8/24/2022 White River and Irving Peak Fires Update

Contact Fire Information at (509) 202-4184 from 8AM-8PM

White River and Irving Peak Fire Update August 24, 2022 -- 9:00 AM

Quick Facts: Personnel: 449, Crews: 10, Helicopters: 3, Engines: 19, Dozers: 2, Water Tenders: 3                                         White River Fire                    Acres: 961 |   Contained: 1%   Cause: Lightning               Location: Sears Creek area of the White River drainage, approximately 14 miles northwest of Plain, WA Irving Peak Fire Acres: 1,269   Contained: 1%   Cause: Lightning Location: Approximately 16 miles northwest of Plain, WA Highlights: The White River and Irving Peak Fires were started by lightning on August 11 and are burning on the Okanagan-Wenatchee National Forest, approximately 15 miles northwest of Plain, WA. Suppression Strategy:  Firefighters are using indirect attack methods, because the very steep and inaccessible terrain makes direct attack dangerous and ineffective.  Crews are continuing chipping and brushing operations on existing roads to be used as fire lines if needed. Firefighters continue to look for opportunities to build direct fire line. In this region, large fire growth is created by hot, dry and windy weather. There is more than a month of fire season remaining for the region. If fire behavior and fire weather align, there is still potential for active fire growth in this area. It will take an extended period of wet weather to fully contain these fires.  Operations: Crews have been making excellent progress on road preparations. Chipping is completed along the Sears Creek Road.  Windmill Lane southeast of the White River Fire are expected to complete chipping operations today.  The dozer line is completed to the hand line on the southern flank of the Irving Peak Fire. Crews will continue to use masticators on Forest Road 6504 to grind up brush and trees into smaller pieces along that road. Evacuations: Chelan County Sheriff's office has issued a Level 3 evacuation (Go Now) for Sears Creek Road, White River Road is at a Level 2 (Be Prepared), and Little Wenatchee Road is at a Level 1 (Stay Alert). Emergency personnel are in the process of advising residents in the area. Residents of five homes were evacuated from the Sears Creek Area. For an interactive evacuation map of Chelan County, please visit https://tinyurl.com/whiteriverevacuationmap. To sign up for the Chelan County emergency alert system, please visit https://public.alertsense.com/signup/?regionid=1184. Weather: Yesterday’s weather produced some measurable rainfall on the western portion of the Irving Peak Fire, while portions of the White River Fire did not receive any rainfall.  Increasing temperatures in the afternoon are expected to increase the likelihood for isolated thunderstorms today.  Fire Behavior: Even though rain fell on some parts of the fires yesterday, there are still pockets where active fire behavior is expected today, with potential for flare ups with group torching and short range spotting. Closures: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued a closure order for the White River Fire area: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd1054295.pdf Additionally, it is recommended to avoid recreating in the Little Wenatchee and White River Road (FS Roads 6500 and 6400) areas. Restrictions: Campfires are not allowed anywhere within the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. Stage 2 Restrictions are now in effect for the entire forest, including campgrounds and wilderness areas: https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/okawen/alerts-notices/?cid=fsbdev3_053600 Pacific Crest Trail: Smoke is visible from the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT). While there is currently no impact to the PCT, hikers should be aware that Little Wenatchee Ford and White River Trailheads are closed and cannot be used to access the PCT.   Safety Message: There is still activity with fire crews and equipment in and around the fire perimeter. Please avoid areas where crews are working and operating equipment. Helicopters are still in the area and may be dipping from Lake Wenatchee. Please stay close to shore when aircraft are on the lake. Please continue to do all you can to prevent wildfires. Smoke: The current smoke forecast outlook, along with information about air quality health recommendations during smoky conditions, is available at: https://outlooks.airfire.org/outlook/84d849be Follow Us Online: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/8329/ and www.facebook.com/WhiteRiverFireInfo and www.facebook.com/nwteam7 A Spanish translation available will be available at: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/news/8329/

Irving Peak Fire August 23, 2022. Credit: Kurt Stitch