NEWS RELEASE
August 19, 2012 1900 Update
August 19, 2012, the Buffalo Lake Road wildfire was determined 100% contained. This means that a fire line has been constructed around the entire perimeter of the fire or the fire edge has been... more
Approximate Location
Incident Overview
The Buffalo Lake Road Fire started at 2030 on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 and grew quickly due to high winds burning approximately 7,800 acres by the evening of August 15. As of August 19, the fire reached 11,299 acres and is 100% contained.
This fire is located approximately 5 miles north of Coulee Dam, WA. It is highly visible on the hillsides above the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor's center.
Initial suppression efforts included building dozer lines and providing structure protection. The firefighters dealt with wind-driven fire fueled by grass, sage, and bitter brush. Nine homes and the communities of Elmer City (pop. 239) and Coulee Dam (pop. 1107) were threatened. Two outbuildings (barns) burned.
Cooperation continues between Colville Confederated Tribes, Bureau of Indian Affairs and Washington Department of Natural Resources as additional control and rehabilitation activities occur.
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildfire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Lightning |
| Date of Origin | Tuesday August 14th, 2012 approx. 08:30 PM |
| Location | 5 miles northeast of Coulee Dam, WA |
| Incident Commander | Larry Nickey, Wiimt #4 |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 257 |
|---|---|
| Size | 11,299 acres |
| Percent Contained | 100% |
| Estimated Containment Date | Sunday August 19th, 2012 approx. 12:00 AM |
| Fuels Involved | 2 Timber (grass and understory) Grass, shrubs, bitter brush, and pockets of scattered timber |
| Fire Behavior | Smoldering. |
| Significant Events | Met agency mop-up standards. Meeting agency rehab objectives. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Transition to Type 3 organization. |
|---|---|
| Growth Potential | Medium. |
| Terrain Difficulty | High. |
| Remarks | Will transition to Type 3 organization 8/20. |
Current Weather
| Wind Conditions | 3 mph NW |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 98 degrees |
| Humidity | 18% |
