Community meeting set on Ridge Creek Fire
A view of a smoke plume from the Ridge Creek Fire, looking over Hayden Lake. A community meeting on the fire is being held Sunday.
(Photo by J. GADBERRY)
ATHOL — The community is invited to a community meeting Sunday on the Ridge Creek Fire.
The meeting will be held at 3:30 p.m. at the Athol Community Center, 30355 Third St. It will also be live-streamed on Facebook at facebook.com/USFSIPNF.
The Ridge Creek Fire, which is burning on the northern tip of Hayden Lake, has grown to just over 2,400 acres and is 8% contained as of Saturday morning.
The fire, which was human-caused, remains under investigation.
Fire crews and heavy equipment operators have made significant progress in building, reinforcing and connecting containment lines, officials said in a press release Saturday. Containment reflects the amount of the fire's perimeter has reached the line and is expected to stay there.
Hand crews and dozers continue to work on the south end of the fire along Hayden Creek Road, east through Hells Canyon to Forest Service Road 406, and up to Hudlow Saddle.
Crews continue to improve a fire line through Sage Creek Saddle on the fire’s northeastern side. On the fire’s west flank, crews are reinforcing North Fork Road. Crews are constructing a fire line along a forested ridge to Forest Service Road 406 near Cedar Saddle.
In addition, crews are looking for areas to extend the fireline to the east between FSR 406 and South Chilco Mountain. Additional containment lines are also being constructed using Buckles Mountain Road and along Ridge Creek to Hayden Creek Road.
Level 1 "Get Ready" evacuation notices are in place for residents in the vicinity of Bunco Road and Hayden Lake. That means residents should keep up with fire information, be familiar with evacuation procedures and harden their homes against flying embers.
Residents can call 208-446-2294 with questions about evacuations.
Fire is expected to increase next week as the weather gets warmer and drier, particularly on the south-facing slopes. Smoke is likely to be visible.
A total of 359 personnel were assigned to the fire Saturday, along with 14 engines and six pieces of heavy equipment.