Approximate Location
Incident Overview
The Columbia River Road wildfire started at 0300 on Thursday, August 7, 2008 and increased quickly in size, burning nearly 11 miles north from its origin along the Lower River Road that runs adjacent to the Columbia River toward south the Kartar Community, a small group of homes northeast of Omak Lake. The fire is burning actively in grass, shrubs, timber and logging slash. It has been observed spotting 1/8 of a mile ahead of the fire.
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Under Investigation |
| Date of Origin | Thursday August 07th, 2008 approx. 03:10 AM |
| Location | 9 mi W of Nespelem, WA |
| Incident Commander | Mikal Barnett |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 375 |
|---|---|
| Size | 22,155 acres |
| Percent Contained | 100% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Friday August 15th, 2008 approx. 12:00 AM |
| Fuels Involved | Type 2 Timber (grass and understory): Timber, bitterbrush, grass, sage, slash, heavy timber, heavy down fuels. |
| Fire Behavior | Strong winds gusting to 35 miles per hour has increased smoke production from a few interior fuel pockets in the lower section of the east flank of the fire. The entire fire area is being wind-tested today with gusts up to 36 mph. Smoke from around the region south of the fire is causing poor visibility in valleys. |
| Significant Events | The fire is in a monitor and patrol mode. Most of the rehabilitation and water barring work has been completed. Most of the hose and equipment has been returned to the incident command post. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Crews are in a monitoring mode, patrolling and watching for any flare-ups with the increased winds. Remaining firefighters are remaining alert to lightning expected to pass through the area late this afternoon. Fire managers with the Colville Agency are in a heightened alert for initial attack needs throughout the Colville Reservation. |
|---|---|
| Growth Potential | Low. |
| Terrain Difficulty | High. |
Current Weather
| Wind Conditions | 35 mph SW |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 95 degrees |
| Humidity | 18% |
