PNW Area Situation
7/16/05 0800hrs
New Suppression on 07/15/05:
Four class AB fires reported on 7/15, with one new Class D fire on the Spokane Agency
occurring late yesterday afternoon (see below). The only lightning activity recorded
across the region yesterday were some isolated strikes in the Vale District of BLM
Protection in Southeastern Oregon.
Large Fires:
WA-COA-087: West Omak Lake Fire
11,300 acres, 100% contained
The fire, located 10 miles southeast of Omak, Washington, began 7/12 on the
Colville Agency. Washington Team 2 (Reed/Holloway) is committed. 747
personnel are committed. Eight Type 1 IHC Crews are on the fire currently,
though demobilization of personnel will begin today with more releases
continuing on Sunday. A weather front moved through the area on Friday
evening, and even though erratic winds were experienced, cloudiness and
wetting rains also arrived with the frontal passage. Today, crews will continue to
mop-up 200 feet or more inside the perimeter.
WA-SPA-047: Hot Falls Fire
current estimate of 240 acres, no
containment estimate at this time.
Fire began late yesterday afternoon on southern boundary of the Spokane
Agency, approximately 30 miles northwest of Spokane, WA and about five miles
southeast of Wellpinit, WA. Fire is just off a highway along the Columbia River
which is the southern boundary of the Agency. Erratic winds associated with a
frontal passage throughout late yesterday evening complicated initial attack
efforts. Excellent humidity recovery overnight and recorded precipitation at
nearby weather stations should aid in today’s suppression activities. A
Washington Incident Management Team has been ordered for this fire.
Weather near the fire:
Today: Partly Cloudy, Temps 75-83 max, NW winds 10-15 on average. Could be gusty
and variable in channeled areas or in river bottom valleys to 20 mph. Min RH’s 21-35
percent depending on location
Tonight: Partly Cloudy with moderate humidity recovery
Sunday: Clear with temperatures rising into the high 80’s to low 90’s. RH’s dropping
again to the 15 percent range. Lighter winds.
PNW Suppression: 5 fires for 240 acres
Prescribed Fires:
0 fires for 28 acres
Synopsis:
It still looks like a much warmer and drier regime will start Sunday and last through about
next Tuesday. But, sometime Tuesday the flow pattern will return to a generally West to
Northwest flow which will result in weak onshore flow on the Oregon and Washington
coasts. This pattern will bring normal to slightly above normal temperatures on the west
side of the Cascades but a warm and dry trend east of the Cascades sufficient enough
to result in bringing many eastside locations back up to seasonal dryness levels. No
major lightning events look imminent, but a potential cut-off low off the Northwestern
California coast on Wed/Thurs of next week could have some potential for convection in
Southern and Eastern Oregon. This bears watching given the drying that has been
taking place in Oregon.
Large Fire Potential: Large fire potential remains LOW overall. BUT, today has
potential in E5, Southeastern Oregon where a RED FLAG warning for Low
Humidities of 10-15% and potential gusty West winds to 40 mph are possible
through early this evening. In the long term, It appears most PSA's will finally start to
approach seasonal dryness levels early next week. However, no particular weather
triggers are expected for the next several days, though the potential thunderstorm
activity in Southern Oregon for mid to late week will bear watching as forecasts become
more accurate.