7/18/2024 Easy Fire Update

 Yesterday: Firefighters responded to a new wildfire sparked by dry lightning storms moving through the Easy Pass area of the Methow Valley and immediately reported explosive fire growth and running crown fire into the evening. Crews stayed on the fire overnight but weeks of extreme temperatures, record dry conditions, and dangerous terrain with no road access hampered initial response efforts. 

 

“Our goal is to stop any new growth on the Easy Fire, but this is a really rough spot,” said Chris Furr, Methow Valley District Ranger for the Forest Service. “Another day of low humidity, extreme heat, and dangerous ground conditions isn’t going to help.”  

 

Today: Firefighters will continue scouting terrain where containment lines would be effective at stopping any new growth on the Easy Fire. Since there are no existing roads or other natural features to limit fire spread, fire managers will use a combination of ground crews to put in containment lines and air resources to cool off hotspots with water. Steep terrain will likely limit the ability of air tanker pilots to safely fly the fire area even if retardant were effective in dense timber where typically, little if any retardant reaches the ground.

 

“This is just a nasty piece of ground for ground and air resources,” added Furr. “In this first 24 hours we’re going to look at every option, every tool, we have to safety corral this thing but we're also bracing for the long-haul.”

 

Smoke: Air resource advisors are anticipating persistent smoke remaining at Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups with periods of Unhealthy to Very Unhealthy possible during evening hours as smoke settles into valley bottoms for the greater Methow Valley area. For more information on smoke and air quality please visit: https://wasmoke.blogspot.com/

 

Closures: Trails: Pacific Crest Trail in the Easy Pass/Rainy Pass area is closed as well as the Heather Maple Pass Trail due to closed road access. More details on other area trail closures will be shared as they become available. Roads: Highway 20 (North Cascades Highway) is fully closed between Granite Creek (MP 148) and east of the Rainy Pass Trail Head (MP 158) due to wildfire activity. Please check Washington State Department of Transportation information at https://wsdot.com/Travel/Real-time/Map/