7/25/2021 Cub Creek 2 Fire Update

The fire is burning on Okanogan County Fire District 6 and Washington Department of Natural Resources protected lands and the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. 

Overnight the fire remained within existing control lines, where moderate fire activity continued along the eastern flank because of heavy dead and down fuels from the 2006 Tripod Fire. Infrared is still picking up heat in the Eight Mile Creek drainage between the 2018 McLeod Fire and the 2014 Upper Falls Creek Fire. Crews are working aggressively to minimize fire spread south towards Cub Creek, as there is no recent fire history in this area. As the temperatures rise and winds increase out of the west today, an area of concern for crews is along Cub Pass and Cabin Creek because of the variations of fuel, specifically sub Alpine Fur. Additionally, the area around Pebble Creek where it has crossed continues to challenge resources, while they continue to look for opportunities to go direct along the fires edge work has stared on alternative lines. Increased fire activity and spotting will challenge firefighters, but with the wind pushing out the smoke, aviation resources should be able to be more fully utilized to slow the spread of the fire.

The priority for crews today is to strengthen control lines on the south - eastern flank of the fire perimeter. On the southern portion of the fire, crews will increase containment lines to minimize any potential fire spread towards Winthrop. Along the western flank of the fire perimeter, crews will work aggressively to minimize spread by using aviation to slow the spread of the fire. The fire is burning along the ridge tops adjacent to Eight Mile Lake, with dry and dead fuels. On the eastern flank, near Ramsey Peak, crews will continue work to establish secondary control lines.

Local resource advisors will continue to provide input to protect natural and historical values at risk.

Residents will continue to see smoke and smoldering or creeping fire behavior near homes, but personnel are actively monitoring those areas. Please only call 911 if flare-ups occur near structures.

Evacuation Information: The Okanogan County Emergency Management (OCEM)

evacuations for the Chewuch River drainage remain in effect. Please consult OCEM information resources at okanogancounty.org for current evacuations. Residents leaving Evacuation Level 3 areas should be extremely cautious, drive slowly, and watch for firefighters and firefighting equipment on the roadway.