Wenatchee Complex Fire Update September 14, 2012 10:15p.m.
Incident: Wenatchee Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/15/2012
Following a severe lightning storm that covered much of eastern Washington on Saturday, September 9th, a series of fires were discovered. Local resources from the United States Forest Service (USFS), Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Spokane District BLM, Wenatchee Fire Districts 1 and 7,Chelan Fire Districts 1, 3, 4, 6, 8 and Chelan County Sheriff's office began suppression efforts. These organizations and the firefighters that responded were instrumental in minimizing losses and keeping folks safe.
The Type 1 National Incident Management Team, headed by Incident Commander Jeff Pendleton, continued assessments and suppression efforts, ordering and assigning resources as they arrived. Individual fires are constantly being assessed to evaluate risk to public and fire fighter safety. Available resources are being reassigned as priorities are set. Fires which pose the greatest risk to human life, property, and natural resources are being staffed first along with any new fires.
Extremely smoky conditions were experienced all day Friday and are expected in the Wenatchee Valley and surrounding communities throughout the weekend. The lack of wind and continued smoky conditions led to lower fire activity than expected over most of the fires, allowing for some burnout activities to be conducted. A weak cold front is predicted to move through the area around 8:00pm, changing wind directions from south southwest to west with potential gusts of 15 to 20 mph over the ridge tops. Personnel needed to support the suppression efforts continued to arrive all day and were assigned where needed. Over the next few days, some of the assigned resources will be moved toward the Entiat area and staged at the Entiat City Park, to reduce travel time and increase time on the fire lines. Following a severe lightning storm that covered much of eastern Washington on Saturday, September 9th, a series of fires were discovered. Local resources from the United States Forest Service (USFS), Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Spokane District BLM, Wenatchee Fire Districts 1 and 7,Chelan Fire Districts 1, 3, 4, 6, 8 and Chelan County Sheriff's office began suppression efforts. These organizations and the firefighters that responded were instrumental in minimizing losses and keeping folks safe.
The Type 1 National Incident Management Team, headed by Incident Commander Jeff Pendleton, continued assessments and suppression efforts, ordering and assigning resources as they arrived. Individual fires are constantly being assessed to evaluate risk to public and fire fighter safety. Available resources are being reassigned as priorities are set. Fires which pose the greatest risk to human life, property, and natural resources are being staffed first along with any new fires.
Extremely smoky conditions were experienced all day Friday and are expected in the Wenatchee Valley and surrounding communities throughout the weekend. The lack of wind and continued smoky conditions led to lower fire activity than expected over most of the fires, allowing for some burnout activities to be conducted. A weak cold front is predicted to move through the area around 8:00pm, changing wind directions from south southwest to west with potential gusts of 15 to 20 mph over the ridge tops.
Personnel needed to support the suppression efforts continued to arrive all day and were assigned where needed. Over the next few days, some of the assigned resources will be moved toward the Entiat area and staged at the Entiat City Park, to reduce travel time and increase time on the fire lines.
Canyon Fire, directly west of Wenatchee, continues burning in shrubs and grass and is approximately 7,900 acres. Today firefighters cleared around homes and held current lines in Number 2 Canyon. Crews completed fire lines connecting Number 1 and 2 Canyons which allowed for a burnout to start about 2:00 pm to reduce fuels between homes and the fire. The burnout operations will continue into the evening with the night shift maintaining structure protection. The fire remained above the Gun Club and to the north. Fire suppression objectives are to protect life and provide structure protection. The Chelan County Sheriff's Department reduced evacuation levels in the Broadview Development and the Sleepy Hollow Road to Level 1; all other areas remained the same. This fire is considered to be 25% contained. Up-to-date information can be heard on local media in Wenatchee or by checking www.inciweb.org/incident/3258.
Byrd Canyon Fire, is approximately 13,900 acres, and is located just north of Entiat, Washington. The fire is burning in grass and shrub land. The burnout was completed and fire lines are holding. Some resources were shifted to the First Creek Fire earlier in the day as First Creek was elevated to a higher priority. Crews overnight will patrol and mop up around structures. This fire is considered 45% contained.
The Peavine Canyon Fire, locatedsouthwest of Wenatchee in upper Mission Creek/Devils Gulch, is burning in shrub and pine forest and is approximately 4,600 acres. Crews scouted and prepared control lines in the Liberty Beehive area. Firefighters started a burnout operation along the USFS Road 9712 Friday afternoon. There was elevated fire activity within the Devils Gulch area in the afternoon within the fire perimeter. This fire is considered 5% contained.
The Poison Canyon Fire, located south of Cashmere, is burning in shrub and pine. It is approximately 2,500 acres. Today, crews worked on constructing containment lines on the western and northwest flanks in order to keep the fire out of Brisky, Brender and Tripp Canyons to the north and west of the current fire perimeter. Overnight crews will patrol and provide structure protection. This fire is considered 10% contained.
The First Creek Fire, located 10 miles west of Lake Chelan, is approximately 1,300 acres. It is burning in very difficult and steep terrain. The Del Rosa and Entiat Hotshots along with 3 dozers started line construction above Granite Falls Creek in efforts to stop the northerly spread. A Level 3 evacuation was issued September 13 for First Creek and Granite Falls Creek. Crews are implementing structure protection. This fire is considered 5% contained.
The Pyramid Fire, north of Entiat is approximately 260 acres. This fire is burning in timber that was impacted severely by disease and insects. Today this fire experienced increased fire behavior and a plan has been developed to begin suppression efforts as resources become available.
The Incident Management Team is responsible for all initial attack on wildland fires within Chelan County. Resources will mobilize when there is a new start.
The Incident Management Team would like to express appreciation to the community for your support and help in our efforts to fight these fires. It is vital that the community cooperates with evacuations, road closures, and avoiding areas of high traffic for fire suppression.
