UPDATE 1 – NEW FIRE – AUGUST 4, 2021
A new wildfire is burning about 22 miles east of Tonasket and 1.5 miles southeast of Bonaparte Lake in Washington State, which ignited on August 3, 2021, around 1522 hours PT.
The cause is unknown but it is a known fact that many lightning storms have impacted several key areas around the State. More of the same kind of weather is being forecasted and there are serious concerns.
The WALKER CREEK FIRE has burned 75 acres of heavy multistoried timber and has a zero-percent contained.
Extreme fire behavior with single and group torching, as well as spotting has been reported by Fire Officials.
There are 139 total personnel on the fire ground with one (20) person hand crew, three (10) person hand crews, six wildland fire engines and three dozers. The Incident Commander or IC is Tom Merritt.
So far, firefighters have been able to successfully protect all structures with none been reported as damaged or destroyed.
Evacuation Orders (Level 2 and 1) have been issued for
- Level 2 for Summer Road, including Bonaparte Run and Bun Road.
- Level 1 for Diamond Bell Road.
After an assessment from last night’s fire behavior, determined there were 200-300 hot spots that had ignited on the northern area of the fire traveling up to a 300 yards in distance, which more or less is the size of three, you heard right, three football fields! In the evening it was said that spotting had increased up to one-half-of-a-mile.
Several fire bosses along with a copter, dozers and crews are working to put a line around the new spots. Tonight, there will be patrolling the fire perimeter for any new starts or rekindles.
NW Fire Blog 