Local News

Carlton Complex East Zone Update for Monday

Jul 28, 2014

Carlton Complex East Zone Update

Monday, July 28, 2014—10:00 a.m.

This Update Covers the Carlton Complex’s EAST ZONE

Yesterday’s Accomplishments: Firefighters have established line in Sullivan Canyon and nearby areas. That represents a major accomplishment by hand crews working in a difficult environment. Because of the canyon terrain, a distance of 11 miles as the crow flies required construction of 29.6 miles of line. Work remains to ensure that the lines hold. Crews working overnight extinguished two torching trees. That is an example of the important work of the night shift. In addition, infrared monitors continue to check overnight for hot spots around home sites.

Today’s activities: Temperatures will increase again today and humidity levels will be lower. Those conditions make firefighting more difficult and increase the chances of a step up in fire activity. The harsher conditions will test the lines that are in place. Residences within unburned areas inside the perimeter near Golden Rule and Cook Mountain Roads remain a concern. Structure protection teams continue to monitor the area.

Looking ahead: Another forward looking infrared (FLIR) flight will be made as early as Tuesday to identify hotspots that threaten containment lines. Temperatures near 100 degrees in lower elevations will continue through the week. Chances of thunderstorms increase later in the week.

Road closures remain in effect. Non-residents are reminded that Level 1 and Level 2 evacuations are still in effect for portions of the fire. Please stay out of closed areas so that firefighters and utility crews can work safely.

Emergency Relief Information Needed: The Okanogan County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Okanogan High School is asking residents with fire damage claims to call the center and let emergency officials know whether they are insured. The EOC can be reached at 509-422-2422, 509-422-2428, or 509-422-2420.

Evacuation levels: Fire managers and the sheriff have determined that several residential areas along Highway 20 should remain at Evacuation Level 2. Evacuation levels for specific roads are posted in the Okanogan County Sheriff’s Facebook page and the Carlton Complex blogspot.

Carlton Complex Overview:

Three incident management teams and a National Incident Management Organization are managing this fire in three zones, with incident camps at Omak, Winthrop, and Chelan. About 900 firefighters are assigned to the East Zone of the fire. The fire is 250,652 acres as of Sunday afternoon with 66 percent containment. The fire may have had a small amount of additional growth later in the day. The 3,085 people assigned include 83 crews, 186 engines, 23 dozers, 42 water tenders and 15 helicopters.

Road Conditions: For updated road conditions, contact the Washington Department of Transportation (www.wsdot.com or call 511).