Manila Creek Fire Up-date - September 18, 2007
Incident: Manila Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 9/18/2007
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION
MANILA CREEK UPDATE
September 18, 2007 - 10:00 AM
FIRE INFORMATION: http://www.inciweb.org/ PHONE: 509-634-2038
EMAIL: manilacreekfire@hotmail.com
ACRES: 26,805
CONTAINMENT: 100%
FIRE CAUSE: Under Investigation - Suspected Arson
···NOTICE - A Community meeting TO DISCUSS THE MANILA CREEK FIRE will be held TODAY in the Keller School Cafeteria at 6:30 PM.
FIRE LOCATION: The Manila Creek fire is burning 7 miles southwest of the town of Keller, Washington, on the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. The fire cause is under investigation and arson is suspected. If you have any information, please contact the "We Tip" Hotline at: 1-800-472-7766. All calls are anonymous-not just confidential.
FIRE ACTIVITY: Firefighters achieved 100% containment at 8:00 p.m. on Monday. Some areas of fire activity remains, but fire officials are confident that the fire will not escape containment lines. Many types of ground equipment, air support and fire crews are coordinated in an effort to fight a wildfire. Approximately 28 water tenders, utilized to shuttle water throughout the area, moved 360,000 gallons of water yesterday in support of mop-up operations on the fire.
TODAY'S PLAN: Crews are working to extinguish all hot spots and smoldering areas within 200-400 feet of the fire perimeter, within 600 feet of houses, and within 200 feet of roads. Dangerous trees or snags that have been badly burned near the ground are being felled in order to ensure the safety of firefighters and the public. On Monday a tree fell across Peter Dan Road within 50 feet of a passing vehicle. Public and firefighter safety is the top priority on the Manila Creek Fire.
The BAER Team will continue to work closely with fire crews in rehabilitation of roads by pulling back and scattering downed trees, woody debris and rocks upon line construction. Water bars will be used to minimize erosion and berms will be pulled back onto fire lines to re-establish pre-existing contours and natural drainage patterns of the land. Fence breaks resulting from suppression activities will be temporarily repaired after determination is made that mop-up efforts and subsequent fire monitoring has been completed.
Despite containment of the fire, there will still be heavy vehicle traffic in the fire vicinity as crews and heavy equipment work to mop-up hot spots, fell dangerous trees, and rehab firelines. Safe and courteous driving by local residents is appreciated by the fire team.
WEATHER: Becoming mostly cloudy and cooler with a slight chance of showers in the late afternoon. Maximum temperatures, 62 to 72 degrees. Relative humidity, 20 to 30 percent. Ridgetop winds light in the morning becoming northwest 5-10 mph. Slope and valley, winds light and variable in the morning, becoming up-slope/up-valley 3-7 mph in the afternoon.
EMERGENCY NOTICES: Mandatory evacuations remain in place for structures along the Peter Dan/Manila Creek Road and the Old Manila Creek Road. Mount Tolman Fire Center and residences along HWY 21 and south of Manila Creek Road are now at a Level 1 Advisory. The Swawilla Basin has been reduced to a Level 1 Advisory.
ROAD CLOSURES: Peter Dan/Manila Creek Road between Highway 155 and 21, Old Manila Creek Road, Meadow Creek Road, Lower Jack Creek Road, Upper Jack Creek Road, Keller Butte Road, Joe Moses Road, Buffalo Lake Road to Keller Butte Road.
COOPERATING AGENCIES: The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Department of Natural Resources and the Washington Incident Management Team 2 are working closely with the communities affected by the Manila Creek Fire.
RESOURCES: 18 Crews, 6 Helicopters, 37 Engines, 11 Dozers, 28 Water Tenders, 154 Overhead, Total Personnel - 797
