Daily Update 9-19-12
Incident: Table Mountain Wildfire
Released: 9/19/2012
Table Mountain Complex
Daily Update
September 19 - Noon
FIRE INFORMATION WEBSITE: www.inciweb.org/incident/3269 EMAIL: TableMtComplex@gmail.com
PUBLIC PHONELINES: (206) 947-9705 or (206) 947-9737
MEDIA PHONELINE: (509) 260-1538
ACRES=11,590
CONTAINMENT = 4%
PERSONNEL = 564
New phone numbers are now available to the public and listed above.
Firefighters continue to battle several fires in steep, rough terrain on the Table Mountain Complex. The highest priority fires are: First Creek, Lion's Rock, Diamond Head, and County Line. As the inversion lifted yesterday, fire activity increased creating smoke columns that could be seen by the surrounding communities of Liberty, Cle Elum, and Ellensburg.
The fire activity continued through the night and reports indicate that one forest service cabin was lost off the FS-3500 Road, with one unconfirmed cabin lost. An additional fire emerged 1 � miles north of the Reecer Road and is believed to have been a holdover from the lightning strikes that moved through the area earlier this month.
Planned objectives for today will be for an indirect attack on the fires utilizing natural barriers, constructed fire breaks and road systems. Fire managers anticipate that the Lion's Rock, Diamond Head, and County Line fires will merge over the next few days. The change in the weather has operations in a planning and reconnaissance day.b
The First Creek Fire (306 acres) is located 4 miles southeast of the town of Liberty where Level 2 & 3 evacuation notifications remain in place. The area has several historic cabins and mines with potential safety issues for firefighting forces. Structure protection crews continue to work on pluming sprinkler around structures, patrolling for hotspots. The following areas are within the evacuation notice:
Level 3 - Williams Creek Rd., Harkness Rd., Pine Gulch Rd. east of Red Top Rd., Cougar Gulch Rd. Boulder Creek Rd., and the Liberty Mountain Association community
Level 2 - Liberty Rd. from US97 to Boulder Creek Rd. (the end of the county road), this includes the town of Liberty and any driveways connected to Liberty Rd. up Boulder Creek Rd., Pine Gulch Rd. west of Red Top Rd. including Red Top Rd., Lauderdale junction north of Mineral Springs on the eastside of US97 - only residents directly connected to US97, Upper Green Canyon Rd., the top of Naneum drainage, Wilson Creek, and the Sun East housing development at the top of Robbins Rd.
For additional information on the evacuation levels log onto the Kittitas County Emergency Operations Center website at: www.co.kittitas.wa.us. You can then go to the Kittitas County response page and click on Interactive Maps.
The Lion's Rock and Diamond Head fires continue to grow, and with a longer burning period, extreme fire activity is expected to cause torching and spotting, pushing the fire eastwardly. Fire crews were able to hold the west flanks of the fires. Objectives for the day will be reconnaissance obtaining visual observations for future planning.
The County Line Fire is located in very steep and roughed terrain, with limited access. At this time, the County Line fire is unstaffed, but fire officials continue to monitor the fire. This fire does not pose a danger to any community at this time.
Over the next few days, weather temperatures are expected to be above normal with no precipitation. Fire danger remains high across Washington State. Be sure to check with your fire agencies for local fire restrictions, forest and state closures.
A Red Cross Shelter is located at the Centennial Center - 719 E. 3rd, in Cle Elum. Red Cross representatives will have updated information on the fire situation.
Due to the many fires burning throughout Central and Eastern Washington, heavy smoke continues to fill the valleys and drainages. Fires producing potentially harmful smoke can be of concern to elderly, young children, and anyone with respiratory health conditions. The public is urged to limit outdoor activities and to take precautions by staying indoors until smoke conditions improve. For more information on air quality: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/air/local.html.
Road Closures: USFS and DNR roads - Reecer Creek Rd. at the Snowpack, Wilson Creek Rd. at the end of the county road, Coleman Canyon Rd., Schnebly Canyon Rd., and Cook Canyon Rd. Additional roads include - Liberty Rd., Williams Creek Rd., Harkness Rd., Pine Gulch Rd. east of Red Top Rd., Cougar Gulch Rd., Boulder Creek Rd., Upper Green Canyon Rd., Sun East Rd. at the top of Robbins Rd., and Elk Springs Rd.
The Washington Incident Management Team 2 appreciates your support and patience while firefighters work to manage the Table Mountain Complex. No injuries have been reported on this fire.
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