Regional News

Lightning Storm Ignites New Wildfires

Aug 14, 2015

Forest Service fire crews responded to 11 lightning ignited fires in and adjacent to the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest this morning.

Four fires are burning in the Chelan Butte area, west of Chelan. All of these fires are threatening structures; resources from Wolverine Fire are being rerouted to assist with initial attack.

The Reach Fire started as five small lightning fires that grew together. This fire is now 200 acres and a level 3 evacuation notification is in effect for the Lakeside area west of Chelan.

First Creek Fire is about one acre and is located 10 miles northwest of Chelan

Cagle Fire, burning near Deer Mountain about two miles north of Chelan, is one acre but has potential to grow larger

Antoine Fire, near Washington Butte approximately 9 miles northwest of Chelan, is 30 acres. The fire is moving into the Washington Creek threatening structures in that area.

One confirmed fire is burning on the Methow Valley Ranger District:

? Firefighters are working on a 5-6 acre fire in Black Canyon, about 6 miles southwest of the community of Methow

Three fires are on the Tonasket Ranger District:

? The Phoebe Fire, 11 miles northeast of Tonasket, is about 1/5 acre; a fire engine is on scene

? Oriole Fire, 5 miles northwest of Conconully, is 1/10 acre; there is a fire line around 95 percent of the fire

? Schalow Mountain Fire, located about 3 miles northeast of Conconully just north of Conconully Lake, is 1/10 acre. A crew is hiking into the fire.

Two fires are on the Wenatchee River Ranger District:

? The 8-acre Icicle Ridge Fire is burning near the top of Icicle Ridge approximately 4 miles southwest of Leavenworth

? 4^th of July Fire is also on Icicle Ridge, approximately 5 miles west of Leavenworth; it is less than 1/10 acre in size

? Temporary trail closures are in effect on Icicle Ridge Trail No. 1570 and 4^th of July Trail No. 1579 for firefighter and public safety

One fire is on the Naches Ranger District

? The 1.5-acre Nelson Butte Fire is burning in heavy timber in the William O. Douglas Wilderness, approximately 5 miles east of Bumping Lake. Four smokejumpers are assigned to the fire.

Firefighters will continue to respond to any new fires resulting from last night’s lightning storm.