InciWeb Articles WA

NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM #10 Al Lawson-Incident Commander Favorable weather conditions for firefighters Friday, September 8, 2017 Fire: Uno Peak Completion: 1% Acres: 6,900 Start Date: August 30, 2017 Cause: Under Investigation Location: 15 miles NW of Manson, WA Total Personnel: 243 Fuels/Topography: Timber, grass, rugged terrain Yesterday: Smoke persisted in the area and kept fire behavior and fire growth subdued. Air operations were grounded due to smoky skies. The 6-mile long containment line along Coyote Ridge down to Lake Chelan was completed, including distribution of fire hose and water. Crews also have constructed dozer line from Nelson Butte south one mile down the ridge line. The Canoe Creek area to the west and the Llama Ranch area to the southeast remain under a Level 1 evacuation (get ready). Today: With favorable fire and weather conditions, crews are now working on a containment line closer to the...

East Crater Fire (Indian Heaven Wilderness) and Bear Creek Fire (Bear Creek Watershed), Mount Adams Ranger District, Gifford Pinchot National Forest East Crater Fire: Fire growth was minimal with active burning within the fire perimeter in some areas and minimal fire activity in others. Current fire size remains at 467-acres. In the days ahead, personnel and equipment will be working to prepare nearby roads as fireline to minimize fire spread outside the wilderness. The fire has been burning in the Indian Heaven Wilderness since September 3rd. FIRE CLOSURES: Hikers are advised that the Indian Heaven Wilderness and a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail are closed due to the fire. Campsites around the Indian Heaven Wilderness are also closed. For details visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/giffordpinchot/alerts-notices Bear Creek Fire: On Thursday, crews completed initial fire line and established hose lays around the fire. In the days ahead, crews will work to improve the line...

FIRE SUMMARY Today, Van Arroyo’s Central Coast Incident Management Team assumed command of the Norse Peak and American fires from the Florida Red Team as that team heads home to prepare for the impact of Hurricane Irma. Cooler, moist air has moved into the fire area today with west to northwest winds. The change in wind direction will help slow the spread of the fire on the Pierce County side and allow firefighters to make progress along the western edge of the Norse Peak Fire. In addition to favorable weather, the arrival of crews from the Washington National Guard is aiding firefighting efforts. They are in place providing security in and around the fire area and are being used on the line to help bolster the hand crews and engine teams already in place. In addition to ground resources, the Guard is providing helicopter support out of Ellensburg. NORSE PEAK FIRE (45,433 acres): Crews worked to establish handlines in Goat Creek and Silver Creek areas to provide better...

Press Release Public Health FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Indoor air monitoring at Ellensburg & Kittitas schools shows poor air quality Kittitas County, WA - 09/07/2017 - Upon request of Ellensburg School District and Kittitas School District, the Kittitas County Public Health Department (KCPHD) conducted indoor air monitoring at all Ellensburg and Kittitas school buildings yesterday. Indoor air readings ranged from “unhealthy” (red) to “hazardous” (dark red) leading to the districts’ decision to close schools until at least Monday, September 11th. Indoor air monitoring is conducted with two E-Sampler monitors that were purchased with federal grant funds in 2015. The monitors are owned by Kittitas County but are available for use within the public health emergency preparedness region 7 which includes Grant, Chelan, Douglas, and Okanogan Counties. Kittitas County currently has priority use because of the declaration of emergency that is in place. The monitors are for...

For Immediate Release Today is the final work day for firefighters under the command of the Northwest Incident Management Team 11. The local Type 3 Team will assume command of the Bridge Creek Fire at 1800 hours this evening. The fire is now 95 percent contained and continues to creep and smolder within containment lines. Firefighters will continue to focus on mop-up operations, securing the line, patrolling and monitoring the fire area. Fire crews are also working to remove hose and pumps along the fire perimeter. There was approximately 34 miles of hose to retrieve and much of this has been completed. Resource advisors are working closely with operations personnel to assess the needs and repair work necessary due to the suppression actions over the last few weeks. The existing helibase located at Mt. Tolman Fire Center will no longer be used by air operations under command of the NW Team 11. Minimal fire behavior is expected today. If the need arises for air support, a request...

Fire Location: Approximately 7 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA on lands owned or managed by Washington Department of Natural Resources, The Nature Conservancy, and the Cle Elum Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Yesterday: Crews continued preparing containment line, cutting down hazard trees, and performing mop-up along the southern and western fire perimeters yesterday and through the night, bringing overall containment to 8%. Firefighting efforts were benefited from cooler temperatures. These reduced temperatures were the result of mild onshore weather flow and persistent smoke. Westerly winds arrived with the onshore weather pattern and increased in evening hours. On the southeast perimeter, firefighters conducted a burnout from fireline along the southern portion of Rye Creek down to Jungle Creek. Night operations held containment lines on the western and southern flanks, while conducting a successful burnout in the Newport Creek area. Helicopters were...

Smoke: With the approaching storm front, it is expected that smoke conditions will improve throughout the area over the next couple of days. The smoke within the Columbia Basin should clear and smoke in the area will be mainly from local fires. View the full report by clicking on the report under related information.Additional Washington smoke information available at: http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Click here for an interactive map of the Jolly Mountain Fire to view current closures, evacuation levels by area, and the fire perimeter.

Strong public engagement; defensive lines continue Location: 12 miles N of Mazama, WA Total Personnel: 53Acres: 90,000 U.S; 14,000 Canada Cause: Believed to be HumanContainment: 35% Start Date: July 23, 2017 Yesterday: The fire continued moving predominantly east in the Ashnola drainage as well as farther north into British Columbia. Smoke could be seen throughout the area as the fire progressed into the Little Willie drainage. The fire area continues to burn into steep, rugged terrain of the Pasaytan wilderness.The community meeting held in Winthrop was attended by 377 members of the area. The Type 3 management team and public information officers hosted the event, providing the public with an update to current fire conditions, weather forecasts for the fire area, and actions utilized to prepare indirect fireline on established roads south of the fire perimeter. An open house format was utilized to provide the public direct access to firefighters explaining the fire effort. “The...

East Crater Fire (Indian Heaven Wilderness) and Bear Creek Fire (Bear Creek Watershed), Mount Adams Ranger District, Gifford Pinchot National Forest East Crater Fire: Fire activity continues to be minimal due to smoke shading the fire and forming a cap on the fire area. Current fire size is 467-acres. Mt Adams Ranger District personnel are scouting opportunities for improving roads adjacent to and outside of the wilderness to serve as contingency fire lines to protect adjacent values potentially at risk. The fire has been burning in the Indian Heaven Wilderness since September 3rd. FIRE CLOSURES: Hikers are advised that the Indian Heaven Wilderness and a portion of the Pacific Crest Trail are closed due to the fire. Campsites around the Indian Heaven Wilderness are also closed. For details visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/giffordpinchot/alerts-notices Bear Creek Fire: Activity on the Bear Creek Fire is low on Thursday morning due to higher relative humidity associated...

The Mount Baker Snoqualmie National Forest has issued a closure order due to the Norse Peak Fire. Several recreation areas are

EQUIPO #10 DE DIRECCIÓN DEINCIDENTES DEL NOROESTEAl Lawson - Comandante de incidentesCrecimiento mínimo del incendio bajo un cielo cubierto de humo en 6.900 acres.Jueves, 7 de septiembre de 2017Incendio: Uno Peak Completado: 1%Acres: 6.900 Fecha de inicio: 30 de agosto de 2017Causa: a ser determinada Ubicación: 15 millas al NO de Manson, WAPersonal total: 233 Carburantes/topografía: madera, pasto, terreño escarpadoAyer: el humo de los incendios de Montana cubrió la zona del incendio y mantuvo las temperaturas bajas y una humedad relativa más alta de la pronosticada. Sin embargo, el incendio permanece activo. El cielo cubierto de humo sigue afectando las operaciones aéreas al reducir la visibilidad a menos de una milla. Se produjo un pequeño foco en la Carretera 8200, pero fue extinguido.El área de Canoe Creek al oeste, y el área de Rancho Llama al sureste, siguen bajo Nivel 1 de evacuación.Se construyó una línea de contención indirecta hacia el lago, entre Falls Creek y...

Acres: 2,154 (estimated) Containment: 0% Start Date: August 11, 2017 Cause: Lightning Location: 15 miles WSW of Leavenworth, WA Inciweb: http://tinyurl.com/JackCreekInciweb Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackCreekFire/ Joint effort by firefighters and recreation crews to begin point protection activities Yesterday Wenatchee River Ranger District trail crew members, wilderness rangers and stock program lead, assisted district firefighters with the implementation of point protection on recreational features within the Alpine Lakes Wilderness. Pack animals were utilized to pack in several 65 pound rolls of structure wrap into the wilderness and stage in strategic locations for yesterdays and future point protection activities. Phase one focused on wrapping seven wood Wallowa toilets at Eightmile, Little Eightmile and Stuart Lakes with fire protective wrap. Key wood Wilderness signs were removed to prevent damage. Wilderness Rangers will complete area and trail closures today. ...

For Immediate Release Good progress continues on the Bridge Creek Fire with 85 percent containment now reached. Most of the remaining work to be done will involve firefighters mopping up and securing the line throughout the fire perimeter. Heavy smoke in the area has had a dampening affect over fire behavior providing opportunity for crews to accomplish more of their daily objectives and tasks. As the smoke lifts, fire activity has the potential to increase with torching and burning in isolated areas of unburned fuels in the interior. The use of the hand held infrared devices also continues as firefighters search for hot spots. In addition, fire crews are tasked with removing of fire hose and pumps from the line. Yesterday, firefighters were able to collect nearly 4 miles of hose along Division A, the western perimeter, but much of the hose along the line is still yet to be collected. Resource advisors are working closely with operations personnel to assess the needs and repair...

NORTHWEST INCIDENT MANAGEMENT TEAM #10Al Lawson-Incident CommanderMinimal fire growth under smoky skies at 6,900 acres.Thursday, September 7, 2017Fire: Uno Peak Completion: 1%Acres: 6,900 Start Date: August 30, 2017Cause: Under Investigation Location: 15 miles NW of Manson, WATotal Personnel: 233 Fuels/Topography: Timber, grass, rugged terrainYesterday: Smoke from Montana fires covered the fire area and kept temperatures lower and relative humidity higher than forecasted, however, fire behavior remains active. Smoky skies continued to impact air operations by reducing visibility to less than a mile. A small spot occurred over the 8200 Road but was extinguished. The Canoe Creek area to the west and the Llama Ranch area to the southeast remain under a Level 1 evacuation. Indirect handline was constructed down to the lake between Falls Creek and Coyote Creek. Crews finished constructing dozerline along Coyote Ridge. Today: Crews will work to get fire hose and pumps along the Coyote Ridge...

Fire Information: 509-596-2423 Email: JollyMountainFireInfo@gmail.com Fire Update – Wednesday, September 6, 2017 – 9:00 a.m.Community Briefing Today: 6:00 PM, at Walter Strom Middle School Gymnasium, 2694 State Route 903, Cle Elum, WA 98922.Fire Location: Cle Elum Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA. Yesterday: Heavy smoke persisted in the Jolly Mountain Fire area, moderating fire behavior and allowing firefighters to continue burnout operations, prepare containment line, cut down hazard trees, and perform mop-up on the south and western fire perimeters. That same smoke limited helicopter operations until late afternoon during a brief period of improved visibility. Night shift firefighters continued tactical firing operations on portions of the southern and southwestern perimeters, creating a buffer of burned fuel down to the planned containment line. Structure protection crews are actively engaged both day and night,...

FIRE SUMMARY As additional resources begin to trickle in to help established personnel battle the Norse Peak and American fires, a change in the weather also could aid in the fire fight. Two hand crews from the Washington National Guard are expected to hit the fire lines today which will help strengthen firefighter numbers and allow a shift of resources to more pressing parts of the fire. Cooler, moist air is forecast to push in off the Pacific Ocean slowly today. This incoming marine layer is expected to drop temperatures, raise humidity levels, and bring winds out of the west and northwest – all of which could prove beneficial to slowing the fire’s western spread. Yesterday, a team of engines and one hand crew assigned to the Norse Peak Fire double checked and ran the sprinkler systems at Gold Hill as well as laid the ground work for similar setups throughout the Pierce County side of the fire. Work was completed on hose lays and sprinkler system in several areas around...

Central Washington Smoke/Air Quality Report - September 7th, 2017 Air quality in the Colombia Basin has been in the unhealthy to very unhealthy classification. Through the next 24 hour period, air quality is expected to remain in the unhealthy to very unhealthy classification. Fire: The Jolly Mountain Fire is now 26,325 acres with active fire behavior, torching, spotting and uphill runs. The Uno Fire is 6,520 acres and maintained active fire behavior. The Norse Peak Fire is 43,482 acres and exhibited active fire behavior with single tree and group torching. Other: Visibility in the Central Washington area will remain smoky through at least the next 24

Press Release Sheriff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Planes y recursos disponibles en caso de necesidad de evacuación Kittitas County, WA - 09/06/2017 - El incendio de Jolly Mountain continúa afectando las vidas de los residentes en el área del Condado Superior. Se ha prestado especial atención a crear un plan de evacuación en el caso de que los niveles de evacuación pasen al nivel 3. Si llega a nivel 3 "SALGA AHORA", y se requiere la evacuación, se implementará el siguiente plan. Los funcionarios encargados de hacer cumplir la ley irán de puerta en puerta para notificar a los residentes dentro de las áreas afectadas del aviso de Nivel 3. Se pondrá en marcha una ruta de evacuación designada. Los residentes evacuarán el condado superior vía Highway 10 al los terrenos de la feria en Ellensburg. El personal del Departamento de Transporte restringirá el tráfico hacia el oeste en el Highway 10 sólo a los residentes locales, esto facilitará el viaje hacia Ellensburg en...

Press Release Sheriff FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Plans & Resources Available Should Evacuation Need Arise Kittitas County, WA - 09/06/2017 - The Jolly Mountain Fire continues to affect the lives of residents in the Upper County area. Special attention has been made to create an evacuation plan in the event evacuation levels are upgraded to Level 3. Should Level 3 “Go Now” evacuations be required, the following plan will be implemented. Law enforcement officials will go door-to-door to notify residents within the affected areas of the Level 3 advisory. A designated evacuation route will be put into action. Residents will evacuate Upper County via Highway 10 to the Fairgrounds in Ellensburg. Department of Transportation personnel will restrict westbound traffic on Highway 10 to local residents only, allowing for easier eastbound travel to Ellensburg. Watch for emergency personnel and follow the large evacuation signs. If you need assistance with transportation, call the EOC at...