Local News

Fire Updates for Friday Aug 8

Aug 08, 2014

A community meeting will be held at 7pm Friday in the gym at the Twisp Community Center. Information Officers will also be in both Twisp and Winthrop today, and will be providing information about the Little Bridge Creek, Carlton Complex, and Upper Falls Fires in the communities and surrounding area throughout the day.

The Little Bridge Creek Fire started at approximately 6:30pm on Saturday, August 2, on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, 10 miles west of Winthrop Washington. The fire was naturally caused, likely by lightning. Washington Incident Management Team Five (WIMT#5) assumed command of the fire at 6:00am on Monday, August 4. The fire is currently 0% contained.

Infrared data collected last night indicate the fire is currently approximately 2,200 acres – an increase of 700 aces during the past 24 hours. The fire continues to be located between Canyon Creek and Little Bridge Creek, with the exception of one small spot that occurred yesterday just across the upper end of Little Bridge Creek. Two light helicopters assigned to this fire, and additional aircraft borrowed from nearby fires, used bucket drops throughout the day to slow the spread on both sides of the fire.

Operations personnel continue to construct indirect line in appropriate locations between the fire and structures and infrastructure. Some of those lines will likely be used for significant firing operations to remove remaining fuel between the fire and those structures. Those burn-out operations are expected to begin this weekend assuming appropriate conditions and resources are present.

Two structural groups continue to assess and prepare for structural protection efforts, should they be needed. An Initial Attack Group is prepared to address any new fires should they occur – none have in the past 2 days.

No structures or infrastructure are immediately threatened. No Level 2 or Level 3 evacuation notices exist for this fire. Level 1 notification remains in place for the Pine Forest and Sun Mountain areas, and an additional Level 1 notification was put in place yesterday at 10am for Twisp River Road above Elbow Coulee.

A dry cold front is expected this afternoon, with windy conditions. Warming and drying will begin to build again beginning Saturday with temperature expected to approach 100 degrees on Monday, with a chance of thunder storms on Tuesday.

Upper Falls Fire Update

August 8, 2014 8:00 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team- Pete Blume, Incident Commander

Information Center: 509-996-9971 Hours of operation: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Email: upperfallsfire@gmail.com

Yesterday

The fire continued to burn actively. Crews established an anchor point and a safety zone along Falls Creek Road and began hand line construction. Dozers also constructed line. Helicopters dropped water to check and delay movement to the west and south and to keep the fire on the ground (prevent crowning).

Today

Dozer and hand line will continue between Falls Creek Road and the Farewell Fire burn scar. Dozer and hand line will be constructed up to Eight Mile Ridge and west into Eight Mile Creek. Some firing operations may occur to defend and control as necessary. Helicopters will continue to drop water to check and delay movement to the west and south.

Air resources are playing a vital role in the successful containment of this fire and are supporting other fires and initial attack on new fires.

Anyone who believes they have a new start is encouraged to call 911. Local fire departments continue to respond to 911 calls reporting new starts.

Evacuations (including all evacuations in the Methow Valley area)

Level 1: Pine Forest, Sun Mountain Resort, East Chewuch Road to Boulder Creek, Pearrygin Lake State Park and the Twist River from Elbow Coulee to the Forest Boundary.

No areas are in Level 2 or 3.

Weather: Sunny, Highs low 70s; wind from the southwest at 7mph with gusts to 15

Fire Statistics

Start Date: 08/03/2014 Size: 4,426 acres

Location: 17 miles north of Winthrop, WA; 37 miles northwest of Omak, WA

Resources Assigned: 1 Type 1 hand crews, 1 Type 2 Initial Attack crew, 11 engines, 2 dozers

Total Personnel: 82 Percent Contained: 0%

Carlton Complex Update

August 8, 2014 8:00 a.m.

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team- Pete Blume, Incident Commander

Information Center: 509-996-9971 Hours of operation: 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.

Email: carltoncomplexfire@gmail.com

Yesterday:

On the Rising Eagle Road Fire, crews continued to patrol and mop-up all parts of the fire.

On the Carlton Complex, crews continued to patrol and mop-up all areas of the fire. Suppression repair (water barring, scattering slash, smoothing berms) continued on those areas where containment lines are no longer needed. Night crews patrol and mop-up.

Today:

On the Rising Eagle Road Fire, crews will continued to patrol and mop-up all portions of the fire.

On the Carlton Complex, patrol, mop-up, and gathering equipment for return to the ICP will continue. Repair work will continue in contained areas. Night crews will continue to patrol and mop-up. The Washington National Guard continues to staff road closures.

If your property is in or below a burned area, you may be at risk for a flood or debris flow during a rain event. Please go to http://centralwashingtonfirerecovery.info/ for valuable information.

Evacuations (including all evacuations in the Methow Valley area)

Level 1: Pine Forest, Sun Mountain Resort, East Chewuch Road to Boulder Creek, Pearrygin Lake State Park, and the Twisp River from Elbow Coulee to the Forest boundary.

No areas are in Level 2 or 3.

Weather: high 93; southwest wind 6 mph, gusts up 15 mph

Fire Statistics Start Date: 07/14/2014

Location: 5 Miles SW of Okanogan, WA; 7 Miles south of Twisp, WA Total Personnel: 1,294

Complex Size: 256,108 acres (including Rising Eagle Road Fire) Containment: 91%

Air Resources: 2 Type 1 helicopters, 4 Type 2 helicopters, and 5 Type 3 helicopters, 1 air support

Resources Include: 1 Type 1 hand crews, 10 Type 2 hand crews, 12 Type 2 Initial Attack crews,

74 engines, 12 Dozers, 25 water tenders