Friday, September 28, 2012 Morning Update
Incident: Wenatchee Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/28/2012
Friday, September 28, 2012
Location: North, west and southwest and of Wenatchee, Wash.
Total acres: 54,428
Containment: 36 percent
Start Date: 09/09/2012
Cause: Lightning
Resources: 19 Crews 38 Engines 10 Helicopters 4 Dozers 976 Personnel
Today's Summary
While rehabilitation continues on many fires in the Wenatchee Complex, firefighters will remain vigilant today, as a change in the weather pattern brings a risk of increased fire activity.
A cold front is expected to move through the area from the west, bringing warmer and drier conditions, with stronger winds developing by late afternoon, when fires are naturally most active. On ridgetops, winds will reach 6 to 10 mph, with gusts to 20 mph. The winds could also temporarily lift the smoke, allowing additional drying of fine fuels. The large fuels are still exceptionally dry.
Because of heavy smoke, Blewett Pass on U.S. Highway 97 is closed from Milepost 177, eight miles south of the intersection of U.S. Highway 2, to Milepost 150, at the junction of State Route 970. The highway is expected to re-open later this morning, with a pilot car to guide traffic through the affected area throughout the day. Please visit www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts for the latest information.
Until the area receives significant rain or snow, residents and visitors can expect to continue to see smoke from fires in the complex, as interior islands of fuel continue to burn.
As each fire reaches containment, local resource advisors are examining areas for the possibility of erosion, and are working with firefighters to put emergency stabilization measures into effect.
Fire Name Acres Percent Contained Summary
Canyon 7,559 96% Rehabilitation continues
Byrd 14,160 95% Rehabilitation continues
Poison Canyon 5,909 75% Mop up continues, hot spots in the interior
Peavine Canyon 18,880 42% The fire has merged with the Table Mountain Fire. Firefighters used helicopters to continue burnout operations on the west flank 0f U.S. Highway 97.
First Creek 1,360 90% Patrolled, rehabilitation to begin soon
Pyramid 1,068 0% Under aerial monitoring.
Klone 1,335 10% Aerial resources dropping water to keep the fire in check, chipping of brush along Shady Pass and Tommy Creek roads
Cashmere Mountain 1,451 10% Crews continue to hold the fire at the 8 mile road with support from aerial resources. No danger to structures.
Basalt 793 0% Under aerial monitoring
Sears Creek 368 40% Constructing dozer line on the north flank and hand line on the south flank.
Maverick 21 100% Under aerial monitoring
