Incident: Colockum Tarps Wildfire
Released: 2100  Hours PST

Firefighters with yellow shirts, field packs and hard hats have their backs to the viewer. They are looking away at flames rising from burning grass. Hazy smoke fills the background. These fires were lit intentionally as part of a burn out operation.

The Kittitas County Sheriff has announced that, effective 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 8, the Level 3 Evacuation for Colockum Road, Sheep Creek, Trail Creek, Tucker Creek, Secret Canyon to the end of the paved road will be reduced to Level 2. These areas will be open to property owners and fire crews only.

A Firefighter In Full Protective Clothing Walks Along A Dirt Road And Uses A Drip Torch To Start A Burnout Operation In Tall Grass And Weeds Which Are Catching On Fire And Producing A Lot Of Smoke.

There is still significant danger in the area and residents should be ready to leave at a moment’s notice. Residents are advised to use caution as they return home and to keep the roads clear for fire apparatus moving through the area.

The Level 3 Evacuation remains in place for Secret Canyon beyond the paved road and upper Parke Creek Road, including Hilltop Lane. Significant threat continues to affect these areas.

Fire Crew Standing Shoulder To Shoulder Along A Dirt Forest Road And Monitoring Fire As It Burns Through Ground Fuels Beneath The Timber.

All current road closures will remain in effect through the weekend, with a reevaluation of these closures scheduled for Monday, August 12.

Fire Behavior Depends On Weather So A Weather Station Is Being Installed At A Critical Site Near The Fire Line In Order To Monitor Weather And Fuel Condition.

Fire fighters have been completing burn-out and aerial ignitions to reinforce containment lines on the western flank of the Colockum Tarps Fire. Residents in various parts of Kittitas, Chelan and Grant Counties can expect to see more large smoke plumes as this work continues.

Landscape Photo Showing Smoke Rising From Burning Timber.

The Washington Interagency Incident Management Team #4 appreciates the patience of residents eager to return to their homes. The Kittitas County Sheriff and the Team have communicated regularly regarding evacuation levels, and have made changes when all safety considerations were accounted for. Please contact the Kittitas County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) if you have an urgent need to access your home.

Aerial View Of Island Of Dark Conifer Trees Amidst Dry Brown Grass. The Trees Have Caught Fire. Orange Flame And Rising Dark Smoke Are Surging Upward.

Residents affected by the fire can contact the EOC with questions or concerns, at 509 933-8305, or visit the county website for updates and evacuation maps at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/.

For fire information, please visit http://inciweb.org/incident/3567/, or contact the Colockum Tarps Fire at 509 662-9984.

 

Content/Photography Courtesy of:  inciweb.org

 

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