September 11 Daily Update
Incident: Yakima Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/11/2012
Incident Summary:
The Yakima Fire Complex, which includes large areas of Yakima and Kittitas Counties, consists of many small fires burning on local, state and federal land. A massive lightning storm passed through on Saturday evening igniting approximately 95 fires; of these fires 28 are staffed. No communities are threatened. The fires are burning in a variety of fuels including brush, grass and sage in lower elevations to heavy timber in higher elevations. Some fires are in steep, remote terrain. Suppression efforts will continue to focus on those fires with the greatest risk of life and property.
Planned Actions Today:
Crews will continue to assess, prioritize and work fires based on risk to life, property and resources. Public and firefighter safety will continue to be the top priority.
Weather Outlook:
A warming trend is expected to last until Friday and then a dry cold front is expected for the weekend. Yesterday's fire behavior included single trees torching and slow to moderate fire growth.
Closures:
To ensure the safety of the public and firefighters, the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest will be issuing area closures in the Table Mountain Area. Please contact the Cle Elum Ranger District for current road closures. Road closures will be staffed. This area of closure will have significant impact on upcoming hunting seasons. The incident management team appreciates the public's cooperation with these closures.
Due to high fire danger campfires are prohibited on all county, state and federal lands in the area. To report any new fires call 911 or Wenatchee Dispatch at 1-800-826-3383. Before calling, take note of specific road and landmark information.
Before heading to the woods, contact the local Agencies to see if any road and trail closures are in effect. Cle Elum Ranger District: 509.852.1100 Naches Ranger District: 509.653.1401 DNR Southeast Region office: 509.925.8522
Resources at Risk:
No injuries have been reported at this time and one shed has been reported as burned. Six structures are threatened. Additional values at risk include timber, historical sites, spotted owl habitat, and mining operations.
Cooperating Agencies: Department of Natural Resources, Kittitas County Fire and Rescue, Kittitas County Fire Districts 1 and 7, Kittitas and Yakima County Sheriff Departments, United States Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management
FIRE STATUS
Acres Burned: approx. 101
Cause: Lightning
Structures Destroyed: 1 outbuilding
Closures: Table Mountain recreation area (see below)
Containment: 5%
RESOURCES
Crews: 1
Engines: 26
Dozers: 1
Water Tenders: 4
Helicopters: 2
Total personnel: 158
Injuries: 0
