9/13/2018 Iron East Fire Update

Iron East Fire Update Fire crews are continuing containment operations

Iron East Fire: 150 acres; 50% containment Location: 12 miles northeast of Cle Elum, WA Start Date: September 7, 2018 Cause: Lightning   Current Activity: Ensuring public safety and the safety of firefighters is the utmost priority. Three engines patrolled the fires and the structures Wednesday night. Total acreage for both fires on the Iron East Fire is approximately 150 acres. The fire is 50% contained. There are about 300 personnel on the fire. Hot spots and smoke will be present in the interior until heavy rain or snow. A cool and showery weather pattern is expected through at least Saturday. The west side fire is fully lined with hand-dug line. Work will continue today to expand the containment line to a width of 50 feet completed around the fire. There is also a contingency line surrounding the majority of the perimeter. Preparation is almost completed for a burn out planned on the eastern portion of the fire this afternoon. Trees have been limbed up to a reasonable height to minimize risk of “ladder fuels” carrying fire from the ground to the tree canopy. Dead and down limbs have been chipped. Hose lays are in place. Weather will determine if this firing operation occurs today. Firefighters are “cold trailing” the fire line, searching for any hot spots in the perimeter. If a hot spot is identified, firefighters will dig down to the spot, bring it up to the surface, douse it with water and use other methods to cool the ground and remove any heat source. All equipment used in the suppression effort, such as hoses, pumps, fittings, empty fuel cans, will begin being returned to the Incident Command Post (ICP). Crews have begun the rehabilitation process to return the land to pre-suppression conditions. The fire is burning primarily in dry, dead and downed woody debris. These fuels retain the fire’s heat longer than twigs and grasses. Snags and bees also continue to be an issue for firefighters in the forest. Crews, engines, and other equipment will begin returning home as the fire severity is reduced. Evacuations: A Level 2 (Get Set) evacuation is in effect for approximately 12 structures in the vicinity of the Iron East Fire. Engines are actively patrolling these areas.   Closures: Closures are in place for trails in the area including the West Iron and Iron Bear Trails. Road closures include Forest Service Roads 9714 and 9715/7320. Highway 97 remains closed until Friday morning to allow the installation of culverts. Old Blewett Pass is closed due to fire activity, we thank the public and recreationalists for their cooperation in avoiding the area. Maps and information on the closure will be available on Inciweb.   Smoke/Weather: Weather is expected to be cooler and more moist for the next four days. The maximum temperatures will be in the mid-50s. The Washington Smoke Information’s webpage has information on smoke and public health. Smoke information in Spanish can be found on the WA Dept. of Health’s website. Fire Information: Inciweb: inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/6195 Email: IronEastFireInfo2018@gmail.com Phone: (509) 416-6169 #WaWildfire #IronEastFire #OkaWen These fires are being managed by the Southeast Washington Incident Management Team, Type 3

Photo: Crews burned out fuels between the control lines and the fire. Iron East Fire located 12 miles northeast of Cle Elum, WA on Tuesday September 11, 2018. Credit: USDA Forest Service