Tour Explains Confine/Contain Strategy
Incident: Langille Wildfire
Released: 8/6/2009
Janine Clayton, Gifford Pinchot National Forest Supervisor, gathered local community leaders Wednesday for a briefing and field trip to explain the management of the 485 acre Langille fire. The fire is in extremely steep unsafe terrain south of Randle.
Representatives were invited from organizations such as Lewis County Fire Department, Lewis County Commissioners, Destination Packwood, American Forest Resource Council, GP Task Force, retired Forest Service, and local media. Attendees accompanied Cowlitz Valley District Ranger Kristie Miller and members of the Northern Rockies Wildland Fire Management Team to an overlook of the fire.
"The Wildland Fire Management Team we brought in is preparing expert analysis of potential situations," said Clayton. The team has outlined strategies and explained resources that may be necessary to slow the fire's growth in areas where the terrain allows firefighters to work safely on the ground.
"Our primary concerns in developing strategies for potential actions are firefighter and public safety," Clayton said. The District plans to contain the fire between Yellowjacket and McCoy Creeks, but additional safety concerns and weather changes may necessitate modifying the plans.
Fire behavior analysts discussed the effects of the fire on the landscape thus far. Many trees remain green after fire passed underneath or near them on the steep slopes. Occasionally weakened trees will fall to the ground after the fire. The Ranger District is prepared to actively manage the Langille fire until the season ends if need be.
The River View fire was contained August 1st and required extensive mop up in heavy timber. Crews are hauling most hose and pumps back to the Ranger District from the fire, located above La Wis Wis.
