Joint Fire Protection District 3 & 8

Bulldog Mountain Fire:  Yesterday additional resources continued to arrive on the fire line and progress was made scouting control line possibilities.  Crews utilized helicopters to keep the fire growth minimal as firefighters on the ground continued to establish indirect and contingency containment lines.  Fire crews worked near the fire in a few areas constructing direct fire line.  Additional heavy equipment arrived and was deployed to assist in these efforts. 

Today much of the same type of work performed yesterday will continue.  Motorists traveling on the Boulder Hwy should be vigilant and watch for heavy equipment and firefighters turning off and onto the roadway.  There are 156 personnel assigned to the incident. There have been no injuries or structures lost.  Firefighter and public safety is our number one priority. 

The Bulldog Mountain Fire started August 5. 2021, located 20 miles north of Kettle Falls. The lightening caused fire spread quickly due to low relative humidity and unseasonably dry conditions.  The fire is burning in heavy timber and slash.  Local crews worked hard the first several days conducting direct fire attack as well as identifying areas of the fire that indirect containment line is appropriate due to limited access.  Multiple aircraft assisted firefighters on the ground.  The fire is currently estimated at 2000 acres with 5% containment. Acreage increase is due more accurate mapping.

Mack Mountain Fire:  The Mack Mountain Fire started August 5, 2021 and is just south west of the Bulldog Mountain Fire.  The fire is still relatively small (approximately 50 acres) and has had minimal activity.  The fire area is located in steep, rugged terrain with limited to no access.  Fire managers are planning for future action when appropriate. 

Level 1 evacuation orders and road closures are in place. For current evacuation orders please see Ferry County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page.  Boulder Creek Hwy and State Route 395 remain open.  For information on area & road closures on the Colville National Forest please see https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd938379.pdf   Citizens are asked to stay clear of the fire area and adhere to road and area closures. 

Northeast Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 2 (NEWIMT2) assumed command of the fire August 7th at 11:00 a.m.  Fire information and the incident command post is located at Kettle Falls High School in Kettle Falls, WA. Fire information contact is Jeff Sevigney 509 993-2946 or you can also follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/newimt3/ and Inciweb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7785/

News Release August 9, 2021

Orient, WA – The Nine Mine Fire is located 4.5 miles south / southeast from Laurier, WA. This lighting caused fire started on Wednesday, August 4th and has burned approximately 117 acres of forested land.

Evacuations: As of 1:00 pm on Sunday August 8^th the evacuation level has been reduced to level 1. Level 1 is Ready, in the Ready, Set, Go, all hazards evacuation system. Ready means get prepared, changing fire conditions can change evacuation levels and you may need to leave your home. This level 1 notice is for homes on Imperial Way and Sand Creek Rd.

Road Closures: Nine Mine Rd. remains closed.

Yesterdays wetting rains were very beneficial to firefighters working containment lines on the fire. The steady rain allows firefighters to work the rainwater into the soil along containment lines with hand tools. Yesterday’s rain and cooler temperatures have been favorable to containment and suppression efforts improving overall fire containment to 20%.

Today, Firefighter’s efforts today will be to continue direct fire attack where appropriate. Crews will continue to construct containment lines.

The cooler weather this morning will continue to help these suppression efforts. However sunny skies and rising temperatures with reduced relative humidity are a concern that will be monitored throughout the day. Firefighters will take advantage of todays weather to reinforce containment lines and mop up operations. The goal is to get 100% of the fire lined and moped up 100’ into the fire from the line.

Yesterday’s weather prevented Incident Management from deploying firefighters to the Jenny fire. The Jenney Fire is a 5-acre fire due west of the Nine Mine fire. Nine Mine Incident Management Team is planning to deploy a 4-person crew by helicopter to line and mop-up the Jenny Fire today. This crew will remain in place until mop-up is complete.

You can also follow up on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/newimt3/

And Inciweb at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7783/

Public and Fire Fighter Safety is The Number One priority

…HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 11 AM TUESDAY TO 11 PM PDT
WEDNESDAY…

• WHAT…Dangerously hot conditions with afternoon temperatures in
  the upper 90s to 105 degrees possible.
• WHERE…Portions of Central, East central, North central,
  Northeast and Southeast Washington and North and North central
  Idaho.
• WHEN…From 11 AM Tuesday to 11 PM PDT Wednesday.
• IMPACTS…Extreme heat combined with unusually warm overnight
  temperatures will significantly increase the potential for heat
  related illnesses. Conditions will be difficult for residents
  without air conditioners. Those working or participating in
  outdoor activities will also be vulnerable.
• ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Wildfire smoke in the region could reduce
  afternoon temperatures reducing the risk of extreme heat. The
  amount of wildfire activity and subsequent smoke in the region
  will play a role in how hot the temperatures are Tuesday and
  Wednesday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Monitor the latest forecasts and warnings for updates on this
situation. Be prepared to drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-
conditioned room, stay out of the sun, and check up on relatives
and neighbors.

Young children and pets should never be left unattended in
vehicles under any circumstances. This is especially true during
warm or hot weather when car interiors can reach lethal
temperatures in a matter of minutes.

…EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 8 PM PDT SATURDAY
ELEVATIONS BELOW 4000 FEET…

• WHAT…High temperatures warming into the upper 90s and triple
  digits Friday afternoon and Saturday afternoon.
• WHERE…Portions of North and North Central Idaho. Portions of
  Central, East Central, North Central, Northeast, and Southeast
  Washington.
• WHEN…Until 8 PM PDT Saturday.
• IMPACTS…Hot temperatures in the day. Increasingly warm overnight
  temperatures by the weekend.
• ADDITIONAL DETAILS…Friday and Saturday will likely be the
  hottest days of this heat event. Many lowland locations are
  expected to reach 100 degrees or more Friday and Saturday
  afternoon. The afternoon heat combined with unusually warm
  overnight temperatures Friday night and Saturday night will make
  it difficult for residents without air conditioners to control the
  build up of heat within their homes.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Drink plenty of fluids, stay in an air-conditioned room, stay out of
the sun, and check up on relatives and neighbors.

…RED FLAG WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TUESDAY TO 11 AM PDT
WEDNESDAY FOR THUNDERSTORMS FOR EAST WASHINGTON NORTHEAST (ZONE
686)…

The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a Red Flag
Warning for thunderstorms, which is in effect from 1 AM Tuesday
to 11 AM PDT Wednesday.

• Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 686 East Washington Northeast
  (Zone 686).
• Thunderstorms: Scattered thunderstorms late tonight and Tuesday
  morning. A second lightning event with scattered thunderstorms
  late Tuesday Night and Wednesday morning. Brief rain expected
  with thunderstorms.
• Outflow Winds: Gusty outflow winds are possible near
  thunderstorms.
• Impacts: Thunderstorms containing only light rain amounts may
  lead to several new fire starts. Breezy winds may lead to fire
  spread of any new or existing fires especially on Wednesday.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions
are either occurring now….or will shortly. A combination of
strong winds…low relative humidity…and warm temperatures can
contribute to extreme fire behavior.

The Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and its partners are increasing Fire Danger Ratings and Industrial Fire Precaution Levels on DNR-protected lands in parts of eastern Washington.

Effective Friday, July 9:

• Fire danger will increase from Very High to Extreme in the Upper Basin Fire Danger Rating Area
• Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will increase from Level 2 to Level 3 in zones: 678E, 678W, 685 and 687

Residents can find their Fire Danger Rating Area online here and can find more information about the IFPL System here.

Current IFPLs, Fire Danger Ratings and Burning restrictions

…RED FLAG WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 5 AM TO 8 PM PDT THUNDERSTORMS FOLLOWED BY WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR NORTHERN WASHINGTON AND IDAHO…

• Affected Area: Fire Weather Zone 101 Northern and Central Idaho Panhandle (Zone 101), Fire Weather Zone 662 East Portion of North Cascades National Park/Lake Chelan National Recreational Area (Zone 662), Fire Weather Zone 684 East Washington Okanogan/Methow Valleys (Zone 684), Fire Weather Zone 685 East Washington North Cascades (Zone 685), Fire Weather Zone 686 East Washington Northeast (Zone 686) and Fire Weather Zone 687 East Washington Okanogan Highlands (Zone 687).
• Thunderstorms: Elevated early morning dry thunderstorms are expected. Showers and thunderstorms will continue through the afternoon along the Canadian border.
• Winds: West-Northwest 10 to 20 mph with gusts to between 25 and 35 mph from late morning into afternoon. From Okanogan Highlands to the Northern Panhandle, the strongest gusts will be across the southern portions of these fire weather zones.
• Relative Humidities: 15 to 25 percent in the valleys and 25 to 40 percent over the higher terrain. * Impacts: New fire starts with rapid spread possible from gusty winds. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS… A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now….or will shortly. A combination of strong winds…low relative humidity…and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

With fire danger increasing ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, Commissioner of Public Lands Hilary Franz has signed an order issuing a statewide burn ban on all forest lands under the Washington State Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) fire protection.

Effective tomorrow, July 2, the order bans outdoor burning, campfires, the use of charcoal briquettes and prescribed burns on all forest lands within DNR’s fire protection through Sept. 30, 2021. This date may be extended or shortened depending on fire conditions.

This order supersedes all other burn bans currently in effect on forest lands within the state of Washington under the Department of Natural Resources’ fire protection.

Fire danger has increased following prolonged drought, a record-breaking heat wave and forecasted winds that can spread a wildfire quickly through the dry grasses and forests. Fireworks are expected to further increase that danger over the Fourth of July weekend.

“The record-breaking temperatures we saw last weekend have left our state bone dry,” said Commissioner Franz, “and the risks from fireworks and other holiday activities make the situation even more precarious. I am asking everyone in Washington to do their part to protect our firefighters and our communities this summer. Please do not start a fire outside, and please do not set off your own fireworks this weekend.”

Residents who see smoke should call 911 to report the fire. For tips on how to stay safe during fire season, go to https://www.dnr.wa.gov/WildfirePrevention.

Wildfire statistics can be found on DNR’s Fire Dashboard at http://fireinfo.dnr.wa.gov/.

The signed statewide burn ban order can be seen here.

Effective Friday, July 2, 2021:

• All campfires are prohibited in the following Fire Danger Rating Areas (FDRAs):  Chelan, Foothills, Highlands, Kaniksu, Lower Basin, Lower Yakima, Methow, Upper Basin, Upper Yakima and Valley
• Fire danger will increase to high in the following FDRA: Kaniksu
• Fire danger will increase to very high in the following FDRAs: Chelan, Foothills, Highlands, Lower Yakima, Methow, Upper Basin, Upper Yakima and Valley.
• Fire danger will increase to extreme in the following FDRA: Lower Basin
• Industrial Fire Precaution Level (IFPL) will increase to Level 3 in zones: 609E, 609W, 675. 678, 684 and 686.
• IFPL will increase to Level 2 in zones 678E, 678W, 680, 685, 687 and 688.

Residents can find their Fire Danger Rating Area online at https://fortress.wa.gov/dnr/protection/firedanger/ and burn restrictions at https://burnportal.dnr.wa.gov/.

More information on the IFPL system is available at http://www.dnr.wa.gov/ifpl