Bridge Creek Fire DAILY UPDATE August 25, 2017
Fire Information Keller ICP 509-634-7332
Northwest Incident Management Team 6
Ken Paul, Incident Commander
For Immediate Release
Today, fire crews will take advantage of reduced wind activity to begin a firing operation on a large unburned island on the southeastern portion of the fire. The operation, which will be conducted by an elite 20-person hand crew, will result in an increase of smoke that will be visible from the surrounding area. On the northern portion of the fire, additional crews will continue improving fire line along the perimeter in preparation for future suppression activities. Crews will actively hold and secure line with mop up actions and continue to grid for hot spots. The Northwest Incident Management Team 6, which has been managing the fire since August 11, will be handing command of the fire over to Northwest Incident Management Team 11, under Incident Commander Nathan Rabe, at the end of shift Saturday or early Sunday. Team 11 will begin arriving Friday and will shadow Team 6 through Saturday. Thursday, firefighters were challenged with winds gusting up to 25 mph on parts of the fire. Many small spot fires were reported on the northern perimeter of the fire with some spots discovered more than 600 feet outside the fire line, but still within the back-up lines. The largest spot was approximately one-eighth acre. Suppression efforts on the ground were assisted by three helicopters, which pulled water from Cody Lake. An overnight force continued suppression of the spot fires and held the fire within the current perimeter. Thursday, firefighters received a large donation from the Eastern Washington Firefighter Support Network and the Inchelium Boys and Girls Club. The donation included shirts, post cards, socks, toiletries, baked goods and other important items. The Boys and Girls Club also sent thank you cards to the firefighters. Colville Tribal Natural Resource Officers will continue to patrol Bridge Creek Road and the public is asked to drive cautiously keeping in mind smoke over the roadway, especially as crews initiate the firing operation on the southeastern portion of the fire. For information regarding road closures, please refer to the Colville Tribal Broadcast, News and Information Facebook page or call the Bridge Creek Fire Information line.
Quick Facts:
Size: 2670 acres
Containment: 33% Location: 13 miles NNE of Keller, WA Cause: Lightning Personnel: 514 Resources: Line Crews 12 Engines 24 Dozers 7 Water tenders 18 Skidgins 2 Masticators 4 Feller-bunchers 1 Aircraft: 1 Type 1 heavy helicopter 1 Type 2 medium helicopters 1 Type 3 light helicopter (Additional helicopters and other air support have been loaned from Omak, Deer Park, and Wenatchee as available.) Closures: All roads are closed north of Bridge Creek Road, west of Wynecoop Road, east of Keno Trail Road, and south of Lynx Cr Rd. Fire Information: 509-634-7332 BridgeCreekFire2017@ gmail.com. Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incid ent/5490/
