Start Date: August 4, 2021
Cause: Lightning
Size: 107,118 acres (43,349 hectares)
Percent Contained: 55%
Resources Assigned: 370 resources including
Crews (9); Engines (20); Air Resources (2); Other Heavy Equipment (11)
Yesterday and Overnight: Firefighters took advantage of cool and moist weather to make additional progress on the fire in the north while preparing for the potential of a return to drier conditions later this week. Containment line was completed in the horseshoe between Edgar Rock and American Ridge as well as along the west side of the Naches River through Cliffdell. The western, southern and eastern flanks remained in patrol status. Crews monitored the safety of structures in proximity to the fire during the day and overnight, and reinforced protection measures around homes in the fire’s northwest corner.
Northwest Incident Management Team 10 welcomed Great Basin Incident Management Team 3 from Nevada and provided an initial in-brief yesterday afternoon. Fire managers continued to adjust resources by type and quantity to match the incident’s current needs.
Today: Firefighters will continue to capitalize on favorable conditions to fortify containment lines, repair suppression damage, mitigate hazards and monitor the fire. The incoming Team 3 will spend the day shadowing Team 10 to ensure as seamless a transition as possible. Team 3 will take command of the incident at 6 p.m. on Thursday, September 30.
Closures: Closures remain on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest lands. For current forest closure information, see https://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices. Campfire restrictions are in place for Washington Dept. of Natural Resources (WADNR) lands. WADNR managed lands outside the fire area are open. For more information, go to https://tinyurl.com/WADNR-lands-reopen. A Temporary Flight Restriction (TFR) has been established to protect aircraft that are involved in the firefighting operation. Please do not use drones or any other restricted aircraft listed near the fire as it is a federal crime.
Northwest Incident Management Team 10 Incident Commander Alan Lawson would like to express his heartfelt gratitude for the support during the team’s 21-day tenure at the Schneider Springs Fire. Thank you to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Naches Fire and Rescue, Nile-Cliffdell Fire and Rescue, our cooperators, stakeholders, the people and surrounding communities for their cooperation in this firefighting effort. We convey a special thank you to the Layman Lumber Mill for allowing the team to use their facilities as our Incident Command Post. Although it has been a long and difficult fire season, especially with COVID-19 restrictions, it is the overwhelming kindness and solidarity such as we have experienced here that has enabled us to meet firefighting objectives in a safe and efficient manner. Thank you.