Regional News

Williams Flats and Lundstrom Butte Fires Update 8-4


Aug 05, 2019

Special Announcements:

Northwest Interagency Incident Management Team 8, Incident Commander, Doug Johnson, assumed command of the Williams Flats and Lundstrom Butte Fires yesterday evening.  The fires are burning in timber, brush, and old logging slash on the Confederated Tribe of the Colville Reservation.  The incident command post (ICP) is located at the Community Center in Keller, Washington and the helibase is located at the Wilbur Airport.

Acreage: 10,438

Containment: 20%

Fire Information:  (509) 634-7341 (8:00 am to 9:00 pm); 2019.williamsflats@firenet.com

Information Websites: Inciweb – https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6493 ;

   Facebook –  Colville Tribal Broadcast, News and Information

                        Williams Flats Fire

Current Fire Information: Containment line has been constructed by hand crews and dozers on the west flank of the Williams Flats Fire along the ridge above Dick Creek working towards Frielanders Meadows Road.  Firefighters are holding, improving, and mopping-up hot spots along this flank.  An anchor point has been established on the southeast flank of the fire at the Columbia River and line construction is underway toward Whitestone Ridge. Dozers are constructing direct fireline and crews are burning out fuels as construction progresses toward the northeast corner. The majority of retardant and water was dropped throughout the day by aircraft to cool this northeast flank. Scouting is underway to determine the best location for containment lines along this flank to reduce the risks to timber, Hellgate Game Reserve, and archeological sites. The structure protection group remained diligent for flare-ups at the Goat/Hellgate Ranch.  Point protection was also provided at the Johnny George lookout tower.  A night shift will be on the line monitoring, improving and holding the west and northwest flank.

The Lundstrom Butte Fire remains at 6 acres with mop-up progressing around the perimeter.

Resources:  Total personnel assigned – 455:  5-type 1 hand crews, 3-type 2 IA hand crews, 5-type 2 hand crews, 5-heavy helicopters, 2- medium helicopters, 16-engines, 8-dozers, and 18-water tenders. Additional firefighting resources including hand crews, engines, and aircraft have been ordered and continue to arrive.

Weather:  Tonight, the sky will be clear with minimum temperatures near 60-65 degrees.  Relative humidity between 40-50 % with winds out of the north-northeast 3 to 6 mph.

Air Quality:  For the latest information regarding smoke and air quality see https://wasmoke.blogspot.com

Closures and Evacuations: One residence remains under a Level 2 evacuation.  The structure group will continue to monitor the area.  Multiple roads are closed to public including: Kuehne, Frielander, and Canteen Creek Roads.  Closures are in place to provide safety to the firefighters and the public, so please respect those closures.

Helicopters are dipping and fire boss planes are scooping from nearby Lake Roosevelt for suppression efforts and need space to work. The public is also asked to avoid these aircraft activities on the water.  The area is being paroled by the the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation law enforcement.

A temporary flight restriction of 10 miles surrounds the Williams Flats and Lundstrom Fires.  The area is required for the large aircraft to safely maneuver when dropping retardant.  Please refer to the Notice to Airmen before flying near the area. 

 


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