Quick action by crews saved all but the historic warehouse located at Steliko Work Station, an administrative site located in the Entiat Ranger District of the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest.
The fire at the historic Steliko Warehouse, located approximately 10 miles up the Entiat River Valley, was reported late afternoon, Monday August 16th. The building was fully engulfed in flames in mere minutes, and the fire
was beginning a run up an adjacent hillside.
A Chelan County Road Crew was doing work within a mile of the incident and responded with a tanker truck of water, closely followed by firefighters and equipment from Chelan County #8, Forest Service and Department of Natural Resources fire engines, three helicopters, and two 10-person fire crews from the Entiat/Chelan Ranger Districts.
Janet Flanagan, Entiat District Ranger said, “Once we knew that everyone was accounted for, and that our trail animals were safe, we took a collected sigh. As sad as this is to lose this historic structure, having our people and animals safe is most important and a blessing.” An employee had been in the structure and was still on-site when the building erupted into flame. No injuries were reported.
The Steliko Work Station is comprised of 12 structures; many of them constructed of wood and built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corp. The site is the original location of the Entiat Ranger District and was established in 1908. The current district office was built in1963 and
is located in the town of Entiat.
Flanagan added, ”The quick response from the many agencies who responded saved the rest of the compound, and contained the wildfire that was ignited by the structure fire.” A fire crew and fire engine remain at the scene and are mopping up.
The warehouse is a total loss and contained a woodshop, trail and recreation equipment for the ranger district, and historic fire equipment.
Flanagan concluded, “This is a tremendous blow to the Entiat Ranger District and the community, we all feel a deep sense of loss and sadness.”
The fire remains under investigation.
© Copyright 2006 by North Cascades Broadcasting, Inc
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