PHOTOS: Fire crews are making progress on the nearly 2,000-acre wildfire burning near Tumtum on Wednesday night, according to Department of Natural Resources. As of Wednesday evening, the Lake Spokane Fire is estimated at 2,338 acres, or just over 3.5 square miles, and is 16% contained.
The wildfire has held at 16% containment for a few days, but DNR said that is not fully indicative of crews’ success in controlling the fire. “For a section of fireline to be declared ‘contained,’ firefighters must build or reinforce it—using hand tools, dozers, or natural features—and then ensure it holds under fire behavior and weather conditions. Even if significant work is completed, that section won’t be counted toward overall containment until fire managers are confident it will hold,” DNR said.
DNR said, as of Wednesday night, 80% of the Lake Spokane Fire is surrounded by either direct or indirect firelines, but that does not mean it is 80% contained. “Some terrain is simply too remote or hazardous to access. In those places, the fire may eventually burn itself out without ever being marked as ‘contained,'” DNR said. The Lake Spokane Fire broke out on July 19. Level 3 (GO NOW) and Level 2 (GET SET) evacuations are still in place for some areas.
