Sunday, August 10, 2014

8/10/2014 AM Snag Canyon Fire Update



FIRE STATUS Acres Burned:  approx. 9,400
Cause:  Lightning
Structures Destroyed:  19 (8 residences)
Crews:  19
Engines: 82
Dozers: 16

RESOURCES


Closures:  Naneum Ridge State Forest is closed; Okanogan Wenatchee area has an area closure. Numerous road closures in immediate fire area
Containment:  25%

Water Tenders: 16
Helicopters: 11
Total personnel:  936
Injuries: 3
 

 Incident Summary: The Snag Canyon Fire, located 12 miles northwest of Ellensburg, was started by a lightning strike on Saturday, August 2. The fire is burning in grass, brush and timber. The fire is burning on state and private land. The fire is also threatening the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest.

Current Situation: The fire continued to be active yesterday afternoon to the north and northeast; the fire is now an estimated 9,400 acres. There are 936 personnel.

Crews will continue to construct and strengthen contingency lines along the east and northeast sections of the fire. In those areas fire activity remained steady with active burning occurring in the afternoon due to the increase of winds and the rising temperatures. Crews continue to strengthen lines on the western and southern edges of the fire. They continue to mop up and making sure there are no pockets of heat around the structures.

A specialized crew was brought in to build a fireline using explosives in treacherous and steep terrain. Blasting operations were successful Friday afternoon and the crew will be operating again today in the northern portion of the fire near the 2012 Table Mountain Fire.

Fire crews are aggressively fighting this fire, but continue to be concerned about the weather forecast and fuel conditions. Public and firefighter safety is a significant concern, and incident management personnel are looking at all options for suppression.

Weather Outlook: Warm and dry conditions with terrain driven winds will prevail through Monday. Monday will be hot and unstable during the afternoon. Increased chance of dry lightning is forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday.

Evacuation Information: The evacuations levels have not changed. Residents affected by the fire can contact the Kittitas County EOC at 509-933-8305 for more information, or visit the county website for updates and evacuation maps at  https://www.co.kittitas.wa.us/.

The Kittitas County Fairgrounds animal shelter is currently housing evacuated animals. Volunteers are needed, no experience necessary to help. Contact the Kittitas County EOC for information.

Forest Closures: The Washington Department of Natural Resources issued a closure for the entire Naneum Ridge State Forest. Contact DNR Southeast Region at 509-925-8510 for details. The Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest has issued an Area Closure adjacent to the fire. More information can be found on http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4046/ or call the Cle Elum Ranger District at 509-852-1100.

Injuries: Three minor medical; two camp related, one fireline related. All were treated and released.

Cooperating Agencies: Department of Natural Resources, Kittitas County Sheriff, Kittitas County Emergency Management, Washington National Guard, Washington State Patrol, Kittitas Valley Fire and Rescue, and United States Forest Service

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