UPDATE 3 — JULY 24, 2021 — SATURDAY — 2040 PT
Incident Summary
The CEDAR CREEK FIRE started on Sunday, July 11, 2021 around 0545 hours in the early morning, when multiple wildfires were sparked by lightning in the Methow Alley (Okanogan County) on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Fires.
Three wildfires escaped initial attack and causing the naming of three incidents: Cedar Creek, Varden Fires and the Delancy Fires. Varden Fire merged into the Cedar Creek incident early stages of the fire.
It is now the Cedar Creek Fire only with command also reporting/fighting the Delancy Fire. The IMT is also managing the Cub Creek 2 Fire.
Location
It is located about 15 miles northwest of Winthrop and four miles WSW of Mazama, Washington
Current Status
Cedar Creek Fire — 22,415 acres. 11% contained. Fire was projected to move down into Virginian Ridge into the Wolf Creek drainage. Mop-up operations are in progress along portions west of SR20 from Early Winters area south towards Gobblers Knob.
Fire behavior has been reported as active with short crown runs, flanking and short-range spotting.
Delancy Fire — Fire has moved over Delancy Ridge and is being forecasted to creep and smolder in steep, rocky, sparsely brushy terrain. This fire is being monitored by aircraft. It is estimated at 223 acres with an unknown containment status.
Resources
Between the two wildfires, there are 459 total personnel alongside three Type 1 hotshot crews, four Type 2 hand crews, two camp crews, four Type 1 Heavy copters, two Type 3 copters, 34 engines, two dozers, 10 water tenders, one masticator, two skidgens, thee excavators, two fell/bunchers and 147 overhead personnel.
Command
Fire is under the command of NW Team 8, an Type 2 IMT. They are also managing the Delancy Fire incident and reporting just under the Cedar Creek name.
Public Information Resources
Smoke Forecast (Inciweb) | https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/WAOWF/2021-07-12-1429-Varden-Fire/related_files/pict20210622-095718-0.pdf
Evacuations — For the Cedar Creek, Delancy and Cub Creek 2 Fires https://www.okanogancounty.org/government/emergeny_management/index.php
Methow Conservancy (Wildfire Preparedness) — https://methowconservancy.org/discover/fire-prep-recovery%20
Wildfire ready Neighbors (House Assessments) — https://wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov/
Emergency Alert Signups — https://www.okanogancounty.org/government/emergency_management/index.php
National Forest Closures — /inciweb.nwcg.gov/photos/WAOWF/2021-07-12-1429-Varden-Fire/related_files/pict20210618-090120-0.pdf
Damage Assessment
There have been NO structures reported as destroyed but cost-to-date for fire suppression and containment expenses have reached a whopping $7.3 Million for both incidents with Cedar Creek at $7 Million and Delancy Fire at $300,000.
NW Fire Blog 