Washington Incident Management Team 2
Incident Commander – Nathan Rabe
Deputy Incident Commander – Rex Reed
Mile Marker 28 Fire Update
August 5, 2013 – 9:00 AM
(This will be the last update on this fire.)
Phones will be disconnected today. Please call the following numbers for information on the Mile Marker 28 Fire: Klickitat Sheriff’s Office – (509) 773-4455 Dispatch – (509) 773-4545 or 4547 Yakama Nation Dispatch – 863-6653
WEBSITE: Inciweb.org/incident/3557
ACRES 26,092
CONTAINMENT 91%
The Mile Marker 28 Fire is located 15 miles northeast of Goldendale, along Highway 97. The fuels on this fire include grasslands, shrub brush, timber, and timber litter. This update reflects new acreage numbers due to better mapping.
FIRE SITUATION: Mop-up operations are virtually complete this morning. Last night crews concentrated on the northwest corner of the fire to extend the secure area to the 200 foot standard. Hand-held heat sensing equipment was used again last night to locate hot spots along the line that are not visible to the naked eye.
There was some isolated activity within the interior of the fire yesterday afternoon, but it was scattered and presented no threat of escape. This is likely to continue for some time. A warmer and dryer air mass is setting up over the fire area and is expected to increase activity in the short term. Despite that trend, fire officials are confident containment lines are sufficient to prevent new escapes.
Today, a transition from Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 2 to a smaller fire management organization led by Matt Eberlein (Washington Department of Natural Resources) and Ryan Sanchey (Yakama Nation Fire Management) will begin with both teams working side-by-side. Tomorrow, the smaller organization will assume command of operations and Team 2 will demobilize and leave. Approximately 170 personnel will be assigned to the incident to hold and patrol the existing fire perimeter.
With the departure of Team 2, the fire information telephone numbers used during the incident will cease operation. Those desiring information may call the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office at (509) 773-4455, Klickitat County Dispatch Center at (509) 773-4545 or 4547 or Yakama Nation Dispatch at (509) 863-6653.
Although much of the fire danger has passed, many areas of concern to the public remain. Fire officials recommend anyone driving through US Highway 97 only stop if you are experiencing an emergency situation. Rolling debris, dangerous and unstable trees, and underground burning stumps continue to create hazards for anyone in the burn area. US Highway 97 is now open and due to safety concerns, the speed limit has been reduced to 40 mph. For additional information call the WSDOT closure hotline: (509) 577-1617.
Regard for human safety and management of risks guides all fire management decisions and actions on the Mile Marker 28 Fire. Incident Commander Nathan Rabe and the members of the Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 2 appreciate the support provided by the communities of Goldendale and Bickleton during fire suppression efforts on the Mile Marker 28 Fire. Only minor injuries related to the heat have occurred at this time.
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 officials urge the public to be cautious during the summer season and help us prevent wildfires.
EVACUATIONS: (Information from the Klickitat County Sheriff’s Office). All emergency notices remain the same 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.
RESOURCES: 12 Crews, 1 Helicopters, 44 Engines, 4 Dozers, 8 Water Tenders, 178 personnel, 4 Camp Crew = Total Personnel 615
Source: inciweb.org
2013 The NW Fire Blog
NW Fire Blog 