Fire update for 09/25/2012. Firefighters are making progress and air quality throughout the value has greatly improved. The following update has been provided by the Wenatchee Complex Management.
Management of the Wenatchee Complex will transition from the Type 1 Pacific Northwest Team 3 to the Type 1 Southwest Area Incident Management Team beginning Wednesday at 6 a.m. The Pacific Northwest Team 3 extends their gratitude to the community for all of their support and hospitality during this incident.
There are no changes to evacuation levels, Squilchuck and Mission Ridge Roads from the Wenatchee Heights Road south, including Halverson and Hampton Roads, to the Mission Ridge Ski Area remain under Level 2 evacuation.
Current evacuation levels under the jurisdiction of the Chelan County Sheriff can be found at: www.inciweb.org/incident/
A new fire was reported yesterday evening in the area of Signal Peak, southeast of the Klone Fire. Firefighters responded with helicopter bucket drops and will be staffed today.
Firefighters had success with suppression, mop up and rehabilitation efforts on the fires in the complex. Winds today and progress made on fires may lighten smoke conditions in the area with the inversion lifting around noon.
Rehabilitation on the Byrd Canyon and Canyon Fires is on-going and mop up operations are nearing completion on the Poison and First Creek fires and will transition to rehabilitation.
The Peavine Fire has become the top priority fire in the complex and it is now merged with the Table Mountain fire. Weather conditions yesterday allowed firefighters to use helicopter resources to continue burnout operations on the west flank near Highway 97. Fire operations may cause intermittent closures or restrictions on Highway 97 throughout the week for more information check with Washington Department of Transportation for current travel conditions.
The Klone Fire is approximately 1,323 acres. Crews will continue to chip brush and slash that have been removed from Shady Pass and Tommy Creek Roads. Aerial resources were used yesterday to check fire spread on the south and will continue today.
The Maverick Fire is approximately 22 acres and 100% contained. The fire will continue to be monitored from the air.
The Canyon Fire, directly west of Wenatchee is 7,559 acres and 95% contained. The Byrd Fire, located just north of Entiat, is14,160 acres and 90% contained. These fires are continue to be patrolled while crews work on rehabilitation.
The Peavine Canyon Fire located southwest of Wenatchee in upper Mission Creek/Devils Gulch. It is now 18,880 acres in size and 40% contained. Fire managers from both complexes will continue to implement a plan to prevent the spread of the fire to the east and west. Burn out operations will continue on the west near Highway 97 while crews construct line on the east flank and work south from the Mission Ridge area. This fireline will reduce the threat to the Mission Ridge and Squilchuck Road area. Fire activity may result in lane restrictions and closures on Highway 97. Travelers should check with the Washington Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for current information on highway restrictions or closures.
The Poison Canyon Fire, located south of Cashmere is 5,910 acres and 70% contained. Crews continue to mop up fire lines and hot spots with rehab to begin when mop up is completed.
The First Creek Fire, is 1,361 acres and 90% contained. The fire will continue to be patrolled and rehabilitation work will begin soon.
The Pyramid Fire north of Entiat is now 1,068 acres in size. The fire continues to move slowly down slope and is under aerial monitoring.
The Basalt Fire, approximately 10 miles north of Lake Wenatchee in the Chiwawa drainage is approximately 793 acres in size and is continued to be monitored from the air.
The Sears Creek Fire, is 368 acres and is located in the White River drainage above Lake Wenatchee. Crews continue to work on constructing dozer line on the north flank and hand line on the south flank of the fire.
The Cashmere Mountain Fire, approximately 1,452 acres, is within the perimeters of the 1994 Rat and Hatchery fires. Crews continue to hold the fire at the 8 Mile Road (7601) with support from aerial resources. It does not pose a danger to structures at this time.
The area remains dry and conditions are right for rapid fire growth on existing fires and new fire starts. The eastern Washington burn ban prohibiting all outdoor burning, including but not limited to campfires, bonfires, residential yard burning, agricultural burning and fireworks has been extended to midnight on September 30th.
The Incident Management Team would like to express appreciation to the community for your support and help in our efforts to suppress these fires. It is vital that the community cooperate with evacuations, road closures, and avoiding areas of high traffic for fire suppression. Please slow down and turn your headlights on when traveling through fire areas as smoky conditions reduce visibility.
