Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
Fire burns overnight Aug. 16 along the top of the canyon above Wawawai Road.
Wawawai Road-A 25 acre fire that had been contained is now spread across about 1,400 acres after overnight winds picked up Aug. 17. Although the fire was zero percent contained Monday morning, it was 30% contained with fire line around 90%.
The original fire started off a motor home that caught fire on Wawawai Road, across the Snake River from Chief Timothy Park, about 4 p.m. Aug. 16. Whitman County Fire District 14 responded as did Asotin County and Clarkston.
The Chief Timothy Fire had been contained and then a thunder cell entered the area and winds picked up, according to Whitman County Emergency Management Director Bill Tensfeld. Winds reactivated and spread the fire.
State resources were called in, including a helicopter which is dropping water on the blaze.
Wawawai Road and Steptoe Canyon Road have been closed due to the fire. According to Tensfeld, two residents were evacuated the first night, but were allowed to return.
According to a state release, the Chief Timothy Fire is burning in grass and trees and is threatening rangeland and fencing.
Department of Natural Resources Northeast Washington Incident Management Team 3 is now handling the response. The Chief Timothy Fire is approximately 1,400 acres by visual observance. Due to the topography of the canyon walls, the department is unable to get a more precise measurement.
Range land and fences are the only things being threatened as of Tuesday morning.
According to DNR, most local responders were released to rest and tend to harvest and to prepare in case they need to be called back for another attack.
A helicopter and plane were used Mondday to fight the fire. Neither were part of the response Tuesday morning, but may be called in if needed.
Two hand crews and 10 engines have been assigned to the fire with the Northeast Washington Incident Management Team 3 dispatched to assist. Fire camp has been established at the Colton School.
Tuesday crews were working to secure the fire perimeter and make sure hot spots near the fire control line were extinguished.
UPDATE: At 6:43 p.m. Tuesday, DNR reported the fire was 80% contained, 100% lined.
Jana Mathia is a reporter at the Whitman County Gazette.
Reader Comments(0)