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Upper Ruby Fire Daily Update 08-24-2024
Publication Type: News - 08/24/2024 - 09:00
Upper Ruby Fire Daily Update
August 24, 2024
Quick Facts
Fire Perimeter: approx. 278 acres
Initial Start: 08/20/24
Location: Ruby Creek Drainage - approximately 16 miles northwest of Cusick, WA
Hazards: Timber snags, bees, soft road shoulders, high winds and narrow roads
Values at Risk: Private residences, ongoing timber sales
Cause: Undetermined
Containment: 0%
Personnel: 226
Structures destroyed: 0
Evacuations: None
Road Closures: Ruby Creek Road (5.5 miles in from Hwy 20), Tacoma Creek Rd (about 11 miles west of Hwy 20), and Tacoma Divide Road (about 4 miles south of Hwy 20)
Ione, WA –
PUBLIC AND FIREFIGHTER SAFETY IS THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.
The Upper Ruby Fire is in central Pend Oreille County in the Ruby Creek Drainage approximately 16 miles northwest of Cusick, WA. It is burning in fuels remaining on the ground following logging activities and in heavily forested areas.
OPERATIONS: Yesterday, firefighters used heavy equipment and hand tools to build fireline. Air resources and ground crews worked in tandem to construct direct line. Firefighters were aided by aerial heat detection capabilities that identified the exact location of spot fires as small as a coffee cup. Direct fire control lines were connected surrounding the entire fire perimeter with the exception of 0.5 miles on the northwest flank.
Crews were safely pulled back from the fire area late in the day due to the strong wind gusts that accompanied the arrival of evening thunderstorms. As crews arrive to the fire area this morning, they will assess the impact of the wind and rain event and mitigate new hazards.
Today, crews will improve and widen lines around the fire and plan to connect the remaining section. Engines will provide crews with water support to strengthen constructed lines.
HAZARDS: Hazards to firefighters include fire-weakened and standing dead trees (snags), fallen trees from recent wind gusts, slick roads and terrain from possible rain, and a very high population of ground nesting bees.
WEATHER: Cooler daytime temperatures around 60 degrees and a chance of rain showers is expected until this evening. Temperatures will remain cool over the weekend. Clouds decrease overnight with some patchy morning fog that will give way to mostly sunny skies on Sunday.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newfireinfo
Phone: 509-671-0625 (hours 8 am – 8 pm)
