Monday, August 24, 2015

8/24/2015 Chelan Complex/Wolverine/First Creek

Chelan Complex: Yesterday crews made good progress strengthening containment lines along the southern and eastern portion of the fire.  Fireline along Cooper Ridge on the western edge is holding well. Today crews will continue strengthening line for firing operations in unburnt fuel pockets to reduce fuel loads where access allows.  Firefighters will  patrol containment lines, monitor for spot fires, and extinguish flareups in areas of unburned fuels insides the fire perimeter. Dozer line will continue to be constructed along the Forest Service 600 Road near South Fork Gold Creek.  Portions of the Chelan Complex within three miles of Chelan and all areas east of the Columbia River are completely contained.
First Creek: The north end of the fire continued to be extremely active Sunday morning and the fire spotted over Slide Ridge and was contained utilizing air support; however, visibility limited aircraft operations. Today crews will continue to secure hot spots on the ridgetop and construct containment lines for future burnout operations to protect homes. Existing containment lines from Granite Creek to First Creek will be strengthened.  Structure protection will continue from Slide Ridge towards Twenty Five Mile Camp along Lakeshore Road.  Crews will continue to patrol and mop-up hot spots on the fire’s southern end.  Extreme fire activity is anticipated on the fire’s northern end today.
Wolverine:  The fire continued moving down the Entiat River drainage near Duncan Hill and Rampart Mountain.  Minimal activity occurred in the Castle Creek area at the northern end of the fire near Stehekin. Structure protection continues around the Cottonwood guard station, Holden, Lucerne, and summer cabins in Lightning and Riddle Creek areas.  Fire personnel continue to develop a strategy for slowing the fire’s spread south down the Entiat River As a precautionary measure, the Wenatchee River Ranger District has closed access to the Chiwawa Valley, west of the Entiat River. Crews will continue to mop up hot spots and construct contingency lines.  Level 3 evacuations remain for Holden Village, Lucerne, Domke Lake, Riddle, and Lightning Creek.
Weather:  Red Flag conditions will continue through 9:00 pm on Tuesday with continued moderate instability creating critical fire weather conditions today.  Temperatures in the valley will be in the upper 80s to lower 90s and in the mid to upper 70s on the ridges. Relative humidity will be 14-19%. Light west/northwest winds 2-4 mph are expected in the morning, becoming 10-15 mph this afternoon with gusts up to 20 mph.
Community Meeting: There will be a 7 pm community meeting in Entiat at Fire Station #1.
Evacuation/Aid Information: Level 3 evacuations are in place for approximately 1,000 residents in the greater Chelan area. Evacuation information is available from Chelan County Emergency Management. Red Cross shelters are established at MOE Elementary, 407 East Woodin Ave, Chelan; Sterling Middle School, 600 North James Street, East Wenatchee; and Brewster High School, 503 S 7th St, Brewster. 
Road Closures and Evacuations:
·          Douglas County Emergency Management: 509-888-6841,http://tinyurl.com/DouglasCtyEM
·          Chelan County Emergency Management: 509-667-6863, http://tinyurl.com/ChelanCtyEM
·          Okanogan Emergency Management: 509-422-7207,  http://okanogandem.org/
·          Road & Hwy Info: wsdot.com Twitter: @wsdot
·          Washington State Patrol: 509-682-8090
National Forest area closures:
·          Methow Ranger District: 509-996-4003
·          Chelan Ranger District:  509-682-4900
Evacuation Shelters: Red Cross: 509-663-3907            
Power: Chelan County PUD:  877-783-8123, http://www.chelanpud.org/

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