Wednesday update: Washington Fire south of Markleeville 66 percent contained
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 07/01/2015 - 11:31am
Crews continue to make significant progress on the Washington Fire that began June 19 south of Markleeville. By Wednesday morning, the lightning-caused fire was 66 percent contained and had burned 17,790 acres, according to Sierra Front Interagency Dispatch Center.
There are 764 personnel that remain on the fire, including 23 hand crews, 23 engines, 8 water tenders and 7 helicopters. Cost to date figures have the fire at $10.1 million.
Firefighting efforts have been helped by favorable weather conditions that have allowed firefighters to make progress with line construction and mop up over the past 24 hours, fire officials said. Crews will also continue to mop up the fire perimeter with hose lays and support from wildland fire engines. All structural fire engines in the Markleeville area have been released back to their fire stations.
Rate of spread along most of the perimeter is expected to be very low Wednesday. Mop up continues along the western and eastern perimeters and rehabilitation of the suppression efforts has begun. The crews in the north and south sections of the fire are focusing their attention on the remaining hot spots which are in steep and rugged terrain. Helicopters will continue to support the fires crews in these areas as the crews work towards securing the fireline.
There are currently no state highway closures in the fire area; however, secondary roads off State Highway 4 and State Highway 89 remain closed and are not accessible to the general public. An area closure is still in effect for the fire area and can be found here.
Motorists are reminded to use caution driving along State Highways 4 and 89 while fire personnel complete work along these roads. Law enforcement will continue to patrol the areas under the Forest Closure Order. The Bureau of Land Management has no active closures in the fire area.
