"Volunteering to make a difference"

Wildland Blog

When crews go out on wildfires, this blog will be any updates we get from the crews ~ letting us know what's happening on the fire line, where they are, what they have seen, when they will be moving to another fire or coming home. Much of the information provided below has been obtained through inciweb and the WIMT websites.

2008

August 19-20, 2008 ~ Our crews were sent to the Swanson Lake Fire near Davenport, WA, about 4 miles SW of Creston, WA in Lincoln County. The fire grew dramatically overnight to approximately 18,000 acres. Smoke can be seen for miles. Evacuation orders for homes on the N/NE edge of the fire were called in Tuesday night. The rain that fell overnight helped the firefighters but the fire remains at 10% containment. The cause of the fire is under investigation but it is likely that it was started by lightening from Monday night.

July 22-23, 2008~ Crews were called to work the Stuhlmiller Fire near the city of Quincy, WA. The fire will be 100% contained this evening and we expect our crews to be demobilized first thing in the morning. There were two outbuildings destroyed with approximately 2200 acres burned. The fire was started in a Wheat field by a Combine working Wheat. High winds rapidly spread the fire.

July 16, 2008~ The Badger Mountain Complex Fire is 95% contained today. Crews are very close to containment. The fire was patrolled today and observed from the air for smoke or flames. The fire was determined by investigation to be human caused. Some teams began demobilizing today.

July 15, 2008~ The Spokane Valley crews arrived back home today.

The Badger Mountain Complex Fire is 65% contained and held it's fireline overnight. The Brown's Canyon portion of the fire is 100% contained.

July 14, 2008~ The Badger Mountain Fire is still burning in a northerly direction east of the Columbia River and Hwy 97 moving towards Hwy 2. Yesterday afternoon, 27 retardant loads were dropped in front of the head of the fire. Three small outbuildings have burned. There are no major injuries. The Browns Canyon portion of the Complex is being mopped up by firefighters.

The Spokane Valley Fire is approx 80% contained. Mandatory evacuations have been lifted. The fire reached 1,000 acres. DNR and the Spokane Valley Fire Department is bringing in thermal vision equipment and infra-red devices to help find hot spots. Firefighters are continuing to secure the perimeter and working on mop up throughout the day.

July 13, 2008~ Crews working at the Spokane Valley Fire have been providing structural protection. Starting tomorrow, they will be working on the firelines. The fire is 60% contained. There is a total of 322 personnel working this fire. It has reached 1006 acres.

Crews working the Badger Mountain Complex Fire are still trying to contain the northern border of the fire. The fire continues to burn in the steep, rocky terrain east of the Columbia River and in a northerly direction toward Hwy 2. The fire is approximately 50% contained. The cause of the fire has not been determined. The size of the fire has exceeded 13,000 acres.

July 11, 2008 ~ The District has three crews currently out on wildfires.
Two engine crews are currently working as Structural Protection for the Spokane Valley Fire - formerly known as the Valley View Fire. This fire is located East of Spokane in the Spokane Valley. As of 7/11, some 200 residents have been evaucated and 13 houses have been burned. This fire is approximately 1200 acres (nearly 2 square miles).

The third crew, a Brush Unit is currently working the Badger Mountain Complex Fire in Douglas County, eight miles N of East Wenatchee. Date of origin: July 8, 2008 at 5pm.
On Friday evening, it was reported to be 60% contained, and has burned more than 8204 acres. A total of 80 firefighters are fighting the blaze. A level 3 evacuation was mandated for 30 residents. Crews were able to protect the structures except for 3 chicken coops. Hwy 97 was closed due to heavy smoke until 11pm.
Crews reported on Saturday that the fire to the South is fairly well contained, but it has taken a run to the North. Heavy fuel load on the floor and steep terrain provide challenges to the fire crews. There are currently 4 helicopters working this fire.
Brush 54 is currently in Orondo working the Northside of the fire.

Gov Chris Gregoire and State Patrol Chief John Batiste flew over the fires on Friday night. Gov. Gregoire declared a state of emergency for the State of Washington. This frees up equipment, firefighters, and funding to fight the blazes.

2007

8/10/2007 ~ Currently there are no fires happening at this time.

8/16/2007, 9pm ~ Mobe initiated. Crews: E54 - Andrew, Wendy, Ryan; BR53 w/Support Trailer - Isaac and Jake;
E53A - Shane R.; Chief Andrews is a part of Incident Command. Fire is the Wautoma Command Fire in Benton County, Hanford Reservation.

8/17/2007, 2pm ~ This was information sent by Chief on the fire: Initially the fire was 15,000+ acres and was 30% contained with 100 homes threatened. Resources: 100+ personnel with more arriving. Crews from Chelan, Clark, Cowlitz, Douglas, Grant, Grays Harbor, Skagit, Snohomish, and Thurston Counties.
Today the fire is 72,000 acres growing that much in less than 24 hours. Today crews are seeing less wind, less temperatures and higher RH. Crews have established lines around the entire fire and are now reinforcing those lines mopping up 50’ in. Some back fires have been set today to further establish lines. The fire is now managed by a type 2 Incident Management team. It is likely that after today if no breakouts are reported that several crews will be demobilized on Saturday.

8/17/2007, 6:30pm ~ Call from BR53 Crew reported that the Brush crews were separated from the Engine crews. Brush crews were sent looking for hot spots, but no great action. Some back burning was done, however the day was pretty quiet. The Structure crews were not sent out today. Jake reported that as they got to base camp the first night, there was a glow of fire seen on their way in, but as they got close, it darkened.

8/17/2007, 10pm ~ Update from the Chief: The weather cooperated and all lines held today. All Type 1 engines are being demobed leaving in the morning (Saturday). The type 6 engines will stay for at least one more day with expectation to be released Sunday morning.

8/18/2007, 1pm ~ Page sent that E54 and E53A crews back in district.

8/18/2007, 7:30pm ~ Call from BR53 Crew. They have been de-mobed and will be leaving in the am. They spent their day today looking for hotspots, finding one. They will be back in district tomorrow afternoon.

8/19/2007 ~ All units back in district. No current mobes at this time.

8/31/2007, 10pm ~ New fire, mobe initiated to Moses Lake. BR53 and SU54 left tonight.

Thanks to the crews who sent in reports or called in.