Published Wednesday, July 27, 2022, 1830 hours PT
WILDFIRE WEDNESDAY is our newest topic for past northwest wildfires and we get to share with you all about them. This information is gleaned from our previous fire news coverage during the dates when they broke out and throughout the time they were burning. We hope you enjoy!
BLUE CREEK FIRE
The BLUE CREEK FIRE ignited on July 20, 2015, around 1230 hours PT about 10 miles east of Walla Walla, Washington.
On the day of July 27, 2015, there were 952 total personnel assigned to the incident, along with 19 crews, 60 engines, ,five dozers, 17 water tenders and three helicopters.
There were 10 injuries where they ranged from bee stings, a twisted ankle and a moderate burn to the leg.
Though the wildfire had scorched 6,004 acres and was 73% contained on this day, it was still threatening the Walla Walla Water Shed.
Significant Events:
- 1 primary home on Klicker Mtn Rd and 11 outbuildings at the intersection of Klicker Mtn Rd x Blue Creek Road were considered as lost/damaged.
- The Bluewood Ski area and the Mill Creek watershed were threatened on July 21, 2022.
- 2015, deemed as the largest Fire Season in State History
- Over one-million acres or 1,600 square miles burned across the state from June to September 2015.
- In the State, as many as 3,000 firefighters and 800 WA National Guard were deployed on the fire line.
One home (primary) on Klicker Mountain Road and 11 outbuildings at the intersection of Kicker Mountain Road and Blue Creek Road were considered damaged or lost at this point.
This fire was human-caused.
On August 21, 2015, POTUS Barack Obama declared the WA State fires a federal emergency. On August 24, WA DNR announced the Okanogan Complex which had become the largest first complex and worst-ever fire season in the state’s history.
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