A new start, designated the Hansel fire, on the west side of Highway 97, north of Blewett Pass and between Ingalls and Hansel Creeks had grown to between 10 and 20 acres on Sunday evening. Helicopters from the Fromm's field helibase and a hot-shot hand crew were dispatched and began suppression efforts on this new fire Sunday evening. Four hot-shot crews are being sent to the fire on Monday morning to take advantage of remaining moisture in the fuels from the August 2nd rains to build direct fire-line before the weather turns to favoring fire growth on Tuesday.
The Courage Classic, a three day bicycle tour through the State of Washington consisting of approximately 500 riders, will be traveling up the Chumstick Road from Leavenworth on Monday morning and then over Stevens Pass on Highway 2. Excellent coordination between firefighters and ride organizers should result in minimum disruption to the event and firefighting efforts.
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: Contingency lines between Highway 2 and the Chumstick Highway have been completed and back-haul of some equipment has begun. The 35 mph speed limit along the affected areas of Highway 2 has been lifted. Firefighting efforts will concentrate on mopping up of the north and east lines and rehabilitating non-essential fire-lines. Available resources are being repositioned from Chiwaukum to Duncan in anticipation of increased fire behavior.
Duncan Fire: Fire behavior was light on the Duncan fire on Sunday, the south and east flanks continue to show heat and projections show that growth in those directions is possible the next few days. Masticators, machines that grind up slash into smaller, less flammable pieces, are being used along the contingency line that is based on the Shady Pass (FR2900) and Entiat River Roads. The structures above Lake Creek Campground on the Entiat River Road have been wrapped with fire-resistant material and have had sprinklers strategically placed around them. Additional contingency lines are being scouted to the south and east in anticipation of increased fire activity. Helicopter water drops continue to be used to cool hot areas. The Entiat River Road remains closed at the 25 milepost (approximately 3 miles south of Fox Creek Campground).
Hansel Fire: This fire is burning on steep ground in heavy fuels. Projections show it wanting to move toward the east. Expected fire behavior on Monday will be torching, spotting and roll-outs of burning embers down the slopes. Lake Wenatchee Ranger District personnel will be sweeping the popular Ingalls Creek Trail to ensure no hikers are in areas of possible fire growth.
Kelly Mountain Fire: 100% containment was declared on this fire on July 29. Aerial observation will continue to monitor fire behavior.
Mills Canyon Fire: This fire was proclaimed 100% contained on August 2. Three engines staffed by nine people are continuing to monitor any activity associated with the fire.
Weather: A return of high pressure will create conditions favorable for the drying of fuels including higher temperatures and lower humidity. Forecasts call for a possible return of the Haines Index to 5 (high potential for fire growth) on Tuesday with winds picking up from the northwest. Traditionally in central Washington Haines Indexes of 5 have corresponded with large growth of fires.
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
The Courage Classic, a three day bicycle tour through the State of Washington consisting of approximately 500 riders, will be traveling up the Chumstick Road from Leavenworth on Monday morning and then over Stevens Pass on Highway 2. Excellent coordination between firefighters and ride organizers should result in minimum disruption to the event and firefighting efforts.
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: Contingency lines between Highway 2 and the Chumstick Highway have been completed and back-haul of some equipment has begun. The 35 mph speed limit along the affected areas of Highway 2 has been lifted. Firefighting efforts will concentrate on mopping up of the north and east lines and rehabilitating non-essential fire-lines. Available resources are being repositioned from Chiwaukum to Duncan in anticipation of increased fire behavior.
Duncan Fire: Fire behavior was light on the Duncan fire on Sunday, the south and east flanks continue to show heat and projections show that growth in those directions is possible the next few days. Masticators, machines that grind up slash into smaller, less flammable pieces, are being used along the contingency line that is based on the Shady Pass (FR2900) and Entiat River Roads. The structures above Lake Creek Campground on the Entiat River Road have been wrapped with fire-resistant material and have had sprinklers strategically placed around them. Additional contingency lines are being scouted to the south and east in anticipation of increased fire activity. Helicopter water drops continue to be used to cool hot areas. The Entiat River Road remains closed at the 25 milepost (approximately 3 miles south of Fox Creek Campground).
Hansel Fire: This fire is burning on steep ground in heavy fuels. Projections show it wanting to move toward the east. Expected fire behavior on Monday will be torching, spotting and roll-outs of burning embers down the slopes. Lake Wenatchee Ranger District personnel will be sweeping the popular Ingalls Creek Trail to ensure no hikers are in areas of possible fire growth.
Kelly Mountain Fire: 100% containment was declared on this fire on July 29. Aerial observation will continue to monitor fire behavior.
Mills Canyon Fire: This fire was proclaimed 100% contained on August 2. Three engines staffed by nine people are continuing to monitor any activity associated with the fire.
Weather: A return of high pressure will create conditions favorable for the drying of fuels including higher temperatures and lower humidity. Forecasts call for a possible return of the Haines Index to 5 (high potential for fire growth) on Tuesday with winds picking up from the northwest. Traditionally in central Washington Haines Indexes of 5 have corresponded with large growth of fires.
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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