Daily Update 9-17-12
Incident: Okanogan Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/17/2012
At 6:00 AM, Oregon Incident Management Team #1 assumed control of the Goat Fire. This 94-acre fire is burning in steep rugged terrain where fire behavior was very active yesterday, with running fire, single and group tree torching and short-range spotting. Cause of the fire is still under investigation.
The Buckhorn Fire also had very active fire behavior in the late afternoon on Sunday. Crews were able to hold southern firelines while some large areas burned out within existing firelines. The fire continued to burn down slope toward the Middle Fork of Gold Creek where firefighters are working to protect private property. Short-range spotting spawned a quarter acre spot fire north of Gold Creek which was quickly suppressed.
Several smokes were detected in the interior of the Leecher Fire during mop up operations Sunday; they were successfully suppressed. Mop up on the Hunter Fire is near completion.
Road restrictions are still in place on North Fork Gold Creek Forest System Road (FSR) 4340, South Fork Gold Creek FSR 4330, Benson Creek Road FSR 4150, FSR 4150-300, and 4150-200. Portions of the Gold Creek Loop Road will again be closed today due to helicopter bucket dipping in the adjacent river. Trails from Foggy Dew and Crater Creek are also closed at this time. Members of the public are asked to abide by all road closures and barricades.
Fire managers remind the public that fire danger is very high. With so many fires in Washington, Initial Attack resources are stretched extremely thin. It is critical that recreationists, hunters and those working in the woods take every precaution to avoid igniting a wildfire. Campers should make sure that ash from campfires, charcoal, or debris burning is cold and wet before leaving the area.
Fire at a Glance
Size: 4,605 total acres
Hunter - 211
Leecher - 1,300
Buckhorn - 3,000
Goat - 94
Containment: 15%
Location: Vicinity of Carlton, Washington
Cause: Buckhorn, Leecher and Hunter - Lightning (9/8)
Goat Mountain - Under Investigation
Personnel: 499
Evacuations: A Level 3 evacuation is in place in the Gold Creek area near the Buckhorn Fire
Closures/Restrictions:
See main text
Fire Information Number:
509-997-0568
For more information:
www.inciweb.org/incident/3261
