8/12/2014 AM South Cle Elum Ridge Fire Update

FIRE STATUS Acres Burned:  760 acre estimate Containment:  0% Structures Destroyed:  0 Closures:  Closure Area for Taneum Creek on Cle Elum Ranger District, Campfire Ban                   Cause:  Lightning suspected; formal investigation pending

RESOURCES Crews: 11  Engines: 27 Dozers: 2 Helicopters: 1 Total personnel:  415 Injuries: 0

A red flag warning is in effect until 5pm Wednesday for abundant lightning and gusty winds

Current Situation: Intense fire behavior made for a tough day yesterday for the firefighters working on the South Cle Elum Ridge Fire.  The fire increased in size by of over 400 acres.  According to Operation Section Chief Chris Williams, firefighters did an "Awesome Job".  With the aid of retardant drops from the VLAT, a DC-10 aircraft, firefighters were able to hold the line on the top of South Cle Elum Ridge.  Firefighters were also successful in moderating the spread of the fire to the south and east.  On the west side of the fire the two spots burned into the main fire and into the Butte Creek drainage.  The fire is expected to continue to burn up the Butte Creek drainage during the day today.

With cooler temperatures, higher humidity and some light precipitation the fire should be less active than it has been in the last two days giving firefighters good opportunities to strengthen existing lines and construct line in areas where the fire expanded Monday.

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. 

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.

Due to very high fire danger a campfire ban is currently in place for all forested lands in Washington State.  It is extremely important that forest visitors and campers continue to cooperate and support local firefighting efforts by having no campfires.

Weather Outlook: Thunderstorms are expected throughout the day on Tuesday. It will be partly cloudy with temperatures in the high 70s to low 80s.  Winds will be light with the possibility of gusty erratic winds to 40 mph possible with thunderstorms.

For US 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's Office.