SWANSON LAKE FIRE UPDATE

AUGUST 25, 2008  -  11:00 AM

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:  75%

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: Despite warmer weather and relatively windy conditions yesterday, firefighters made good progress completing containment lines and conducting mop-up operations on the Swanson Lake fire.   The gusty winds expected overnight never materialized. Firefighters worked through the night patrolling and monitoring the fire perimeter for any potential flare-ups identifying a 30 x 30 area along Rock Rose Lane.  The area has been fully contained.  Hand-held thermal imaging devices were utilized during the night and hot spots were detected along the fire perimeter south of the Nelson Road.  The area was flagged and fire crews worked to suppress and cool the area of concern. 

TODAY’S PLAN:  All areas of the fire are either in mop-up operations or in patrol status at this time.  Rehabilitation of the fire area will begin today.  The primary objective in rehabilitation is to focus on stabilization of the fire suppression affects on the land in the vicinity of the fire area.    Minimizing erosion by restoring dozer lines and removing any equipment or flagging are some of the tactics performed by the firefighters before they demobilize from the fire.  As more of the fire suppression actions are accomplished the firefighting resources will begin to be demobilized over the next few days. 

The Emergency Notice Level 2 for the Hawk Creek Ranch Road and the Hawk Creek Canyon Estates have now been lifted.  There are no restrictions on the Swanson Lake fire.  The public is urged to take precautions staying out of the burned areas, away from fallen and damaged trees or any downed power lines as these can be a potential risk.  Smoldering and scattered low intensity burning will continue for several weeks.

WEATHER:  An unseasonably strong cold front will move through the Swanson Lake fire area.  Mostly cloudy skies are expected with a chance of rain in the morning then decreasing.  A slight chance of showers are expected in the mid-afternoon and becoming partly cloudy by late afternoon. Winds will be southwest 3 to 6 mph in the morning increasing to 8 to 12 mph with gusts to 21 mph in the late afternoon.  Temperatures will be cooler with a higher relative humidity.

CLOSURES:  The boat launch at the Hawk Creek Campground remains closed for fire suppression activities.  All other closures have been lifted.

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

RESOURCES:  24 crews, 2 helicopters, 67 engines, 3 dozers, 28 water tenders, 144 overhead, 2 camp crews  = Total Personnel 709