The CEDAR CREEK FIRE ignited by lightning on Thursday, July 8, 2021, at approximately 1648 hours PT. It is located about four miles southwest from Mazama, Washington State.
The CEDAR CREEK FIRE also includes the VARDEN FIRE when they merged into one another, creating the single fire name.
Fire fuels include brush, closed timber litter and timber understory. There has been 55,187 acres of Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest lands destroyed.
Minimal fire behavior with backing, creeping and smoldering still remain but fire suppression efforts have led to an 87% containment status. Fire Managers estimated total containment to be reached on October 31, 2021.
Fire Fact — To date, there are 5,622 northwest firefighters that are still fighting uncontained wildfires. – NWCC
Weather Station — Credit | USFS
Total number of personnel remaining on this incident is 235.
Management is still under the direction of the NW IIMT9, which is also managing the Muckamuck, Cub Creek 2 and Delancy Fires. They assumed command of wildfires on August 25, 2021.
Cost-to-date for fire suppression and containment expenses have reached $38.7 Million Dollars.
A new wildfire named the ROOSTER COMB FIRE broke out this afternoon has prompted a vast number of fire and heavy equipment resources dispatched to the Rooster Comb area in Chelan County, Washington.
Since the initial response time of 1649 hours PT, the fire has already consumed a minimum of 220 acres of grass and brush.
LEVEL 3 evacuations were ordered for those near Methow Street, which is south of Wenatchee, Washington. (per Media). We were unable to find out which agency is reporting this and found no orders issued through the Nixle app.
The Incident Command is Tom Hayes, effective 1905 hours PT.
Resources include:
CHELAN-26
CREW-22
DIV-610
E-351
E-4102
E-4104
E-4106
E-4107
E-6695
E-6696
E-672
PATROL-2
About Rooster Comb, Washington
The Rooster Comb is a famous hiking sub-peak area in the Saddle Rock areas and in the most southern portion of the Wenatchee foothills. It is one of many summits in Chelan County, Washington.
On July 8, 2021, several fire starts occurred after lightning passed over in the earlier hours. Three fires escaped initial fire attack resulting in the CEDAR CREEK, VARDEN and DELANCY FIRES. The Varden Fire would eventually merge in with the Cedar Creek Fire, while both this one and the Delancy Fires would remain active. The CUB CREEK 2 FIRE is also being included as it is also near Winthrop, Washington.
CEDAR CREEK FIRE
Both the Cedar Creek and the Delancy Fires are still burning on Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest lands, public and private lands within Okanogan County. They are about 15 miles northwest of Winthrop and four miles WSW from Mazama, Washington.
Both are being managed by the Great Basin IMT Team1.
For the Cedar Creek Fire, it is at 52,859 acres and has gained a 26% containment status.
Reports of fire burning through containment lines (retardant lines) on the Visiliki Ridge but was quickly stopped and held to a rocky natural terrain feature. Additional work continues in other parts of the fire line.
Delancy Fire had an aerial flyover and found the fire is still being held at 223 acres, while being monitored by air and unstaffed.
Resources include 759 fire personnel, along with 238-line supervisor and support personnel. 2 Type crews, 12 crews, 9 copters, 60 engines, 28 water tenders and 21 other heavy equipment.
The Cub Creek 2 Fire was detected on July 16, 2021 at 1327 hours PT from an unknown cause. It is located five miles north of North of Winthrop, Washington.
The fire has burned approximately 62,368 acres and is 24% contained. Three structures have been lost.
There are about 633 total resources assigned to this incident.
Fire personnel are continuing to do suppression repair work and bringing in extra supplies on the western flank. The northern edge of the fire is being monitored for minor spread in the area, which they are also implementing structure protection protocols to area cabins. Additionally, personnel are building an indirect line with heavy equipment which may take up to two or more days to complete.
TFR — in effect over the fire area. Know before you fly and remember that if you are flying, air resources cannot fly due to possible mid-air collisions and the danger presented for air and ground personnel and equipment. AVOID THE AREA.
The Chuweah Creek Fire is burning about 15 miles north of Grand Coulee, Washington. It started on July 12, 2021 from lightning. The fire’s origin was deemed to have started right outside the town of Nespelem. (east of)
The fire has now been held at 36,752 acres and has reached a ninety-three percent containment status. Fire fuels include: brush, timber and short grass.
About 99 fire personnel are still attached to this incident.
Fire behavior is minimal with creeping and smoldering. Rain fell over the area yesterday, which allowed firefighters to work on the fire and reach a higher containment status.
Incident management is being handled by the NW Team 7 with IC Loomis at the helm. This is a Type 2 IMT.
Approximately 14 structures were destroyed and expenses have reached a whopping $8.8 Million Dollars as a CTD.
The CEDAR CREEK FIRE started on July 8, 2021 that was sparked from lightning in the early hours, along with the DELANCY FIRE.
Credit | USFS
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.
The VARDEN FIRE merged into the Cedar Creek Fire, while the DELANCY FIRE has burned separately in this incident. This is not a Complex.
Both the Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires are burning on Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest lands in steep and rocky terrain with heavy dead and down heavy fire fuels.
The CEDAR CREEK FIRE is 52,858 acres and has a 26% containment status. It is located about 15 miles northwest of Winthrop, Washington. Fire behavior is active with single-torching, uphill runs and flanking.
The DELANCY FIRE remains at 223 acres. No increased fire behavior has been observed but is still under monitoring by Fire Managers watching over the primary main wildfire, the Cedar Creek Fire. It is located about four miles west of Mazama, Washington.
Crews are almost done with being tasked with wood chipping and removing hazard trees.
Resources are mainly on the Cedar Creek Fire which include:
Fire Managers: Great Basin IMT Team
897 fire personnel
(1) 86-line supervisor and support personnel
(3) Type 1 hotshot crew
(10) Type 2 copters
(2) Type 1 IAA hotshot crews
(2) Camp crews
(6) Type 1 heavy copter
(1) Type 2 copters
(2) type 3 copters
68 engines
(6) dozers
(5) tactical water tenders
24 water tenders
(1) masticator
(3) skidgens
(3) excavators
(8) faller bunches
TFR — in effect over the fire area. Know before you fly and remember that if you are flying, air resources cannot fly due to possible mid-air collisions and the danger presented for air and ground personnel and equipment. AVOID THE AREA.
The Chuweah Creek Fire is burning about 15 miles north of Grand Coulee, Washington. It started on July 12, 2021 from lightning. The fire’s origin was deemed to have started right outside of Nespelem.
Credit | Colville Agency
There has been 36,752 acres of brush timber destroyed. Fire has not increased in the last 24 hours as reported by local Fire Officials. Crews however, have gained an 85% containment status.
There are 69 total personnel assigned along with one crew, five engines and one copter.
Fire behavior is minimal.
Road and area closures are still in effect.
14 structures were reportedly lost due to the incident.
There has been about $8.3 Million dollars in fire suppression and containment costs-to-date.
The CEDAR CREEK FIRE started on July 8, 2021 that was sparked from lightning in the early hours.
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.
Credit | USFS
The VARDEN FIRE merged into the Cedar Creek Fire, while the DELANCY FIRE has burned separately in this incident. This is not a Complex.
Both the Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires are burning on Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest lands in steep and rocky terrain with heavy dead and down heavy fire fuels.
The CEDAR CREEK FIRE is 41,142 acres with a 11% containment.
Hwy 20 Operations: Crews working along the highway in the Early Winter Creek area are making great progress today and yesterday. Fire Managers expected to divert resources to other areas of the incident.
Free Stone area — Fire crews continued to work in the in the area where active fire was observed. Fire has been reported as backing down towards the road and to use it as a fire break.
Little Wolf creek, Little Bridge Creek and Thompson Ridge areas — Crews worked to strengthen control features in hope of a burn out, which will stop the forward progression of the fire. Projected fire lines are due to tie in with the old Little Bridge Fire burn scar. This will create a barrier between active fire and the Twisp River.
Structure protection — is one of the Fire Managers key focus. On the way to a successful suppression and containment path, Managers are using assets, such as strike teams (State and Local) of engines by patrolling residences along the fire perimeter.
Damage Assessment — 533 homes are under threat, while two other structures were destroyed. CTD has reached $12.4 Million. Estimated containment is October 31, 2021.
The DELANCY FIRE is 223 acres. No increased fire behavior has been observed.
It is located about 15 miles northwest of Winthrop and four miles WSW of Mazama, Washington.
Resources — The are 689 total personnel along with 14 crews, 11 copters and 53 engines. Lead Agency is the USDA Forest Service.
July 27, 2021 — 1800 hours PT — Mack Lloyd Park, Winthrop, Washington
July 28, 2021 — 1800 hours PT — Twisp River Park, 325 N. Lincoln St., Twisp, Washington
Cedar Creek Fire. Credit: USFS
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.
Cause was determined to be lightning.
LOCATION
It is located about 15 miles northwest of Winthrop and four miles WSW of Mazama, Washington.
CURRENT STATUS
Cedar Creek Fire — 24,647 acres. 11% contained. The amount of acreage burned increased by 2,000 more of timber burned inside the fire perimeter. Total CTD for fire suppression and containment efforts have reached $8.4 Million with no structures lost.
Fire behavior is still active with short crown runs, flanking and with short-range spotting.
Delancy Fire — 223 acres. This fire is also in the same location as the Cedar Creek Fire. Fire fuels are timber, medium slash and short grass. Fire behavior has been observed as moderate with flanking, backing and single tree torching. Damage assessment for this incident have topped out at $300,000 to-date.
RESOURCES
There are a total of fire personnel – 535: 3 – type 1 hotshot crews, 5 – type 2 hand crews, 2 – camp crews, 4 – type 1 (heavy) helicopters, 1 – type 2 helicopter, 2 – type 3 helicopter, 55 – engines, 5 – dozers, 16 – water tenders,1 – masticator, 1 – skidgen, 3 – skidders, 1 – excavator, 4 – feller bunchers, 1 – Aerial Supervision Module, and 151 overhead.
COMMAND
Command is under the direction of IC Stock with the NW Team 8, a Type 2 IMT of both wildfires Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires.
A brush fire broke out on Friday, July 22, 2021, at 1752 hours PT, along Hwy 155, near milepost 18 and Northrup Canyon Road; 5 miles SSE of Electric City and southwest of Grand Coulee near SR-155 in Grant County, Washington.
The fire is named the NORTHRUP FIRE.
Credit — Grant County SO
Resources
112 total personnel are assigned to this incident along with two hand crews, 16 engines, two tenders and one copter.
Incident Cooperators: Grand Coulee FD, Electric City FD, Coulee Dam Fire, Grant County FD, Lincoln County, BLM, WA DNR, NIFC, Inciweb, Park Rangers, WSP Troopers.
Command is under IC Leonard Johnson representing the SEWA IMT 3 Team 2, which assumed Command on July 23, 2021, at 2000 hours.
WA State Mobe approved by the WSP Fire Marshal Office.
Courtesy — SE WA IMT
Cause
The cause is unknown and under investigation.
Current Status
This is still an active, on-going incident.
About 250-450 acres of timber, tall grass and hardwood litter have been destroyed (various sources reporting vastly different numbers). A 65% containment status has been reached since early this morning.
Fire behavior is moderate, smoldering, backing, and isolated torching.
Closures – Parks
SR 155 and Steamboat Rock Park reopened.
Evacuation Notices
All evacuation orders have been reduced down to Level 1.
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.
Credit: OK-WEN NF
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.
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.
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