7/26/2021 Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires Update

Great Basin Team 1, Incident Commander Evans Kuo, will be assuming management of the Cedar Creek Fire tomorrow morning.  

Winthrop, WA — Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires are burning on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest in very steep and rocky terrain in heavy down fuels.

Cedar Creek Fire: The fire is currently estimated at 24,647 acres and 11% contained.  No infra-red flight occurred last night due to a mechanical issue with the plane so the reported acres of the fire remain the same.

Firefighters connected line in the Wolf Creek drainage and then conducted a planned burn out operation on each side of the creek.  Firefighters directly engaged spot fires occurring during the burn out.  Hose lay is in place on the north side of Wolf Creek and Dozers continue to clean and strengthen line.  Fire managers are also preparing contingency lines farther south of the fire along the 4410 and 4415 Roads.  Hand crews are building containment line farther south towards the Lake Chelan-Sawtooth Wilderness and along its boundary preparing for fire as it moves southwest and south. 

The fire is burning actively between Little Falls Creek and Wolf Creek reaching containment lines along the 5005 Road where firefighters are holding the line.  Firefighters secured the eastern portion of the line between Looney Creek and Badger Creek and continued to mop-up and patrol. Between Little Boulder Creek and Little Falls Creek, the fire continued to back downslope where resources are conducting holding operations along containment lines.   

On the western perimeter, fire continues to slowly back down avalanche chutes along the Silver Star drainage. Fire along State Route 20 between Silver Star Creek and Early Winters Campground has backed down to the road where firefighters continue to patrol the fire’s edge. Fire between Cedar Creek and Looney Creek is slowly progressing downslope where firefighters are securing the line as fire reaches the base of Sandy Butte ridgeline. Aerial resources will continue supporting on-the-ground operations with water and retardant.

The current strategy is to construct containment lines in areas with a high probability of success. The objective is to keep the fire in the higher elevations above the valley and away from values at risk.

Active burning in the fire area may create a column that could drop ash several miles from the fire and will continue as fuel is consumed.  Only call 911 if you are seeing burning.

Delancy Fire: Fire activity remains minimal withdecreased smoke and movement over the past couple days. The fire is expected to continue to creep and smolder in steep, rocky, sparsely vegetated terrain. Fire managers are evaluating values and risks. Containment opportunities are being actively scouted on the east side up Lost River Road. The fire is being monitored by aircraft. The estimated size of this fire is approximately 223 acres.

Resources for additional information:

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/MazamaFires2021 

Inciweb: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7655/

Smoke Blog: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

Email: 2021.cedarcreek@firenet.gov

Highway Information: https://www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts/default.aspx

Evacuations: https://www.okanogancounty.org/government/emergency_management/index.php

Methow Conservancy (Wildfire Preparedness): https://methowconservancy.org/discover/fire-prep-recovery%20

Wildfire Ready Neighbors (House Assessments): https://wildfireready.dnr.wa.gov/

Resources: Total personnel - 479: 3 - type 1 hotshot crews, 5 - type 2 hand crews, 2 - camp crews, 4 - type 1 (heavy) helicopters, 1 - type 2 helicopter, 2 - type 3 helicopter, 51 - engines, 5 - dozers, 18 - water tenders,1 - masticator, 2 - skidgens, 5 – skidders, and 163 overhead.

Closures:

For the safety of the firefighters and aircraft fighting these fires, a temporary flight restriction (TFR) has been placed over the area. Please consult the “Notice to Airmen” (NOTAM) for specifics. Wildfires are a “No Drone Zone” and any drones sighting in a TFR will immediately ground aerial firefighting resources and delay suppression actions.

State Route 20 (North Cascades Highway) remains closed at milepost 185 (7 miles west of Winthrop) to milepost 165 to all traffic due to fire activity.

The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has implemented a Fire Emergency Area Closure as of July 22nd, 2021. The Closure includes facilities, roads, and trails. The Closure may be viewed in its entirety at the “Cedar Creek and Delancy Fires 2021” Facebook page.

The Forest Service Fire Emergency Area Closure is separate from the Washington State Department of Transportation’s (WSDOT) closure of portions of State Route 20 and may change or be lifted at different times depending on operational needs. WSDOT is working closely with the Forest Service and Okanogan County to identify where fire activity and firefighting operations warrant closure.

Evacuation Information: The Okanogan County Emergency Management (OCEM) continues to reevaluate evacuation levels. For the most up to date evacuation levels see the OCEM’s website above.  Residents entering Evacuation Level 3 areas need to slow down and watch for firefighters and equipment in roadways.

Weather:  Valley temperatures are predicted to be in the mid-90’s and in the 80’s on the ridges.  Lingering smoke will persist often thick at times and periodically clearing.  Westerly winds are expected to increase later Monday with gusts potentially 20 mph.  Warm temperatures will continue tomorrow.  Relative humidity will remain low at 16-22% in the valley and 18-26% on the ridges. 

Air Quality: Air quality will be poor and may improve this afternoon.

Fire Restrictions: Campfire restrictions are in effect. Campfires are prohibited throughout the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, including developed campgrounds and congressionally designated Wilderness — call local ranger district offices for more information. https://tinyurl.com/yby4oysq

This incident is being managed by Northwest Incident Management Team 8.