Size: 21,130 acres
Total Personnel: 401
Containment: 40%
Location: 12 miles NW of Chelan, WA
Cause: Under investigation
Weather and Fire Behavior: Light rain showers fell over the fire area yesterday though heavy fuels remain very dry. Heavy fuels are large diameter snags, logs, and large limb wood, that ignite and are consumed more slowly than finer fuels like grass, leaves, and moss. The heavy fuels are still burning and as the finer fuels dry out, they will again contribute to fire spread. Today will be drier and warmer, mostly sunny in the morning with increasing clouds in the afternoon, and light winds from the west-southwest. Today’s forecasted light winds, cloud cover, and increased relative humidity will moderate fire activity.
Yesterday: Using both hand and aerial ignition, firefighters were able to conduct firing operations in the afternoon along Devil’s Backbone. Heavy fuels were receptive to burning, however additional burning may be required to secure the line due to the high moisture content of some of the finer fuels which prevented them from fully consuming during firing operations. Where burnout operations were completed several days ago, firefighters continued patrolling, mopping up (extinguishing or removing any remaining burning material along or near the fire line), and securing the line. Crews also made good progress completing road work needed to ensure safe access for fire personnel on Forest Roads 8410 and 5900.
Today: If conditions allow, firefighters plan to continue firing along the Devil’s Backbone, from Stormy Mountain north toward Brennegan Creek. Aerial ignition to reduce fuels adjacent to the containment line may also continue north of Brennegan Creek and South of Junior Point. Mop up of previously completed burnouts will also continue where needed. Due to increasing confidence in containment lines on the southeast side of the fire, structure protection crews will begin breaking down the network of hoses, pumps, and other equipment, working south of Hollywood Beach and into the First Creek Area.
Evacuations: Level 1 (Be Ready): All properties along South Lakeshore Road (from just north of Lake Chelan State Park to the end of the roadway), First Creek Road and Granite Falls Road. A map of current evacuation levels is available at: bit.ly/2WhU9Nu and additional information is available from Chelan County Emergency Management (facebook.com/ccsoem/).
Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest expanded the emergency fire closure in place for the Twenty-five Mile Fire earlier this week. This closure is needed to provide for public and firefighter safety. Please check the interactive map of emergency closures when planning an outing: tinyurl.com/25mileforest.
Fire Information:
Incident Management Team: Pacific Northwest Team 3
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