Local News

Newby Lake Fire Update 7/11

Jul 11, 2015

Yesterday, thunderstorms produced rain on the northern portion of the fire but also created downdraft winds up to 35 mph pushing the fire toward containment lines being constructed by firefighters. Firefighters were able to hold the fire as it approached the line. Although the fire is now estimated to be 5,065 acres, suppression objectives set by Incident Commander Nathan Rabe have not been compromised.

The weather forecast through Wednesday calls for continued showers, thunderstorms, cooler temperatures, and more humid conditions. According to Incident Commander Rabe, “Anytime we have weather conditions that allow us to get close to the fire, we will exploit the opportunity to control the fire on our terms and work to contain the fire at its edge.”

Fire suppression objectives are to minimize acres burned on the Loomis State Forest and to minimize impact to the state forest. Firefighters have achieved successes toward constructing containment lines at the northern and northeast, and southeast portions of the fire. Today, firefighters continue to build fire line adjacent to the fire where possible with hand lines and mechanized equipment. Besides steep rocky terrain, firefighters are faced with an abundance of dead snags.

Six Interagency Hot Shot Crews and four Type II crews continue to build fire line near the fire’s eastern flank in and near the Loomis State Forest. Fire lines used in the 2006 Tripod fire are also being re-established using dozers, feller bunchers, and masticators.

Yesterday as the fire made a run toward the south, crews on the ground were assisted with aerial retardant drops. Today, ground crews will be assisted by water bucket drops using heavy Type I, medium sized Type II, and light Type III helicopters as needed to cool hot spots. A total of five helicopters are committed to fighting this fire.

An area closure remains in place on all National Forest Lands and WA DNR lands affected by the fire. Areas which provide entry into the fire area also closed to public access. Campfires and briquette fires are banned on the entire Okanogan Wenatchee Forest including developed campgrounds. For more specific closure information go to inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4355/