InciWeb Articles WA

There are multiple fires being managed in north central Washington. Please use extreme caution when driving through fire areas. Stay alert and be aware of fire equipment and firefighters working along the roads. Drive with headlights on and do not stop or park along the roads to watch the fire or firefighting activities. Also be aware that hazard trees and rocks could fall on the roads. Drive defensively.

Reunión pública de la comunidad: Hoy en español el domingo, 6 de septiembre a las 6:30pm en el Spanish Assembly of God, 55 S. Quetilquasoon Rd., Manson. El Pacific Crest Trail ya está abierto en el Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Los cierres forestales todavía están en su lugar, pero han sido modificados. Favor de chequear el sitio de Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest para más detalle. Los negocios alrededor de Lake Wenatchee están abiertos este fin de semana. Como comportamiento del fuego disminuye y todos disfrutan un cielo claro y bonitas costas le pedimos que recuerde que las restricciones de fuego siguen. El Aumento de vientos y las temperaturas puede traer más comportamiento activo del fuego en los combustibles afectados por la sequía. First Creek: Los equipos siguen patrullando y trabajando en rehabilitación. Pedimos que residentes recuerden que los humos interiores seguirán ocurriendo. Ya que los residentes están regresando al área, se les pide que sean...

GLENWOOD, WA – Yesterday firefighters made significant progress on the Cougar Creek fire. Cooler temperatures, higher relative humidity and resource prioritization aided in significant production. Today firefighters will continue mopping up and improving the strength of existing containment lines. Whenever possible crews will use natural barriers and improve existing roads and dozer lines to minimize disturbing soil and vegetation. Temperatures remain 5 to 10° below normal for this time of year. Todays wind speeds will be slightly lower compared to yesterday with ridge top winds 6-12mph gusting to 20 mph out of the North West, with a high temperature of 62°. Mondays forecast will feature relatively warmer and drier conditions behind the trough. Burned Area Emergency Rehabilitation (BAER) teams have arrived to assess the needs of these fires. BAER team surveys are a rapid assessment of the burned areas that evaluate burned watersheds and determine the potential for increased...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update September 6, 2015, 9:00 AM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Okanogan Complex Size: 148,780 acres Containment: 65 percent Estimated Cost to Date: 33.9 million Injuries: 7 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 123 Total Personnel: 1,107 Committed Resources: 16 crews, 72 engines, 9 helicopters 11 dozers, 22 water tenders, 9 skidgines, 1 masticator Chelan Complex Size: 93,896 acres Containment: 75 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $16.9 million Injuries: 9 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 23 Total Personnel: 704 Committed Resources: 11 crews, 57 engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders, 4 skidgines, 1 masticator OKANOGAN COMPLEX Lime Belt Fire (132,838 acres, 60 percent contained): Yesterday firefighters attempted a burning operation off Forest Road (FR) 42, but the high humidity and cloudy skies hampered burning. A firing operation is considered successful if it adequately burns the surface fuels, creating...

FERRY COUNTY SHERIFF POST OFFICE BOX 1099 REPUBLIC, WASHINGTON 99166-1099 (509) 775-3136 FAX (509) 775-0145 September 6, 2015 For Immediate Release Due to recent rains and significant progress of fire crews, the following condition changes have occurred: Effective immediately, the city of Republic is reduced to evacuation Level 1. The area south of Highway 20 west is downgraded to Level 2. The west side of Highway 21 from McMann Creek south to Bridge Creek Road remains Level 3. Crews are still working a stretch in the 19-Mile area, and the highway will remain closed due to the ongoing suppression and containment efforts.In the Kettle Complex, Boulder Creek Road is scheduled to re-open at Monday at 8:00 am, however all connecting access roads will remain blocked.The Ferry County Sheriff’s office reminds you that all of Ferry County remains in a Level 1 status, and to be aware of updates as there is still active fire in many areas.

Saturday’s public meeting in Orient was attended by approximately 70 members of the community. They received information about the current Kettle Complex fire situation, protecting their property from wildfire in the future, and about local resources that can help in that endeavor. Yesterday’s precipitation allowed firefighters on the Kettle Complex to make excellent progress constructing and improving direct and indirect fireline. Though helpful, the rain itself will not put the fire out, and it limited air operations ability to provide support. Work today will be focused on securing fireline in areas where needed, mopping up burned areas, and initiating repair work where appropriate. Helicopters will resume operations to support firefighting work on the ground, as weather permits. Firefighting crews also remain in a state of readiness to initial attack any new starts that are detected. Nearly 1,000 personnel are still assigned to the complex. Stickpin Fire: Today,...

Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update September 6, 2015, 9:00 AM Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM Okanogan Complex Size: 148,780 acres Containment: 65 percent Estimated Cost to Date: 33.9 million Injuries: 7 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 123 Total Personnel: 1,107 Committed Resources: 16 crews, 72 engines, 9 helicopters 11 dozers, 22 water tenders, 9 skidgines, 1 masticator Chelan Complex Size: 93,896 acres Containment: 75 percent Estimated Cost to Date: $16.9 million Injuries: 9 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 23 Total Personnel: 704 Committed Resources: 11 crews, 57 engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders, 4 skidgines, 1 masticator OKANOGAN COMPLEX Lime Belt Fire (132,838 acres, 60 percent contained): Yesterday firefighters attempted a burning operation off Forest Road (FR) 42, but the high humidity and cloudy skies hampered burning. A firing operation is considered successful if it adequately burns the surface fuels, creating “clean...

Fire Update – Sunday, September 6, 2015 – 9:00 a.m. Community Meeting: Tonight there will be a public meeting in Spanish at 6:30 pm at the Spanish Assembly of God, 55 S. Quetilquasoon Rd, in Manson. 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. The businesses around Lake Wenatchee are open this holiday weekend. As fire behavior diminishes, we ask you to remember that fire restrictions remain in effect. Increasing winds and temperatures may usher in more active fire behavior in drought-stricken fuels. Please remain vigilant and prevent human-caused wildfires. First Creek: Crews continue patrolling for any hot spots and rehabilitating fire lines. We ask residents to remember that interior smokes will continue to occur. As residents return to the First Creek area, they are asked to be aware of the...

Yesterday’s Activities: Rain, especially on the North Star Fire, and high humidity reduced fire activity and aided with mop-up. It also delayed burnout operations that were planned to secure fire lines and better protect homes and private property. Hand and dozer lines to control fire spread continued to be constructed along the southwest and west portions of the North Star Fire, and the northeast boundary of the Tunk Block Fire (NE Tunk Mountain). A large portion of the Tunk Block Fire and the southern edge of the North Star fire are in mop-up and patrol. Three task forces with three engines each from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) completed their assignment on the fire. They were stationed in Republic. Today’s Operations: If conditions permit, crews will continue burnout in portions of the Hwy 21 corridor, the southwest portion of the North Star Fire, and a small area on the Tunk Block Fire southwest of Disautel. Fireline construction, mop-up and patrol will...

Smoke Summary: Precipitation moved through the region on Saturday, providing moisture to the higher elevations including Republic, Kettle Falls and Colville areas. Omak did not receive precipatation on Saturday and is expected to remain dry Sunday, with a slight chance of showers on Monday.Sunday morning winds will be NW and switching to the south-southwest in the afternoon. Expect breezy conditions in the afternoon. Communities north of fires may see degrading air quality Sunday afternoon due to shift in wind direction. Night time inversions are at the ground level,trapping early morning smoke. Smoke will lift due to the increase of the afternoon mixing heights. Monitoring: We are currently tracking smoke concentrations at 11 communities surrounding the wildfire areas.

Smoke Summary: Precipitation moved through the region on Saturday, providing moisture to the higher elevations including Republic, Kettle Falls and Colville areas. Omak did not receive precipatation on Saturday and is expected to remain dry Sunday, with a slight chance of showers on Monday.Sunday morning winds will be NW and switching to the south-southwest in the afternoon. Expect breezy conditions in the afternoon. Communities north of fires may see degrading air quality Sunday afternoon due to shift in wind direction. Night time inversions are at the ground level,trapping early morning smoke. Smoke will lift due to the increase of the afternoon mixing heights. Monitoring: We are currently tracking smoke concentrations at 11 communities surrounding the wildfire areas.

Fire Update Sunday, September 6, 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 60% containment. Significant amounts of precipitation fell over the fire yesterday. The incident command post at Fruitland Bible Camp received over 1 inch of rain. The remote automated weather station (RAWS) at the south end of the fire measured 1.5 inches of rain and the RAWS at the north end, approximately 0.6 inches. Anticipating cooler temperatures for today and warmer and drier days to follow, fire managers are planning all actions based on safety for personnel to meet objectives. Areas once covered with a bed of dust could now become mud,...

Yesterday’s Activities: Rain, especially on the North Star Fire, and high humidity reduced fire activity and aided with mop-up. It also delayed burnout operations that were planned to secure fire lines and better protect homes and private property. Hand and dozer lines to control fire spread continued to be constructed along the southwest and west portions of the North Star Fire, and the northeast boundary of the Tunk Block Fire (NE Tunk Mountain). A large portion of the Tunk Block Fire and the southern edge of the North Star fire are in mop-up and patrol. Three task forces with three engines each from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) completed their assignment on the fire. They were stationed in Republic. Today’s Operations: If conditions permit, crews will continue burnout in portions of the Hwy 21 corridor, the southwest portion of the North Star Fire, and a small area on the Tunk Block Fire southwest of Disautel. Fireline construction, mop-up and patrol will...

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. The community has supported the Alder Lake Fire in so many ways, we are all so grateful for your generous contributions! Current as of 9/‎ 6 /‎2015‎ Current Situation Total Personnel 157 Other Assigned Resources 1 Dozer, 4 Engines, 3 – 11 person Type 2 Hand Crews, 1 – 9 person Type 2 IA Crew, 2-20 person Type 2 IA Crew, 1-12 person Type 2 IA Crew, 3 Misc. Heavy Equipment, Overhead Size 280 acres (17% Contained) Fuels Involved Closed canopy timber, with heavy dead and down Fire Behavior ...

Fire Update Saturday, September 5, 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/ Current Situation: The Carpenter Road Fire is estimated at 64,903 acres and 60% containment. Significant amounts of precipitation fell over the fire area last night and today. The incident command post at Fruitland Bible Camp received over 1 inch of rain. The remote automated weather station (RAWS) at the south end of the fire measured 1.5 inches of rain and the RAWS at the north end approximately .6 inches. This rain kept fire behavior to a minimum and helped to cool areas of smaller fuels. The risk to firefighters versus the gain by engaging on the fireline was considered when deciding on the firefighting tactics for...

There was limited growth of the Kettle Complex yesterday as crews continued constructing and improving fireline. Burnout operations were conducted to strengthen containment lines. Work today will be focused on securing fireline 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, as weather permits. Firefighting crews also remain in a state of readiness to initial attack any new starts that are detected. An additional National Guard crew arrived yesterday. Nearly 1,000 personnel are still assigned to the complex. Stickpin Fire: Yesterday, two crews continued a burnout operation on the fire’s western perimeter. Today, firefighters will start suppression repair work to mitigate sedimentation and erosion from the burnout. Line construction and improvement will continue on the northern half of the fire....

Reunión pública de la comunidad: No hay para hoy. En español el domingo, 6 de septiembre a las 6:30pm en el Spanish Assembly of God, 55 S. Quetilquasoon Rd., Manson. El Pacific Crest Trail ya está abierto en el Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Los cierres forestales todavía están en su lugar, pero han sido modificados. Favor de chequear el sitio de Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest para más detalle. Los negocios alrededor de Lake Wenatchee están abiertos este fin de semana. Como comportamiento del fuego disminuye y todos disfrutan un cielo claro y bonitas costas le pedimos que recuerde que las restricciones de fuego siguen. El Aumento de vientos y las temperaturas puede traer más comportamiento activo del fuego en los combustibles afectados por la sequía. First Creek: Los equipos siguen patrullando y trabajando en rehabilitación. Pedimos que residentes recuerden que los humos interiores seguirán ocurriendo. Ya que los residentes están regresando al área, se les...

Yesterday’s Activities: Crews continued a burn-out along the northeast corner of the North Star Fire to better protect the Republic community. Another burnout was successfully implemented at the eastern end of Aeneas Valley, and one was initiated between the fire and a portion of Hwy 21 to protect houses in that corridor. Hand and dozer lines to control fire spread continued to be constructed along the southwest and west portions of the North Star Fire, and the north part of the east boundary of the Tunk Block Fire (NE Tunk Mountain). A large portion of the Tunk Block Fire and the southern edge of the North Star fire are in mop-up and patrol. Today’s Operations: Crews will continue burnout in portions of the Hwy 21 corridor as conditions allow. Fireline construction and mop-up will continue. Work continues on the contingency line northeast of Tunk Mountain to better protect private land and homes in Aeneas Valley, and the lookout. Firefighters are coordinating with range...

Sizes: 210,115 acresEstimated Cost to Date: $21.1 millionContainment: 40 percentInjuries: 0Total Personnel: 1,317Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 1Committed Resources: 33 crews, 73 engines, 5 helicopters, 16 dozers, 23 water tenders, 1 skidder The Ferry County Sheriff, in collaboration with DOT and the Colville Tribal Police, announced the full opening of Highway 21 between Republic and Keller within Ferry County. Fire equipment will remain in the area, so please use caution and watch for equipment on or near the highway. There may be smoke from the fire. Additionally, the last remaining level 3 evacuation zone North of the reservation line has been released to level 2 (no longer mandatory evacuation). Continued strategic firing operations to remove fuel between the main fire and containment lines to better protect nearby communities, especially Republic, are the priority. About 1,000 acres were burned last night in the vicinity of Cornell Butte Crews will take advantage of drying...

Smoke Summary: Cold front moved through last night bringing rain to the fires in Eastern WA. Winds shift from NW to W Saturday into Sunday. Mixing heights and transport winds are favorable for smoke transport from local areas. Expect dryng trend starting Monday. Firing operations will continue on the N side of Northstar and the Kettle complex. Downwind communities such as Republic, Oriente and Nespelum may experience elevated smoke impacts for short periods of time in the afternoon hours. Monitoring: We are currently tracking smoke concentrations at 11 communities surrounding the wildfire areas. No changes to the monitoring locations from yesterday.