Saturday, August 11, 2018

8/11/2018 Crescent Mountain Update

CRESCENT MOUNTAIN FIRE
Level 2 Evacuations
Crescent Mountain Fire

August 11, 2018 @ 8:00 a.m.

Crescent Mountain Acres: 15,975  0% contained
Personnel: 586
Point of Origin: Approximately 21 miles west of the town of Twisp
Start Date: July 29, 2018 
Cause: Lightning
             
NOTICE: This will be the only update today unless fire activity significantly increases

Red Flag Warning today, until 8:00 p.m., for dry thunderstorms followed by gusty winds

Current Activity: Fire growth continued to be minimal yesterday and overnight. Most of the growth was limited to the west side of the fire into the Lake Chelan - Sawtooth Wilderness, with minor growth near Gilbert Mountain and the area north of Poplar Flat Campground. Despite a cold front moving through the area, causing winds to shift and increase, firefighters were able to hold the fire within established lines and roads. Spot fires occurred in the War Creek and Buttermilk Road areas last night and firefighters were able to quickly control them. Firefighters continued reducing fuels along key roads using heavy equipment and extended hand lines to strategic locations. Work continues in assessing homes and other structures in the Twisp River drainage. Fire managers have been working with local fire departments to coordinate structure protection strategies. Protection efforts also continued at Poplar Flats Campground and other recreation facilities. Firefighters continued to extend water lines to the War Creek area, along Scaffold Ridge, and in other key locations. The southern fire edge remains approximately 1.7 miles from the closest structure in the Twisp River drainage and 13 miles from the Town of Twisp.

Evacuations: The Level 2 evacuation notice includes the entire area of Twisp River Road up drainage from Little Bridge Creek Road. Level 2 means prepare now to go immediately in the event that the evacuation level is elevated to a Level 3. With predicted weather, the fire is expected to continue to move eastward and could result in an elevation to a Level 3 for upper Twisp River residents dependent upon fire behavior and movement. Level 3 means leave the area immediately. 

Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued a closure order associated with the fire area. Specific trail, road, and area closures, and a closure map for the fire, can be found athttps://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/maps/6093/. A temporary flight restriction is in place over the fire area. For details, see http://tfr.faa.gov/save_pages/detail_8_6341.html
 
Smoke: Numerous fires in the area will continue to generate heavy smoke. For more information on smoke and public health, please visit: wasmoke.blogspot.com,  https://www.purpleair.com/, andhttps://www.wildlandfiresmoke.net/outlooks/. For smoke information in Spanish visit: https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/AirQuality/SmokeFromFires/HumodeIncendiosDespite the smoke, the towns of Twisp and Winthrop remain open for business and recreational opportunities.
 
Fire Information:
Fire Information Center: (480) 744-9318      

-End- 

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