Daily Update 9-19-12
Incident: Okanogan Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/19/2012
There will be a public meeting tonight at 6:00 p.m. at the Alta Lake State Park to share fire information and answer questions.
The Goat Fire was very active yesterday. Two heavy-lift, two medium-lift, and one light-lift helicopter, as well as a single engine air tanker supported hand crews in fighting the fire. Crews also worked to improve the defensible space around critical communication sites located on Goat Mountain. Overnight, down-slope winds pushed the fire rapidly to the south, causing the fire to grow to about 750 acres.
A Level 2 Evacuation Notice advising residents to be prepared to leave at a moment's notice has been issued for 21 homes along the west side of the Alta Lake Golf Course. Homes along the west side of Alta Lake are under a Level 1 Evacuation notice. This is a precautionary notice to allow those with special needs, pets, or livestock to make necessary arrangements. Forest Road 8140-145 to Goat Mountain has been closed.
The Buckhorn Fire also grew and is now approximately 3,550 acres. Crews continue to make progress lining the fire. No structures have been damaged to date. Structure protection continues to be a primary operational focus. If smoke clears, portions of the Gold Creek Loop Road may be closed again today due to helicopter bucket dipping in the adjacent river.
Yesterday, the Methow Valley was extremely smoky in the fires' vicinity. As the weather is expected to remain the same through Friday night, smoke in the valley will likely increase.
Beginning Thursday, September 20th, the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest will prohibit campfires on the Methow Valley and Tonasket Ranger Districts. This restriction does not apply to designated campgrounds or other specifically permitted areas.
Fire at a Glance
Size: 5,831 total acres
Hunter - 211
Leecher - 1,320
Buckhorn - 3,550
Goat - 750
Containment: 18%
Location: Vicinity of Carlton, Washington
Cause: Buckhorn, Leecher and Hunter - Lightning (9/8/12)
Goat Mountain - Under Investigation
Personnel: 539
Evacuations: Level and Area
1
Residences west of Alta Lake as far to the south as Whistling Pines near Goat Fire
2
Residences west of Golf Course Drive near Goat Fire
3
Residences in Gold Creek area near Buckhorn Fire
Fire Information Number:
509-997-0568
