8/15/2014 AM Snag Canyon Fire

FIRE STATUS Acres Burned:  approx. 12,500 Cause:  Lightning Structures Destroyed:  21 (10 residences) Closures:  Naneum Ridge State Forest is closed; Okanogan Wenatchee area has an area closure. Numerous road closures in immediate fire area Containment:  70%

RESOURCES Crews:   18 Engines: 59 Dozers: 22 Water Tenders: 12 Helicopters: 4 Total personnel:  878 Injuries: 13

At 6:00 a.m. this morning the Northern Rockies Type 1 team assumed management of the South Cle Elum Ridge Fire and are now managing both.

Incident Summary: The Snag Canyon Fire, located 12 miles northwest of Ellensburg, was started by a lightning strike on Saturday, August 2.  The fire is burning in grass, brush and timber.  The fire is burning on state and private land. The fire is also threatening the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest.

Current Situation: The Snag Canyon fire is now an estimated 12,500 acres with 878 personnel assigned.  Precipitation has occurred across the fire area leading to primarily creeping and smoldering fire conditions.  However, large diameter fuels such as logs, snags, and large tree limbs will continue to actively burn.  As the weather gets warmer and drier, an increase in fire behavior is expected to increase and smoke will become more visible.

Crews worked the fire overnight monitoring and continuing line construction.  The majority of fire activity continues to be in the northeast corner and firefighters are making progress securing containment lines. The northwest edge of the fire is burning into the 2012 Table Mountain fire, losing intensity as it hits the grass and sparse fuels.  Rehab needs are being evaluated.

Warmer, drier weather is expected to return and resources will be available for initial attack on any new fires.

Public and firefighter safety is still a significant concern.

Weather Outlook:  Thunderstorms are expected to continue to move through the area creating potential for lightning and erratic, gusty winds.  Some cells may produce heavy localized precipitation and cause flash flooding of burned areas.  Drier, warmer weather is forecasted for the weekend. 

Evacuation Information: The evacuations levels have not changed. Residents affected by the fire can contact the Kittitas County EOC at 509-933-8305 for more information, or visit the county website for updates and evacuation maps at https://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/.

Forest Closures: The Washington Department of Natural Resources issued a closure for the entire Naneum Ridge State Forest. Contact DNR Southeast Region at 509-925-8510 for details. The Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest has issued an Area Closure adjacent to the fire. More information can be found on http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4046/ or call the Cle Elum Ranger District at 509-852-1100.

Injuries: There have been 10 non-life threatening medical issues that received treatment at the local hospital. All were treated and released.

Cooperating Agencies: Department of Natural Resources, Kittitas County Sheriff, Kittitas County Emergency Management, Washington National Guard, Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue, National Guard, and United States Forest Service