InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Air Quality Forecast-NE Washington Regional Fires- Saturday September 19, 2015 Prepared by Carolyn Kelly (ckelly8384@gmail.com), Air Resource Advisor Trainee Smoke Summary: Similar to yesterday but a little bit warmer, drier air is expected along with a mix of sun and clouds. Low relative humidities will allow for heavy fuels to continue burning out while fire behavior is expected to be minimal overall. Extended Outlook: Dry air and warming continues today with windy weather coming through the region starting Sunday as several weak weather disturbances pass through. Next week looks to be mild and dry through the middle of the week. ·Monitoring stations for Tonasket, Orient, and Kettle Falls have been shut down due to machine malfunction as of 09/10/2015.

Tunk Block Fire: Suppression repair is the primary focus of activities that are occurring on the Tunk Block Fire. These efforts seek to mitigate resource concerns caused by fireline construction and the use of roads to access the fire. As much as possible, fire and land managers want to restore the roads and areas where firelines were constructed to pre-fire conditions. This work is specifically designed to minimize sediment delivery into streams and rivers and minimize gully and surface erosion. Approximately 130 miles of suppression repair have been completed on the Tunk Block Fire. Firefighters are responding to smokes of concern as needed. Weather: The weather is predicted to be warm and dry through Sunday afternoon. Beginning Sunday afternoon or Monday morning, a cold front is predicted to pass through the area. Evacuations: All evacuations have been lifted. There are no evacuations. Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests have closures encompassing the...

North Star Fire: Like the Tunk Block Fire, crews are focusing their activities on suppression repair. Chipping of cut material along roads is occurring. pproximately 145 miles of suppression repair have been completed on the North Star Fire. Firefighters are responding to smokes of concern as needed. Most of the smoke still visible is from interior islands burning out. Weather: The weather is predicted to be warm and dry through Sunday afternoon. Beginning Sunday afternoon or Monday morning, a cold front is predicted to pass through the area. Evacuations: All evacuations have been lifted. There are no evacuations. Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee and Colville National Forests have closures encompassing the entire fire areas and adjacent forested areas. Other areas outside of the burned areas remain open to recreation, hunting and woodcutting. Colville Indian Reservation forest and recreational areas within the fires are closed. See the maps at...

Incident Summary: The Kettle Complex includes three fires – the Stickpin, Renner and Graves Mountain fires – burning south of the Canadian border, west of Highway 395, north of State Route 20 and east of Highway 21. Operations: Crews continue to make progress containing unsecured fire areas and moping up and repairing already secured ground. Repair of areas damaged by firefighting activity (dozer, hand, and saw lines) is progressing rapidly, but a lot of work still remains before roads are safe for the public to reenter. Many areas where work has been completed are being placed in patrol-and-monitor status. Fire Restrictions: Due to wetting rains and cooler temperatures, fire managers for the Colville National Forest have lifted fire restrictions that have been in place since July 6, 2015. Campfires are now allowed on the Forest effective Friday, September 18, 2015 at midnight. Fire Prevention: As the weather cools and fire restrictions are eased, please remember the region is...

Información actualizada sobre el Incendio Okanogan Complex 18 de Septiembre 2015 – 9:00 a.m. Para información sobre los incendios: 877-568-0458 o 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM- 9:00 PM Tamaño: 133,142 acres Cálculo aproximado de costo a la fecha: $44.5 millones Contenimiento: 95 por ciento Heridos/Lesionados: 7 Total de Personal: 500 Residencias dañadas o destruidas: 120 Recursos Asignados: 19 cuadrillas, 32 camiones de bombero, 3 helicópteros, 8 excavadoras, 17 tanques de agua, 8 demoledores SITUACION ACTUAL DEL INCENDIO Hoy los bomberos continuan trabajando entre el frente del fuego y la calle Forest (FR) 42 cerca de Cabin Creek, haciendo mantenimiento/limpieza preventiva mientras el fuego llega a la carretera. Habra humo visible del interior del incendio puesto que hay combustibles todavía quemándose y ardiendo hasta que caiga nieve o lluvia significativamente. El resto del área del incendio se encuentra siendo patrullada y se lleva a cabo...

All remaining evacuation levels have been

All remaining evacuation levels have been lifted

Habrá una reunión post-incendio a las 7:00 de la tarde, el sábado, 19 de septiembre en la Escuela Superior de Chelan Performing Arts Center, 215 Webster Avenue. El objetivo de la reunión es para hablar de la situación actual y la recuperación después del incendio. Estarán presentes representantes de la Universidad Estatal de Washington, Condado de Chelan, el Manejo de Emergencias, el Departamento de Recursos Naturales de Washington y los gerentes de

News Release from Colville National Forest regarding Post-Fire work underway on the

“On Saturday, September 19, 2015 the Washington Incident Management Team 5 will take over the management of the Chelan Complex” said Bob Allbee, Incident Commander for Washington Incident Management Team 3. “Our team has been managing the Chelan Complex for the last couple of weeks and we would like to thank the surrounding communities for their warm welcome and continuing support during our time here at Alta Lake State Park.” For information on the Chelan Complex after today please call the Okanogan Complex phone lines at 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Their email address is: okanogancomplexfire@gmail.com The suppression repair work will continue to be the focused in the McFarland Creek and Gold Creek areas. Suppression repair includes damage repair to roads and fire lines. Crews will continue to monitor the fire as needed. The public may see smoke up the canyon above Saint Luise Creek as they drive Highway 153 south from Twisp. Smoke can also be...

The Information Section is experiencing an outgoing email problem. Consequently, we are unable to deliver information via that method. We established a new account as carpenteroadfire2@gmail.com that can RECEIVE messages. Those preferring to receive info via email should send their request to the new address. We apologize for the inconvenience.

TERMINATION OF ORDER OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL Forest Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(a) and/or (b), the prohibition(s) listed in Order No: 947, Okanogan Comples Fires , applicable to the Tonasket and Methow Valley Ranger Districts of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, dated September 4, 2015, is hereby terminated. 9/17/15______ /s/ Jason Kuiken for ____ Date Michael R. Williams Forest Supervisor Okanogan-Wenatchee NF

100% containment was declared at 6:00 pm yesterday. The existing Type 3 organization and resources will be demobilizing later this

TERMINATION OF ORDER OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL Forest Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(a) and/or (b), the prohibition(s) listed in Order No: 947, Okanogan Comples Fires , applicable to the Tonasket and Methow Valley Ranger Districts of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, dated September 4, 2015, is hereby terminated. 9/17/15______ /s/ Jason Kuiken for ____ Date Michael R. Williams Forest Supervisor Okanogan-Wenatchee NF

Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire remains at 63,972 acres with 100% containment. Today’s weather is expected to be very similar to yesterday with cloudy skies and cool temperatures. Winds may be slightly stronger in the afternoon; however, fire behavior is expected to be minimal. Excellent progress made in achieving established suppression repair objectives has resulted in declaring full containment. The list of remaining work is now very short and fire managers anticipate completion this weekend. For tracking purposes, the fire is divided into three sections—the southern flank that is within the Reservation boundary and the east and west flanks north of the boundary. Most of the eastern flank is in patrol mode with the few remaining repairs being completed today. The western flank has a few more items to finish, but is also expected to wrap up today. Heavy equipment and other resources will be shifted from those two areas to the southern flank to bolster their forces,...

ORDER NO ­­957_ OCCUPANCY AND USE And NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM ROADS AND TRAILS OKANOGAN WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST Pursuant to Title 36 CFR 261.50(a) and (b), the following acts are prohibited on designated portions of the National Forest System (NFS) roads, trails, and lands as shown on attached map and described below within the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests. 1. To go into or be upon any area which is closed for the protection of public safety. For the purpose of this order , this restriction prohibits entry onto National Forest System lands and includes all methods of travel on all roads and trails along the boundary and within the area described below: (36 CFR 261.53 (e)). This restriction is effective beginning September __, 2015, and will remain in effect until rescinded. Tonasket and Methow Valley Ranger Districts Area Closures –Okanogan Complex Fires Conconully Closure Closure begins at the National Forest Boundary in Section 13, T36N, R25E, then...

Burning out in the northwest portion of the fire today. Nile, Wash. – “The operational work on this incident has been fantastic,” said Operations Section Chief Dave Nalle, thanking firefighters and encouraging them to remain focused as they continue working to contain and mop up the 1,024-acre Meeks Table Fire. There is a burn out operation planned for the northwest portion of the fire today, taking advantage of warming weather to use deliberate, controlled fire to bring the active fire’s edge to a road that’s been prepared to hold it. This will deal with a steep, snag-filled area that is unsafe for firefighters to construct direct fireline. Approximately 180 acres will be burned, so more smoke will be visible than has been observed in recent days. The weather is warming, with temperatures climbing back into the 70’s over the next few days. This will enable more thorough consumption of fuels during the burn out operation and may help the crews doing mop up to...

Fire Update - Friday, September 18, 2105 - 9:00 a.m. A post-fire recovery meeting will be held 7 p.m. Saturday, September 19 at Chelan High School on 215 Webster Avenue. Representatives from Washington State University, Chelan County Sheriffs Office of Emergency Management, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and fire managers will be present to discuss post-fire effects. The Wolverine Fire area received precipitation yesterday with most rain gauges measuring about 0.1 inches. According to fire behavior analysts, the Wolverine Fire will only grow significantly if a continuous warming and drying trend were to develop. Residents and visitors are encouraged to drive with caution, as fire traffic will be present in both the Wolverine and First Creek fire areas. Wolverine Fire: Fire managers expect minimal fire activity for the next few days, and a few interior smokes may be seen. Pumps, hose and other equipment used for structure protection along the upper shores of Lake...

Incident Summary: The Kettle Complex includes three fires – the Stickpin, Renner and Graves Mountain fires – burning south of the Canadian border, west of Highway 395, north of State Route 20 and east of Highway 21. Operations: In addition to continued suppression and repair operations, crews have started to evaluate, repair, and clear closed roads in the Kettle Complex fire area. All closures in the Kettle Complex fire area are still in effect at this time; however, land managers are currently discussing when select roads might be opened to public access. Suppression Repair: The cool, moist weather has been beneficial to suppression efforts but has introduced a new challenge for repair operations: recent rain, snow and sleet over the fire area have made roads extremely slick and soft. Repair work with heavy equipment has become a delicate balance of repairing the roads without causing further damage. Crews strive to leave the forest roads and control lines in the best possible...

Woodcutting Restrictions Modified Release Date: Sep 16, 2015 Due to recent weather changes and cooler nighttime temperatures, Industrial Fire Precaution Levels, which govern woodcutting and other industrial activities in the national forest, will be lowering allowing family woodcutters to cut fire wood in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Effective September 17, Industrial Fire Precaution Levels (IFPL) will change; Zone 680 will go to IFPL 1 and Zones 675, 609W and 609E will go to IFPL 2. Industrial Fire Precaution Levels will also change on the north end of the forest starting September 18. Zones 678W and 684 in the Methow Valley and Tonasket Ranger Districts will be lowered to level 2 on September 18. Under precaution level 2 woodcutters are able to cut wood in the higher elevation areas of the forest that are open to woodcutting, but they need to shut down their saws by 1 p.m. and remain at the site for one hour to watch for possible fire starts. Under precaution level 1...