Lick Creek Fire Update – Saturday, July 17, 2021 – 9:00 a.m.

 

The community fire briefing that took place yesterday at the Asotin County Fire Station in Clarkston was well attended.  Representatives of local, state, and federal authorities involved in managing the fire updated the public on the incident situation.    Current Situation: Firefighters finished the last two miles of ignition on primary containment line and added depth along the southwest side of the fire.  Aerial ignition was an important component of yesterday’s successful operations. The goal was to strengthen the existing containment lines. This strategy reduces the potential risk of fire spread in anticipation of warmer and drier conditions over the remainder of the summer. This short video explains how the plastic sphere dispensing system works for aerial ignition www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iPNOw-oQgo.    Today’s Activities: Crews will focus on mopping up containment lines around the fire perimeter.  The fire has slowed down to creeping and smoldering with potential for more fire activity at higher elevations. If smoke clears and visibility improves, helicopters will conduct arial ignition operations on the western side of the fire to improve containment lines.  Structure protection teams are in place around the fire area including Rose Springs, Grouse Flats and Anatone area.   Firefighters continue to assist with containment efforts at the Elbow Creek Fire near Troy, Oregon.  Weather and Smoke Information: Light wind coming from the north and northeast is expected today.  With only light wind, the smoke is likely to stay concentrated over the fire area.  Lighter winds are not enough to push the smoke out of the area which can affect visibility and limit the ability to perform air operations.  Smoke Information is available on the Washington Smoke Blog at: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/  Evacuations: Evacuation levels have changed. Evacuation zones, and fire perimeter maps are posted on InciWeb at https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7615.  Closures: All Forest Service lands, roads, and trails within the Umatilla National Forest are closed. The objective of the closure is to proactively protect public and firefighter safety as the assigned resources continue to actively suppress large wildfires on the forest. A full Forest closure means that the public is prohibited from entering any part of Umatilla National Forest at any time, including National Forest lands, roads, trails, and recreational facilities. Access on county, state or federal roadways will still be open. For more information visit the Umatilla National Forest website at www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd931174.pdf.  ADDITIONAL FIRE INFORMATION:  Fire Information: 509-780-6238  InciWeb:  inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7615/  Facebook: Lick Creek Fire  Lick Creek Fire Quick Facts  Start Date: July 7, 2021  Approx. Size: 68,153 ac.  Resources:  Cause: Lightning  Containment: 30%                 14 Crews  Incident Commander:  Total Personnel: 611  58 Engines  Randy Johnson  Pacific Northwest Team 3    Location: Approximately 2 miles SW of Asotin, WA  11 Dozers  29 Water Tenders  1 Mastacator