InciWeb Articles WA

Tunk Block Complex Update 9-15-15 8:00 a.m. Tunk Block Fire: Firefighters conducted a strategic firing operation in the Tunk Mountain area yesterday to help secure the fireline. The smoke was visible from several areas. Crews continued to construct fire line and mop-up in the large unburned “island” in Tunk Valley. These efforts will continue over the next couple of days. Today crews will continue to mop up any remaining heat near containment lines. Suppression repair of firelines has begun and will continue for several weeks. Both Fires (Tunk Block Complex and North Star Fire): The Tunk Block and North Star Fires are both very large. The fires combined are approximately 600 square miles. That is a little larger than the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. It is approximately 625 miles from Omak to Grants Pass, OR. Interior islands and pockets will continue to smolder and burn for the next several weeks. People should not be surprised to see smoke from these areas. Crews are actively...

North Star Fire Update 9-15-15 8:00 a.m. North Star Fire: The crews inserted by helicopter on the top of the cliffs east of Highway 21 near Bear Creek constructed direct line and made good progress yesterday. These efforts will continue for a couple of days. Firefighters continue to construct direct line on the fire’s edge east of Swan Butte. Suppression repair of firelines has begun and will continue for several weeks. Both Fires: The Tunk Block and North Star Fires are both very large. The fires combined are approximately 600 square miles. That is a little larger than the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. It is approximately 625 miles from Omak to Grants Pass, OR. Interior islands and pockets will continue to smolder and burn for the next several weeks. People should not be surprised to see smoke from these areas. Crews are actively mapping the extensive network of dozer line on the fires perimeters and the external contingency line built beyond the fire perimeters. A night shift...

“I’m proud of the positive attitudes our crews are showing despite the colder mornings and long work hours. I have been encouraging them to keep up the good work and their great attitudes”, said Incident Commander Bob Allbee. “The fire season is long from being over, so they need to take care of yourselves and each other. We want them to stay healthy and alert as fall is upon us here on the Chelan Complex.” A low pressure system will linger over the region through the week. Several disturbances will more through the low pressure system resulting in rain at times as well. The best chance for wetting rain will be Wednesday afternoon and Wednesday night. A couple inches of very wet snow will be possible above 5000-5500 feet Thursday morning. The cool weather will continue into the weekend. Suppression repair will continue to be the focus in the McFarland Creek area as crews wrap up their work in the Squaw Creek area. Suppression repair includes damage repair to roads and...

Smoke Summary: The passing cold front will continue to bring cooler temperatures and breezy conditions are expected to last through Thursday. Spotty showers are possible but most likely Wednesday night into Thursday. Cool and showery conditions can be expected through the week. Burn out operations are ongoing. Interior islands and pockets will continue to smolder and burn for the next few weeks. Light smoke and haze can be expected around these areas. Air quality will range anywhere from good to unhealthy for sensitive groups in the morning hours, improving in late afternoon to early evening.Extended Outlook: Changing weather patterns and forecasted rain should lower fire activity leading to improved air quality over the NE region of Washington. Drier, fall-like conditions can be expected Friday into the weekend.Monitoring stations for Tonasket, Orient, and Kettle Falls have been shut down due to machine malfunction as of 09/10/2015.

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. The fires remain at approximately 76,300 acres (slight acreage decrease due to improved mapping).Yesterday’s operations: Crews continued making progress into the unsecured areas that remain, but much of the work being done involved mop-up (systematically checking, digging up, extinguishing and rechecking secured fireline), backhaul (removing pumps, hose and other no-longer-needed equipment) and suppression repair (fixing areas damaged by firefighting activities, including bulldozer lines, saw lines and safety zones). Notably cooler weather – along with significantly diminished fire behavior – was observed throughout the fire area, with many areas reporting light rain in the afternoon.Today’s operations: Crews will continue securing active fireline on the east,...

Fire Update – Tuesday, September 15, 2015Today, firefighters are completing indirect line in the Three Creek area, a tributary of the Entiat River. This location is the most active part of the Wolverine Fire. In addition to steep and rugged terrain, crews are facing the additional challenge of cooler and wetter weather, fewer hours of daylight, and the increased presence of bears. Nonetheless, in some areas, firefighters are pulling pumps and stacking hose. Structures wrapped with a fire-shelter type material are being unwrapped. Pumps, hoses and other “water plumbing” laid around structures are being pulled. Fire equipment stationed in Lake Chelan areas has or is being returned by boat. The process of repairing lines is also underway in earnest. Berms are being pulled back, and water bars are being constructed in areas of bare soil to re-channel water flow. One helicopter has been reassigned to another incident. That leaves three helicopters today to drop water as needed if...

Fire Update Monday, September 14, 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/ This will be the last Carpenter Road Fire Update from Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 3 (Oregon Team 3). A Type 3 organization, with unified incident commanders Roger Brandom and Adam Barnes, will assume command of the Carpenter Road Fire at 6 am tomorrow morning. The Incident Command Post will remain at the Fruitland Bible Camp. Oregon Team 3 wishes to thank the Spokane Agency, Bureau of Indian Affairs; Spokane District Bureau of Land Management; Washington Department of Natural Resources; Stevens County Fire Protection Districts; multiple partners; and surrounding communities for the great cooperation...

Smoke Summary: The high pressure that dominated the weather the last few days gave way to a cold front Sunday afternoon. The passing dry cold front will bring much cooler temperatures and breezy conditions and there is a chance of rain by Wednesday. Upper air winds are forecasted to increase helping transport smoke out of the local area. Fires remain active Monday, as firefighters work to contain open lines. Air quality will range anywhere from good to unhealthy for sensitive groups in the morning hours, improving in late afternoon to early evening. The North Star is at 215,406 acres, Tunk Block 163,096 acres, Okanogan Complex 133,142 acres. Caution: Potential smoke on highway 21, expected to clear by the afternoon; use caution. Click on "Related Information" to the right to open a PDF version of the entire Air Quality

Información para el diá 14 septiembre 2015A pesar de que el día de ayer se reportaron “humos de fuego” se determinó que eran remolinos de polvo, hubo cambios mínimos en los perímetros del fuego con algunos combustibles no quemados que arden en el interior continúan ardiendo y humean ocasionalmente. Con humedad más alta y la previsión de viento más baja, se espera que el comportamiento del fuego sea más moderado y las condiciones más favorables para que el fuego disminuya. Aeronaves volarán conforme sea necesario y cuando las condiciones lo permitan. Se le pide al público a ser consciente de los cierres de bosques nacionales y de carreteras, y verificar las condiciones actuales antes de salir. Vea los números de teléfono de oficinas y sitios web de abajo. Wolverine Fire: Cinco cuadrillas de mano, 11 camiones de bombero, 13 bulldozers (excavadoras) y 10 tanques de agua están asignados al incendio Wolverine en la actualidad. El enfoque principal es en el flanco...

Información actualizada sobre el Incendio Okanogan Complex 14 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: 133,118 acres Cálculo aproximado de costo a la fecha: $40.8 millón Contención: 85 por ciento Heridos/Lesionados: 7 Total de Personal: 631 Residencias dañadas o destruidas: 120 Recursos Asignados: 14 cuadrillas, 34 camiones de bombero, 5 helicópteros, 8 excavadoras, 18 tanques de agua, 5 demoledores SITUACION ACTUAL DEL INCENDIO Ayer, el fuego estuvo moderadamente activo de nuevo al norte de montaña Buck mientras se quemaba hacia la calle Forest (FR) 42. Al sur de Peacock Medows, algunas islas interiores de árboles a ambos lados de la calle Loup Loup Canyon continuaron ardiendo. Las cuadrillas descubrieron y contuvieron un área nueva de fuego de dos acres cerca FR 300, esto fue como resultado de las condiciones meteorológicas (clima) extremas del sábado....

September 14, 2015, 9:00 AMFire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Size: 133,118 acres Estimated Cost to Date: $40.8 million Containment: 85 percent Injuries: 7 Total Personnel: 631 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 120 Committed Resources: 14 crews, 34 engines, 5 helicopters, 8 dozers, 18 water tenders, 5 masticators CURRENT FIRE SITUATION Yesterday, the fire was moderately active again north of Buck Mountain as it burned toward Forest Road (FR) 42. South of Peacock Meadow, some interior islands of trees on both sides of the Loup Loup Canyon Road continued to burn. Crews discovered and contained a two-acre spot fire near FR 300, the result of Saturday’s extreme weather. Okanogan Complex firefighters joined the Conconully Fire Department and a DNR crew to respond to a new fire start near the junction of FR 42 and FR 420. The fire is less than one acre. Although the cause is under investigation,...

Fire Update - Monday, September 14, 2015 - 9:00 a.m. Despite reports yesterday of dust devils being called in as fire smokes, there was minimal change in the fire’s perimeter, with some unburned fuels in the interior continuing to smolder and put up occasional smoke. With higher humidity and lower wind forecast, fire behavior is expected to be more subdued and conditions more favorable for fire behavior to decrease. Aircraft will fly as needed and as conditions allow. The public is asked to be aware of national forest and road closures, and to check current conditions before heading out. See office phone numbers and websites below. Wolverine Fire: Five hand crews, 11 engines, 13 dozers and 10 water tenders are assigned to Wolverine today. The primary focus is on the south flank near Three Creek drainage, a tributary of the Entiat River. Line construction will continue, along with helicopter water drops to prevent fire from spreading south over the ridge toward...

Moderate weather provides opportunity to develop

“Yesterday was a good day for our firefighters. Even though we had higher wind gusts along the ridgetops, the fire held in place and continues to slowly burn down to Saint Luise Creek,” said Incident Commander Bob Allbee. “The high winds predicted with our Red Flag Warning for yesterday were felt along the ridgetops but they did not get down into our deeper canyons.” A deeper low pressure system is expected to move across the Cascades this afternoon. This could reinforce the cooler temperatures and could bring some very light rain to the fire late in the afternoon or early evening. Temperatures should be down another 5-10 degrees. You may see helicopters dipping water out of the river near the Gold Creek area again today. These helicopters are being used to help slow the fire as it backs down into Saint Luise Creek. Please exercise caution when driving Highway 153 in that area. Smoke coming off the fire yesterday, was transported up and out of the area. The smoke from this...

Air Quality Forecast-NE Washington Regional Fires- Monday September 14, 2015 Prepared by Mark Fitch (mfitch@nps.gov), Air Resource Advisor & Carolyn Kelly (ckelly8384@gmail.com), Air Resource Advisor Trainee Smoke Summary: The high pressure that dominated the weather the last few days gave way to a cold front Sunday afternoon. The passing dry cold front will bring much cooler temperatures and breezy conditions and there is a chance of rain by Wednesday. Upper air winds are forecasted to increase helping transport smoke out of the local area. Fires remain active Monday, as firefighters work to contain open lines. Air quality will range anywhere from good to unhealthy for sensitive groups in the morning hours, improving in late afternoon to early evening. The North Star is at 215,406 acres, Tunk Block 163,096 acres, Okanogan Complex 133,142 acres. Caution: Potential smoke on highway 21, expected to clear by the afternoon; use caution. Extended Outlook: Cooler temperatures and...

Fire Update Monday, September 14, 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 fire perimeter encompasses 63,972 acres, nearly 100 square miles, and is 95% contained. Change is a key word for the coming week. Cooler temperatures and an increasing probability of precipitation are anticipated as the week progresses. Such conditions should be favorable for making the fire perimeter more secure. The second change is the departure of Oregon Interagency Incident Management Team 3 which will be replaced by a smaller organization. Sufficient progress has been made to downsize the forces required to complete the remaining work. Today, the new organization’s leadership will...

Air Quality Forecast-NE Washington Regional Fires- Monday September 14, 2015 Prepared by Mark Fitch (mfitch@nps.gov), Air Resource Advisor & Carolyn Kelly (ckelly8384@gmail.com), Air Resource Advisor Trainee Smoke Summary: The high pressure that dominated the weather the last few days gave way to a cold front Sunday afternoon. The passing dry cold front will bring much cooler temperatures and breezy conditions and there is a chance of rain by Wednesday. Upper air winds are forecasted to increase helping transport smoke out of the local area. Fires remain active Monday, as firefighters work to contain open lines. Air quality will range anywhere from good to unhealthy for sensitive groups in the morning hours, improving in late afternoon to early evening. The North Star is at 215,406 acres, Tunk Block 163,096 acres, Okanogan Complex 133,142 acres. Caution: Potential smoke on highway 21, expected to clear by the afternoon; use caution. Extended Outlook: Cooler temperatures and with a...

Tunk Block Complex Fire Update 9-14-15 8:00 a.m. Tunk Block Fire: Firefighters made good progress securing a difficult containment line in the fire’s rugged northeast corner between Bannon and Tunk Mountains. Crews continued to construct fire line in the large unburned “island” between Powers Butte and Omak Mountain. These efforts will continue over the next several days. Today crews will continue to mop up any remaining heat near containment lines. Suppression repair has begun. Both Fires: The Tunk Block and North Star Fires are both very large. The fires combined are over 590 square miles. That is four times the size of the city of Seattle or about the size of the city of Los Angles. It is approximately 590 miles from Seattle to Helena, MT. Interior islands and pockets will continue to smolder and burn for the next several weeks. People should not be surprised to see smoke from these areas. A night shift will be patrolling the fire areas and available to respond to any...

North Star Fire Update 9-14-15 North Star Fire: The crews inserted by helicopter on the top of the cliffs east of Highway 21 near Bear Creek constructed direct line and made good progress today. These efforts will continue for several days. The fire near Barrett Butte “fell off” the cliffs and progressed to Highway 21. There were no spots across highway 21. Firefighters are constructing direct line on the fire’s edge east of Swan Butte. Suppression repair has begun. Both Fires: The Tunk Block and North Star Fires are both very large. The fires combined are over 590 square miles. That is four times the size of the city of Seattle or about the size of the city of Los Angles. It is approximately 590 miles from Seattle to Helena, MT. Interior islands and pockets will continue to smolder and burn for the next several weeks. People should not be surprised to see smoke from these areas. A night shift will be patrolling the fire areas and available to respond to any reports of flare...

ORDER NO. 952 EMERGENCY ROAD CLOSURE OKANOGAN-WENATCHEE NATIONAL FOREST Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.50 (a) and (b) the following acts are prohibited on designated portions of National Forest System (NFS) Lands and Trails of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest as described below and shown on the attached map: 1. USE BY ANY TYPE OF TRAFFIC ON NATIONAL FOREST SYSTEM ROADS LISTED BELOW AND SHOWN ON EXHIBIT A. For the purpose of this order, any type of travel is prohibited on the following National Forest Roads due to fire: a. Forest Service Road 1600 including all forest spur roads connecting to the 1600 Road. b. Forest Service Road 1500 at east Forest Boundary to the junction of Forest Service Road 199 (Cash Prairie). Including all forest spur roads connecting to the 1500 between referenced points. [36 CFR 261.54 (b)] This order is effective beginning on the date signed below and will remain in effect until rescinded. Pursuant to 36 CFR 261.54(b), the following persons are exempt...