8/7/2021 Moe Canyon Fire Update

 Community Meeting: A community meeting will be held Sunday August 8 at 5PM at Cooper’s General Store in Ardenvoir. Fire managers and local officials will provide up to date information on the fire and be available to answer your questions.

 

Yesterday: Friday afternoons wind led to very active fire behavior and pushed the fire to the NE; the fire spotted across the northern containment line and continued to run to the NE. During the run, fire fighter escape routes were threatened. All resources were ordered off the line until the threat had passed and escape routes were determined to be safe.  Resources then established new containment lines consisting of dozer line, hose lays and port-a-tanks to check the NE spread of the fire.  Air support came from 2 helicopters, 2 scoopers, 2 fire bosses and 1 air attack.

 

Today: Work will continue on the northern perimeter to improve containment line and prepare for burnout operations expected to take place Sunday. Along the SW perimeter options for containment line and suppression will be assessed, hose lays, pumps and porta tanks will be put in place. Resources will shift full suppression to this area once the northern perimeter has been secured.

 

Weather: Cooler temperatures are forecast for Saturday with highs expected to be in the mid-70’s. Winds will remain strong and gusty.

 

Air Quality: For information on air quality visit https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

 

Aircraft: Yesterday air operations were suspended when a drone was observed flying in the flight path of suppression aircraft.  Once it was determined the drone was gone air operations resumed.

Drones threaten the safety of other aircraft as well as folks on the ground and are prohibited in the vicinity of fires and suppression aircraft.

Remember “If a drone flies, suppression aircraft can’t”

A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) is in place in the vicinity of the Moe Canyon Fire.

 

Evacuations: Effective 7:00PM August 5, 2021 a Level 1 (get ready) Evacuation notice is in place south of Entiat River Road from and including Roaring Creek Road north to milepost 9.5 at and including Sunshine Lane. All residences on the north side of Entiat River Road between Roaring Creek Road and Sunshine Lane, excluding those in Crum Canyon are also at Level 1.

 

Closures: Forest Service Road (Moe Ridge) and 5810310