WILLIAMS FIRE

The Williams Fire is located North of ColvillWILLIAMS FIREe in the Northeastern part of Washington State.  The fire burning slash, brush and timber began on July 3, 2015, at approximately 1450 PDT.  The incident is under a ICT3 Type IMT and has about 320 personnel and 2 assigned helos [for fire suppression] assigned.  Firefighters will continue to strengthen containment lines, locating hot spots while in mop up operations.  The cause is still under investigation.

7-3-15

Retardant Drop 7-4-15

7-3-15 9:20 PM

#FireImages via inciweb

Hashtags used for this Fire:  #WilliamsFire #ColvilleFire #WaWILDFIRE

NEWBY LAKE

This fire ignited by lightning on July 2 around 1300 hours.  It is located apprximately 15 miles NW of Loomis in Tonasket.  This fire is partially in Washington State and in Canada in the Pasayten Wilderness.  Officials say it has reached 1347 acres and has a moderate ROS.  Expectations by Fire Managers for the fire to continue to spread down into Long Draw.  A WA IMT2 assumed command on July 6, at 1800 PDT and has 173 US personnel assigned to this incident.  This post is geared towards mostly the US-side only.  [Some photos are from the Canadian side] Future thunderstorms are expected to hit the area once again.

Canadian Recon Flight July 4, 2015
Canadian Recon Flight on July 4, 2015

Canadian Recon Flight July 4, 2015 Air Recon of Newby Lake Fire July 3, 2015

Photo showing smoke column from Newby Lake Fire on July 2, 2015

#FireImages via inciweb

Hashtags used for this Fire: #NewbyLkFire #WaWILDFIRE

WOLVERINE CREEK

This incident located in a very remote and extremely steep location has proved to be a logistical challenge for all involved.  The wildfire occurred on June 29, 2015, around 0600 hours.  Accessibility into the fireground is only possibly by boat and helicopters.  The scene is located approximately 3 miles NW of Lucerne in Washington State.  There are currently 117 personnel and crews are actively engaged on this 400-acre incident.  An IMT3 team is in command.  They expect the fire to double in size due to wind and low fuel moisture.  Hidden Valley and Lucerne are under Level 2 precautions.  fiefighters will continue lines on the FS Rd#5801 for structure protection.

Fire moving across drainage, Riddle Creek in background

Fire moving down Wolverine drainage

Looking uplake towards Riddle Creek

Smoke Column from Wolverine Fire from upper lake

Aerial view on July 2nd of Wolverine Fire

Smoke Wolverine Fire smoke column

#FireImages via inciweb

Hashtags being used for this incident:  #WolverineFire #WaWILDFIRE

231 FIRE – Little Spokane Fire

The 231 Fire is located 7 mi S of Springdale Washington and was started on July 3, around 1500 hours PDT.

The Little Spokane Fire started on July 6, at 1700 hours PDT near Mile Marker 10 off Highway 291 inside the Riverside State Park.

Both fire causes are unknown and are under investigation.  The second fire is being managed by the same Command as the 231 Fire.  Together is a total 930 acres burning with 250 personnel.  Included in this personnel-count are [2] 20-person hand crews which are working on constructing a line around the fire and 2 strike teams of Fire Engines for structure protection.  17 homes are under a Level 2 Evacuation order. [no exact locations are known at this time]  Communications are somewhat sketchy along with shotty cell phone coverage.  The fire is said to be at a 40% containment.

Flames backing down steep ground  Smoke column rises above highway with green trees on either side.

Fire backing to dozer line in Division Alpha

#FireImages via inciweb

Hashtags being used for these fires:  #231Fire #WaWILDFIRE

HORSESHOE FIRE

The fire spotted by many of you on July 3rd was kind of exciting and then again, we were not surprised to learn of another fire.  However, we did get a few great photos when it was first reported.

#FireImage by John Bartkowski

The cause of Horseshoe Fire is unknown but what we know is this:  the fire is located in the Mt. Adams Wilderness District of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.  It’s exact location has been pinpointed as NNW of Trout Lake along the Riley Camp Trail #64 at a 5300-foot elevation.  Heavy fire fuels are laced with subalpine Fir.  It was reportedly located on Friday, July 3rd around 1600 Hours PDT.   Since then it has grown to 250 acres.  The WA IMT #4 took Command of the fire incident on July 6 [Monday] at 0600 hours PDT.  Due to the remote, steep terrain, lack of safety zones and escape routes, approximately 138 personnel are on scene as five crews and two helos being assigned to the incident.   Horseshoe Fire showed active fire behavior on July 3rd.  Firefighters have begun the implementation of the MIST suppression actions and been limited to water bucket drops.  Spike camps have been established as well.  It has also been said, the fire has reached the previous southern and eastern perimeters of the 2012 Cascade Creek Fire boundaries.

#FireImages by John Nakai / USFS

Close-up view of fire burned trees with in the Horseshoe Fire area

Ground vegetation in old Cascade Creek burn surrounding the Horseshoe Fire

Helicopter hovering over Island Lake filling submerged bucket in Island Lake

Helicopter dipping water from the surface of Island Lake near Horseshoe Fire

Helicopter with bucket flying above the Horseshoe Fire

Bare understory and burned trees in Horseshoe Fire

#FireImages via inciweb  [below]

Smoke plume rising from Horseshoe Fire as viewed from high on the slopes of Mount Adams

Crew supervisors and other fire managers circled up outside ranger station for briefing.

#FireImages by Keith McMillen via inciweb [below]

Horseshoe Fire from meadow with Mt Adams in background Credit: Keith McMillen

Hashtags being used for this Fire:  #HorseshoeFire #WaWILDFIRE

PARADISE 

   Lightning caused the unusual dry”Washington Rainforest” to ignite, torching off trees in a wildfire on May 15, 2015 around 1500 hours PDT   Located 13 miles N/NE Quinault, the fire is now said to more active on the western and eastern flanks.  Good news for Fire Managers in how the northern flank has somewhat slowed prior to reaching the Pelton Peak.   However, it is one mile due North of the Confluences of Paradise Creek and Queets River; and approximately 1-1/2 miles East of Bob Creek.      Today, the Air Resource Advisor installed two temporary air monitors at Forks and Queets.  The fire has 95 committed personnel which has been able to reach a 21% containment status.  The fire has scorched timber and lichen in trees has been become like aerial fuels. Cooler temps and higher humidity has limited the fire to 1520 acres.

Hashtags used on this fire:  #ParadiseFire #WaWILDFIRE

Hot and dry conditions led to a prolonged burning period on Friday July 3

A member of the Black Hills WFM collects current data on weather and fire behavior

Smoke from the Paradise Fire hangs in the Queets River Valley

Fire burning midslope on Pelton Peak

View from the Queets River looking at a plume of white smoke

#FireImages via inciweb

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Hashtags we are using for this post:  #WilliamsFire #NewbyLkFire #WolverineCrkFire #231Fire #HorseshoeFire #ParadiseFire #WaWILDFIRE #FireSeason #Firefighters #WAFires #Fires #Inciweb #FireSeason #NWFB [this is us!]