Manila Creek Fire Update - September 20, 2007
Incident: Manila Creek Wildland Fire
Released: 9/20/2007
CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE COLVILLE RESERVATION
MANILA CREEK UPDATE
September 20, 2007 - 10:00 AM
····· After Friday, September 21, you can call the Mount Tolman Fire Center for updated information on road closures and the fire situation. Mount Tolman Fire Center - (509) 634-3100.
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: The Manila Creek Fire is now 100% contained. Smoldering and scattered low intensity burning will continue for several weeks. At the peak of the fire, 847 personnel were assigned to this incident. All Divisions are in the process of mop-up operations and rehabilitation efforts and the night shift crew continues to patrol and monitor the fire around structures and along the roads. As suppression work progresses, all ground disturbances are inventoried and mapped. The primary objective in rehabilitation focuses on stabilization of the fire suppression affects on the land, creek beds, river, lakes and streams in the vicinity of the fire area. Minimizing erosion by the placement of water bars, restoring handlines, returning all piled vegetation back onto the mineral soil, and removing any equipment or flagging are some of the tactics performed by the firefighters before they demobilize from the fire.
All areas of the fire are now at a Level 1 Advisory Status, but road closures into the fire area remain in place.
The Washington Incident Management Team 2 will complete their work by the end of Friday, September 21. A local team will begin managing the Manila Creek Fire, taking command at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 22. Public and firefighter safety has been the top priority on the fire. Incident Commander Rex Reed and members of the Washington Incident Management Team 2 would like to thank the public for their patience and support during the Manila Creek Fire.
WEATHER: Increasing clouds with maximum temperatures 56-66. Humidity levels between 33-40 percent. Winds along the ridge tops west to northwest around 10 mph, into the evening 5-10 mph. Slope/Valley winds northwest 3-7 mph, becoming down slope/down valley 2-5 mph.
EMERGENCY NOTICES: All areas are at a Level 1 Advisory Status, but the roads into the fire area remain closed until further notice.
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: 15 Crews, 3 Helicopters, 40 Engines, 19 Dozers, 28 Water Tenders, 135 Overhead, Total Personnel - 529
9/21 resource update: 6 Crews, 3 Helicopters, 26 Engines, 3 dozers, 15 tenders, 119 Overhead, Total Personnel - 406
