7/30/2014 12:02 pm Chiwaukum Complex Update

There will be a Community Meeting in Entiat on July 31 at 7:00 pm.This meeting will be held at Fire District #8, 2200 Entiat Way, Entiat, WA 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. Discussions on reopening of Highway 2 from Coles Corner to Mile Post 99 (just west of Leavenworth, WA) are on-going between the Incident Management Team and Washington DOT. Chiwaukum Creek Fire:   Extensive use of helicopter water drops to cool hot spots that appeared on the northwest corner and western flank limited the growth of the fire on Tuesday. Crews continued building handline on McCue Ridge using Minimum Impact Suppression Tactics along the north line into the Alpine Lakes Wilderness which reduces disturbance on the land while still creating an effective fire-line.  Other resources focused on mopping up the north line, responding to spots outside the fire-line, being able to quickly react to any new initial attack starts.  Kelly Mountain Fire:  100% containment was declared on this fire on Tuesday.  Aerial observation will continue to monitor fire behavior. Duncan Fire:  The Duncan fire sent up a thick column of smoke to 22,000 feet in elevation as it burned through an 80 acre patch of timber at the north end of the fire.  Fortunately, continued growth to the north is limited by extensive areas of bedrock with limited fuels.  The fire remained hot along the southern flank where it slowly moved downhill toward the Entiat River.  The fire is moving in this area by having burning embers roll down the slope and then burning back uphill pushed by up-canyon winds.  Heavy equipment, including timber harvesters and masticators, in combination with hand crews are thinning trees and brush along the Shady Pass Road (FR5900) and the Entiat River Road to decrease fuel loading adjacent to these roads. 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 three engine crews.  Recent infra-red flights have shown little or no remaining heat.    Weather:  The Haines Index, a measurement of potential fire growth, will remain at an elevated level of 5 (maximum of 6) on Wednesday.  Forecasted thunderstorms will likely remain south and east of the fire area.  Temperatures and relative humidity will remain at near record levels. 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

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