Bridge Creek Fire DAILY UPDATE August 27, 2017
Fire Information Keller ICP 509-634-7332
Northwest Incident Management Team 11
Nathan Rabe, Incident Commander
For Immediate Release
Today, fire crews will scout and assess an opportunity to directly attack the Bridge Creek Fire. The goal is to reduce the footprint by cutting a new route from the western flank to the northeast with dozers and a Type 1 hotshot crew while ensuring firefighter safety. The decision will be contingent on mitigating hazards with an additional safety zone, which will utilize a harvest unit, and anchor points. Mount Tolman Fire Center Fire Management Officer Ike Cawston stated the opportunity presented to Northwest Incident Management Team 11 (NW IMT 11) is thanks to hard work of the previous team managing the fire, NW IMT 6. Saturday, crews completed a firing operation in the southeastern corner of the fire and continued to mop, secure and hold fireline. Additional crews removed hazard trees that have caused continuous concerns throughout the fire. Other hazards have included rolling debris, steep topography, dry and receptive fuels, and increased traffic on the Bridge Creek Road. Additional crews will mop, secure and hold the eastern and southern fire perimeters. Spotting has been reported over the eastern perimeter. Additional spotting has been reported throughout the week over the northeastern perimeter. The majority of the southern perimeter has been contained and will be patrolled by engines. Firefighters continue to search for spot fires from Thursday’s wind event. One spot fire was found and suppressed more than 1,700 feet outside the fire perimeter. Fire weather specialists reported warmer, dryer weather in the forecast, and poor humidity recovery overnight, which may increase fire behavior. Weather specialists continued to note high atmospheric instability also has the potential to create increased fire behavior. The instability also will cause smoke to develop into a ‘plume,’ which will be visible from nearby communities. Colville Tribal Natural Resource Officers will continue to patrol Bridge Creek Road. The public is asked to drive cautiously due to increased traffic and potential smoke over the roadway. For information regarding road closure changes, please refer to the Colville Tribal Broadcast, News and Information Facebook page or call the Bridge Creek Fire Information line.
Quick Facts: Size: 3,440 acres Containment: 39% Location: 13 miles NNE of Keller, WA Cause: Lightning Personnel: 549 Resources: Line Crews 12 Engines 22 Dozers 7 Water tenders 17 Skidgins 2 Masticators 4 Aircraft: 1 Type 1 heavy helicopter 2 Type 2 medium helicopters 1 Type 3 light helicopter (Other air support have been loaned from neighboring agencies). 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. Facebook: Colville Tribal Information, News and Broadcast. Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incid ent/5490/
