9/10/2015 Okanogan and Chelan Complex fire Update

Okanogan Complex Fire Update
Size: 132,634 acres Estimated Cost to Date: 34.9 million
Containment: 85 percent Injuries: 7

Total Personnel: 982 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 123
Committed Resources: 19 crews, 41 engines, 5 helicopters, 7 dozers, 19 water tenders, 2 skidgines, 13 masticators

Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 5 assumed command of the Okanogan Complex this morning at 6:00. Communication and firefighter safety are Washington Team 5’s priorities during this transition day. The incident command post (ICP) for the Okanogan Complex is at the Omak Stampede grounds, which is also the ICP for the Tunk Block and North Star Fires. The Nine Mile and Twisp River Fires are no longer part of the Okanogan Complex and are being managed by local DNR and Forest Service units.

Today will be slightly warmer and drier than yesterday, which was the first day of a warming and drying trend that will extend through the weekend. The unseasonably warm temperature, relative humidity in the high teens, and minimal cloud cover could contribute to moderate fire activity and increased smoke today, particularly on the west and northwest sides of the fire. Residents on the east side, in the Okanogan Valley, might also observe smoke as unburned fuel in the fire’s interior continues to burn. Along Forest Road 42, felling crews continue to cut down fire-weakened hazard trees to ensure public safety when the road is reopened. Firefighters continue to patrol the fire perimeter for smoke—usually coming from smoldering stump holes—and mop up as needed.

Chelan Complex Fire Update
Size: 88,684 acres Estimated Cost to Date: $19.1 million
Containment: 77 percent Injuries: 9

Total Personnel: 515 Residences Damaged or Destroyed: 23
Committed Resources: 8 crews, 30 engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders

The temperature will be 5-10 degrees above normal today through Saturday. Moderate fire behavior with warmer temperatures, lower humidity, and increased winds could cause the fire activity to spread to the northwest. Due to steep and rugged terrain, the northwest side of the fire is proving difficult to access and establish anchor points. The fire will continue to be monitored in the Saint Luise Creek area. Crews will continue to patrol on the south and southeast side of the fire today. Crews will also hold and improve control lines on the north and northeast side of the fire. The objective is to hold the fire north of Sawtooth Ridge. This complex includes the Reach, Black Canyon, McFarland Creek, Cagle, and Antoine Creek fires which have all grown
together.