Access to better mapping technology has led to a reduction in the total acreage of the Batterman Road fire, which is located east of East Wenatchee. The fire is being managed by Northwest Incident Management Team (IMT) 12 in coordination with the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, Spokane BLM, Washington DNR Southeast Region, and Douglas County Fire Districts 1 and 2. This collaboration has led to success in meeting firefighting objectives as well as maintaining firefighter and public safety.

Fire crews continued to monitor and patrol established fire lines throughout yesterday’s shift, focusing on interior pockets of fire activity in the drainages to ensure no future threat to containment. Night shift resources were utilized for initial attack on a new fire start to the east.

Demobilization of fire resources was paused today as crews and engines that were set to be released were sent to support efforts on nearby fires that started overnight. IMT 12 is working closely with local fire management agencies to ensure appropriate staffing remains in place to patrol the Batterman Road Fire as the team prepares to depart from the incident on Saturday, July 10.

Operations Today:

Firefighters will continue to monitor and secure containment lines and mop up in the fire area. Focus remains on protecting structures and sensitive natural resources as well as minimizing impacts to grazing lands and private property. Remaining resources will continue to be prepared to perform initial attack in the immediate vicinity in the event of new fire starts.  

Evacuations and Road Closures:

The Douglas County Sheriff’s office reduced all evacuation areas on the Batterman Road Fire to level one (get ready) on July 8 at 8:30 AM. Please be aware there are areas of active fire and remain on alert if you live in the immediate vicinity.

A road closures remains in place for Rock Island Grade.

For evacuation information: Facebook.com/DouglasCountySheriffsOfficeWA or Twitter.com/docosheriffwa.

The Batterman Road fire, located east of East Wenatchee, is being managed by Northwest Incident Management Team (IMT) 12 in coordination with the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, Spokane BLM, Washington DNR Southeast Region, and Douglas County Fire Districts 1 and 2.  This collaboration has led to success in meeting firefighting objectives as well as maintaining firefighter and public safety.

Yesterday, crews protected established fire lines as they were tested by a wind event that came through the area. Interior pockets of fire activity, mostly in the drainages, did not threaten containment lines in spite of elevated temperatures and sustained winds over the fire. Patrols of the fire line continued throughout the night.

Some firefighting resources assigned to the Batterman Fire were released to move to higher priority incidents across the region as there were many new starts, and firefighters that remained assigned to this fire were also available for initial attack in the event of any new fire starts in the immediate vicinity.
 

Operations Today:

Evacuations and Road Closures:

The Douglas County Sheriff’s office reduced all evacuation areas on the Batterman Fire to level one (get ready) on July 8 at 8:30 AM. Please be aware there are areas of active fire and remain on alert if you live in the immediate vicinity.

For evacuation information: Facebook.com/DouglasCountySheriffsOfficeWA or Twitter.com/docosheriffwa.

Road closures remain in place for Rock Island Grade. The following road closures were lifted by Douglas County Sheriff: Saunders Ave.; Batterman Road; 4th Street SE and Grant Road; Pangborn Drive at the roundabout.

Air quality information is available at http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.

Douglas County Sheriff's Office has released the following Thursday, July 8th at approximately 8:45am: Effective immediately evacuation levels for all residents affected by the fire are being lowered to Level 1. Please be aware there is areas of active fire and everyone needs to remain on alert until full fire containment is obtained.

The fire is located east of East Wenatchee. Northwest Incident Management (IMT)Team 12 is managing the fire response in cooperation with the Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, Spokane BLM, Washington DNR Southeast Region, and Douglas County Fire Districts 1 and 2.  These cooperative efforts have contributed to the significant progress toward containing the fire.

Yesterday, crews continued to construct hand line with the support of air resources and dozers. Firefighters tied in the previously active Beaver Creek and Rock Island Creek drainages along with the northeast perimeter of the fire. Last night, firefighters continued to patrol.

The IMT provided five initial attack engines to support a local new fire near Spanish Castle. The fire was quickly extinguished with help from Douglas County Fire District 2, Washington DNR, and Spokane BLM.

Temperatures today are predicted to be in the upper 80s to lower 90s. A Red Flag Warning is in effect through sunset due to anticipated morning thunderstorms followed by west/northwest winds gusting up to 35-40 miles per hour.
 
Operations Today:

Firefighters will continue to secure and monitor containment lines and mop up. Focus remains on protecting structures and sensitive natural resources as well as minimizing impacts to grazing lands and private property. Today’s briefing emphasized the potential for rapid change in conditions and fire behavior in light of the predicted lightning and increased winds. Crews are prepared to perform initial attack, should new fires start in the area. Air resources are assigned to the fire, with others available if needed. 
 

Evacuations and Road Closures:

Rock Island Grade and the north side of Batterman Road remain at Evacuation Level 3 and Palisades Road remains at a Level 1. Road S Southwest remains at a Level 2. Changes in evacuation levels will be determined by the Douglas County Sheriff’s Department.

For evacuations information, refer to Facebook.com/DouglasCountySheriffsOfficeWA or Twitter.com/docosheriffwa.

Road closures are in place for Batterman Road and Rock Island Grade.

Air quality information is available at http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.

The Northwest Incident Management Team 12 hosted a virtual community meeting on July 7 at 8PM PST for the Batterman Road fire.  The meeting was recorded and can also be viewed on FaceBook on the official Central Washington Fire Information page.

The fire is located near Batterman Road and Rock Island Grade in Douglas County Fire District 2, Washington. Type 2 Northwest Incident Management Team 12 assumed command of the Batterman Road Fire at 6:00 AM, relieving Type 3 SE Washington Incident Management Team 1. Team 12 is managing the fire response in cooperation with Washington State Fire Marshal’s Office, Spokane BLM, WA DNR, and Douglas County Fire Districts 1 and 2. Douglas County Fire District 1 and 2 personnel and fire equipment have been working very hard to protect private property and homes. They have done an excellent job and are greatly appreciated for all their efforts. Last night, firefighters continued to focus on the most active portions of the fire in the Rock Island Creek Drainage. Weather today is expected to be hot and dry, with temperatures nearing 100° and 12-16% relative humidity. Thunderstorms and gusty winds are forecast for late tonight and Wednesday.

Operations Today: Firefighters will continue holding existing containment lines and establishing lines east of Batterman Road, west of Rock Island Grade and south of Beaver Creek. Efforts are focused on protecting structures, sensitive natural resources and minimizing impacts to grazing lands and private property. They remain especially engaged in the areas with the most fire activity in Rock Island Creek drainage and Beaver Creek drainage. Firefighter and public safety remain top priorities. Initial Attack air resources are available, as needed.

Evacuations and Road Closures: Road closures are in place for Batterman Road and Rock Island Grade. Rock Island Grade and the north side of Batterman Road remain at a Level 3 and Palisades Road remains at a Level 1. Today, Level 2 evacuations have been implemented for Road S Southwest. For evacuations information, refer to Facebook.com/DouglasCountySheriffsOfficeWA or Twitter.com/docosheriffwa. Air quality information is available at http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/.

Summary: Today, fire resources have been utilizing dozers and crews to construct containment lines. Air resources, including two helicopters and three large air tankers, have also been at work to combat the fire and halt its spread. Firefighters conducted a burnout operation to assist in holding the fire’s eastern perimeter at Rock Island Grade, and the fire has remained on the west side of the Grade. The fire has been most active in the Rock Island Creek Drainage and Beaver Creek Drainage.
Weather: This late afternoon, winds are blowing from the northwest at 11-14 miles per hour with gusts of 24 miles per hour. 
Smoke: Winds from the northwest have blown smoke in the direction of Palisades. For information on air quality visit https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Evacuations: Rock Island Grade: Level 3 evacuation
The North Side of Batterman Road: Level 3 evacuation
Palisades: Level 1 evacuation
Road Closures: Batterman Road
Rock Island Grade

Situation: The Batterman Fire started on July 4, 2021 at approximately 12:15 PM, spreading quickly in grass and brush.

Numerous firefighters have been working diligently to control the fire, but suppression actions have been hampered by very active fire behavior caused by high temperatures and shifting winds.   

Two helicopters and airtankers were utilized in areas inaccessible by engines. As the wind shifted in the afternoon, engines responded to the area of Rock Island Grade Road to protect residences in the area.  At this time, no structures have been destroyed, but evacuations remain in place.

SE Washington Type 3 Interagency Incident Management Team (IMT) lead by Incident Commander Walter Escobar has assumed command of the incident as of last night. Firefighters have been working through the night to secure the perimeter near Rock Island Road, as well as continuing structure protection.

Today, more resources from out of area are expected to arrive to assist in suppression efforts. Structure protection, as well as public and firefighter safety, remain top priorities.  

Weather: Sunny with temperatures reaching 96 degrees.  Winds NW 5-10 miles per hour, switching to the SE in the afternoon.
 

Closures: Batterman Road and Rock Island Grade from SR 28 to Moses Stool. 
 
Evacuations:  Level 3 Evacuations Rock Island Grade Road, Level 1 Evacuations Palisades. 

Rock Island Grade is closed from SR28 to Moses Stool.

Batterman Road is closed. 

BACKBONE POST-FIRE BAER ASSESSMENT COMPLETED

The Forest Service Coconino and Tonto National Forests (USFS) completed its post-fire assessment for emergency stabilization measures and actions on National Forest System (NFS) lands burned by the Backbone Fire.  The emergency treatments and activities are designed to decreased possible impacts to critical values from the burned area such as: life and safety, property, critical natural resources, and cultural resources.  NOTE: Attached below as “Related Information” is a PDF document called “Backbone Post-Fire BAER Assessment Report Summary”.