7/29/2014 8:50 am Carlton Complex Fire Update

Carlton Complex (South Zone)

Acres: 250,806 (total complex)               Start Date:  7/14/2014               Cause: Lightning               
Location: The Carlton Complex South Zone is located on private, state and federally managed lands north of Chelan, Washington. 

Current Information:
Heavy vegetation and steep terrain in some areas of the fire continue to make handline construction slow and difficult. Firefighters are continuing to improve line and mop-up around the Alta Lake area and along existing containment lines. Direct line construction continues today from Little Joe Creek to Left Fork drainage. Estimated containment of the fires in the South Zone is 94%. Helicopters will be available for water drops and air reconnaissance over the fire area.  There is no threat from fire activity to the cities of Pateros, Brewster, Chelan, or Manson.

Hot temperatures and lower relative humidities will occur over the fire today. Winds will remain light in the morning with isolated gusty afternoon winds.

The surrounding communities have expressed their gratitude for the continued outpouring of donations and aid that keeps sustaining their citizens.

Effective immediately, donations of goods are no longer accepted for victims of wildfires Carlton Complex.  The generosity of donors has exceeded the capacity of the Okanogan County resources to manage and store donations.  Items will be collected and moved to a central location and then distributed to members of the community.  If you still want to help victims of wildfires Carlton complex, monetary donations can be made to the American Red Cross or other agencies that provide assistance to those affected.

Advisories:                                               
Portions of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest remain closed due to the fire activity.  Please contact the Fire Information line listed at the top of the page for more specific information.

The community of Lake Chelan would like the public to know that businesses are open as usual.

Burn Planned for East side of Carlton North this  Morning

The Carlton - North area of the complex will be conducting a burnout operation on the NE corner of the fire about 3 miles NW of the ski area.  Operations personnel were waiting for better weather, but the fire has forced their hand as it is getting into heavy down timber & beetle kill.  If it got established in that area, it would be very difficult to stop and would spread east, so a low intensity, ground fire is preferable. The firing Operation will begin (roughly) about 9 am and the plume could be visible.

Things are looking pretty good in other areas of the fire.  To the north, crews are still prepared for a burning operation east of Pearrygin Lake to tie the large spot fire into the main body of the fire and secure the western edge from moving west.  However, they are still looking for other options and there is still no certain time for that firing operation.

To the SW, they were successful in getting all the line in around the Gold Creek, Libby Creek, Macfarland Road area. However, there isn't much depth to the line and it needs to be mopped up further to ensure it will stay within that boundary.  It will be a few days before they call that area contained, but its good news that the line was completely tied in yesterday.

A lot of work is being done, and aircraft may be visible around Leecher Mountain Lookout.  They are trying to protect the lookout from burning and so are prepping the area, but the fire has been active around the tower.  Smoke has been popping up all around the open area in the center of the fire footprint, NW of Gebbers Farm.  Fuels treatments in the area have successfully kept the fire from moving into that area but torching trees have been seen around the perimeter.  Bucket work will continue there to hold that in check.