Near Orient, Washington

On Thursday, May 7, 2015, around 1745 Hours PDT, a logging helicopter crashed in the Colville National Forest sparking a wildfire.  The 30-year old female pilot was rescued and taken a local Colville hospital where she was listed in stable condition.

A morning inversion at the Drop Point on May 8, 2015. [Photo Courtesy: Inciweb]
A morning inversion at the Drop Point on May 8, 2015. [Photo Courtesy: Inciweb]
The wildfire caused a wildfire quickly spreading foward to several acres.

On Friday, May 8th, the fire was reported to have spread to 20 acres.  A Type 3 team, helicopter and resources were on scene.

Saturday, May 9th, crews were able to get an intial hand-line around the fire but more work needed to be done.

Hungry Hill Fire on May 8, 2015. [Photo Courtesy: Inciweb]
Hungry Hill Fire on May 8, 2015. [Photo Courtesy: Inciweb]
As of Sunday on May 10th, crews conducted additional work on the line and were making some successes in various areas of the fire. Once the line has completely hardened, containment will undoubtedly increase but they are finding this fire has been increasingly stubborn.

Hungry Hill Fire on May 8, 2015. [Photo Courtesy: Inciweb]
Hungry Hill Fire on May 8, 2015. [Photo Courtesy: Inciweb]
Biggest concerns for Firefighters and Fire Managers’ now, are the steep terrain in the area of cut/decked logging areas considered as heavy timber fuels.  We understand what they are walking through with the unseen tree trunks, limbs and holes that one can easily step into.  Not only do we know first-hand what it is like walking through logged areas while training in our old SAR days.  And, this was not even fighting fire!

Currently, the fire has spread to 85 acres and has a 20% containment status.  One-hundred firefighters are on scene with the aid of air support and Incident Managment team.

[c] 2015 The NW Fire Blog