Daily Update 9-20-12
Incident: Okanogan Complex Wildfire
Released: 9/20/2012
The unseasonably hot and dry weather in Central Washington
continues to spur extreme fire behavior. South facing slopes are particularly volatile as fuels dry through the day and relative humidity continues to be low. Yesterday the Goat Fire advanced to the south and west. Air operations were active all day with retardant and bucket drops.
Wednesday afternoon Level 1 evacuations were issued to 16 homes on Antoine Creek Road and six homes on Quiet Valley Road in the Alta Lake area. One home at the end of Quiet Valley Road was issued a Level 2 notice. Additionally, the south end of Alta Lake will be issued a Level 2 today.
During today's operations, firefighters will be scouting for new containment lines on the west and south. Protection of infra-structure of the communication towers on the ridgelines will be ongoing. Crews will initiate structure protection of residences and buildings. Mid-morning, fire activity is expected to increase when the diurnal winds shift from the north to the south in the Columbia River drainage.
Air operations will be supporting crews with three heavy-lift (Type 1) helicopters, 2 medium-lift (Type 2), and three light-lift (Type 3) helicopters through day shift.
Current resources include personnel from the continental US, Alaska, and Canada.
A Washington Conservation Corp (WCC) crew is assisting on the Leecher Fire to assist with mop-up and ground infrared survey. The WCC is a youth program of Americorp that provides outdoor job experience and college grants for youth.
Campfire restrictions are now in place on the Methow Valley and Tonasket Ranger Districts. No wood or charcoal fires are permitted outside of designated campgrounds. This closure does not apply to the Pasayten or Chelan/Sawtooth Wilderness or the Brevicomis Summer Home Tract.
Fire at a Glance
Size: 6,740 total acres
Hunter - 211
Leecher - 1,320
Buckhorn - 3,720
Goat - 1,489
Containment: 18%
Location: Vicinity of Carlton, WA
Cause: Buckhorn, Leecher and Hunter - Lightning (9/8/12)
Goat Mountain - Under Investigation
Personnel: 559
Evacuations: Level and Area
1
Goat Fire: 16 homes on Antoine Creek Road; 6 homes Spray Canyon/Quiet Valley Road
2
Goat Fire: Residences west of Golf Course Drive; last residence on Quiet Valley Road; the south portion of Alta Lake, west side of lake and south of Alta Lake Park
3
Buckhorn Fire: All residences in Gold Creek
Fire Information Number:
509-997-0568
For more information:
www.inciweb.org/incident/3261
Monitor real-time air quality:
