9/18/2017 Jolly Mountain Fire Update

Jolly Mountain Fire Update Monday September 18th, 2017   This will be the last daily update for the Jolly Mountain Fire. When available, updated fire and closure information will be shared on Inciweb and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest website. Yesterday’s Activities: Success in meeting fire management objectives have allowed crews to backhaul much of the equipment that was used to protect homes and resources and begin important repair work on the landscape. Crews continued mop-up and patrol of fireline along the 903 road and the North Fork Teanaway Road. Falling crews spent the day removing hazard trees that posed a risk to public safety or blocked access. Precipitation and increased relative humidity helped to moderate fire growth. Today’s Activities: To prevent long term environmental degradation of the land and its natural resources and to encourage recovery, fire personnel are working to identify and repair damage that resulted from fire suppression activities. Crews will also continue patrolling for hotspots and conducting mop-up to further secure containment lines, especially along North Fork Teanaway Road and the Salmon la Sac area. Backhaul of fire equipment is ongoing along the fire’s contained perimeter. Team Transition: On Monday, September 18, Pacific Northwest Team 2 transferred command to a local Type 3 team led by Incident Commander Tom Roach. A number of division supervisors and overhead leadership remain the same; ensuring a smooth transition with no anticipated loss in effectiveness. Post-Fire Safety: Residents returning to their homes are reminded to exercise caution as fire personnel and equipment are still active in the area. Smoke and occasional flames will continue to be visible in the fire interior. Walking through blackened areas is dangerous for people and pets. Even with precipitation, deep pockets of heat will remain for some time. Trees may fall easily, even without wind, and rocks and other debris may fall downhill on fire-weakened slopes. Heavy precipitation could increase the risk of flooding and mudflows in the burned area. Weather and Fire Behavior: Rain will continue to fall today and into the week, with a corresponding increase in relative humidity, helping to minimize fire behavior. Temperatures will continue to trend downward through the week. Evacuations and Closures: Fire-related evacuation advisories and closures remain in effect to ensure the safety of firefighters, residents, and the public. For evacuation information, visit the Kittitas County Sheriff’s website at http://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/sheriff.For forest closures, visit the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest’s website athttps://www.fs.usda.gov/okawen/.