Local News

Okanogan Complex Fire Update 8/17


Aug 17, 2015

Washington Incident Management Team 2, Nathan Rabe, IC, took command of the Okanogan Complex on Monday, August 17, 2015.

The Okanogan Complex consists of five fires:

Lime Belt fire is about 4000 acres, located 3 miles northeast of Conconully.  This fire is burning in grass and scattered timber.  It is of concern because of its proximity to Conconully.  A burnout was completed Sunday evening to slow its spread to the south.  There are about 125 firefighters on the fire.  Some fire line has been completed around a portion of the fire.

Blue Lake fire is about 800 acres, located 6 miles northeast of Conconully.  This fire is burning in steep rugged country in timber and grass.  There is unimproved fire line around part of the fire.  Forty firefighters are on the fire.

Tunk Block fire is about 2000 acres, located 4 miles northeast of Riverside.  Burning in timber with grass understory, it has fire line around a portion of the fire. There are about 65 firefighters on the fire.

Beaver Lake fire is about 400 acres, located 15 miles west of Omak.  There is a small group of firefighters that are looking at access points, clearing indirect fire line and containing spot fires.

Nine Mile fire, 4704 acres, located 5 miles east of Oroville and is 80% contained.  It is staffed with minimal resources, and with assistance from Okanogan Fire District #11, they will patrol the area and continue to check on the fire.  Fire webpage: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4517/

These fires are all minimally staffed.  Despite the lack of firefighting resources, some good progress was made on establishing direct and indirect fire lines.  Today, the focus will be to continue the work of establishing lines, looking for opportunities to continue to build firelines along fire flanks and conduct burnouts as necessary.  The emphasis will continue to be to protect life, property and infrastructure.

Closure and Evacuation Information.  The Sinlahekin road is closed from the Upper Conconully reservoir to Fish Lake.  And the Tunk Creek road is closed from the Keystone road to the Chewiliken road. 

Weather.  Today will be warmer and slightly drier, a trend that will continue into the middle of the week.  Some smoke may be visible to the public along Hwy 395. 

Washington Interagency Incident Management Team 2 (WA IMT2) would like to thank the public for their support during these fires.  Fire danger remains extremely high across the state. Be sure to check your fire agencies for local restrictions, forest and state closures.


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