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| Regional fires as shown on the U.S. Wildfire Activity Public Information Map as of 11 a.m. today. To view the current map, click here. |
Since its detection on July 17, firefighters, engines, and air resources have been actively fighting the fire.
Air resources thus far include helicopters, a fireboss and retardant drops. The size is approximately 10 acres. The Pritchard Murray Volunteer Fire Department has been a cooperating agency throughout. Fire managers ask that the public avoid the Beaver Creek Road due to firefighting activity.
A lightning-caused fire was found on Spades Mountain on July 17. Firefighters dug a handline and utilized hoses and an engine to successfully suppress the fire at approximately a quarter acre. The Spades Fire is contained and controlled as of end of shift yesterday.
There was also an escaped campfire in the Beauty Creek Area that was luckily reported and contained today.
Human caused starts, particularly in the Wildland-Urban interface, pose a threat to the public as well as requiring valuable firefighting resources that may be needed elsewhere. Please be firewise and never leave a campfire unattended.
Firefighter and public safety is the number one priority in wildland fire management and emergency response. Fire activity across the nation has significantly increased and the National Preparedness Level (PL) is currently 4. PL 4 means that three or more geographic areas are experiencing wildland fire incidents requiring Type 1 and 2 Incident Management Teams.
According to the National Weather Service, thunderstorms will move into the region after midnight tonight which are likely to produce lightning but generally have little to no precipitation with them, which will increase the risk of wildfire.
Breezy late afternoon and early evening winds are expected Thursday across the Columbia Basin into the Spokane area and western portions of the Palouse. Relative humidity values will remain low, increasing the potential for rapid fire spread.