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Upper Ruby Fire Daily Update 08-27-2024
Publication Type: News - 08/27/2024 - 09:00
Upper Ruby Fire Daily Update
August 27, 2024
Quick Facts
Containment: 31%
Fire Perimeter: 282 acres
Initial Start: 08/20/24
Location: Ruby Creek Drainage - approximately 16 miles northwest of Cusick, WA
Hazards: hot ash pits, timber snags, bees, and narrow roads
Values at Risk: Private residences, ongoing timber sales
Cause: Undetermined
Personnel: 228
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 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, 8 crews, 7 engines, 7 water tenders, and 10 pieces of heavy equipment continued mopping up along the fire perimeter to strength control lines. This included digging by hand, using hoses to apply water to the ground, and using heavy equipment. Crews mopped up at least 10 feet from the fire perimeter with some areas up to 66 feet. A contingency line on the northeast flank of the fire was completed. Containment was increased to 31%.
At least 8 medical personnel were staged throughout the fire to support fire personnel.
Today, crews will continue to mop up along the fire perimeter. Portable handheld infrared technology will be used to identify heat near the perimeter so that crews can work to extinguish those areas.
HAZARDS: Hazards to firefighters include hot ash pits, unstable footing, fire-weakened and standing dead trees (snags) and a very high population of ground nesting bees.
WEATHER: Gusty winds today may reach as high as 25 mph in the afternoon. There is a chance of rain showers in the morning with decreasing chance in the afternoon. Expect cold temperatures in the evenings tonight and tomorrow, but daytime temperatures could reach mid to upper 80s by this weekend.
Inciweb: https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wacof-upper-ruby
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newfireinfo
Phone: 509-990-6218 (hours 8 am – 8 pm)
