8/18/2014 8:00 am South Cle Elum ridge Fire Update

Current Situation: Yesterday firefighters completed building direct lines on the northeastern
corner of
the fire, south of the 4510 Road. Today they will clean up and reinforce those lines.  On the
northwest corner of the fire, existing lines are also being reinforced, in preparation for winds
associated with a cold frontal passage forecast tomorrow.  Benign fire behavior is expected today,
but as the weather warms and fuels dry, the potential for more active behavior will increase. Air
resources are available from the Snag Canyon Fire.

The Forest Service closure in the area of the South Cle Elum Ridge Fire is still in place. The area
closure includes all roads and trails within that area.  Be sure you know where you are and that
you are not violating the closure.  It is being strictly enforced.


Weather Outlook:  It will be warm and dry today with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms
over the fire area. Tomorrow is expected to be windy as a cold front passes through the area.

Forest Closures: For public and firefighter safety the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has
issued an
Area Closure in the Taneum Creek Area. Road blocks are in place on Forest Road 4510 (Woods and
Steele Road), junction of Forest Roads 3350 and 119 (Five Corners) and Forest Road 3300 at the
Bridge across the South Fork Taneum Creek.

A campfire ban is currently in place for all forested lands in Kittitas County.  It is extremely
important that forest visitors and campers continue to cooperate and support local firefighting
efforts by having no campfires

For US Forest area closure information contact: Cle Elum Ranger District: 509.852.1100 Monday
through Friday 8-4:30pm.

Evacuation Information: No change in evacuation levels. There continues to be a Level 1 evacuation
advisement for the 15 homes over a mile away from the fire on the Woods and Steele Road.

Cooperating Agencies: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington State Department of
Natural Resources, Kittitas County Fire Districts 7 and 1, and Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office.