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Sophia Aldous
CUSICK — Wildfires are burning around the state, and it turns out Pend Oreille County is no exception.
The Tacoma Creek Fire was reported in the early hours of Monday, Sept. 1, caused by a spate of dry lightning during Labor Day weekend, according to Northeast Washington Fire Information.
As of the Miner’s deadline on Tuesday, Sept. 9, the wildfire was at 3,560 acres, 15 miles northwest of Cusick, and at 0% containment. Total personnel assigned to the fire was 366. No structures have been lost in the fire and no one has been injured.
Pend Oreille County Commissioners declared a state of emergency for the Tacoma Creek Fire during an online emergency meeting Thursday, Sept. 4.
Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team 7 assumed command of the fire at 6 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 7. The Great Basin CIMT 7 met Northeast Washington Team 2 to transfer command and gather information of the incident’s progression.
“GB CIMT 7 will continue to coordinate and work closely with cooperating agencies to prioritize firefighter and public safety and protecting values at risk,” Tacoma Creek Fire Public Information Officer Mike Johnston said in an email on Sept. 7.
Fire activity picked up Monday afternoon, Sept. 8, in the southwest area of the fire. Crews in the area are focused on establishing direct and indirect fire lines to slow fire growth. The fire held at containment lines in the northwest area near Olson Creek, according to Johnston. Crews set up hose lays to assist in suppression and mop-up operations. Around the fire perimeter, firefighters continued to identify spot fires and extinguish them.
“On the southwest flank of the fire, crews scouted opportunities to construct dozer and handline for an additional contingency feature,” Johnston said in a press release. “Night operation crews are located across the fire and are ready to engage in the event of increased fire activity.”
There was a 40% chance of measurable precipitation for the area, according to the National Weather Service. Down drafts and outflow winds are predicted to accompany the weather front. Fire behavior was expected to be low to moderate with fire remaining mostly on the surface.
“Areas with heavy understory vegetation will produce more active fire behavior which will cause a more visible smoke column,” Johnston said. “Even if the fire receives precipitation, the drought conditions in the area are severe and all fuels are readily available to burn.”
A burn ban is currently in effect in Pend Oreille County including, but not limited to campfires, slash piles and burn barrels. Gas and propane cook stoves are allowed.
There are currently several wildfires burning in the Tri-County area, including the Crown Creek, Blackhawk Mountain and Katy Creek fires in Stevens County, which has burned over 14,000 acres and was at 10% containment as of Sept. 9. The Rattlesnake fire in Ferry County has burned over 19,000 acres and was at 7% containment as of Sept. 9.
SOPHIA MATTICE-ALDOUS IS A MURROW NEWS FELLOW WORKING DIRECTLY WITH NEWSROOMS AT THE NEWPORT MINER AND RANGE MEDIA THROUGH A PROGRAM ADMINISTERED BY WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY. HER REPORTING IS AVAILABLE FOR USE VIA CREATIVE COMMONS WITH CREDIT.
