InciWeb Articles WA

Palmer Fire Update 8/25/2020 Yesterday, a cold front blew over the fire area bringing gusty winds that tested fire lines. Luckily, all contingency lines held strong and the fire didn’t exhibit any major growth. Now, the focus will shift from suppression to improving existing contingency line and mopping up hot spots. Firefighters will also work to secure a no-heat radius of 300 feet around structures in the fire area. No future burn-out operations are anticipated if conditions remain the same. Decreased acres are due to improved mapping of the fire perimeter.A virtual public meeting will be held tonight at 6:00-6:45 PM on the Okanogan County Emergency Management Facebook live. The meeting will include short presentations from the Incident Management Team and the opportunity to ask questions. Questions can be submitted in advance to 2020.palmer@firenet.gov. Okanogan County Emergency Management and the Sheriff’s Department are coordinating with fire personnel regularly to assess...

On August 17th, 2020 in the Jungle Creek area, a wildfire started within the Little Naches River drainage. Ground and aerial resources have been working to actively suppress the fire by constructing fire lines and utilizing helicopter bucket drops to cool hot spots. Cooler weather over the past several days has allowed crews to make substantial progress and has moderated fire activity.   As favorable weather continues to hold, burnout operations are being prepared by the Type III Incident Management Team, led by Incident Commander Dan Gleason. A burnout operation will consume fuel between the edge of the fire and control lines to ensure there is an adequate boundary between the advancing fire and unburned fuels. If conditions remain suitable and burnout operations are conducted, anticipate them to begin Tuesday afternoon with active burning through the end of the week. During the burnout smoke will become highly visible to I-90 travelers and to the communities of Naches, Yakima,...

Firefighters made significant progress yesterday. Burn-out operations continued in the vicinity of Loomis. Airtankers dropped retardant north of town helping to further secure the area. Burn-outs using aerial ignition also took place on the northern perimeter of the fire near Bull Frog Mountain. Team liaisons and incident commanders have worked with ranchers to preserve the integrity of grazing lands while aggressively fighting the fire. For the next few days, the focus will shift to mop-up and securing a 300 foot radius around structures in the fire area.   A virtual public meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 25th at 6:00-6:45 PM on the Okanogan County Emergency Management Facebook live. The meeting will include short presentations from the Incident Management Team and the opportunity to ask questions. Questions can be submitted in advance to 2020.palmer@firenet.gov.   All previous evacuation levels remain in place.  Level 3 Evacuations - GO! (evacuate now, leave...

Palmer Fire Virtual Public MeetingTuesday, August 25, 20206:00pm - 6:45pm Okanogan County Emergency Management Facebook Live Event https://www.facebook.com/Okanogan.County.Emergency.Management Email questions in advance to 2020.palmer@firenet.govor use the Facebook comments section during the

Palmer Fire Daily Update 8/23/20Successful backburning operations were conducted near Loomis yesterday reinforcing the firelines north of town.  Today, crews will be mopping up and patrolling that area.  There will be more burn-out operations today creating additional smoke.  Night operations are expected to continue throughout the week.Air Operations Branch Director, Norm Sealing, shared that “The success of the aviation operation on the Palmer Fire has been the result of a strong collaboration between the federal land management agencies, the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Washington National Guard.”Temperatures today are anticipated to be in the upper 80’s with less humidity and moderate winds with gusts from the south possible in the afternoon.All previous evacuation levels remain in place.Level 3 Evacuations - GO! (evacuate now, leave immediately): -Wannacut Lake Road (East) from Washburn to Ellemeham Mtn Road. -Toats Coulee Road to Chopaka...

Okanogan County Emergency Management  Level 3 IMMEDIATE EVACUATION: -Wannacut Lake Road (East) from Washburn to Ellemeham Mtn Road. -Toats Coulee Road to Chopaka Road, along the Loomis-Oroville RoadLevel 2 GET READY TO LEAVE:  -Ellemeham Mtn Road from Ellis Barns Road to Loomis-Oroville Road.  -Town of Loomis  For an interactive map of evacuations, please click here: https://arcg.is/151TvO1 If shelter is needed call the Red Cross at 509-670-5331 and they will assist

 Despite wind gusts up to 48 mph yesterday afternoon, firefighters prevented the fire from making any large gains. Operations focused on improving existing contingency lines and further expanding lines north of Washburn Road and to the east of Palmer Lake. Overnight, firefighters saw an increase in fire activity on the southwest side of the fire. Fire breached established dozer lines north of Loomis. The fire settled down after 3 AM, aided by lighter winds and cooler temperatures. As a precaution, the town of Loomis is now under a Level 2 (be ready to leave) evacuation. Today, efforts will continue to establish contingency lines around the perimeter of the fire and on structure protection. Burn-out operations may take place, which would bring an increase in smoke to the air. More aircraft have arrived and will be dropping water on the fire throughout the day.  All previous evacuation levels remain in place. Level 3 Evacuations (leave immediately):   -Wannacut Lake Road (East) from...

A fire is burning in the Jungle Creek area of the Naches Ranger District in the Little Naches River drainage. Roads and trails in the area are closed. Forest Road #19 and campgrounds along it are Closed. For more information:

Firefighters working overnight made significant progress conducting burn-out operations in the vicinity of Wannacut Lake and around Palmer Lake lodge. Today crews will focus on mopping-up hot spots and structure protection while reinforcing and improving fire lines. More burn-out operations may happen, but this will be dependent on favorable weather conditions and wind direction. This afternoon, a cold front is forecast to arrive over the fire bringing strong wind gusts up to 40 mph, challenging the strength of fire lines. National Guard helicopters will continue to support the fire with water drops.All previous evacuation levels remain in placeLevel 3 Evacuations (leave immediately):  -Wannacut Lake Road (East) from Washburn to Ellemeham Mtn Road.-Toats Coulee Road to Chopaka Road, along the Loomis-Oroville RoadLevel 2 Evacuations (be ready to leave) -Ellemeham Mtn Road from Ellis Barns Road to Loomis-Oroville Road Our highest priority is the safety of the public and all wildland...

Palmer Fire Daily Update 8/20/20 A Type 2 Incident Management Team led by Incident Commander Shawn Sheldon assumed command of the Palmer Fire at 6:00 PM this evening. The incident command post is based at Tonasket.Firefighting efforts will operate around the clock. The fire burned actively last night as shifting winds pushed the fire north to Bullfrog Mountain. Throughout today, initial attack continued on the ground in conjunction with air support. Firefighters focused active suppression along the west side of Wannacut Lake, north of Loomis and in the Palmer Lake area. Structure crews are engaged in structure protection along South Palmer Lake and around Bull Frog Mountain.Level 3 Evacuations (leave immediately):  -Wannacut Lake Road (East) from Washburn to Ellemeham Mtn Road.-Toats Coulee Road to Chopaka Road, along the Loomis-Oroville RoadLevel 2 Evacuations (be ready to leave): -Ellemeham Mtn Road from Ellis Barns Road to Loomis-Oroville RoadResidents under evacuation are...

Level 3 IMMEDIATE EVACUATIONToats Coulee Road to Chopaka Road, along the Loomis-Oroville Road.Persons should be aware of their surroundings and take action NOW.Persons should evacuate away from the fire towards Loomis or Nighthawk.https://arcg.is/151TvO1 If shelter is needed call the Red Cross at 509-670-5331 and they will assist you.2020-08-19 9:39

Wannacut Lake Road at Ellemeham Mountain RoadEllis Barns Road at Loomis-Oroville RoadBlue Lake Road at Lake Front RoadWashburn Lake Road at Loomis-Oroville Road to Ellis Barnes RoadEllemeham Mountain Road to Ellis Barnes RoadLoomis-Oroville Road from Toats Coulee Road to Chopaka

 Palmer Fire Daily Update 8/19/20  Activities:  The Palmer Fire started on August 18th, 2020.  The fire quickly spread north with extreme fire behavior and was reported spotting ¼ to ½ mile away.  The fire quickly progressed north, then shifting winds in the afternoon transitioned the fire east.  The fire is primarily moving north.  A rough estimate is the fire burned 5,000 or more acres. District firefighters, DNR, BLM and others responded to the fire and worked in tandem with air resources primarily in structure protection and to slow the progression of the fire.  Additional crews are arriving to assist in structure protection and fire suppression efforts.  Crews have been constructing dozer lines as well as hand lines and are conducting burnout operations where necessary.  Crews are primarily focused on multiple flanks of the fire. The fire is not contained and will likely continue to grow.  Areas in the evacuation levels are being notified by the Okanogan County...

News Release  August 19, 2020 Colton, WA - The Chief Timothy Fire is located about 5 miles west of Clarkston, WA in the Snake River canyon. It started on Sunday August 16 and has burned approximately 1,400 acres of rangeland (grass and brush). No homes are threatened.   Crews spent yesterday reinforcing control lines. Where conditions allowed (not too steep, etc.), crews extinguished any remaining hot spots within 50 feet of the fire control line. Fast moving thunderstorms passed over the fire yesterday afternoon and early this morning with no change to estimated containment or acres.   There are no evacuation orders in place or expected.   Today  Crews will continue to extinguish hot spots to expand the fire line to 100 feet where terrain and conditions are safe.   Incident Start date:  8/16/20Incident approximate size:  1,400 estimateFire Containment:  80% contained,  100% linedAssigned resources on scene:  Hand crews :...

News Release  August 18, 2020Colton, WA - The Chief Timothy Fire is located about 5 miles west of Clarkston, WA on the Washington side of the Snake River canyon. It started on Sunday August 16 and has burned approximately 1,400 acres of rangeland (grass and brush). Due to steep terrain, incident personnel have not mapped the fire perimeter with GPS units, therefore the incident size is approximate based on visual observations.Northeast Washington Incident Management Team 3 was dispatched to assist the initial suppression efforts by Whitman and Asotin County Fire Districts and local landowners. The initial efforts by crews, aircraft, and equipment, resulted in dozer and hand control lines surrounding the current fire perimeter. Fire camp is established at the Colton School.Last night fire crews patrolled the perimeter and provided structure protection for homes in the vicinity. There are no evacuation orders in place or expected. Today, Crews are working on securing the fire...

 Leavenworth, WA – Today the Chikamin Fire was turned back to the local District Type 4 IMT, led by Incident Commander Mike Barajas and IC trainee Ross Boots. Updates will be issued as conditions change.Yesterday’s Activity- Fire crews continued to improve containment lines on the west flank as the fire slowly backed down toward a wet ravine. Fire crews patrolled the southeast flank and east flanks. With warmer temperatures the past couple days the fire grew slightly to the north and northeast into the 2015 Wolverine Fire scar..   Week’s Operations- Fire crews will continue to monitor and patrol the fire. Chipping operations will continue along the 6210 road, all the way down to the Chiwawa River Road. Weather and Fire Behavior- High temperatures are forecast for the next several days and no precipitation is forecast through the week. Fire behavior is expected to increase in unburned pockets of fuel and to the north. Smoke may be visible for the next several days. Aerial...

August 12, 2020Leavenworth, WA – Good progress was made yesterday to reinforce and secure the fireline on the east flank of the fire. It is 65% contained and 391 acres. On Friday at 6:00 p.m. the Type 3 team will hand the fire back over to the local District to manage for the duration. The next fire update will be Saturday morning. Yesterday’s Activity- Firecrews continued to improve containment lines on the west flank as the fire slowly backed down toward a wet ravine. Fire crews patrolled the southeast flank, while the Entiat Hotshots continued to bolster firelines along the northeast flank. With yesterday’s gusty winds the fire grew slightly to the northwest, however there was no infrared flight to get updated perimeter and acreage. Week’s Operations- Controlling the line and mopping up on the east flank will be the primary focus for this week’s efforts. Fire crews will monitor and patrol the west flank. Brushing and chipping will continue along the 6210 road, all the...

  August 11, 2020Leavenworth, WA – Good progress was made yesterday to reinforce and secure the fireline on the east flank of the fire. It is now at 65% containment and 391 acres. Yesterday’s Activity- helicopter bucket drops were used to cool down hotspots along the west flank as the fire slowly backs down toward a wet ravine. Fire crews patrolled the southeast flank, while the Entiat Hotshots tied in the northeast flank into the 2015 Wolverine Fire scar. Today’s Operations- Controlling the line and mopping up on the east flank will be the primary focus for today’s efforts. Fire crews will monitor and patrol the west flank. Brushing and chipping will continue along the 6210 road. Weather and Fire Behavior- Moderate west to northwest winds 8 and 12 mph are projected today with gusts to 20 mph projected in the afternoon. No precipitation is forecast through the week. Fire behavior is expected to be moderate, with fire backing down the west flank and isolated torching....

   August 10, 2020 Leavenworth, WA – The current containment for the Chikamin Fire is at 60 percent and is at 383 acres. Crews will continue to secure the fire’s edge and monitor the fire perimeter for any growth using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). UAS have cameras that allow them to fly into areas of little or no visibility and areas inaccessible to firefighters.   With continued cooler temperatures and moderate relative humidity (RH) past couple days the fire has seen insignificant growth, which has allowed firefighters to safely secure containment lines along the east flank. As fire line is secured and contingency lines are complete, personnel will begin to demobilize. Fire managers are building on a suppression repair plan, with implementation beginning later this week. Today unfinished work will continue on the FS 6210 road and surrounding trails/areas. With heavy equipment and firefighter traffic on the 6210 road, closures will remain in effect for public and...