8/28/2016 Buck Creek Fire Update

Sunday, August 28, 2016 7:00 a.m.  
                                                                                                                        

Fire managers brief community members on Buck Creek and Saul fires; Firefighters support new wildfire

Leavenworth, WA – Saturday morning, fire managers from the Buck Creek/Saul Fire Complex talked with approximately 40 people about the goals of managing both fires and answered questions from concerned community members. However that afternoon, a fast moving wildfire broke out in the Fox Road area of Leavenworth and quickly became the focal point of both the public and fire resources.

To support this immediate threat to life and safety, Wenatchee River Ranger District Crew 74 halted fire preparation work along the Chiwawa River Road and were transferred to assist with the Suncrest Fire. USFS Engine 373 was called in to help from the Wenatchee River Ranger Station.

“We are fully ready to support firefighting efforts in Leavenworth,” said Buck Creek Fire Incident Commander Trainee Jon Tepley. “Our advanced work on the Buck Creek Fire allowed us to send help when it was needed.”

Although windy conditions up the Chiwawa River called for crews to stand down for safety reasons by mid-day, fire growth on the Buck Crew Fire was minimal. The Saul Fire is now approximately 300 acres in size and well within the Glacier Peak Wilderness.

For more information on the Suncrest fire in Leavenworth, visit the Chelan County Fire District 3 website at:http://www.chelanfd3.org/

Closures: Fire closures remain in effect for the Buck Creek Fire, which include all campgrounds north of Schaefer Creek Campground and all trailheads on FS-6200. This includes the Buck Creek Trail No. 1513, Chiwawa River Trail No. 1550, Phelps Creek Trail No. 1511, Carne Mountain Trail No. 1508, Little Giant Pass Trail No. 1518, Rock Creek Trail No. 1509 and the Old Gib Trail No. 1528. Also closed is the Indian Creek Trail No. 1502. Campgrounds that are closed include Phelps Creek, Alpine Meadows, Nineteen Mile and Atkinson Flat.

Smoke: Some smoke may be noticeable in local valleys, including the communities of Plain and Lake Wenatchee, during the morning hours. As the fire continues to spread in the coming weeks, smoke may become noticeable in areas along the Wenatchee, Entiat, Chelan and Methow valleys. For more information on smoke and public health, please visit the State of Washington Department of Ecology website at: https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/enviwa/

Fire Information:

facebook.com/OkaWenNF

twitter.com/OkaWenNF

inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4926/