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CUSICK – While the Tacoma Creek Fire is still burning, recent cooler weather and rainfall has helped to break up smoke and provided firefighters with a little bit of leeway. The fire, which was started by a lightning strike Sept. 1, was at 3,930 acres and at 48% containment as of Tuesday, Sept.16. Total personnel on the fire are 791. The blaze is located 15 miles Northwest of Cusick.
“Over the past few days, the fire received a moderate amount of precipitation,” Incident Commander Mike Johnston said. “While these rains were helpful, it does not mitigate the severe drought.”
One model that monitors drought is the Keetch-Byram Drought Index. The KBDI for this area is currently 628, which means that it will take approximately 6.28 inches of precipitation for the soil to reach saturation. During a severe drought, fuels lack the ability to effectively absorb moisture even with wetting rain.
Over the last two days the fire received around 0.2 inches, which is considered a wetting rain. Today, a warming trend will be accompanied by light terrain driven winds that will continue through Friday. A warming and drying trend will continue throughout the week which may cause fire activity to increase. If fire activity does increase, it is expected to be minimal to moderate with some creeping and smoldering.
The wet, cooler weather and minimal fire activity have allowed crews to engage directly with the fire. On the western edge by Olson Peak, crews are focused on mop-up operations to secure the line and extinguish any remaining heat. The eastern edge along Tacoma Creek continues to present a challenge, with steep terrain and weather making it difficult to insert firefighters on the uncontained line. On the north side, crews completed hose lays and worked with resource advisors to identify areas for suppression repair. Resource Advisors work closely with firefighters to ensure ecological, cultural and historical values are protected while restoring the landscape.
Tacoma Creek Road is closed and cannot be accessed from the north off Highway 20. From the south, Tacoma Creek Road is open to the junction with Calicoma Road. Batey Bould trail is not passable as it travels north to the Tacoma Creek Road. There are closures along Ruby Creek Road, Cusick Creek Road and Olson Creek Road. The Blacktail Mountain Road is open until mile marker 7 but closed thereafter. Additionally, the Radar Dome trailhead is closed, but the trail remains open. Sign up for Pend Oreille County Nixle alerts at www.pendoreille.gov/emergency- management/page/nixle.
For more information on the Tacoma Creek Fire, go to www.facebook.com/ TacomaCreekFire2025.
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.
