“Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved.” – Mattie Stepanek
It definitely has been a long and busy Fire Season for Fire Crews and the rest of us reporting on these incidents. We went on a Fire Chasing mission this weekend to Moses Lake and near the Chelan, Washington areas but we’ll be posting about those adventures tomorrow.
For the time-being, here’s an update on fires happening in the State of Washington only.
WASHINGTON FIRE STATS
9 “New” large fires were reported with 24 being uncontained as of today’s date. In addition, 23 “New” fires were reported as of today reaching a total acreage of 7372. There are 6 Type 1 IMTs along with 4 Type 2 IMTs committed. 3 OSFM are also committed. Area Command has been ordered to manage the fires in NE Washington.
NATIONAL FIRE STATS
As of today’s date, there were 153 “new” fires reported [Initial Attack Activities with 29 “new” large incidents. 5 large fires were contained but there are still 106 uncontained large fires reported. 2 Area Command teams have been committed with 14 of them Type 1 IMTs and 27 Type 2 IMTs.
ANTONE CREEK FIRE
Located 10 miles N of Chelan, started on Friday, 8/14/15 from lightning. It is currently at 1726 acres with a 0% containment. Extreme fire behavior. Homes threatened. Evacutations in effect.
BALDY FIRE
Located on the Colville National Forest and 6 mi NW of Ione started on 8/1/15 around 1530 hours.
The cause is unknown. It is transitioning to a Type 3 organization, leaving a small group of Firefighters at out of the Selkirk HS. Fire to merge into Kanisku Complex and managed by the AK Black Type 2 Team. In addition, it will include the The Tower Fire. There are 194 personnel that have successfully reached an 80% containment. They are currently in mop-up operations in all divisions. 515 acres.
BEAVER LAKE FIRE
This fire is located 15 miles E of Winthrop which started on Friday, 8/14/15 with an unknown cause. ICT3 team is in command. They are reporting 800 acres with a 0% containment status. Active fire behavior with running and single tree torching.
BLACK CANYON FIRE
The Black Canyon Fire started on Friday, 8/14/15 around 1145 hours, located 8 miles W of Pateros area by lightning. The fire has burned 3,000 acres with a 0% containment status. 36 personnel are on the fire ground with reporting the fire behavior is active with spotting, torching and with short crown runs.
COUGAR CREEK FIRE
On Friday, 8/14/15 the Cougar Creek Fire ignited from an unknown cause, 35 miles NW of Spokane. It has reached 5,000 acres with a 0% containment status. Structures have been reportedly destroyed with more in danger. Evacuations in effect. Fire behavior is active with runs.
COUGAR CREEK FIRE
The Cougar Creek Fire started on Monday, 8/11/15, from lightning and is located 6 miles NW of Glenwood protected by the Yakama Indian Nation, DNR and the USFS. It has burned 22,300 acres but has reached a 5% containment status. The fire ignited from a lightning strike. It currently has had no movement. Resources on the incident include: 6 Helicopters, 11 Water Tenders, 459 Personnel, 14 Crews, 15 Engines, 9 Dozers and 1 Other.
Cougar Creek Public Info Meeting –> Monday, 8/17/15 at 1900 Hours at the Trout Lake School in town.
FIRST CREEK FIRE
The First Creek is located 8 miles NW of Chelan that was started by lightning on Friday, 8/14/15. The fire has burned 1726 acres and has no containment status. The fire is active with short crown runs, backing and is creeping; it’s spreading to the West. Residences on S Lake Shore Rd, 1st Creek Rd, SR 971 and the Lake Chelan State Park are currently being threatened. Fire Managers report that the fire is S of the Cove area but have not crossed First Creek, Navarre Coulee or reached the Lake Chelan State Park.Evacuations are in effect.
Red Cross Evacuation Shelter 1 –> Sterling Middle School, 600 N James Street, E Wenatchee.
Red Cross Evacauation Shelter 2 –>Entiat Valley Resource Center, 2084 Entiat Way, Entiat.
GOLD HILL FIRE
The Gold Hill Fire located 10 miles W of Colville has limited information but what is known is that it is in full suppression and listed as a large fire. The cause is unknown.
KNOBBY FIRE
Located 50 miles NW of Spokane, this incident started on Saturday, 8/15/15. In monitor status. The fire is only at 150 acres and has a 0% containment status. Cause is unknown. Limited info being reported.
LIME BELT FIRE
Lightning started this fire located 13 miles NW of Omak, which has scorched 2560 acres. Reports the fire is has an active fire behavior with single torching, running and short-range spotting.
MARBLE VALLEY FIRE
The Marble Valley Fire ignited on Friday 8/14/15 by an unknown cause. It is located 50 miles NW of Spokane. The fire is in monitor status. It is reported as a large fire with unknown acres. Limited info coming from incident.
MCFARLAND CREEK FIRE
Located 8 miles W of Pateros in Okanogan County. Limited information available.
NINE MILE FIRE
The Nine Mile Fire is located 6 miles E of Oroville that started on Saturday, 8/15/15 from an unknown cause. It has reached 4673 acres but has a 50% containment around the fire. Min fire growth and is expected to be contained on Monday, 8/17/15. A WAIMT2 has relocated to the Okanogan Co Fairgrounds. In mop-up operations.
NORTH STAR FIRE
Located 25 miles E of Omak, this fire was the result of a Human involvement that is burning in the Stepstone Creek drainage. It started on Thursday, 8/13/15, approximately around 1530 hours. It has been reported having extreme fire behavior with evacuations in effect. 68 Personnel are on this incident. It has a 30% containment status but they are in structure protection mode along with long- range planning. A Red Flag has been issued for windy conditions. Type 2 SW IMT is to assume command on Tuesday, 8/16/15 in the evening. ICP is located at the Nespelem Community Center at the Intersection of Schoolhouse Loop Rd off of Highway 155. 22,000 acres.
OKANOGAN COMPLEX
The Okanogan Complex is located 50 miles NW of Winthrop that was started by lightning, has reached 2,000 acres with a 0% containment status. It is reported to have active fire behavior, threatening residences. Road and area closures are in effect. FMAG approved on 8/15.
PARADISE FIRE
This fire has been burning for a little while in the Olympic National Park which began slowly spreading as a natural way to clear the heavy fire fuels. It is located 13 miles N / NE of Quinault ignited by lightning. Today, it is currently at 2440 acres. The usage of a Type 2 DNR helicopter has been assisting firefighters on the fire ground with water bucket drops. It is now contained at 30%.
REACH FIRE
The Reach Fire is located 1 mile S of Chelan, which started on Friday, 8/14/15 by an unknown. Other fires in the area have been ignited by lightning. It is now being reported at 55,454 acres with a 1% containment status. There have been an unknown number of residences and structures destroyed and more are being threatened, including the Chelan airport. The fire behavior is torching, active, backing and spotting. [Includes the Cagle and Antonie Fires]
ROCKY FIRE
The Rocky Fire is located 25 miles NW of Spokane with an unknown cause that started on Friday, 8/14/15. It is being reported as a large fire but acreage at this time is unknown. Limited Fire info available.
RUTTER CANYON FIRE
Located 2 miles N of Spokane, The Rutter Canyon Fire started on 8/11/15. The fire has an unknown cause of ignition but has been successfully contained to 70% status. It is listed at 155 acres with minimal fire and smoldering. It is being reported however, residences & structures are still being threatened.
RYE RIDGE FIRE
The Rye Ridge Fire previously reported by us as the “Rye Fire” is located 8 miles of Anatone that started on 8/12/15 by lightning. Currently, it is at 580 acres with a 10% containment status with moderate fire behavior that includes smoldering. Homes and structures are threatened.
SQUAW CREEK FIRE
An IMT/PNW Team 2 is in command over this fire located 18 miles N of Chelan, which started on Friday, 8/14/15 by an unknown cause. It is reported at 300 acres at the moment with a 0% containment status. It is listed as having active fire behavior with short crown runs, backing and torching. [Fire also being managed along w/Wolvering, Blankenship, Reach, First Creek, Antoine Creek and Black Canyon Fires]
STICKPIN FIRE
The Stickpin Fire is located in the Colville National Forest, approximately 26 miles NW of Colville and listed to be geographically between Profanity Peak and Ryan Hill in the Republic Ranger District of Ferry County. It started on 8/11/15 by lightning. As of today, it has burned 35,530 acres. A State Mobe was approved and has arrived on scene including the aid to the Ferry Co Fire District #14 with structure protection. Resources are 6 Crews, 24 Engines, 6 Dozers, 15 Water Tenders, 0 Copters but available upon request, 300 personnel with reports of 0 injuries. 0 homes have been destroyed. 0% containment.
Stickpin Public Info Meeting –> Tuesday, 8/18/15 at 1900 Hours at the Malo Grange. An additional one is being planned to be hosted in the Orient area.
THURSDAY CREEK
The Thursday Creek is located 13 miles NE of Newhalem that started on 8/10/15 by lightning. It is currently at 200 acres with a 0% containment status. Active fire behavior reported.
WOLVERINE FIRE
The Wolverine Fire started on 6/29/15 around 0730 hours is located 3 miles NW of Lucerne on the Chelan Ranger District. The command has been assumed by the PNW IMT2. It is considered to be managing the following fires: Reach Fire, First Creek, Black Canyon, McFarland Creek and Wolverine Fires. Firefighters were able to contain the fire between the N and S ends. Currently in mop-up operations. Level 3 evacuations still in force. 2368 acres burned in the N Cascade National Park and 36,425 in the Okanogan-Wenatchee NF. 377 Personnel have been able to contain the fire by 30%. It has reached a total amount of 38,793 acres.
A HUGE Thank You –> Thank you to the many fire crews, firefighters, pilots, Fire Managers, Support personnel, Red Cross shelter volunteers and the vast amount of others we probably have unintentionally forgotten to mention & thank for all of your hard work, dedication, commitment and tireless efforts. You all are so awesome and we can’t thank you enough for what you all are doing or have done out there on the many fire incidents.
Thank You —> To our many followers, those who have provided great tips and engaging us with questions, concerns or corrections. We appreciate every single one of you all. We wish you all a Safe and Sane day/night wherever your journeys may take you.
[c] 2015 The NW Fire Blog
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