Local News

Okanogan Complex Fire Update - 8/19

Aug 19, 2015

Washington Incident Management Team 2, Nathan Rabe, IC, assumed command of the Okanogan Complex on Monday, August 17, 2015. All of the fires were lightning caused except for Nine Mile fire.

Lime Belt and Blue Lake fires have grown together and now total 14,662 acres. The fire is located east of Conconully, WA. The fire spread across the Conconully Highway and is now burning in Salmon Creek in the Happy Hill area, moving southwest. It has burned towards Conconully from Fish Lake on the northwest side. There are 135 firefighters, 5 dozers, 2 engines and 4 water tenders on the fire. The plan for today is to continue flanking the fire and building fire line.

Tunk Block fire is now 11,231 acres burning near the town of Riverside, WA. Yesterday the fire burned across the Okanogan River and Highway 97. It burned into the northwest side of Omak, near the airport before being stopped by firefighters. The portion of the fire, several hundred acres across the Okanogan River is now secure. Additional fire growth occurred on the south and west sides of the fire. Today, operations will continue to flank the fire and build fire line. There are 84 firefighters on the fire, 3 dozers, 3 engines and 3 water tenders working the fire.

Beaver Lake fire is 806 acres, located 15 miles west of Omak. There is a group of firefighters that are looking at access points, clearing indirect fire line with feller-bunchers and containing spot fires.

Nine Mile fire is 4,704 acres, 90 percent contained, and remains under investigation. It is located 5 miles east of Oroville. It is in patrol status. The fire webpage: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4517/

In addition to the firefighters and equipment listed above, there are 2 structure groups consisting of 7 dozers, 13 engines and 4 water tenders can be moved anywhere in the area.

Yesterday, fire control efforts were aided by approximately 20 aircraft, a large percentage of those in the Northwest. Today, 4 helicopters are stationed at Omak, and other aircraft are available as needed. More firefighting resources are expected to arrive today. State mobilization was approved on Monday.

Community Meetings Tonight there will be Community meeting at the Omak East Side Park Dance Pavilion at 7.30 pm.

Closure and Evacuation Information. As of this morning, the evacuation levels for all areas are in advisory status, except for Conconully area, which is at evacuation. The Sinlahekin road is closed from the Upper Conconully reservoir to Fish Lake. The Tunk Creek road is closed from the Keystone road to the Chewiliken road. Forest Service Road 42 is closed from outside Conconully to Loup Loup Pass.

Weather. Today will be warmer and slightly drier. A red flag warning is in effect from this morning until late Friday for warm temperatures and unstable conditions.

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 a gencies for local restrictions, forest and state closures.