9/09/2015 Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Update

Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 

 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM

Okanogan Complex Fire Update

Size: 132,634 acres	Estimated Cost to Date: 33.3 million
Containment: 85 percent	Injuries: 7
Total Personnel: 982	Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 123
Committed Resources: 19 crews, 41 engines, 5 helicopters, 7 dozers, 19 water tenders, 2 skidgines, 13 masticators

On the west side of the fire along Forest Road (FR) 42 where the perimeter is uncontained, firefighters are waiting for favorable weather and fuel conditions to conduct defensive firing operations from an indirect dozer line. Tree-falling crews continue to remove fire-weakened hazard trees along FR 42. On the northwest and north sides, crews are patrolling the fire perimeter for smoke—usually coming from smoldering stump holes—

and  mopping up as needed. Along the eastern and southern perimeters, firefighters continue to patrol, mop up, and assist the suppression-repair group. The weather today will be warmer and drier than it has been in the past several days. As unburned pockets of fuel burn in the fire’s interior, smoke might be visible from roads and residences. However, the fire is not threatening to escape the fireline, which is secure.

The acreage and cost reductions in the table above are due to the Twisp River and Nine Mile Fires no longer being reported under the Okanogan Complex. The management of those fires has been returned to the local units. California Interagency Incident Management Team 5 will transfer command of the Okanogan Complex to Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 5 today, September 9, at 6:00 p.m. At the same time, they will assume command of the Tunk Block and North Star Fires.

Chelan Complex Fire Update

Size: 88,684 acres	Estimated Cost to Date: $18.9 million
Containment: 75 percent	Injuries: 9
Total Personnel: 515	Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 23
Committed Resources: 8 crews, 30 engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders

Incident Commander Bob Allbee with Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 3 took over management of the Chelan Complex at 6:00 p.m. yesterday. The team is located at the Alta Lake Camp out of Pateros. Mop up along and inside the fire perimeter will continue today. The fire will continue to be monitored in the Saint Luise Creek area. Suppression repair of dozer lines and handlines will continue north and south from the Black Canyon and McFarland Creek Roads.

EVACUATIONS AND ROAD CLOSURES

·    The Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest issued an area closure, effective September 4, 2015, for federal lands in the fire area:  http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/4534/29367/ or http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices

·    Okanogan County Emergency Operations Center provides information on evacuations and road closures:509-422-7348