Tuesday, August 5, 2014

8/5/2014 Chiwaukum Fire Update

A RED FLAG WARNING is in effect for the fire area from 2:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Tuesday.

Aided by hot temperatures with humidity falling to near 10%, the Duncan fire spotted across the North Fork of the Entiat River and began burning up the west side of Pope Ridge on Monday afternoon.

Despite the best efforts of four hot-shot crews, five Type 1 helicopters (largest water dropping capacity) and three retardant drops by air tankers, weather conditions allowed the Hansel fire to grow towards the east.  Crews were shifted to an indirect attack strategy after 1:00 in the afternoon due to burning material rolling below them and creating unsafe situations.  The fire continued to burn throughout the night; settling down about 3:00 a.m.

Fire Analyst Gary Jarvis warned firefighters at the Tuesday morning briefing that weather conditions and fuel moisture levels have set up for the potential of large fire growth on the Hansel and Duncan fires.  Safety Officer Ivan Kupp reminded the audience that today is the 65th anniversary of the Mann Gulch fire where 13 firefighters, including 12 elite smokejumpers, were killed on a wildfire in Montana.  Kupp urged firefighters to keep their wits about them with today's projected fire behavior.
Congressman Dave Reichert visited the fire camps at Entiat and Leavenworth and met with fire managers and personnel.
A public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, August 6th at the Cascade High School in Leavenworth at 7:00 p.m., all are invited.
Suppression of these fires is an interagency effort, including Chelan County Fire Districts 1, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9; Washington DNR; Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Bureau of Land Management, and the National Guard.
Hansel Fire:  This fire is burning on steep ground in heavy fuels.  Forecasted winds will try to push the fire toward Highway 97.  Retardant drops from air tankers have been ordered for Tuesday morning and helicopters and hand crews will be used to slow the fire growth.  This fire will be the highest priority on the complex today due to the values at risk in the projected path of the fire.  Structure protection is underway on buildings in the Ingalls Creek area.
  
Duncan Fire:  Weather conditions and fuel moistures will favor continued growth of this fire across Pope Ridge and into the Pope Creek basin on Tuesday.  Efforts to strengthen the contingency fuel break along the Shady Pass Road (FR5900) and Entiat River Road will continue on Tuesday.  Crews will look for other opportunities to slow this fire.  Level 1 evacuation was announced for the Entiat River Road from Brief north to the Forest Service boundary.  The structures above Lake Creek Campground on the Entiat River Road have been wrapped with fire-resistant material and have had sprinklers strategically placed around them.  The Entiat River Road remains closed at the 25 milepost (approximately 3 miles south of Fox Creek Campground).
Chiwaukum Creek Fire:  The majority of heat on this fire is on the western flank and therefore will not be as likely to be aided by today's winds which will blow the fire back upon itself.  Two hotspots, one in the northwest corner and one in the southwest, continue to draw the attention of firefighters.  The rains over the weekend significantly calmed the behavior on this fire. Available resources are being repositioned from Chiwaukum to Hansel in anticipation of increased fire behavior.
Kelly Mountain Fire:  100% containment was declared on this fire on July 29.  Aerial observation will continue to monitor fire behavior.
Mills Canyon Fire:  This fire was proclaimed 100% contained on August 2.  Three engines staffed by nine people are continuing to monitor any activity associated with the fire.  
Weather:  Temperatures will approach 100 degrees, humidity will drop toward 10% and gusty northwest winds will begin blowing in the afternoon.  The combination of these factors has resulted in a Red Flag Warning being declared over the fire area for Tuesday from 2:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.  The Haines Index will be a 5 today, traditionally in central Washington Haines Indexes of 5 have corresponded with large growth of fires.
Evacuations/Closure Information:  Chelan County Emergency Services posts updated evacuations and closures on their Facebook and Twitter sites at facebook.com/pages/Chelan-County-Emergency-Management/188543097925415 or follow them on twitter @ChelanCountyEM. 
Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest:  http://www.fs.usda.gov/alerts/okawen/alerts-notices
Smoke Information:  http://wasmoke.blogspot.com/ and Leavenworth  webcam at:   http://www.leavenworth.org/news-weather
Highway Information: http://www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts/ or follow twitter: @wsdot

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