Monday August 4, 2008 8:00 AM Update
Incident: Green Lake Wildland Fire
Released: 8/4/2008
YESTERDAY'S ACTIONS: Firefighters had another safe and effective operation during both day and night shifts on Sunday. On the north end of the fire, crews accomplished the objective of extinguishing all hot spots within 300 feet of the perimeter. Along the west side of the fire, hot spots have been extinguished within 500 feet of structures, and crews are making progress toward ensuring the outer 300 feet of the fire perimeter is cold as well. The eastern perimeter is the most challenging area of the fire because of steep terrain, poor access for water supplies, and abundant snag hazards. Progress on that side is slower, yet steady. Hand-held heat detectors were used in the late evening to ensure that hot spots near the northeast side of the fire are identified and fully extinguished. Some resources from night shift only worked until midnight, so they could move to day shift.
The Fire Prevention Team conducted planning and reconnaissance and began engaging local homeowners, providing education and home assessments to assist people in improving fire safety on their properties.
TODAY'S PLANNED ACTIONS: Resources have been shifted to focus attention on the more challenging terrain on the east side of the fire. A "skidgeon", an engine on tracks, will arrive to deliver water over steeper terrain to assist in cooling hot spots on the eastern perimeter. Hand-held infrared devices will be used to detect any remaining heat in areas crews have secured.
WEATHER: The weather is becoming increasingly hot and dry with maximum temperature 94º F and minimum humidity of 11-14% expected today. Temperatures are expected to exceed 100º by mid-week. Today, winds will be primarily terrain-driven with up-valley winds of 2 to 5 mph in the afternoon and evening. Fuels are extremely dry. Spot fires from rolling material or individual burning trees have the potential to burn rapidly today and are a significant hazard.
VEGETATION AND TERRAIN: The fire is burning in varied terrain from timber on steep, rocky slopes to flat ground with sagebrush and grass vegetation. An unburned pocket of 80-100 acres of timber on a ridgeline within the fire perimeter continues to burn slowly and produce smoke. It will be closely monitored throughout the day for any increase in activity.
COOPERATING AGENCIES: The Okanogan County Sheriff and Emergency Management, Okanogan County Fire Districts (Omak, Okanogan, Riverside, and FD 9), Bureau of Land Management, and the Washington Department of Natural Resources are closely coordinating with the Incident Management Team to ensure the safe and efficient suppression of the fire.
