8/16/2014 AM South Cle Elum Ridge Fire Update

FIRE STATUS Acres Burned: 894 acres Containment: 70% Structures Destroyed:  0 Closures:  Closure Area for Taneum Creek on Cle Elum Ranger District, Campfire Ban                   Cause:  Lightning suspected; formal investigation pending

RESOURCES Crews: 13  Engines: 40 Dozers: 5 Helicopters: 4 Total personnel:  493 Injuries: 6

Be heads up – area, road and trail closures are being enforced

Current Situation:  There was no increase in acreage over the last three days.  Even though there was no measureable rain over the fire area yesterday cooler temperatures and higher humidity aided firefighting efforts. Crews continued to strengthen the containment lines mopping up 60 feet in.   Today with the favorable weather conditions, firefighters will be concentrating on the northeastern corner working directly on the fire edge to get a line in.

The fire is not expected to spread today but it will continue creeping and smoldering in the thick duff layers in the interior of the fire area. 

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 slightly warmer and drier today with a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms over the fire area.  Warmer and dryer conditions will continue through Monday.

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.