Sunday August 3 Daily Update
Incident: Green Lake Wildland Fire
Released: 8/3/2008
YESTERDAY'S ACTIONS: Fireline personnel made excellent progress around the perimeter of the fire on Saturday. Firelines were completed and crews and engines worked in from those lines, extinguishing hot spots. An island of previously unburned vegetation within the fire burned actively. On the southeast edge of the fire, crews found and contained an area of approximately 4 acres that had burned past the line on the previous day, and used a helicopter to drop water as they worked to secure that area. By the end of the day, the only significant smokes seen from the air were in the interior of the fire.
Firefighters working near the Green Lake Road continue to build on the excellent work done by initial attack forces to protect the homes and structures there. Over a dozen homes that had been in immediate danger were protected, and are still standing.
TODAY'S PLANNED ACTIONS: Firefighters will concentrate on strengthening existing fire lines, ensuring that material within 300 feet of the fire perimeter and 500 feet of structures is fully extinguished. The first priority is the areas surrounding structures. A fire prevention team has come to the area to work with land owners to do home risk assessments. Home owners can call 509-826-1667 to leave contact information if interested.
Safety of the firefighters and the public remains the highest priority. A Level I evacuation notice remains in effect in the area. At Level I, residents are encouraged to maintain awareness of current and potential fire activity. As they return to their homes and travel in the area, residents and citizens are urged to maintain a high level of caution. There is still fire burning. Trees and material on hillsides can fall without warning. Stump holes are a hazard where trees have burned. Firefighters and fire equipment are present and active.
WEATHER: The weather is becoming increasingly hot and dry with maximum temperature 86º F and minimum humidity of 14 percent expected today, with temperatures rising to the mid and upper 90's in the next few days. North winds from 8-12 mph are expected today. Wind gusts are expected the afternoon of August 3. Fuels are very dry. Grass and brush burn quickly. Spot fires from rolling material or individual burning trees remain a hazard.
VEGETATION AND TERRAIN: The fire is burning in varied terrain from timber on steep slopes to flat ground with sagebrush and grass vegetation.
