Manila Creek Fire September 13, 2007
Incident: Manila Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 9/13/2007
ACRES: 7,500 CONTAINMEMT: 10% FIRE CAUSE: Under Investigation - Suspected Arson
LOCATION: The Manila Creek Fire started on Monday, September 10, at approximately 11:30 a.m. The fire is burning 7 miles southeast of the town of Keller, Washington on the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. The fire is under investigation and release of information on the fire cause will be forthcoming in the days ahead. The Washington Incident Management Team 2 assumed command of the fire at noon yesterday under the direction of Rex Reed, Incident Commander for the Team.
VEGETATION TYPE AND TERRAIN: The Manila Creek Fire is burning in scattered grasses and heavy timber, in steep, roughed terrain. Access into the area is limited and roads that do exist are narrow with few turnouts for fire apparatus.
YESTERDAY'S FIRE ACTIVITY: Warm temperatures, increased winds and heavy fuels burning created a large column of smoke that could be seen for several miles. Extreme fire behavior was observed with torching and spotting in the higher elevations of the forested area. The fire spotted across the Manila Creek Road along the southeast edge, but helicopters making water drops were able to control the fire spread as it moved toward the Columbia River. Air tankers dropped retardant along the north and east perimeter, keeping the fire from spreading to the Mount Tolman Fire Center. The Mount Tolman Fire Center and structures along the Peter Dan-Manila Creek Road and the Swawilla Basin had to be evacuated overnight and are now under a Level 3 Emergency Notification. Night shift crews patrolled and monitored the fire activity, checking for spotting outside the fire borders.
TODAY'S PLAN: Extreme fire activity is expected to continue today with the winds moving the fire in a southwesterly direction. The La Grande and Redmond Hot Shots out of Oregon, the Bitterroot and Chief Hot Shots out of Montana and the Entiat Hot Shots out of Washington will be working along the steepest and most roughed areas of the fire, scouting for line construction. Extensive air support activities will continue throughout day with retardant and water drops where necessary to cool and slow the fire spread. Crews will focus on a structure protection plan for the town of Keller. The Peter Dan-Manila Creek Road between Highway 155 and 21 is closed at this time. Fire suppression activity has increased traffic along the nearby roads and highways. Public and firefighter safety are the top priority on the Manila Creek Fire. The public is urged to drive the area with caution.
WEATHER: Slightly cooler with temperatures between 77-82 degrees. Relative humidity is expected to be 17% in the valleys and 30 % along the ridge tops with minimal humidity recovery expected overnight. East winds for the valley in the afternoon and ridges above the fire will see gusty northeast winds.
EMERGENCY NOTICE LEVEL 3: Swawilla Basin structures along the Columbia River,, Mount Tolman Fire Center located to the east of the fire, and scattered structures along the southern border have been evacuated.
ROAD CLOSURES: Peter Dan/Manila Creek Road between Highway 155 and 21.
COOPERATING AGENCIES: The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation and the Washington Incident Management Team 2 continue to work closely with the communities affected by the Manila Creek Fire.
RESOURCES: 7 Crews, 5 Helicopters, 5 Engines, 4 Dozers, 4 Water Tenders, 47 Overhead - Total Personnel 229
