September 13 Daily Update
Incident: Yakima Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/13/2012
Current Situation: Personnel continue responding to existing, new, and previously unstaffed fires, building containment lines, and mopping up. The majority of the assigned resources will focus on the approximately 30 fires in the Blewett Pass area; each fire is being prioritized based on risk to life, property and resources. The largest fire in the complex, the Wild Rose Fire near Rimrock, has grown to approximately 480 acres and has 110 assigned personnel.
Traffic safety: Significant fire emergency traffic will be on Highway 97 in the Blewett Pass area and on Highway 12 near Rimrock. Drivers are advised to use caution and slow down when travelling in these areas.
Incident Summary: Approximately 95 fires are burning on local, state and federal land with 21 fires contained, 28 staffed, & 45 unstaffed. Yesterday's fire behavior saw slow to moderate fire growth. No communities are at risk and no evacuations are in effect. There is potential risk for up to 50 buildings throughout the area. The Yakima Complex Fire includes large areas of Yakima and Kittitas Counties.
Weather Outlook: A warming trend is expected to last through Friday with a dry cold front expected this weekend. No precipitation is expected in the next week.
Closures: To ensure the safety of the public and firefighters, the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest will be issuing an area closure for FS Rd. 9703 along Stafford Creek in the Teanaway Area. Road closures are in effect in the Table Mountain Area. All road closures are staffed. Closures potentially impact hunters. Cooperation with road closures is appreciated.
Due to high fire danger campfires are prohibited on all county, state and federal lands in the area.
For road and trail closure information contact: 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. Additional values at risk include timber, historical sites, spotted owl habitat, and mining operations.
Air Quality: Smoke from wildfires, can cause a variety of health problems, and it is important to limit exposure. Contact the Washington Air Quality Advisory (WAQA) for more information.
Cooperating Agencies: Department of Natural Resources, Kittitas Valley Fire 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. 602
Cause: Lightning
Structures Destroyed: 1 outbuilding
Closures: Table Mountain area & Scatter Creek area in Teanaway (see below)
Containment: 15%
RESOURCES
Crews: 19
Engines: 68
Dozers: 2
Water Tenders: 7
Helicopters: 3
Total personnel: 631
Injuries: 0
