8/17/2023 Blue Lake and Airplane Lake Fires Update

 

Blue Lake and Airplane Lake Fire Update Media Inquiries: (509) 557-0973  https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/waowf-blue-lake https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/wa0617-2023-airplane-lake-owf

August 17, 2023 -- Two fires are currently burning in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest. The Blue Lake Fire is located 13 miles southwest of Mazama, WA, and the Airplane Lake Fire is situated 22 miles northwest of Leavenworth, WA. Blue Lake Fire:  Size: 215 acres Containment: 0% Location: Near Blue Lake just a couple miles southwest of Washington Pass, 13 miles southwest of Mazama, and 24 miles west of Winthrop, WA Personnel assigned: 82 Start date: August 14, 2023 Cause: Undetermined Closures: State Route 20 is closed between Newhalem (milepost 120) and the Silver Star Sno-Park (milepost 171) due to this fire and also the Sourdough Fire west of the pass. Please check with WSDOT for the most current highway closures at https://www.facebook.com/WSDOT. The Pacific Crest Trail is closed through this area. National Park Service closure information is available at https://tinyurl.com/mr3f2dwa. Forest Service closures are in process. Critical fire weather forecast for the area over the next several days is likely to increase activity and visible smoke from the fire. On the ground and aerial firefighting resources will continue suppression actions. Airplane Lake Fire: Size: 900 acres Containment: 0% Location: On the northeast side of Mt. Saul in the White River drainage area of the Glacier Peak Wilderness. Personnel assigned: Local Resources Monitoring Start date: July 7, 2023 Cause: Lightning Closures: A closure is in process for areas immediately around the fire are closed including White River Trail, Boulder Creek Trail, Indian Creek Trail, White River Road beyond Tall Timbers, White River Falls Campground, and Grasshopper Meadows Campground. Evacuations: Chelan County has issued a Level 1 (Ready) evacuation notice for the White River Road (FS Road 6400) to the west of Tall Timbers Ranch. The Level 1 DOES NOT impact any county roads or right-of-way, or homes. It also does not impact Tall Timber Lodge. Please check county sites for most current, official evacuation information. We expect continued fire activity, smoke production, and fire growth for the next several days until weather conditions moderate. Hot temperatures and increased winds are forecast through Friday before cooler temps and a possibility of rain on Sunday and into next week. Forest employees have conducted trail sweeps contacting recreationists and apprising them of the situation and the need to leave the area for safety reasons. Crews have wrapped the bridge on Indian Creek Trail with structure protection wrap as a protective measure. We will continue to utilize a confinement suppression strategy utilizing natural features (like rock escarpments, avalanche chutes, wet drainage bottoms and old fire scars) to contain the fire. Fire personnel will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation and adjust tactics as needed.   There is a Red Flag warning in effect through tomorrow for hot and dry winds. The combination of dry conditions, warm temperatures, and gusty afternoon and early evening winds will increase the risk for rapidly spreading wildfires with any new ignitions. Please help firefighters and do your part to reduce the risk of human-caused fires. A campfire ban is in effect starting tomorrow, Friday August 18. For more information visit: www.fs.usda.gov/goto/fire-restrictions

National Weather Service map showing excessive heat warning, Red Flag Warning, and Head Advisory on August 17, 2023. Forest Service personnel wraping the wooden bridge on the Indian Creek Trail in structure protection wrap on August 16, 2023. Photo by U.S. Forest Service.