Sunday, July 27, 2014

7/28/2014 Fire Update Chiwaukum and Mills Canyon Fire


Suppression of these fires is an interagency effort, including Chelan County Fire Districts 1, 3, 8 and 9; Washington DNR; Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, and the Bureau of Land Management.
The Southern Area Incident Management Team (Dueitt) began managing the incident last night as the Pacific Northwest Team 3 transferred management of the Chiwaukum Complex.
With the dry and clear weather yesterday, aircraft were able to fly reconnaissance on all fires.  The smoke and fire production increased and air operations increased the number of water drops on the fireline
A plan to reopen Highway 2 from Coles Corner to Mile Post 99 (just west of Leavenworth, WA) has been postponed at this time.  A window of opportunity to begin a two day burn-out operation on the west side of Chiwaukum Creek could present itself on Sunday and Monday.  This planned burn-out operation is critical to our control objective of keeping the fire west of Highway 2.  "Weather forecasts indicates higher temperatures and lower humidity beginning Wednesday  stated Incident Commander Mike Duiett.  We would like to complete this line west and along Highway 2 as safely as possible."
Chiwaukum Creek Fire:   Ground firefighters are making progress and will continue for the next 2 to 3 days on burn out operations on the north and east perimeters.  Mop up continues along Highway 2 giving the burned area more depth.  Helicopters were able to drop water on hot spots located on the wilderness, southern, and north-eastern perimeters which were showing increased fire activity.
 
Kelly Mountain/Duncan fires:  Two Hotshot crews continue to mop up on the Kelly Mountain  fire.  Containment has increased to 70%.  Hand crews and equipment continue to clear heavy brush and small trees along Shady Pass Road on the Duncan fire.  The North and the West  perimeters are showing increased fire activity.
Mills Canyon:  Only 5% of this fire remains uncontained and will continue to be monitored.  Full containment is anticipated in 7-9 days.   
Weather:  The high pressure system is bringing in warmer and drier weather today and into next week.  Fire fighters are anticipating increased fire behavior on all fires today.   Winds will be driven by terrain in the area of the fires.
Evacuations/Closure Information:  Road closures along all county roads located between, or originating from, Highway 2 between Nason and Coles Corner were lifted today. Additionally, the level 3 evacuation notice in effect for the same area was downgraded to level 1. Chelan County Emergency Services posts updated evacuations and closures on their Facebook and Twitter sites at 
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices
Smoke Informationhttp://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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