Ahsahka Face fire held to 15 acres

Smoke rose over Ahsahka around 4 p.m. Thursday from a fire up Old Ahsahka Grade that is being called the Ahsahka Face fire.

Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association, Orofino Rural Fire Department and Sunnyside Rural Fire Department responded to the blaze which was held to about 15 acres in the timber and grass, according to Rusty Eck, C-PTPA. Fire conditions are being rated as "Extreme" at this point of the summer.

People stopped at Canoe Camp Historical Park and other places across the Clearwater River to watch the blaze and the aerial fire fighting that was being done. Johnny Stewart in "Sky Eye" flew as spotter and Ray Reel in the Hillcrest Aircraft Company helicopter dropped buckets of water at strategic spots on the fire, until nightfall. Two SEATs (Single-Engine Air Tankers) out of Grangeville also made two runs to drop fire retardant on the flames.

On the ground, crews cut fire lines with dozers and by hand, as well as putting water on the fire.

Eck said the cause of the fire is unknown at this point, but there had been no lightning in the area for quite a while. No structures were involved and there were no injuries. The fire was on private ground.

C-PTPA crews stayed on the fire lines last night and were doing mop up today.

Advertising:

Too tired to cook dinner tonight?

Call A Taste of East Coast and try their new lasagne and Italian pastas.

Click here to learn more...