Barker Canyon Complex Update September 15, 2012 0900
Incident: Barker Canyon Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/15/2012
Mop-up continues at the Barker Canyon Complex; firefighting resources being demobilized today to other fires in the State
Electric City, Wash., Approximately 100 remaining firefighters will spend today mopping up the 91,000-acre Barker Canyon Fire Complex in preparation for transition tomorrow morning to a Type IV incident management team under the command of Mike Solheim, incident commander. The incoming team will continue to patrol and mop up the contained fire, staffing it with 3 strike teams of engines, a task force leader and logistics chief. Today, the fire is more than 79% contained.
All of the resources - equipment and personnel - that were demobilized yesterday were reassigned to other fires burning in the State of Washington. Most were sent to help fight the Wenatchee and Okanogan Complexes burning in the Wenatchee-Okanogan National Forests. State-mobilized personnel returned home to be ready for any new fires that may threaten towns and residences.
In an effort to reduce human-caused wildfires, DNR issued a statewide burn ban on all DNR-protected lands, effective July 1, through September 30, 2012. The ban includes all forestlands in Washington except for federal lands, which have their own published restrictions. Campgrounds may have additional burn restrictions in place. Campers should check with their campground host before starting a campfire.
The burn ban cautions the public to: 1) light campfires only where authorized - in approved camp grounds with approved fire rings; 2) never leave a campfire unattended, and be sure it is completely dead out and cold to the touch before leaving the camp site; 3) be sure recreational vehicles have operating spark arresters; 4) be aware that common recreational activities can cause fires, such as target shooting, cigarette butts, and trailer chains dragging on concrete; 5) not park any vehicles in dry, grassy areas, as the heat from exhaust systems can ignite the dry grass; and 6) never discharge fireworks on DNR-protected and public lands because it is illegal.
Larry Nickey, incident commander for the WIIMT #4, expressed his appreciation for all of the hard work by firefighters to contain the fires that, for eight days, threatened homes and structures. "Lots of people from the communities surrounding the Grand Coulee Dam have come up to me and thanked me for stopping this fire," Nickey said. "I have had to explain to them that it wasn't me but the firefighters who deserve the praise. I promised them all that I would pass on their appreciation to all of the personnel who contributed their efforts to containing these fires," he said.
Nickey did what he promised ... during his address at every morning briefing this past week.
On September 16, 2012 the special Fire Information telephone numbers associated with this incident will be discontinued. To ask questions in the future about this fire, call BLM Spokane District, Wenatchee Resource Area 509 665-2100. For emergencies in the fire area, call Rivercom911at 509 663-9911 or the Douglas County Sheriff at 509 884-0941.
Fire Facts - Saturday, September 15, 2012 - 0900 HOURS
Fire Size: South Branch (Barker Canyon) 17,334 Acres; North Branch (Leahy) 73,828 Acres
- Total Acreage: 91,162
Evacuations: None
Percent Contained: over 79%
Fuels: Sparse timber, grass/understory/ bitterbrush, sage, slash, snags and down fuels in draws/canyons
Expected Containment: September 19, 2012
Air Resources: None
Engines: 43
Dozers: 2
Water Tenders: 19
Overhead: 67
Total Personnel: 234
Total Estimated Cost to Date: $1,976,731
