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.
Yesterday
There was no significant spread due to more favorable weather and small amounts of precipitation on all fires. Fire personnel used some of the time to catch up and maintain equipment in anticipation of greater fire activity with drier and hotter weather expected this weekend.
National Guard completed their fire training and they are ready to assist with fire suppression efforts on the Chiwaukum fire along Highway 2.
Chiwaukum Creek Fire: Burn out operations were spotty yesterday as the light rain arrived, especially in shady areas. The containment line is about 200 feet short of tying in with Highway 2 on the northeast corner. Mop up continues to strengthen and deepen the suppression efforts on the entire north and east perimeters. East of Highway 2 dozers worked to open up old roads and dozer lines to serve as contingency lines if needed.
Mills Canyon: Firefighters are strengthening containment lines with mop up and rehabilitation to protect the resource.
Kelly Mountain: Firefighters were pulled yesterday from this fire due to the anticipated thunderstorms. The rain last night has cooled the fire.
Duncan: Protection efforts continued using sprinklers and clearing fuels. Smoke was visible earlier yesterday. The rain in the afternoon has reduced fire activity and spread.
Weather
More rain is expected today with another ½ inch precipitation anticipated. Rain is forecasted into the night and clearing up by tomorrow. Thursday will be cooler, drier and windier. A high pressure system is predicted to move in on Friday bringing with it warmer temperatures. The National Weather Service in Spokane has issued a flash flood watch in the fire area until 11 pm tonight.
Today's Operations
The safety of firefighters and the public remains the highest priority. PNW Team 3 is continually evaluating operations and activity on the fires they are managing and supporting neighboring incidents as appropriate. There is concern with the flash flood watch on all fires.
Chiwaukum Creek Fire: Firefighters will continue to hold and secure containment lines on the north and east perimeter, including along Highway 2 and contain the fire perimeter outside of wilderness to protect private lands. Suppression options are being considered on the southern perimeter, north of Icicle Ridge and in wilderness.
Mills Canyon Fire: Continue fire suppression repair work and continue holding and patrolling lines. Excess fire resources will continue to be shifted to other priorities.
Kelly Mountain Fire: Firefighters are constructing line both directly and utilizing natural fire breaks.
Duncan Fire: Protection measures are completed on the cabins. Equipment arrived to construct the shaded fuel break from Shady Pass to Entiat River and will be implemented today if conditions permit.
Evacuations and Other Information
Evacuations remain unchanged today. Chelan County Emergency Services posts updated evacuations and closures on their Facebook and Twitter sites at www.facebook.com/pages/Chelan-County-Emergency-Management/188543097925415 or follow them on twitter @ChelanCountyEM.
Fire updates can also be found on the Incident Information System Website (InciWeb) at http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3937/.
Highway closures and other information is available through Washington D.O.T. on their twitter feed @wsdot.
Information about flooding and other concerns after a fire moves through can be found at: www.centralwashingtonfirerecovery.info.
Smoke information can be found at: http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ and on the webcam in Leavenworth at: http://www.leavenworth.org/news-weather
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