A wildfire is burning on Hotchkiss Road in Stevens County, Washington State prompting fire resources and equipment NC 61, E Zone 10, NC 7308, NC 7307 to be dispatched at 1859 hours PDT.

Photo Credit: SCFD1 (photo of a previous incident)

As of 2056, firefighters have successfully gained a 50% line around the fire.

FIRE DANGER MOVED TO “HIGH”

The Fire District 1 “Fire Danger Rating” will be moving to a “HIGH” position on Friday, June 30.

When the fire danger is “high”, fires can start easily from most causes, and small fuels (such as grasses and needles) will ignite readily. Unattended campfires and brush fires are likely to escape. Fires will spread easily, with some areas of high-intensity burning on slopes or concentrated fuels.

Several portions of central and SE Washington will be under a “Fire Weather Watch” this weekend. We are NOT yet included in that forecast.

Over the elongated 4th of July weekend, we will be using our very successful severity staffing model to handle the expected increase in our call volume. This adds personnel and apparatus to our response plans.

We will continue to monitor any potential weather events closely.

FIRE SUPPRESSION AIRCRAFT – ALERT

Our first reminder that our main area lakes (Spokane/Long, Deer, & Loon) are used for aircraft that help us control wildland fires. The fire may not be in our Fire District but they may still use them as water sources.

Planes and helicopters will do a quick look before turning and making a “scoop.” That is your warning to get your watercraft off to the shoreline as quickly as possible. Please do not attempt to outrun them or “get that great photo.” Their job is dangerous enough without having to deal with boaters who are breaking the law.

If they have to “go around,” that also puts firefighters on the ground at great risk. Those firefighters are depending on the water drop–at a minimum–to help control the fire. Firefighters are backed off the fireline when anticipating a water drop. In rare cases, firefighters on the ground may be in trouble and are looking for that water drop to save their lives.

Remember too that there may be a large contingent of both airplanes and helicopters operating depending on the size of the lake and could be using multiple sections of the lake. There may also be delays in between scoops depending on the distance to the fire.

Be safe and be courteous–lives and properties depend on it!

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