Thursday, August 14, 2014

8/14/2014 AM South Cle Elum Ridge Update

FIRE STATUS
Acres Burned: 894 acres
Containment: 24%
Structures Destroyed:  0
Closures:  Closure Area for Taneum Creek on Cle Elum Ranger District, Campfire Ban                  
Cause:  Lightning suspected; formal investigation pending

RESOURCES
Crews: 12 
Engines: 40
Dozers: 2
Helicopters: 2
Total personnel:  517
Injuries: 6

Yesterday:  Firefighters worked to secure the containment line on the north flank of the fire along the 4510 road by eliminating all smokes and hot spots within 75 feet of the line, further minimizing threat to the residents on the Woods & Steele road.  Good progress was made constructing a line around the rugged western edge of the fire.  Three firefighters were injured yesterday: two were struck in the leg by a rolling log, and one by a vehicle accident.  All three were transported to hospitals.  Two of the firefighters have already been released and are back at work.  The other is doing well, but is still being evaluated. 

Today: A Safety Standdown for all personnel was held this morning.  Safety Officers reviewed hazards on the incident and actions needed to minimize risk.

On the western edge of the fire in the Butte Creek drainage firefighters will be working to complete a handline. Firefighters have a good handle on both the northern flank along the 4510 road and the southern edge along the 114 road and above the 3300 road.  In those areas they will be further securing the existing lines by mopping up and reducing fuels. 

Today is the last operational shift for Washington Incident Management Team 3.  Tomorrow at 0600, Northern Rockies Type 1 Team will be assuming management of the fire.  They will be shadowing the current management team during the day today.  This team transition will result in both large fires in Kittitas County under the leadership of one incident management team.

Informational Meeting:  There will be an informational meeting tonight at the Cle Elum Senior Center at 719 East 3rd Street in Cle Elum at 7:00 PM for updates on the South Cle Elum Ridge Fire and information on the Snag Fire outside of Ellensburg

Weather Outlook:  A cool, moist and unsettled weather pattern will continue over the Cle Elum Ridge Fire with today being the wettest day of the week.  Showers and thunderstorms are likely in the afternoon.  There is a flash flood watch in effect for the fire area.

Closures/Evacuation : No change in evacuation levels. There continues to be a Level I evacuation advisement for the homes on the Woods & Steele Road.  For public and firefighter safety the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest has issued an Area Closure in the Taneum Creek Area.Forest area closure information contact: Cle Elum Ranger District: 509.852.1100 Monday through Friday 8-4:30pm.

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

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