8/13/2014 8:00 am South Cle Elum Ridge Fire Update

FIRE STATUS Acres Burned: 894 acre Containment:  15% Structures Destroyed:  0 Closures:  Closure Area for Taneum Creek on Cle Elum Ranger District, Campfire Ban                   Cause:  Lightning suspected; formal investigation pending

RESOURCES Crews: 13  Engines: 23 Dozers: 5 Helicopters: 1 Total personnel:  476 Injuries: 3

The change in weather pattern was favorable for firefighters

on the South Cle Elum Ridge Fire Tuesday.

The fire continued to burn to the west, the northeast and to the south, but with a lower intensity than earlier this week.  There was only one hour of full sun on the fire, but even with the cooler temperatures and higher humidity, during that single hour fire activity picked up and in places moved  into the treetops.  West winds helped push the fire in on itself on the western flank and upslope winds on the east flank slowed fire progress to the east.  

Today:  The fire is 15% contained and crews will be mopping-up and searching for any hot spots close to the line on the northwest corner and along the north edge.  On the east flank the cool damp weather will provide good opportunities for crews to burn pockets of unburned larger fuels that could threaten the line.  The heavier fuels are still dry and will burn, but the lighter fuels, grass and shrubs, are less likely to carry fire today.

Due to very high fire danger a campfire ban is currently in place on the Okanogan-Wenatchee Forest and all state and private forested lands in Washington.  Even with the moisture received over the past 24-hours fire danger is still high and local resources responded to numerous fire starts yesterday evening.

Forest Closures: For public and firefighter safety the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued an Area Closure in the Taneum Creek Area. Road blocks are in place on Forest Road 4510 (Woods and Steele Road), junction of Forest Roads 3352 and 119 (Five Corners) and Forest Road 3300 at the Bridge across the South Fork Taneum Creek.

Weather Outlook: There is chance of showers or thunderstorms throughout the day on Wednesday.  Heavy rain and gusty erratic winds up to 30 mph are possible with thunderstorms.  There is a flash flood watch in effect for the South Cle Elum Ridge Fire today and tonight if there is heavy rain over the fire.

For US Forest area closure information contact: Cle Elum Ranger District: 509.852.1100 Monday through Friday 8-4:30pm.

Evacuation Information: No change in evacuation levels. There continues to be a Level I evacuation advisement for the 15 homes over a mile away from the fire on the Woods and Steele Road. 

Cooperating Agencies: The Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest, Washington State Department of Natural Resources, Kittitas County Fire Districts 7 and 1, and Kittitas County Sheriff's Office.