8/17/2021 Walker Creek and Chickadee Creek Fires Update

A Community Open house for the Walker and Chickadee fires was held last evening at the History Park Community Pool.  Fifty-four people attended the informative one and ½ hour session. 

Walker Creek Fire: Cooler temperatures and higher humidity moderated the fire behavior experienced on Sunday.   The fire still managed to increase by 2,552 acres on the southwest perimeter of the fire and west of Lost Lake. Once again aerial resources VLAT’s, retardant planes, Single Engine Air Tankers (SEAT’s) and heavy helicopters were used to assist firefighters and engine crews.  The fire has not reached Beaver Canyon.   

Today’s activities include fireline construction from the southwest perimeter down to Highway 20, hot spotting west of Lost Lake, constructing indirect line with the heavy equipment on the northwest perimeter, connecting the northeast perimeter of the fire into a rock quarry on the Toroda road and gridding for hotspots in the Bunch road area.  Structure protection continues in the vicinity of the Bonaparte and Summer roads.   

Chickadee Creek Fire:  Fire acreage remains the same from yesterday because an infrared mapping flight was not performed last evening. Fire officials report that that the fire did increase in size but not substantially.  Today’s activities include fireline preparation on the perimeter of the fire using existing roads, trails and natural features in anticipation of a future firing operation to remove the fuels between the main fire and firelines. 

Evacuations: Evacuations remain in place for several communities. Please refer to the Okanogan County, WA county wide advisory map for updated changes.

A CLOSURE ORDER has been put in place by the Colville National Forest: Spur Mountain Fire Closure Order can be found at:  Closure Order: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd938974.pdf, Map:https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd938975.pdf, 
Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/colville/alerts-notices

EVACUATIONS: For evacuation information please go to:  Okanogan County, WA  An Evacuation Center has been opened at the Holy Rosary Parrish Hall in Tonasket by the Red Cross. Residents can contact the Red Cross at 509-670-5331 if they need access to the Evacuation Center.

ROAD CLOSURES: We appreciate all the support from the local communities and remind you that firefighter and public safety is our number one priority. Visitors to the Forest may see road closures that are in place to protect the public from firefighting operations.  Please respect closures and barricades! Know BEFORE you Go!

Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFR): There is a TFR in place for air space over Fire Areas. Remember that temporary flight restrictions also apply to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) or drones. If you Fly, We Can’t!Cooperating Agencies: Okanogan Emergency Management Division, Washington DNR, USDA Forest Service, Colville NF.