8/16/2014 AM Upper Falls, Little Bridge Creek, Carlton Complex

Recent moisture and lower temperatures continued to create an opportunity for our firefighters to safely take more direct action on all three fires. Today’s warm up and sunshine may allow for some visible smoke in the burn areas, however high humidity should may it difficult for active fire behavior to take place. Information officers will be in the Twisp area and Farmer’s Market as well as the Winthrop area today to provide information about the Little Bridge Creek, Carlton Complex, and Upper Falls Fires.

The Little Bridge Creek Fire, located 10 miles west of Winthrop, WA between Canyon Creek and Little Bridge Creek, is 24% contained. Due to more accurate mapping, the acreage is 4,896, a decrease of 321 acres from yesterday’s report. Fire behavior has been moderated by the recent moisture. Crews constructed and improved both direct and indirect lines, concentrating on the east side yesterday. They will continue to strengthen the east side and secure the control lines on the south side of the fire. Information is at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4051.

The Upper Falls Fire, located 17 miles north of Winthrop, is at 8,118 acres. The fire is 27% contained. Recent rainfall over the fire area moderated fire behavior which has helped firefighters construct and improve fire lines. Natural barriers on the west side are being utilized for containment purposes. The fire perimeter has not expanded over the last 48 hours. Information is at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/9060.

The Carlton Complex, located five miles SW of Okanogan, 256,108 acres. The fire is 96% contained. Today, crews are continuing to secure and reinforce fire lines, also suppression repair on dozer and hand lines. There continues to be some smoldering on the interior of the fire. Information is at inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/3967.

On Sunday, August 17, 2014, the Fire Information Office will be welcoming the public for a tour of the fire camp at 2:30pm. The public is asked to meet at the fire camp entrance on Twisp/Carlton Road with an Information Officer. Please call 509-997-0880 for additional information.

Level 1 evacuations remain in effect above the bridge at the junction of County Road 9137 (East Chewuch Road) and County Road 1213 West Chewuch Road). This area is also closed to entry on National Forest lands because of the Forest closure order. No structures or infrastructure are immediately threatened. Level 1 notification remains in place for the Pine Forest, Sun Mountain, and for Twisp River Road above Elbow Coulee. The incident management team is also coordinating initial attack response for the Methow Valley Ranger District.

Total personnel–1,654	Hot shot crews–9	Type II crews–31
Type 1 helicopters–2	Type 2 helicopters–3	Type 3 helicopters–4
Engines–115	Water tenders–30	Dozers–16

Email Address:          upperfallslittlebridgefire@gmail.com

Facebook:                  Great Basin National Incident Management Team 1

Wildfire blog:            upperfallslittlebridgefire.blogspot.com

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