Residents near 20 Mile Ranch and south of Clinton are voicing their anger on social media after what they call a 㽶Ƶֱcontrolled burn gone horribly wrong㽶Ƶֱ caused the flames to jump across Highway 97.
Photos posted to Facebook on Tuesday show heavy smoke near rural properties in the Loon Lake area near Maiden Creek.
㽶ƵֱIt was about 15 minutes from the time they started until the hydro transistor on the big pole blew apart and maybe a few more minutes until it crossed west onto Hwy 97,㽶Ƶֱ one post on the reads.
㽶ƵֱThere were some very strong winds blowing when they started that didn㽶Ƶֱt just magically appear after the burn was already going. This fire is now raging on another mountainside and it㽶Ƶֱs going to be a beastly one to gain any control on.㽶Ƶֱ
Fire information officer Heather Rice said Wednesday morning fire crews were focused on holding the fire on the hill, away from the highway.
㽶ƵֱWe actioned that immediately with lots of water from the helicopters and air skimmers and were able to hold that fire,㽶Ƶֱ Rice said. 㽶ƵֱIt went up to the top of the ridge and then stalled, which is often what happens in the evening when a fire hits the top of a hill. So the plan today is, of course, to hold it in that particular spot.㽶Ƶֱ
Highway 97 remains closed from Loon Lake to the Hwy. 99 junction. An evacuation order was issued for areas Wednesday afternoon.
Chief fire information officer Kevin Skrepnek said Wednesday afternoon there had been a 㽶Ƶֱdramatic and unforecasted shift in the wind,㽶Ƶֱ which caused the fire spillover.
㽶ƵֱAt the time it was ignited, the weather was as forecasted and a lot of design goes into when we do these things,㽶Ƶֱ he said.
㽶ƵֱThe fact of the matter is when fires get to this size, the use of the controlled ignition is one of the best hacks that we have in terms of trying to control them.㽶Ƶֱ
I am writing this post from Maiden Creek in the middle of our field at 4:15 am. It is with the saddest of heart that I...
Posted by on
㽶Ƶֱ More to come.