8/1/2014 11:59 am Chiwaukum Creek Fire Update

Highway 2 opened yesterday at 0900 on July 31, 2014. There are Washington DOT pilot cars from the Alps store to Winton (approximately 8 miles). Fire personnel and traveling public will be piloted in both directions at 35 miles per hour. There will be traffic control points staffed at the turn around points to hold additional traffic. All piloted road turn outs will be marked with "No Parking" signs and/or cones.   Stopping will not be allowed within the piloted area.

Today and the weekend will bring heavier traffic to this road. Having this road remain open will depend on fire behavior, any initial attack near the road, any medical emergencies, spot fires, and the traveling public's adherence to the rules.  At any time there is a safety issue to the public and/or fire personnel, the road will be closed and the detour through Chumstick will resume.

Evacuations: The Plain River, Ponderosa Estates, Shell station and residences near Coles Corner, and Nason Creek Campground have moved from a Level 2 to a Level 1. 

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.

Chiwaukum Creek Fire:   The fire was active on along the southwestern and western flanks yesterday. Pockets of unburned fuel within the fire perimeter continued to burn. Crews continue to successfully maintain firelines on the north and east perimeter. Unstable atmospheric conditions supported the formation of smoke plumes over the fire. Helicopters were active in supporting suppression efforts with water drops, helping to limit the growth of the fire. Crews continued to extend the McCue Ridge handline to the west.  To the north, firefighters focused on mopping up and responding to spots outside the fireline. Resources are in place around the fire for rapid response to any new starts in the area due predicted thunderstorms and dry lightning.  

Duncan Fire:  The fire was very active on the north and west flank yesterday.  This activity resulted in a smoke plume easily seen from Entiat and surrounding areas.   Helicopters are being used to cool hot spots throughout the fire with focus on the southern flank. Heavy equipment, in combination with hand crews continued thinning trees and brush along the Shady Pass Road (FR5900). This fuel break will give managers a range of suppression options if the fire moves to the south and east. Structural protection in the area is ongoing.  Night shifts are being staffed. 

Mills Canyon Fire:  95% of this fire is contained and will continue to be monitored by engine crews.  

Kelly Mountain Fire:  100% containment was declared on the fire on Tuesday and is monitor status.

Weather:  Above normal temperatures will continue through the upcoming weekend as high pressure remains dominant over the inland Northwest. Mid-level moisture will move north, northwest into the Cascades early Friday bringing scattered showers and isolated thunderstorms. The National Weather Service has issued a Fire Weather Watch for the fire area and is in effect from 1100 to 2300 PDT Friday. The storms are not expected to produce wetting rains. 

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

Highway Information: http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts/ or follow twitter: @wsdot

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http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3976/

https://twitter.com/ChiwaukumFire

https://www.facebook.com/ChiwaukumCreekFire