Bridge Creek Fire DAILY UPDATE August 29, 2017

Fire Information Keller ICP 509-634-7332

Northwest Incident Management Team 11

Nathan Rabe, Incident Commander

For Immediate Release

The Bridge Creek Fire, burning near Keller on the Colville Indian Reservation, started on August 9, and leadership on the NW IMT 11 have reminded firefighters to be aware of complacency and fatigue - remain aware of safety. Fire weakened trees have posed a hazard for firefighters and fellers have worked to mitigate that hazard, but safety officers on the fire reminded crews today in a morning briefing to “look up, look down, and look around.” Medical personnel have also asked crews to remain hydrated, as extreme heat conditions, difficult terrain, and poor access to the fire have proved physically and mentally challenging. Yesterday, crews completed development of a handline and installed a thorough hose lay that will reduce the footprint of the fire. A safety zone was developed and approved to enhance safety for crews. At this point, line has been completed around the entire perimeter of the fire and crews will now begin to secure and reinforce firelines, working toward containment.

Quick Facts: Size: 3,518 acres Containment: 42% Location: 13 miles NNE of Keller, WA Cause: Lightning Personnel: 498 Resources: Line Crews 12 Engines 22 Dozers 6 Water tenders 18 Skidgins 2 Masticators 4

Today, working to keep the fire east of the Upper Bridge Creek Road, crews will continue to mop-up and secure the western line where the fire has been creeping and smoldering. On the northern and eastern perimeter, firefighters will patrol for spot fires and continue to open interior roads that provide additional routes into and out of the fire. Along Bridge Creek Road, the fire has been contained.

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).

As security and traffic have remained a concern on the fire, 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. In addition to fire traffic on the road, logging traffic, and holiday weekend traffic is expected.

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.

Current road closures around the fire, which were installed for firefighter safety, are posted with CCT: DOT road closure signs. Thirty-mile road remains open northwest of the fire, but the Daisy Trail/Lynx Creek Road, Red Thunder Cutoff and BIA Road 1045, which access the Keno Trail area are closed. Additional closures are at Summit Trail and Oregon City. 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. You may also find the incident on Inciweb. Mount Tolman Fire Center has set the fire danger level at ‘very high’ across the Colville Reservation.

Fire Information: 509-634-7332 BridgeCreekFire2017@ gmail.com. Facebook: Colville Tribal Information, News and Broadcast. Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incid ent/5490/