8/2/13 – 1100 hours

Washington Incident Management Team 2

Incident Commander – Nathan Rabe

Deputy Incident Commander – Rex Reed

WEBSITE: Inciweb.org/incident/3557

INFO CENTER: (509) 773-7136 or 7059

EMAIL: MileMarker28Fire@gmail.com

ACRES  28,104

CONTAINMENT 75%

TOTAL PERSONNEL 1272

The Mile Marker 28 Fire is located 15 miles northeast of Goldendale, Washington along Highway 97. The fuels on this fire include grasslands, shrub brush, timber, and timber litter.

FIRE SITUATION: Firefighters completed another successful day improving control lines on the Mile Marker 28 fire perimeter. Burnout operations were conducted along the northeastern boundary and fire crews are making considerable progress on mop-up standards, mopping up 200 feet from the perimeter.

The priority for today will be on the west end of the perimeter, north of the Satus Creek drainage, and mop-up operations. Firefighters using handheld infrared devices will be walking the perimeter of the fire identifying hot spots and directing mop-up crews to extinguish those areas. Several areas of unburned fuel will continue to be consumed and fire officials have indicated that smoke will likely be present from the interior of the fire throughout the summer. Challenges on the Mile Marker 28 Fire include warm weather conditions, potential for dehydration, the steep, rugged terrain, and increased traffic on many roadways.

During the afternoon hours yesterday while crews diligently worked throughout the fire, a thunder cell moved over the area dropping heavy rain and hail, and some lightning strikes. For safety purposes, firefighters retreated to their engines or other suppression vehicles until the hazardous conditions moved through the area. Approximately one inch of precipitation was recorded from the RAW Station (Remote Automated Weather Station), however not all areas of the fire received rainfall. A lightning strike outside the northeast boundary was reported and fire crews were detailed to evaluate the area of ignition and extinguished any possible fire.

The regard for human safety and management of risks guide all fire management decisions and actions on the Mile Marker 28 Fire. Only minor injuries related to the heat have occurred at this time. The Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 2 would like to thank the public for their support during the fire situation.

A Burn Ban is in effect on all Department of Natural Resources administered lands. No campfires are permitted on state protected lands, even in developed campgrounds: www.dnr.wa.gov . 

Most wildfires are caused by people. Fire official urge the public to be cautious during the summer season and help us prevent wildfires.

US Highway 97 has been opened for traffic as of 10:00 PM last night (Note – pilot car guiding traffic has been removed). 

Due to safety concerns, the speed limit has been reduced to 40 mph. Motorist are cautioned to drive carefully as fire suppression vehicles continue to work. For additional information call the US Highway 97 closure hotline: (509) 577-1617.

EVACUATIONS: (Information from the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office).

Level 2 (Precautionary) emergency notices on the east end of the county have been reduced to a Level 1 (Advisory).

All other areas remain at Level 1. The Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office urges the public to be cautious and aware of emergency vehicles, including fire trucks, supporting vehicles and personnel which will remain in the area.

SHELTER: The Red Cross Shelter located at Fathers House Fellowship has been closed. For information please call the National Red Cross at 888-610-1455.

RESOURCES: 33 Crews, 4 Helicopters, 75 Engines, 7 Dozers, 23 Water Tenders, 234 Overhead, 4 Camp Crew = Total Personnel 1,272.

Source:  Inciweb

 

2013  The NW Fire Blog