Columbia River Road August 14, 2008 0800 Hrs Updat
Incident: Columbia River Road Wildfire
Released: 8/14/2008
The fire was mopped up today within 200 feet of fire lines. Fire lines were strengthened and pockets of fuels burned out near the fire lines. The fire is now 80 percent contained. Fire officlals predicted that mop up standards prepared by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Nation will be met tomorrow. Several crews were released today to other smaller fires burningin the area.
Officials from the Washington Interagency Incident Management Team anticipate returning the incident to a Type III Incident Management Team on Sunday or Monday, August 17 or 18, 2008.
Roads near and inside the fire continue to be closed to non-residents. The Columbia River Road is closed between Omak (at Cameron Lake Road) and Nespelem (Schoolhouse Loop Road). The roads leading into the fire areas from Hwy 155 are all closed to non-residents. This includes an area from Coyote Canyon Road to Haley Creek Road.
The 20 threatened homes within the fire area remain under an Evacuation Level 1 advisement. Residents are aware of the fire and are not restricted from their homes. Protection lines have been installed and mop-up is progressing. Mop-up standards describe that within 500 feet of any structure must be completely extinguished and cool.
A Burned Area Emergency Response (BAER) team is working to evaluate the damage caused by the fire and make recommendations on stabilization and rehabilitation needs.
Coordination is occurring between the Colville Confederated Tribes, State, Federal, and local agencies to ensure that this fire is safely brought under control.
