Acreage: 41,376
Containment: 45 percent
Personnel: 526
Evacuation Levels Decrease Around Plain
Incident Management Team Right Sizes Operation
Cougar Creek Fire:
Evacuation levels were reduced yesterday west of the Cougar Creek Fire. Chiwawa Loop Road area (including Shugart Flats and Chiwawa River Pines communities) is now at a Level 1 and evacuation levels have been completely lifted for those areas west of the fire that were already at Level 1.
Fire behavior was moderated yesterday due to higher humidity, some single tree torching occurred well within the fire perimeter and smoke was visible in the Grandma Creek area. Patrolling and securing fire line around southern and eastern edges continues and firefighters are addressing suppression repair and rehabilitation needs along roads. Line construction has progressed along the fire’s north western edge, tying together sections of line in the most rugged terrain. Crews are locating and extinguishing hot spots on, and adjacent to, the fire perimeter. They are working on the alternate fireline in the Mosquito ridge area and, if conditions allow, may conduct a burnout operation near Burgess Cabin to secure that fire edge.
Lost Fire:
The Lost Fire has been held at 80 acres. Containment lines are complete. The fire will continue to be monitored by air using Distributed Real-Time Infrared (DRTI) and air attack aircraft.
Bannock Lakes Fire:
Burning in a remote section of the Glacier Peaks Wilderness, the Bannock Lakes Fire is now 485 acres in size. The fire is burning among large rocky outcroppings and isolated clusters of timber in steep, inaccessible terrain. It is being monitored by air and satellite. The Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail (PCT) is closed from Suiattle Pass to High Bridge. The PCT detour is from Suiattle Pass to Stehekin. More information is available at www.pcta.org.
Weather and Fire Behavior:
The forecast over the next two days calls for a slight increase in temperatures along with slight decrease in relative humidity, creating conditions for more active fire behavior. This change in weather can be considered “a double edge sword”, causing an increase in fire activity on areas of the fire still unsecured, while also allowing firefighters to make a more secure line with successful burnout operations on the fire’s west side. Tomorrow will bring the possibility of Red Flag warning for higher winds, and the potential for increased fire growth along edges not yet contained.
Traffic Safety:
Fire equipment will be on the roads in and around the fire area. These vehicles may stop in unexpected locations. Please use caution when fire apparatus are present, the operator may not see you in his or her mirrors.
Cougar Creek Fire Evacuation Levels
Plain Area: The Chiwawa Loop Road area (including Shugart Flats and Chiwawa River Pines communities) has been lowered to a Level 1 “fire advisory” status. Areas in Plain and Lake Wenatchee are no longer under an evacuation notification.
Entiat Area: The Entiat River Road from Mile Marker 16.5, north to its end is now under a Level 1 Evacuation Alert.
For more information, call the Chelan County Emergency Management at 509-667-6863, or visit their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CCSOEM. An American Red Cross shelter, at 14916 US 97A in Entiat, is on standby. The Red Cross can be contacted at 509-663-3907.
Smoke:
Smoke conditions over the fire area and the region have improved significantly. Although the breath of fresh air has been most welcome, we can expect to see smoke increasing over the area as fire behavior picks up across the Pacific Northwest due to warming temperatures and decreased humidity levels.
Individuals with compromised respiratory systems are encouraged to acquire N95 masks. These masks are being provided free of charge, by the Chelan County Sheriff's Office and are available at local fire stations. For more information on smoke and public health, visit:www.wasmoke.blogspot.com or https://bit.ly/2J22754 (Spanish).
U.S. Forest Service Closure Orders:
local community.
Incident Management Team:
Pacific Northwest Incident Management Team 3 (Type 1) is working closely with cooperators from the US Forest Service, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Entiat Rural Fire District 8, Chelan County Fire District 3, Peshastin Rural District 6, Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office, Chelan County Department of Emergency Management, Chelan County Public Utility Dept., Washington Department of Transportation, American Red Cross, Chelan Public Schools, and Chelan Public Works. 19 Firefighters from Australia are supporting the effort.
Tomorrow evening, command of the incident will transfer to Northwest Incident Management Team 10, led by Incident Commander Al Lawson.
Fire Information:
Phone: 509-664-9210 (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
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