Omak, WA – Los esfuerzos de extinción durante la noche se centraron en proteger estructuras y en las líneas de contención. Por la noche llegó personal adicional y comenzarán en las líneas de fuego hoy.  Uno de los enfoques principales es la protección de estructuras y continuará durante el día. Se usarán de nuevo recursos aéreos sobre el incendio para ayudar a los bomberos en el terreno. Se usaron aeronaves ayer sobre el fuego y fueron muy efectivas. Los bomberos evaluarán las propiedades que se perdieron además de infraestructura dañada mientras combaten el fuego hoy.  Las temperaturas volverán a los 90 con bajos niveles de humedad relativa y vientos ligeros. Unos 200 bomberos trabajan en las operaciones del incendio.

Se han perdido varias estructuras y se han implementado órdenes de evacuación de nivel 2 y 3. Para las órdenes de evacuación, consulte www.Okanogandem.org . Haga clic en la pestaña de incidentes y localice el incidente específico. Está cerrado el camino 155 desde Omak hasta Nespelem. Esta mañana los directores del incendio están evaluando el cierre y luego se darán actualizaciones.

El incendio de Cold Springs comenzó el domingo por la noche como a las 9:45pm y se extendió rápidamente debido a los vientos fuertes y la baja humedad relativa. Actualmente se calcula que el incendio mide 163,000 acres con una contención de 0%. Los bomberos de Mt Tolman Fire Center, Okanogan County Fire Districts 3, 6, 8, y 15 junto con el Departamento de Recursos Naturales del Estado de Washington y varias agencias federales, estatales y locales siguen ayudando con la extinción del incendio.

Los terrenos de Okanogan County Fairgrounds están abiertos para el ganado y tiene áreas para cámpers de RV. La Cruz Roja está coordinando lugares de refugio para los que han sido evacuados. La información de contacto para la Cruz Roja es 509 670-5331. La Cruz Roja ha abierto un lugar de refugio en Brewster. La seguridad de los residentes y bomberos es lo más importante. Se pide a los residentes que permanezcan fuera de la zona de incendios.

El 8 de septiembre, el Equipo IMT 2 de la Interagencia del Noreste de Washington Tipo 3 asumió el mando del incidente. No se ha reportado ninguna lesión de bomberos en este momento.

Información del incendio junto con el puesto de mando del incidente se encuentran en los terrenos del Omak Stampede en Omak.  El contacto para información del incendio es Jeff Sevigney en el (509) 993-2946 o Don Malone en el (509) 822-8125 o puede seguirnos en Facebook @NEWIMT3, e Inciweb @ https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident7161

HWY 155 is now open.  WSDOT is alternating traffic through the fire with a pilot car escort.  Please watch for firefighters working near the roadway.

Omak, WA – Firefighting efforts overnight focused on structure protection and working on containment lines. Additional personnel arrived overnight and will be on the fire line today. Structure protection is a primary focus and will continue throughout the day. Air resources will be in over the fire again to assist with the firefighting efforts on the ground. Aircraft were used on the fire yesterday and were highly effective. Firefighters will be assessing properties that were lost as well as damaged infrastructure while on the line today. Temperatures today will be back in the 90’s with low relative humidity levels and light winds.  There are approximately 200 firefighters engaged in firefighting operations. 

Multiple structures have been lost and level 2 & 3 evacuation orders are in place.   For current evacuation orders please see www.Okanogandem.org . Click on the incidents tab and locate the specific incident.  Highway 155 is closed from Omak to Nespelem. Fire managers are assessing the closure this morning and updates will follow.

The Cold Springs Fire started Sunday evening at approximately 9:45 pm. and quickly spread due to high winds and low relative humidity. The fire is currently estimated at 163,000 acres with 0% containment.  Firefighters from Mt. Tolman Fire Center, Okanogan County Fire Districts 3, 6, 8, & 15 along with Washington State Department of Natural Resources and numerous federal, state and other local agencies continue to assist with fire suppression.

Okanogan County Fairgrounds is open for livestock and has areas for RV campers. The Red Cross is coordinating shelter for those that have been evacuated. The contact information for the Red Cross is 509 670-5331. The Red Cross has opened a shelter in Brewster. Citizen and firefighter safety are the number one priority.  Citizens are asked to remain clear of the fire area. 

The Northeast Washington Interagency Type 3 IMT Team 2 assumed command of the incident on September 8th. There are no firefighter injuries reported at this time.

Fire information and the incident command post is located at Omak Stampede grounds in Omak. Fire information contact is Jeff Sevigney at (509) 993-2946 or Don Malone at (509) 822-8125 or you can also follow us on Facebook @NEWIMT3, and Inciweb @ https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident7161

Omak, WA – Firefighting efforts today focused on structure protection and working on containment lines. Just before noon a structure fire was reported at the Old Mill in Omak. Crews from the Cold Springs Fire responded to assist the local jurisdictions when the fire ignited spot fires to the east. Air resources supported the firefighting efforts on the ground and helped keep the fires from spreading further. Additional crews have arrived for night operations and look to make additional progress overnight.  There are approximately 200 firefighters engaged in firefighting operations. 

Multiple structures have been lost and level 2 & 3 evacuation orders are in place.   For current evacuation orders please see www.Okanogandem.org . Click on the incidents tab and locate the specific incident.  Highway 155 is closed from Omak to Nespelem.

The Cold Springs Fire started Sunday evening at approximately 9:45 pm. and quickly spread due to high winds and low relative humidity. The fire is currently estimated at 163,000 acres with 0% containment.  Firefighters from Mt. Tolman Fire Center, Okanogan County Fire Districts 3, 6, 8, & 15 along with Washington State Department of Natural Resources and numerous federal, state and other local agencies continue to assist with fire suppression.

Okanogan County Fairgrounds is open for livestock and has areas for RV campers. The Red Cross is coordinating shelter for those that have been evacuated. The contact information for the Red Cross is 509 670-5331. Citizen and firefighter safety is our number one priority.  Citizens are asked to remain clear of the fire area. 

The Northeast Washington Interagency Type 3 IMT Team 2 assumed command of the incident this morning. There are no firefighter injuries reported at this time.

Fire information and the incident command post is located at Omak Stampede grounds in Omak. Fire information contact is Jeff Sevigney at (509) 993-2946 or Don Malone at (509) 822-8125 or you can also follow us on Facebook @NEWIMT3, and Inciweb @ https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident7161

Omak, WA – The Cold Springs Fire started Sunday evening at approximately 9:45 pm. and quickly spread due to high winds and low relative humidity. The fire is currently estimated at 140,000 acres with 0% containment at this time   Firefighters from Mt. Tolman Fire Center, Okanogan County Fire Districts 3, 6, 8, 15, Washington State Department of Natural Resources and numerous federal, state and local agencies continue to assist with fire suppression.  Firefighting efforts today will focus on structure protection, containment lines and getting a good assessment of the fire. There are approximately 200 firefighters on the ground and air support is scheduled for today.  Crews will continue to work through the day and overnight and expect to make additional progress. 

Multiple structures have been lost and level 3 evacuation orders and road closures are still in place.  For current evacuation orders please see www.Okanogandem.org . Click on the incidents tab and locate the specific incident. Highway 97 from Brewster to Omak remains closed. 

Okanogan County Fairgrounds is open for livestock and has areas for RV campers. The Red Cross is coordinating shelter for those that have been evacuated. The contact information for the Red Cross is 509 670-5331. Citizen and firefighter safety is our number one priority.  Citizens are asked to remain clear of the fire area. 

Currently there are approximately 200 personnel assigned to the fire.  Northeast Washington Interagency Type 3 IMT Team 2 has assumed command of the incident. There are no firefighter injuries reported at this time.

Fire information and the incident command post is located at Omak Stampede grounds in Omak. Fire information contact is Jeff Sevigney at (509) 993-2946 or Don Malone at (509) 822-8125 or you can also follow us on Facebook @NEWIMT3, and Inciweb @ https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident7161

The Bernard Fire was contained on 10/14/2020 and declared out on 10/27/2020. The area closure has been lifted, but visitors should be aware of burned area hazards, such as fire-weakened trees, burned out stumpholes, and unstable slopes.

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7160

Incident Commander: Rod Weeks, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Fire Information: 208-557-8813

Location:  Near Bernard Peak, overlooking Echo Bay on the south shore of Lake Pend Oreille.      

Size:  1375 acres                      

Containment:  75%                

Cause:  Human – under active investigation

Final update:  Any additional information will be released by the Idaho Panhandle National Forests as conditions on the fire warrant.

Fire management actions:  The fire has been checked around its perimeter.  Progress on containment, combined with minimal fire behavior that includes creeping, backing, and smoldering in the undergrowth, has resulted in the fire’s complexity is being downgraded.  Weeks’ Type 3 Incident Management Team is turning the fire over to the Sandpoint Ranger District of the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.  Ryan Wagner, Type 4 Incident Commander, will take over at 6:00 a.m. Saturday, 9/26/20.  To read more about this transition from Type 3 to Type 4, click here: https://www.nps.gov/articles/wildland-fire-incident-command-system-levels.htm

Question of the day: What is an Incident Management Team?

During 13 days in 1970, 16 lives were lost, 700 structures were destroyed and over one-half million acres burned. The overall cost and loss associated with these fires totaled $18 million per day.  Although all of the responding agencies cooperated to the best of their ability, numerous problems with communication and coordination hampered their effectiveness.  As a result, the Congress mandated that the U.S. Forest Service design a system that would "make a quantum jump in the capabilities of Southern California wildland fire protection agencies to effectively coordinate interagency action and to allocate suppression resources in dynamic, multiple-fire situations."  Fast forward to today, where Incident Management Teams operate under the framework of NIMS (National Incident Management System) to manage domestic incidents, regardless of their cause, size, location or complexity.  Although we are most familiar with IMT’s and wildfire in the West, they are also utilized for floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and many other “incidents” where interagency cooperation is essential to disaster preparedness, response, and recovery.  For an overview of Type 3 Incident Management Teams, see: https://www.usfa.fema.gov/training/imt/imt_overview.html

Closures:  To protect firefighter and public safety, area closures are still in effect in the vicinity of the Bernard Fire, including all of Bernard Peak Trail #37 from the trailhead at Farragut State Park.  DO NOT ENTER CLOSED AREAS.  See InciWeb for a closure map: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/map/7160/5/105526

SAFETY ADVISORIES:

• Driving conditions on Bunco Rd., Road 332, and Road 278 to Lakeview will still be hazardous in coming weeks while firefighting crews and vehicles continue using these roads to work on burned areas, trails, and roads.  If possible: Take an alternate route!  If you must drive these roads, stay alert for oncoming vehicles, drive slowly, stay to the right, and use your headlights!  

• Campers and Boaters: Stay clear of the new slide area below Bernard Peak to avoid the risk of boulders falling onto the shoreline and into the lake.  

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  All  temporary flight restrictions (TFR) have been lifted. 

Resource Protection Status:  Protection for private property, structures, and infrastructure at Gold Creek Lodge and the Lakeview community is being implemented.  There were no evacuations associated with this fire and no structures were destroyed.  Water quality in West Gold Creek and sensitive tribal area protection plans are complete and are being implemented.  

Weather:  Friday will be cool, breezy, and showery, with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Gusty afternoon winds could reach speeds of up to 40 mph.  A second front will bring another round of showers and breezy conditions on Saturday.  The chance of showers starts to diminish on Sunday with clearing skies later in the day.  Monday will be mostly clear with high temperatures in the 70’s and lows in the 40’s.  The warming and drying trend continues through midweek.

Bernard Fire

September 24, 2020

Daily Update 11:30 a.m.

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7160

Incident Commander: Rod Weeks, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Fire Information: 208-557-8813

Location:  Near Bernard Peak, overlooking Echo Bay on the south shore of Lake Pend Oreille.      

Size:  1375 acres                      

Containment:  75%                

Cause:  Human – under active investigation

Fire management actions:  The fire has been checked along its perimeter.  Equipment and firefighting modules are completing fuel breaks and fuels removal. All air operations have been completed and aircraft have been released from the fire. Most other resources are also being released. Remaining resources are monitoring control lines, beginning line repair where needed, and removing hose lays and other suppression equipment that is no longer needed.

Special update:  What does “wetting rain” mean to firefighters?

The National Wildfire Coordinating Group defines wetting rain as a widespread rain that, over an extended period of time, significantly reduces fire danger. One-tenth of an inch may be sufficient to reduce fire danger in grass or other fine fuel models. One half inch may be necessary for timber fuels under closed canopies. The National Weather Service precipitation analysis shows approximately one-quarter of an inch of rain over the fire area in the last 24 hours, with another quarter to three-quarters on the way: https://www.wpc.ncep.noaa.gov/qpf/d13_fill.gif?1600973118655

Closures:  To protect firefighter and public safety, area closures are still in effect in the vicinity of the Bernard Fire, including all of Bernard Peak Trail #37 from the trailhead at Farragut State Park.  DO NOT ENTER CLOSED AREAS.  See https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/map/7160/4/105526 for the closure map.

SAFETY ADVISORIES:

• Driving conditions on Bunco Rd., Road 332, and Road 278 to Lakeview are extremely hazardous due to the heavy equipment, fire engines, and other firefighting vehicles using these roads to access the fire.  If possible: Take an alternate route!  If you must drive these roads, use extreme caution, drive slowly, stay to the right, and use your headlights! 
• Campers and Boaters: Stay clear of the shoreline below Bernard Peak to avoid the risk of boulders falling into the lake from the slide.

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) were lifted at 6p.m. on 23 Sept, 2020.

Resource Protection Status:  Protection for private property, structures, and infrastructure at Gold Creek Lodge and the Lakeview community is being implemented.  Plans for protection of water quality in West Gold Creek and sensitive tribal areas are in development.  There have been no evacuations associated with this fire and no structures have been destroyed.

Weather:  Thursday and Friday are expected to be cool, breezy, and showery, with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.  A second front will bring another round of showers and breezy conditions on Saturday.  A warming and drying trend is expected early next week with a building high pressure ridge.

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7160

Incident Commander: Rod Weeks, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Fire Information: 208-557-8813

Location:  Near Bernard Peak, overlooking Echo Bay on the south shore of Lake Pend Oreille.      

Size:  1425 acres                      

Containment:  65 %               

Cause:  Human – under active investigation

Fire management actions:  The fire has been checked along its perimeter.  Crews and engines are monitoring and reinforcing along the control lines.  Equipment and work modules are improving containment and fuels removal.  All air operations were completed today.The Temporary Flight Restrictions were lifted at 6:00 pm this evening (Sept. 23) 

Special update:  If the fire is contained, why am I still seeing smoke?

The overall goal of firefighting is, of course, putting out the fire.  This sounds simple but the job is much more complicated than it seems.  The first order of firefighting is to protect lives - public and firefighters alike.  Next, fuels, topography, weather, wind, safety concerns, and other complex interactions determine not only fire behavior but also firefighting tactics.  As firefighters work to contain and control a wildfire, the typical method of securing a fire perimeter is to establish an anchor point to safely construct hand or equipment line around the edges of a fire to check its spread. 

Fire burns at varying intensities, and even in a patchy manner across different landscapes and fuel types. This quite often leads to pockets of unburned fuel within a fire perimeter.  With small changes in wind or fuel moisture these pockets can burn, leading to the perception of new fire on the landscape.  Even if the fire is 100% contained, it’s difficult or impossible to see the on-the-ground accomplishments from a distance because stumps and other fuels within the fire perimeter will continue to burn and create smoke long after the fire has been contained.

A temporary air quality monitor was installed at Farragut State Park to help inform decisions by residents and recreationists alike on outdoor activities.  See: https://fire.airnow.gov/ for more information.

Closures:  To protect firefighter and public safety, area closures are still in effect in the vicinity of the Bernard Fire, including all of Bernard Peak Trail #37 from the trailhead at Farragut State Park.  DO NOT ENTER CLOSED AREAS.  See InciWeb for a closure map.

SAFETY ADVISORIES:

• Driving conditions on Bunco Rd., Road 332, and Road 278 to Lakeview are extremely hazardous due to the heavy equipment, fire engines, and other firefighting vehicles using these roads to access the fire.  If possible: Take an alternate route!  If you must drive these roads, use extreme caution, drive slowly, stay to the right, and use your headlights!  

• Campers and Boaters: Stay clear of the shoreline and lake in Echo Bay to avoid the risk of boulders falling into the lake from the slide below Bernard Peak.

• Boaters: Stay clear of helicopter bucket operations in Echo Bay.

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) have been lifted as of 6:00 p.m. tonight.

Resource Protection Status:  Protection for private property, structures, and infrastructure at Gold Creek Lodge and the Lakeview community is being implemented.  Plans for protection of water quality in West Gold Creek and sensitive tribal areas are in development.  There have been no evacuations associated with this fire and no structures have been destroyed.

Weather:  A wet frontal system will bring widespread wetting rain to the Idaho Panhandle by Wednesday evening.  Thursday and Friday are expected to be cool, breezy, and showery, with a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon.  A second front will bring another round of showers and breezy conditions on Saturday.  A warming and drying trend is expected early next week with a building high pressure ridge.

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7160

Incident Commander: Rod Weeks, Northern Rockies Incident Management Team

Fire Information: 208-557-8813

Location:  Near Bernard Peak, overlooking Echo Bay on the south shore of Lake Pend Oreille.      

Size:  1380 acres                      

Containment:  65 %               

Cause:  Human – under active investigation

Fire management actions:  The fire has been checked along most of its perimeter.  Crews are being used to assess and contain fire below Road 2707 and north of W. Gold Creek.  Engines are holding the fire along the roads.  Equipment and work modules are finishing containment lines on the east flank, above Road 2707.  Protection work near and in Lakeview is nearing completion.  The Type 1 Chinook helicopter continues to dip water from Echo Bay for bucket drops.

Closures:  To protect firefighter and public safety, area closures are still in effect in the vicinity of the Bernard Fire, including all of Bernard Peak Trail #37 from the trailhead at Farragut State Park.  DO NOT ENTER CLOSED AREAS.  See InciWeb for a closure map.

SAFETY ADVISORY:

• Driving conditions on Bunco Rd., Road 332, and Road 278 to Lakeview are extremely hazardous due to the heavy equipment, fire engines, and other firefighting vehicles using these roads to access the fire.  If possible: Take an alternate route!  If you must drive these roads, use extreme caution, drive slowly, stay to the right, and use your headlights!  

• Campers and Boaters: Stay clear of the shoreline and lake in Echo Bay to avoid the risk of boulders falling into the lake from the slide below Bernard Peak.

• Boaters: Stay clear of helicopter bucket operations in Echo Bay.

Temporary Flight Restrictions:  Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) are still in effect around the entire fire area.  Remember that temporary flight restrictions apply to unmanned aircraft systems (drones), too, i.e. if you fly, we can’t! 

Resource Protection Status:  Protection for private property, structures, and infrastructure at Gold Creek Lodge and the Lakeview community is being implemented.  Plans for protection of water quality in West Gold Creek and sensitive tribal areas are in development.  There have been no evacuations associated with this fire and no structures have been destroyed.

Weather:  Tuesday afternoon will be mostly sunny and warm, with highs in the 60’s to low 70’s.  Tuesday night will be partly cloudy changing to mostly cloudy and cool, with light winds below 20 ft and 5 to 10 mph transport winds.  A wet frontal system will bring widespread wetting rain to the Idaho Panhandle by Wednesday evening.  Thursday and Friday are expected to be cool, breezy, and showery.  A warming and drying trend is predicted for early next week with a building high pressure ridge.