9/3/2017 Jolly Mountain Fire Update

Jolly Mountain Fire Kittitas County Sheriff Office Interactive Evacuation Map Jolly Mountain Fire Incident Website   Great Basin Incident Management Team 4

Jolly Mountain Fire Update   Sunday, September 03, 2017   Start Date Cause Size Percent  Containment Crews Helicopters Engines Total Personnel 8/11 Lightning 18,085 acres 0% 10 5 67 600 Location:  Cle Elum Ranger District, Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, 11 miles northwest of Cle Elum, WA Summary:  A heavy smoke inversion subdued the Jolly Mountain Fire until around 2:30 yesterday afternoon but also prevented aircraft from flying.  As soon as the inversion lifted, fire activity increased, spreading quickly in the West Fork of the Teanaway River drainage.  The southern and eastern flanks were the most active.  Air operations were successful in moderating fire growth.  Large airtankers were used and dropped a total of 36,000 gallons of retardant.  Over 84,000 gallons of water was dropped on the fire by helicopters (22,000 gallons) and four scooper planes (62,000 gallons).  Extreme fire behavior was observed on the south flank where spot fires were located up to a half-mile in front of the main fire.  An inversion settled into the valleys again last night.  When it lifts, today will be another challenging day on the fire, as weather conditions will reach critical levels.  While fire crews have been successful thus far in protecting values at risk, there are over 20 miles of active fire perimeter currently uncontained on the fire. Additional resources arrived on the fire yesterday.  The state has mobilized 44 fire engines to assist in protecting the communities threatened by the Jolly Mountain Fire.  A full night shift is in place, and firefighters continue to burnout along contingency lines to slow the main fire as it approaches those lines.  The burnout operation has been successful so far.  The lines will be tested today or tomorrow as the fire spreads under the critical weather conditions.  In response to the increasing complexity of the fire, a Type 1 team has been ordered to replace Great Basin Team 4 as they conclude their assignment on the fire.  The incoming team will begin arriving today.  They will spend tomorrow learning about the fire operations and the communities before assuming command of the fire on Tuesday morning. RED FLAG WARNING – Weather:  The National Weather Service has issued a Red Flag Warning – a weather descriptor used to indicate the high probability for extreme burning conditions – today due to atmospheric instability, high temperatures, low relative humidity, and critically dry fuels.  Firefighters will be on the alert for fast moving fire and large growth.  Development of a large convection column is possible, which may create its own winds. Evacuations:  Don’t be scared; be prepared by remembering the five P’s for evacuations:  people (and pets), prescriptions, personal computers, photos, and papers.  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:  To ensure the safety of firefighters, residents, and the public, area closures are in effect.  Forest Service lands in upper Cle Elum Valley are closed beyond the Last Resort Restaurant on State Route 903 and east to Highway 97.  The Nature Conservancy lands east of Cle Elum Lake are closed.  All Washington Department of Natural Resources lands in the Teanaway River Corridor west of Route 97 including all campgrounds in the Teanaway Community Forest are closed.  Please consult detailed maps, available on fire information boards as well as posted online, prior to making plans. Fire Restrictions:  All campfires are banned on Cle Elum Ranger District due to the high fire danger.

Jolly Mountain Fire Information: (505) 303-0057 (8:00 am to 8:00 pm) Jolly Mountain Fire Information recorded line: (505) 585-5048 Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/5496/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jollymountainfireinfo/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/jolly_mountain Email: jollymountainfireinfo@gmail.com Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.