Thursday, July 31, 2014

7/31/2014 1:19 pm Chiwaukum Fire Update

Highway 2   re-opened today at 0900 on July 31, 2014. There are Washington DOT pilot cars from the Alps store to Winton (approximately 8 miles). Fire operational personnel and traveling public will be piloted in both directions at 35 miles per hour. There will be traffic control points staffed at the turn around points to hold additional traffic. All piloted road turn outs will be marked with "No Parking" signs and/or cones.  Stopping will not be allowed within the piloted area. 
This piloted route is planned for 3-4 days. Having this road remain open will depend on fire behavior, any initial attack near the road, any medical emergencies, spot fires, and the traveling public's adherence to the rules.  At any time there is a safety issue to the public and/or fire personnel, the road will be closed and the detour through Chumstick will resume.
The Type 1 Southern Area Incident Management Team (Dueitt) is managing the Chiwaukum Complex.
Suppression of these fires is an interagency effort, including Chelan County Fire Districts 1, 3, 4, 8 and 9; Washington DNR; Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and the National Guard.
Chiwaukum Creek Fire:   The fire was active on the northwest corner and western flank yesterday. Portions of southern flank grew slowly. Crews were successful in maintaining containment on the north and east perimeter. Due to unstable atmospheric conditions hot air above the fire carried ash and debris, creating smoke plumes over the fire. Helicopters dropped over 300,000 gallons of water to cool hot spots, helping to limit the growth of the fire on Thursday. Crews extended the
McCue Ridge  handline to the west.  Other resources focused on mopping up the north line, responding to spots outside the fire-line. Resources are in place around the fire for rapid response to any new starts in the area.  
Duncan Fire:  The Duncan fire sent up a column of smoke to 30,000 feet in elevation as it burned an additional 846 acres on the north and south flanks.  The fire remained hot along the southern flank where it slowly moved downhill toward the Entiat River.  Heavy equipment, in combination with hand crews are thinning trees and brush along the Shady Pass Road (FR5900). Work along the Entiat River Road has been completed and crews have been repositioned south of the fire to support work on the shaded break. This fuel break will give managers a range of suppression options if the fire moves to the south and east. 
Mills Canyon Fire:  95% of this fire is contained and will continue to be monitored by engine crews.  
Kelly Mountain Fire:  100% containment was declared on the fire on Tuesday and is monitor status.
Weather:  The Haines Index, a measurement of potential fire growth, will remain at an elevated level of 5 (maximum of 6).  There is a chance of thunderstorms in the area on Friday into Saturday. High temperatures and low relative humidity are expected.
Evacuations/Closure Information:  Chelan County Emergency Services posts updated evacuations and closures on their Facebook and Twitter sites at facebook.com/pages/Chelan-County-Emergency-Management/188543097925415 or follow them on twitter @ChelanCountyEM. 
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices
Smoke Information:  http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ and Leavenworth  webcam at:  http://www.leavenworth.org/news-weather
Highway Information: http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts/ or follow twitter: @wsdot



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