8/23/2015 Chelan Complex Update

Chelan Complex: Yesterday, crews fortified dozer and handlines along Forest Road 8020 on Cooper Ridge, while continuing firing operations on unburnt fuel pockets for a consistent burnout to reduce fuel load. Today we will extend fire lines to the northwest along Cooper Ridge using a network of roads and bulldozer lines. Firing operations will be supported by helicopter water drops as needed. Firefighters continue constructing fire line in the upper reaches of Squaw and McFarland Creeks. Portions of the Chelan Complex within three miles of Chelan and all areas east of the Columbia River are completely contained. Firefighters continue to patrol these areas, monitoring or extinguishing flare-ups in areas of unburned fuels inside the fire perimeter. First Creek: For the second day in a row, the north end of the fire was extremely active into the late night. Crews held fire line with equipment and burning operations upslope of the Morning Sun area. During day operations, crews prepare fire line by manually removing ladder fuels, expanding dozer contingency lines, and placing hoselay and sprinkler systems. As conditions permit, firing operations will continue today with the goal of holding the fire on Slide Ridge, a natural fuel break.  Southeast winds are expected to increase fire activity on the northwest end of the First Creek Fire again today, challenging firefighters’ ability to keep the fire below Slide Ridge and away from structures. Wolverine:   Visibility limited helicopter-supported water drops on the fire in the north side of Castle Creek, the northern end of the fire near Stehekin. As conditions allow today, helicopters will resume dropping water north of Castle Creek. The fire continued moving down the Entiat River drainage, just past Myrtle Lake. Structure protection is beginning on the Cottonwood guard station, and fire personnel are developing a strategy for slowing the fire’s spread south down the Entiat River. Air and ground forces will monitor fire spread in the Entiat River corridor throughout the day. As resources become available, strategies will be implemented to slow fire spread along the Entiat River. On the southeast end of the Wolverine Fire, the ridge between Pyramid Creek and Graham Harbor is being held with helicopter water drops. Mop-up is nearly complete in Holden Village. Level 3 evacuations remain for Holden Village, Lucerne, Domke Lake, Riddle, and Lightning Creek. Weather:  The warming and drying trend will continue with a thermal trough building up along the Cascades, which will increase low level instability and create critical fire weather conditions today.  A Red Flag Warning is in effect from noon today through 9:00 pm Monday. Temperatures in the valley will be in the upper 80s to lower 90s and in the upper 70s on the ridges. Relative humidity will be 14-17%. Light northeast winds at 5-7 mph are expected in the morning, becoming east to southeast at 5-7 mph this afternoon. An inversion will cause smoke to hang in the valleys until 10:00 am and may hamper air operations. Community Meeting: There will be a 7 pm community meeting in Manson at the Grange Hall.

Evacuation/Aid Information: Level 3 evacuations are in place for approximately 1,000 residents in the greater Chelan area. Evacuation information is available from Chelan County Emergency Management. Red Cross shelters are established at MOE Elementary, 407 East Woodin Ave, Chelan; Sterling Middle School, 600 North James Street, East Wenatchee; and Brewster High School, 503 S 7th St, Brewster.