InciWeb Articles & Incidents for Washington and Oregon

Chelan Ranger District Opens Pacific Crest Trail & Reduces Fire ClosuresChelan, WA—After careful assessment of the Blankenship Fire, Chelan Ranger District will reopen the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) in the South Fork of Agnes Creek on Friday September 4Blankenship Fire has been monitored by helicopter and has not grown significantly over the last three weeks. It is approximately 220 acres in size and has shown minimal smoke within the fire perimeter. The last storm system brought substantial precipitation in the SF Agnes Creek drainage. A weather site located approximately six miles south and at the same elevation (5,900 ft) as the Blankenship Fire, received approximately 3.5 inches of precipitation in the last seven days. Because of cooler and wetter weather over the last week, the Blankenship Fire is not expected to grow in size or impact the PCT. For these reasons, the District and the Fire Incident Management Team have decided that it is safe to re-open the PCT to hikers. Hikers...

Smoke Summary: Successful firing operations on the Northstar, Okanogan, and Kettle Complex were evident off satellite Infrared imagery from VIIRS (satalite imagery) yesterday...there will likely be some more impacts today east and south the Northstar fire and Kettle Complex as these firing options continue. Tomorrow (Saturday) wind shifting from a westerly to a more north to south direction will shift impacts to Nespelem and Wellpinit monitors in the evening. Some smoke may even reach communities south as far as Davenport and Spokane. Monitoring: We are currently tracking smoke concentrations at 11 sites. No changes to the monitoring map from yesterday.See full report for more information.

Smoke Summary: Successful firing operations on the Northstar, Okanogan, and Kettle Complex were evident off satellite Infrared imagery from VIIRS (satalite imagery) yesterday...there will likely be some more impacts today east and south the Northstar fire and Kettle Complex as these firing options continue. Tomorrow (Saturday) wind shifting from a westerly to a more north to south direction will shift impacts to Nespelem and Wellpinit monitors in the evening. Some smoke may even reach communities south as far as Davenport and Spokane. Monitoring: We are currently tracking smoke concentrations at 11 sites. No changes to the monitoring map from

Alder Lake Fire Update The Alder Lake Fire was ignited by lightning and first reported on Tuesday, August 11, 2015. The Gifford Pinchot National Forest, in coordination with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources, is currently managing the fire that is approximately 4 miles East of Elbe, Washington on the south side of Alder Lake. A Type 3 Incident Management Team is assigned to the fire. Note: Fire Information number is now 360-496-5429 Current as of 9/‎ 4 /‎2015‎ Current Situation Total Personnel 143 Other Assigned Resources 1 Dozer, 4 Engines, 4-10 Person Type 2 crews, 1 Type 2 IA Crew, 3 Misc. Heavy Equipment, 1 Type 3 Helicopter, Overhead Size 280 acres (17% Contained) Fuels Involved Closed canopy timber, with heavy dead and down Fire Behavior Minimal fire behavior observed due to precipitation over the incident. Fire continues to smolder in the heavy down and dead woody debris. Outlook Planned Actions Burnout...

The Ferry County Sheriff's office is lowering the evacuation levels around the Kettle Complex to level 1. The Town of Republic remains at evacuation level 2. Even though the levels are being reduced, the Sheriff’s office encourages you to remain vigilant to updates as there is still active fire in the

Smoke Summary: Successful firing operations on the Northstar, Okanogan, and Kettle Complex were evident off satellite Infrared imagery from VIIRS (satalite imagery) yesterday...there will likely be some more impacts today east and south the Northstar fire and Kettle Complex as these firing options continue. Tomorrow (Saturday) wind shifting from a westerly to a more north to south direction will shift impacts to Nespelem and Wellpinit monitors in the evening. Some smoke may even reach communities south as far as Davenport and Spokane. Monitoring: We are currently tracking smoke concentrations at 11 sites. No changes to the monitoring map from yesterday.

Friday, September 4, 2015, AM Carpenter Road Fire – Fruitland, Washington Location: 35 miles NW of Spokane, WA; Information Center: 509-722-6010 or 509-722-6040 Incident Commander: Doug Johnson Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4549/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarpenterRoadFire Washington Smoke Information: http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire is estimated at 64,903 acres and 50% containment. The Springdale – Hunters Road reopened to the public as of 8 am this morning. Chief Rick Anderson, Stevens County Fire Protection District #2 reminds everyone, “With the holiday weekend approaching, hunting season open and general traffic on the Springdale-Hunters Road, drivers are asked to drive cautiously.” The Hunters Campground in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area has also reopened. Recreationists will see an occasional water tender near the lake drawing water for fire suppression use. The fire has remained...

There was limited growth of the Stickpin fire yesterday and crews continued constructing and improving line around the Graves Mountain, Renner, and Stickpin fires. Air support assisted those efforts by dropping water and nearly 8,000 gallons of gel retardant on the fires. Fire personnel assigned to the Kettle Complex also assisted Washington Department of Natural Resources with initial attack of a new seven-acre fire. Work today will be focused on securing fire line in areas where needed, mopping up burned areas, and initiating repair work where appropriate. Helicopters will continue to be used for air attack, reconnaissance of the fires, and water drops to support firefighting work on the ground. Firefighting crews also remain in a state of readiness to initial attack any new starts that are detected. State mobilized resources returned home yesterday but more than 900 personnel are still assigned to the complex.Stickpin Fire: Today crews will continue constructing and improving line...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update September 4, 2015, 9:00 AM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Okanogan Complex Size: 148,747 acres Containment: 60 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $30.9 million Injuries: 6 Residences Burned: 123 Total Personnel: 1,188 Committed Resources: 19 crews, 73 engines, 11 dozers, 23 water tenders, 9 helicopters Chelan Complex Size: 93,877 acres Containment: 70 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $14.9 million Injuries: 9 Residences Burned: 21 Total Personnel: 613 Committed Resources: 9 crews, 25 engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders CURRENT FIRE SITUATION The fire was minimally active yesterday—due to mostly cloudy skies over the fire area—and firefighters were able to increase containment. To put their work in context, 5 percent containment equals 15 miles of constructed line. If the containment lines for the Okanogan Complex were stretched straight, they would be 313 miles long. The Lime Belt and Chelan...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire UpdateSeptember 4, 2015, 9:00 AMFire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-51487:00 AM to 9:00 PM Okanogan ComplexSize: 148,747 acres Containment: 60 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $30.9 million Injuries: 6 Residences Burned: 123 Total Personnel: 1,188 Committed Resources: 19 crews, 73 engines, 11 dozers, 23 water tenders, 9 helicopters Chelan ComplexSize: 93,877 acresContainment: 70 percentEstimated Cost to Date: $14.9 millionInjuries: 9Residences Burned: 21Total Personnel: 613Committed Resources: 9 crews, 25 engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders CURRENT FIRE SITUATION The fire was minimally active yesterday—due to mostly cloudy skies over the fire area—and firefighters were able to increase containment. To put their work in context, 5 percent containment equals 15 miles of constructed line. If the containment lines for the Okanogan Complex were stretched straight, they would be 313 miles long. The Lime Belt and Chelan Fires...

Fire Update – Friday, September 4, 2015 – 9:00 a.m. Community Meeting: There are no public meetings planned for this evening. Note: The Pacific Crest Trail is now open on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Forest closures are still in place but have been modified. Please check the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest webpage for details. Although we are experiencing cooler than normal temperatures and slight chances of rain in the forecast, the risk still exists for hot and dry second summer conditions. Stay vigilant with fire restrictions and prevent human-caused wildfires. First Creek: The focus of the First Creek Fire has now changed to rehabilitation. As the weather warms up and clouds clear, expect interior smokes to continue. Because of the burn severity in many areas of the First Creek Fire, it is extremely important that residents who may be returning to the area be exceptionally aware of the possibility of mudslides following any rain events. Visit...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update September 3, 2015, 9:00 AM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ Okanogan Complex Size: 148,251 acres Containment: 50 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $29.2 million Injuries: 6 Residences Burned: 123 Total Personnel: 1,293 Committed Resources: 21 crews, 98 engines, 15 dozers, 25 water tenders, 9 helicopters Chelan Complex Size: 93,819 acres Containment: 65 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $13.9 million Injuries: 9 Residences Burned: 21 Total Personnel: 629 Committed Resources: 9 crews, 48 engines, 6 dozers, 22 water tenders, 4 helicopters CURRENT FIRE SITUATION With yesterday’s clear skies, wind, and dry air, the fires were more active than they have been in several days. Fire managers got a good perspective on the fires during a reconnaissance flight yesterday and more precisely identified areas that are still holding heat and actively burning. Both the Lime Belt and Chelan fires...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update September 3, 2015, 9:00 PM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/ Okanogan ComplexSize: 148,747 acres Containment: 60 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $30.9 million Injuries: 6 Residences Burned: 123 Total Personnel: 1,188 Committed Resources: 19 crews, 73 engines, 11 dozers, 23 water tenders, 9 helicopters Chelan ComplexSize: 93,877 acresContainment: 70 percentCost to Date: $14.9 millionInjuries: 9Residences Burned: 21Total Personnel: 613Committed Resources: 9 crews, 25 engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders CURRENT FIRE SITUATION Moderate to heavy clouds most of the day resulted in minimal fire activity which allowed crews to increase containment. To put the work in context, 5 percent containment equals 15 miles of constructed line. If the containment lines for the Okanogan Complex were stretched straight, they would be 313 miles long. Both...

Fire Update Thursday, September 3, 2015, PM Carpenter Road Fire – Fruitland, Washington Location: 35 miles NW of Spokane, WA; Information Center: 509-722-6010 or 509-722-6040 Incident Commander: Doug Johnson Inciweb: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4549/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/CarpenterRoadFire Washington Smoke Information: http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ New Information Center Numbers: 509-722-6010 or 509-722-6040 Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire is estimated at 64,903 acres and 50% containment. The Springdale – Hunters Road will reopen to the public tomorrow at 8 a.m. Drivers are asked to be extremely cautious while traveling the road because firefighters are continuing to work in the area. Smoke will still be visible on the hillsides and in the meadows and drivers are asked to pass through without stopping. The Hunters Campground in the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area will reopen tomorrow. Visitors are asked to be extra diligent driving in the...

Progress from fire suppression efforts during the past 24 hours along with cooperating weather have helped with containment immediately south of Republic. Fire crews will be continuing burnout operations south of Republic today with the goal of further lowering evacuation levels over the next few days. An increase of smoke in the air based on current weather conditions will accompany those efforts, specifically throughout the Aeneas Valley, and west of Highway 21 approximately 6 miles south of the city. Based on current progress and weather conditions, tentative plans are being made for the re-opening of Highway 21 south of Republic sometime this weekend. Limited visibility, reduced speeds and delays will all be factors while fire crews continue with their suppression efforts along that area. Evacuation levels in Republic and throughout the Kettle Complex remain unchanged but are being continually evaluated. As always, we encourage you to remain vigilant to updates as there is...

Okanogan PUD anticipates that power will be fully restored by the end of today to all retail customers who were affected by the Okanogan Complex Fires. Okanogan PUD line crews and support personnel, along with line crews from Douglas PUD and Pend Oreille PUD, have worked tirelessly to make sure power is restored as fast and as safely as possible. For those customers still experiencing a power outage as a result of the fires, please call the PUD at 509-422-3310. The Okanogan PUD would like to thank everyone for their unwavering support of our crews and support staff through these devastating fires. We are proud to serve the citizens of Okanogan

Okanogan PUD anticipates that power will be fully restored by the end of today to all retail customers who were affected by the Okanogan Complex Fires. Okanogan PUD line crews and support personnel, along with line crews from Douglas PUD and Pend Oreille PUD, have worked tirelessly to make sure power is restored as fast and as safely as possible. For those customers still experiencing a power outage as a result of the fires, please call the PUD at 509-422-3310. The Okanogan PUD would like to thank everyone for their unwavering support of our crews and support staff through these devastating fires. We are proud to serve the citizens of Okanogan

Información para el día jueves, 3 de septiembre, 2015 Reunión pública de la comunidad: No hay para hoy. Note: El Pacific Crest Trail y los cierres del forestal se evalúan para determinar si hay una oportunidad para volver a abrir y/o reducir el cierre en estas áreas. Una decisión vendrá. First Creek: Los equipos comienzan a concentrarse en la rehabilitación de líneas de contención. Wolverine: La actividad del fuego y la extensión siguieron siendo mínimas ayer en Wolverine. Lugares calientes permanecen en muchas áreas del perímetro de fuego. Aunque el comportamiento del fuego sigue siendo bastante tranquilo, trabajo duro y largas horas continúan con construcción de líneas y la protección de la comunidad. Aunque se ve que los bomberos salen de ciertas áreas, el público debe saber que todas las áreas incluyendo Blankenship, Pyramid, Castle Creek, Fourth of July, Fifth of July y Big Hill continúan ser observados. Si aumenta la actividad, los bomberos y otros...

Weather and smoke: More showers in the mountains this morning. Winds shifting from southwest to west, then from the north tomorrow. Less breezy today with less chance of rain. Inversions in the river canyons will still trap any fresh emissions off the fires in Republic and Orient, probably Inchelium too with the shift to westerly winds today. North winds tomorrow will bring more smoke to Nespelem, Wellpinit and other sites south of the fires tomorrow. Fire and smoke: Cool and moist conditions again this morning in Colville and around most of the fires. Perimeters are largely stable. Notable suppression activity on the Okanogan Complex at the north end, and there was some firing on the order of 80-150 acres that occurred on the Northstar fire yesterday, both of which generated visible localized smoke. Wind shifting from SW to west today, then from the north tomorrow will change the pattern of smoke impacts from remaining fire activity. This will likely cause an increase in local...

Yesterday’s Activities: With lower humidity levels, fire activity picked up on both the North Star and Tunk Fires yesterday. Firefighters responded to several reports of smoke on the Tunk Block Fire south of Tonasket. The smokes were well inside the perimeter of the fire. Crews on the Tunk fire were able to get some more control line in the Lone Pine area and are mopping up along the northern perimeter. Firefighters burned out on the on the west end of the North Star fire and air resources helped on south end to hold the line. The North Star fire was actively burning in the area where it turns north along Highway 155 and a pilot car was used to guide traffic while firefighters dealt with snags that posed a hazard along the road. The spot fire between the North Star and Tunk Block Fires is being successfully held in place. Today’s Operations: More resources are being added, including chippers, engines and crews. Crews will continue constructing line directly adjacent to the...