Location: Cle Elum Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA
Summary: Yesterday, helicopters dropped nearly 55,000 gallons of water on the Jolly Mountain Fire and the FireBoss scooper planes dropped an additional 30,000 gallons of water on the fire. Aerial firefighting resources drop water on the fire perimeter to minimize spread and slow the fire’s progression. Due to safety concerns – including the steep terrain and numerous standing, dead trees – firefighters are building indirect firelines in places where the likelihood of success is higher. As the fire approaches those lines, firefighters will take actions to prevent it from spreading beyond those lines. Currently, firefighters are evaluating opportunities to contain the fire at Sasse Ridge.
Much of the growth on the fire yesterday occurred on the western edge and also on the spot fires in the southeast corner. Firefighting resources are monitoring the fire throughout the night and are available to respond if necessary to any increased fire activity. Additional resources continue to arrive on the fire. The two scooper planes will continue working from Cle Elum Lake today. Recreation is allowed on the lake; however, please stay away from areas where aircraft are working, and do not approach patrol boats unless you need emergency assistance.
Weather: High temperatures today will approach the low-90s. Relative humidity could be as low as the high-teens. Winds remain light. Another system approaches the area mid-week and will bring a mild reprieve. Higher than normal temperatures will return Labor Day weekend, along with relative humidity that may drop into the low-teens.
Evacuations: Evacuations are in effect. Visit the Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office webpage for complete descriptions of the Level 1 (Ready), Level 2 (Set), and Level 3 (Go) evacuation notices. An interactive map, which allows a homeowner to enter an address and see its evacuation status, is available at
https://tinyurl.com/yb2wfelg.
Closures: In response to firefighting efforts and to ensure the safety of firefighters, residents, and the public, area closures have been enacted by the local land management agencies. All Forest Service lands in the upper Cle Elum Valley are closed, including all roads, trails and campgrounds north of the Last Resort Restaurant located on State Route 903. The Nature Conservancy has closed all TNC-managed lands east of Cle Elum Lake. Washington Department of Natural Resources has closed lands north of the West Fork and west of North Fork of the Teanaway River. Please consult detailed maps, available on fire information boards as well as posted online, prior to making recreational plans.
Fire Restrictions: All campfires are banned on Cle Elum Ranger District due to the high fire danger
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