1.   Fire Information: ·      Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8329/ ·      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WhiteRiverFireInfo ·      Fire Information Center: 509-557-0973    #whiteriverfire -End-