SWANSON LAKE FIRE UPDATE

AUGUST 22, 2008

INFORMATION LINE:  509-725-8392                                WEBSITES:  www.wa-imt2.org

HOURS:  7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.                                                         www.imtcenter.net   (WA IMT2)

ACRES:  19,090

CONTAINMENT:  35%

FIRE CAUSE: UNDER INVESTIGATION

LOCATION:  The Swanson Lake fire started on August 18, 2008, and is burning 5 miles southwest of the town of Creston in Lincoln County, Washington.  The cause of the fire remains under investigation. 

VEGETATION TYPE AND TERRAIN:  The fire is burning in wheat fields, sagebrush and scattered timber in rough, steep terrain.  Large pockets of timber with dead and down woody debris are present on the north end of the fire and in the drainages.

FIRE SITUATION: Fire activity was moderate yesterday as the fire pushed and tested containment lines along the north and northeast border.  Three fixed-wing aircraft and two helicopters assisted in cooling and slowing the fire spread by dropping retardant and water where necessary.  On the southern perimeter, firefighters worked diligently to complete mop-up operations.   Firefighters also completed direct line construction on the eastern perimeter and firefighters will begin mopping up 300 feet within the edge of the fire line.  Night shift crews spent the evening patrolling around structures checking for any type of spotting outside the containment lines and watered roads to keep the dust down.  

Approximately 100 residents attended last night’s informational meeting that took place in Davenport at the Memorial Hall on Park Street.  The meeting was well received and the public was updated on the current fire situation and objectives in fighting the fire.  Residents of the Hawk Creek Ranch Road and Hawk Creek Canyon Estates in the Dodd Canyon remain at an Emergency Notice – Level 2.  The area is only open to local traffic and residents are urged to take precautions staying out of the burned areas, away from fallen and damaged trees and downed power lines. 

TODAY’S PLAN:  The north and northeast perimeter continues to challenge firefighting activities.  Fire crews will spend the day concentrating on the northern border working to complete containment lines and burning out islands of unburned fuel.  Burn out operations will create smoky conditions and anyone having respiratory illnesses should take precautions to stay indoors if possible.  Fallers will be working to remove hazard trees in the burn areas. 

State mobilization crews who assisted suppression efforts on the Swanson Lake Fire will begin demobilizing over the next two days and returning to their home units as additional firefighting resources arrive. 

Traffic will remain heavy on the highways and along roads located near the Swanson Lake fire area. The public is reminded to continue driving cautiously in those areas.  Safety is constantly stressed as top priority.  All injuries on this fire have been minor in nature.

CLOSURES:  None at this time.  The Hawk Creek Ranch Road and the Hawk Creek Road will be open to local traffic only.  We ask the public to stay out of the burn area for their safety as fire suppression activity continues.  The Hawk Creek Campground is now open, but the boat launch remains closed for suppression activity.

STRUCTURE LOSS:  1 residence, 2 seasonal cabins and 15 outbuildings.

RESOURCES:  25 crews, 5 helicopters, 77 engines, 9 dozers, 24 water tenders, 142 overhead – Total 752 Personnel