Southwest Area Incident Management Team released a press release updating the Ford Corkscrew Fire, as of August 23, 2021.

Current Statistics of Fire:

• Acres:  15,787 acres 
• Personnel: 385
• Cause: Under investigation 
• Containment: 44% 
• Start Date: Sunday, August 15, 2021 
• Location: Ford, WA 
• Fuels:  Timber (grass and understory); brush (2 feet) 

Announcement  

Evacuation status updates occurred on Sunday, August 21. Residents should monitor the Steven’s County Emergency Management (FB.me/stevenscountyem) for the latest evacuation information. 

• Questions about evacuation status 
  • Call contact the Southwest Area Incident Management Team 5 Public Information line at 509-508-3311.
  • Have your address ready 

• For structure status information
  • Email [email protected] the following information:
    • your name
    • contact information
    • address of the property you are inquiring 

OR

• • Call 509-508-3311 
    • Between the hours of 8am and 8pm PDT. 

An agency representative from the Stevens County Fire District 1 will contact you as soon as possible.

Overview

The Ford Corkscrew Fire showed moderate fire behavior yesterday with isolated heat sources continuing to burn within the fire’s interior and along sections of containment lines. Evacuation preparedness levels were lowered or eliminated yesterday for most areas not within or directly adjacent to the fire perimeter. Residents are encouraged to continue to stay alert when around the fire area, for their own safety and the safety of the firefighters. 

Fire Update

During yesterday’s operational periods on the Ford Corkscrew Fire, resources continued to construct direct and indirect containment line and conduct point protection near values at risk. Staff were successful in completing a propane run and delivery to the Scoop Mountain communication site to ensure the valley emergency communications systems remained operational. Firing operations occurred in some areas to remove unburned fuel between the fire edge and constructed control lines. Crews also continued mop up activities, patrolled containment lines and worked to secure interior unburned islands. 

Today, ground crews and aerial operations will continue working to secure the fire perimeter. Crews on the north end of the fire will scout and construct direct fire where safe to do so, following the burnout operations from yesterday and last night. Fallers on the south end will work extensively along road corridors to reduce overhead snags and other risks. Resources in all divisions will monitor and mop up within completed lines, provide point protection where needed and begin to identify suppression repair needs. Crews will also secure unburned islands around structures, including in Rail Canyon. Assessment of threatened, damaged, and destroyed structures is ongoing.

Weather

Dry, westerly flow will be in place today across the region as a broad upper-level low settles into Northern Washington. This will result in cooler temperatures with dry conditions. Temperatures will be cooler, ranging from upper 60s to low 70s, with breezy conditions and gusts up to 20 mph from the west in the afternoon. Continued gusty winds and dry conditions will allow fire activity to continue to and allow for moderated fire spread and increased consumption of dead fuels.  

Closures/Restrictions

The following roads are closed: Rail Canyon, McAlister, Scotts Valley and Casberg-Burroughs at the Williams Valley intersection. A temporary flight restriction (TFR) remains in effect around the fire area. Residents and visitors are also encouraged to maintain a safe distance from working aircraft conducting water filling operations on local water ways and lakes, including Loon and Long lakes.

Ways you can help

We greatly appreciate the support and generosity of the community! Our team’s focus is on the mission of fire suppression while keeping firefighter and public safety our number one priority. Our wildland fire crews and staff at Incident Command are well equipped and cared for. While we will not be accepting donations, residents are encouraged to support firefighter efforts and the local community in other ways such posting thank you or consider financial contributions to a voluntary organization of your choice (i.e., American Red Cross, local fire department, etc.).

If you fly, they can’t

Flying recreational drones over or near wildfires could cause injury or death to firefighters and hamper the effectiveness of wildfire suppression operations. If recreational drones are detected over or near a wildfire, aerial firefighting aircraft may be grounded, causing wildfires to grow larger and unduly threaten lives, property, and natural and cultural resources. Individuals who interfere with wildfire suppression efforts may be subject to civil penalties. 

More Information

• Ford Corkscrew Fire Daily Updates on Inciweb: Inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7803 
• Northwest Washington Fire Information Facebook: FB.me/newfireinfo
• Stevens County Emergency Management Facebook: FB.me/stevenscountyem
• Evacuation Notices and Updates via Hyper-Reach: Secure.hyper-reach.com/comsignupw.jsp?id=41001
• Structure Information via Stevens County Emergency Management: 509-684-7563