InciWeb Articles WA

NORTHPORT, WA – Firefighters working on the Horns Mountain Fire made good progress yesterday. With the clearing of smoke, aviation resources were able to help those on the ground. The helicopters assigned to the fire were joined by two Blackhawk helicopters from the Washington Air National Guard. The fire is 3,568 acres; 2,932 in the US and 636 in Canada. Yesterday firefighters were able to scout and put out spot fires along the finger of fire that burned to the west on Sunday. Firefighters continued to clean up and prepare the forest roads used as containment lines to the south and east of the fire in preparation for burnouts when conditions are favorable. Crews will be staying in spike camps in either the Summit (Horns) Spike to the west of the fire or the Rosie Spike to the east. Having crews spike closer to the fire cuts down on long drives between the incident command post in Northport and fire operations. Aircraft will be able to fly again this morning, but may be grounded...

ROAD CLOSURES: Bisbee Mountain Road and Trout Lake Road are closed and barricaded at Highway 20. Nancy Creek Road is closed at the US Forest Service boundary. The emergency fire closure for several roads on the Colville National Forest remains in place. The Order is Number 06-21-12-18-09, and is posted at various locations around the

Kettle Falls, WA - The Boyds Fire is located 3 miles west of Kettle Falls, WA. The footprint of the fire is 3,413 acres and is 54 percent contained. The fire continues to burn in a mixture of timber litter, slash, brush and grass. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Yesterday, crews continued mop-up along the north side of the fire south of Nancy Creek. Burnout operations on the west side of Boyds fire will be initiated later in the afternoon as weather conditions permit. Dozers built containment lines and crews installed sprinklers around Monday’s spot fire located on the south side of Boyds fire. The spot is contained and crews will continue to monitor for hot spots in the area. Several resources are being demobilized and reassigned to other fires or returned to their local jurisdictions. Today, firefighters continue burnout operations to reduce fuels in the fire area and widen the containment lines creating more space to limit spotting over the containment lines. Aerial...

Fires A predicted wind shift from easterly to westerly today has firefighters alert for fire spread into new areas. Humidity will be low and fires are expected to be active. Today (Wednesday) should be the last day with hot, dry conditions contributing to fire spread this week as cooler weather is on its way. Smoke Easterly winds provided some improvements in air quality yesterday but today winds shift to west/northwest moving smoke from fires in the Cascades and Canada into the Columbia Basin worsening air quality later today and overnight especially in the northern parts of the forecast area. Long Range A significant cooling trend is forecast for late in the week along with scattered rain showers in the North Columbia Basin near the Canadian border. Fires will quiet down and air quality is expected to improve for the weekend.

Fires A predicted wind shift from easterly to westerly today has firefighters alert for fire spread into new areas. Humidity will be low and fires are expected to be active. Today (Wednesday) should be the last day with hot, dry conditions contributing to fire spread this week as cooler weather is on its way. Smoke Easterly winds provided some improvements in air quality yesterday but today winds shift to west/northwest moving smoke from fires in the Cascades and Canada into the Columbia Basin worsening air quality later today and overnight especially in the northern parts of the forecast area. Long Range A significant cooling trend is forecast for late in the week along with scattered rain showers in the North Columbia Basin near the Canadian border. Fires will quiet down and air quality is expected to improve for the weekend.

Fires A predicted wind shift from easterly to westerly today has firefighters alert for fire spread into new areas. Humidity will be low and fires are expected to be active. Today (Wednesday) should be the last day with hot, dry conditions contributing to fire spread this week as cooler weather is on its way. Smoke Easterly winds provided some improvements in air quality yesterday but today winds shift to west/northwest moving smoke from fires in the Cascades and Canada into the Columbia Basin worsening air quality later today and overnight especially in the northern parts of the forecast area. Long Range A significant cooling trend is forecast for late in the week along with scattered rain showers in the North Columbia Basin near the Canadian border. Fires will quiet down and air quality is expected to improve for the weekend.

August 22, 2018 @ 8:00 a.m. Crescent Mountain Fire: 31,091 acres; 34 percent contained Personnel: 342 Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of Twisp Start Date: July 29, 2018 Cause: Lightning McLeod Fire: 16,278 acres; five percent contained Personnel: 474 Point of Origin: Approximately eight miles north of Mazama Start Date: August 11, 2018 Cause: Lightning Holman Fire: 120 acres, no containment Point of Origin: Holman Peak Start Date: August 17, 2018 Cause: Unknown Current Activity: Crescent Mountain Fire: Yesterday, helicopters were able to use bucket drops to slow the fire progression toward Scaffold Ridge on the east and the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area on the southwest sides of the fire. With the fire progression slowed, operations will use these helicopters to drop retardant along Scaffold Ridge. A division supervisor is working with the National Park Service to develop a strategy for managing...

August 22, 2018 @ 8:00 a.m. Crescent Mountain Fire: 31,091 acres; 34 percent contained Personnel: 342 Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of Twisp Start Date: July 29, 2018 Cause: Lightning McLeod Fire: 16,278 acres; five percent contained Personnel: 474 Point of Origin: Approximately eight miles north of Mazama Start Date: August 11, 2018 Cause: Lightning Holman Fire: 120 acres, no containment Point of Origin: Holman Peak Start Date: August 17, 2018 Cause: Unknown Current Activity: Crescent Mountain Fire: Yesterday, helicopters were able to use bucket drops to slow the fire progression toward Scaffold Ridge on the east and the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area on the southwest sides of the fire. With the fire progression slowed, operations will use these helicopters to drop retardant along Scaffold Ridge. A division supervisor is working with the National Park Service to develop a strategy for managing...

Community meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 23rd in Entiat at Chelan County Fire District #8, Station #1 (2200 Entiat Way) at 6:00 p.m. Acreage: 39,208 Containment: 40 percent Personnel: 868 Cougar Creek Fire: Today, if conditions allow, firefighters will begin low intensity burnout operations along the western edge of the fire. Residence and community members around Plain can expect to see an increase in activity and smoke due to these operations. Winds and smoke moderated yesterday, allowing aircraft to begin flying and using water and retardant to help slow the spread of the fire on both the western edge around Maverick Saddle and the northeastern edge around Grandmas Creek. Crews will continue to assess structures in the communities of Chiwawa Pines, Shugart Flats and Plain while also continuing to use dozers and other heavy equipment to prepare the secondary containment line above the communities. Structures in the upper Entiat River Valley will also continue...

August 22, 2018 @ 8:00 a.m. Crescent Mountain Fire: 31,091 acres; 34 percent contained Personnel: 342 Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of Twisp Start Date: July 29, 2018 Cause: Lightning McLeod Fire: 16,278 acres; five percent contained Personnel: 474 Point of Origin: Approximately eight miles north of Mazama Start Date: August 11, 2018 Cause: Lightning Holman Fire: 120 acres, no containment Point of Origin: Holman Peak Start Date: August 17, 2018 Cause: Unknown Current Activity: Crescent Mountain Fire: Yesterday, helicopters were able to use bucket drops to slow the fire progression toward Scaffold Ridge on the east and the Lake Chelan National Recreation Area on the southwest sides of the fire. With the fire progression slowed, operations will use these helicopters to drop retardant along Scaffold Ridge. A division supervisor is working with the National Park Service to develop a strategy for managing...

Miriam Fire Update Fire Information Line: 360-481-0031August 22, 2018 – 9 a.m. Acres: Miriam Fire – 3,653; Clear Fork Fire - 20 Percent Containment: 30% Start Date: 07/30/18Personnel/Resources: 2-Type 2 IA hand crews, 1-camp crew, 1-heavy lift helicopter, 1-medium lift helicopter, 1-light lift helicopter, 12-engines, 1-dozer, 6-water tenders, 2-mastacators and 1-forwarder processor for 272 total personnel.Location: Two miles east of White Pass Ski Area, within the Goat Rocks Wilderness on the Naches Ranger District, 13 miles east of Packwood, WA. Cause: Lightning Values at Risk: White Pass area and ski resort; homes and organizational camps at Clear and Rimrock Lakes; Wilderness; late successional reserve; northern spotted owl and other wildlife habitat; bull trout habitat; and state highway 12. Estimated Incident Containment or completion: 9/30/2018 Smoke Information: Smoke concentrations in the area have lifted with increased winds and instability. The smoke is forecasted to...

Fire crews will finalize gridding and mop up operations today and will continue to disassemble and remove equipment from the lines. Tenders and a grader will be operating on N. Fork Trout Creek Road and Rose Valley Road. Yield to tenders and the grader on the road, use caution while driving in the area and respect the closed road sign at the Empire Sno-Park. The Incident Management Type 3 team will transfer operations back to the USFS Republic District tomorrow at 9:00am. A huge thank you to the community, fire crews, supporting agencies and contractors for the success of this mission. The Kelly Mountain Fire started at approximately 11:00am on August 11th and was a part of eleven lightning and storm related fires reported in the Republic/Curlew/Toroda area. Local resources from US Forest Service, Washington State Department of Natural Resources along with private contractors responded to the Kelly Mountain fire that grew rapidly due to strong winds and extremely dry conditions....

News Release Media Contact: (509) 664-9200, Public Affairs Officer, Holly Krake Extreme fire danger across Forest; additional fire restrictions in effect Wenatchee, WA (August 21, 2018)- Due to extreme fire danger the entire Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, will implement Stage II Fire Restrictions effective Wednesday August 22, 2018. These new restrictions limit the number of activities that are typically allowed on the Forest and will remain in effect until significant moisture arrives. “Extreme fire danger with numerous large wildfires is very serious to the forest and our communities,” said Deputy Forest Supervisor, Erick Walker. “These fire restrictions will help us prevent unwanted, human-caused wildfires and limit the exposure of area residents and visitors during dangerous fire conditions.” Implementation of fire restrictions normally occurs based on a combination of carefully considered factors including current and predicted weather, fuel moisture, fire...

At 8:00 p.m. this evening, we placed the fire in patrol status and turned the incident over to the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. All resources that were committed to the Kettle River Fire are off the fire line and have been reassigned to support other fires. Employing a full suppression strategy to address this fire proved highly effective despite the hazards of steep terrain. A critical factor contributing to our success was the partnerships that were established at the local, regional, and national levels. Our experience at this incident has demonstrated that agencies working in cooperation with one another can be far more effective than working in isolation of one another. We wish to thank the Curlew School District, cooperating agencies, and particularly the citizens of Curlew, WA, for their patience and support during the fire. Fire information contact is John Nicholas, 509-570-8811. Details, including maps and photos can be found at...

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Forest Service Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Winthrop, WA Holman Fire Closure Order: 06-17-04-18-xx Pursuant to 16 USC § 551 and 36 CFR § 261.50 (a) and (b), and to provide for public safety, the following acts are prohibited within the Methow Valley Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. This Order is effective until October 31, 2018, unless rescinded earlier. PROHIBITIONS: 1. Entering into or being upon National Forest System lands within the Fire Closure Area as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exhibit A [36 CFR § 261.53(e)]. 2. Being on any National Forest System closed trail, as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exibit A [36 CFR § 261.55(a)]. 3. Being on any National Forest System Road as described below and displayed on the attached map, Exibit A [36 CFR § 261.54(e)]. FIRE CLOSURE AREA DESCRIPTION: The fire closure area boundary begins at the gate on Forest...

A LEVEL 2 (BE READY) has been issued for persons living WEST of Newby Creek Road to Little Bridge Creek Road in the Twisp River Valley. Persons should prepare themselves, their home and vehicles for a possible immediate evacuation. Persons should think about making plans to relocate persons with disabilities/special needs and animals. Twisp River Road is CLOSED west of Newby Creek Road, including Newby Creek Road, except to Local Traffic (residents that live west of the closure). Persons should be aware of their surroundings and take action if needed. Do not wait for face to face notification. The road closures and Level 2 notice is being issued due to the Crescent Mountain Fire crossing Eagle Creek. The weather outlook is predicting very active fire behavior.For more information https://evbg.co/mkmqf

Fuego: Condiciones climatológicas similares a las de ayer se esperan nuevamente para el día de hoy, lo que significa que el comportamiento de los fuegos será de intensidad moderada a intensa. Los incendios de Crescent y McLeod, que son los dos más grandes en el área del valle de Methow, crecieron en combinación alrededor de 8,000 acres en el día de ayer. El fuego Cougar entre Plain y Entiat se estima está en 39,344 acres en total. Humo: El humo permanece en toda el área de pronóstico, por lo cual se espera que la pobre calidad del aire persista, sin embargo los vientos del este pueden producir algunos períodos de alivio durante el día de hoy (martes). Se espera que los vientos cambien desde el oeste mañana en el mañana, lo que provocaría que las condiciones de humo empeoren, especialmente en las áreas cercanas a los incendios. Otro: Una "Alerta de calidad del aire" permanece vigente para el área de pronóstico. Tentativamente, se...

The Cougar Creek Fire is burning up slope and east of Road 6104 towards Maverick Saddle. Firefighters are building a dozer line from the south and hand line from the north. Improved visibility this morning also allowed aircraft to be utilized in support of

Firefighters Working In Deadman Creek Area Contact: Boyds Fire Information (303) 921-5818 or (303) 921-5415 Email: Boydsfire2018@gmail.com August 20, 2018 - 8:30 PM Kettle Falls, WA – Part of the firefighting process is to plan for the unexpected. Fire officials develop contingency plans to minimize the impact from potential fire threats.In addition, part of our responsibilities while on assignment to the Boyds fire is to support local fire service agencies with initial attack. As an example, this morning crews supported the suppression actions in the Nancy Creek area.Fire crews will begin conducting assessments in the Deadman Creek area over the next few days to determine the needs and actions in stopping an unplanned fire if the situation occurs. ###