Little Park Creek Fire UPDATE
Thursday, September 6, 2012 – 5:00 P.M.
Matt Eberlein – Incident Commander
Information Contact Number: 509-899-3876
Fire Status:
- Acres Burned: approximately 800 acres
- Cause: Under Investigation
- Structures Destroyed: None
- Closures: See below
- Containment: 100% RESOURCES
- Crews: 0
- Engines: 13
- Dozers: 4
- Helicopters: 2
- Total personnel: Approx. 64
- Injuries: None
Evacuations and Closures:
The level 1 and 2 evacuation orders that were put in place at approximately 1:00 A.M, September 6, 2012 were lifted at 1:45 P.M. this afternoon. Approximately 4 residences were affected by the level 2 order and another 15 residents were affected by the level 1 order.
Incident Summary:
The Little Parke Creek fire started at approximately 12:40 A.M. on Wednesday, September 6, 2012, up the Parke Creek Canyon in Kittitas County, approximately 5 miles north of the town of Kittitas WA. The fire was burning in sagebrush and grass on steep, terrain. A regional Type 3 team assumed command of the incident around 6:00 A.M. Helicopters were being used to keep the fire from spotting across dozer lines and hand lines.
Planned Actions Today:
Fire personnel will be working on the improvement of the containment lines on the west flank of the fire as well as burning some unburned areas between the fire and the indirect fire line. Control of the fire is expected to be at midnight, September 6, 2012
Resources at Risk:
Additional resources at risk are wildlife grazing areas and agricultural lands, residences, and BPA powerlines.
Cooperating Agencies:
Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue, and support from the Kittitas County Sherriff’s office.
Weather Outlook:
Temperatures will be in the upper 80’s with lowering relative humidities. Winds will be out of the east during the day tomorrow at 2-7 mph. The long range forecast shows no chance of rain anytime soon.
Evacuation Level Definitions:
Three fire evacuation alert levels that homeowners should be familiar with are:
- Level 1: Residents are informed in person of the situation.
- Level 2: Residents are asked to consider leaving the area, or be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. At this point, law enforcement officials may limit access back into the area.
- Level 3: Fire is in the area. People are to leave immediately. Access into the area is restricted.
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