Okanogan Complex Fire Update

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team - Todd Pechota, Incident Commander 

Information Center:  509-850-0083

Hours of operation: 7 am – 9 pm

Email: okanogancomplexfire@gmail.com  

August 28, 2015

9:00 pm

Current Situation:  Blustery winds have cleared out much of the heavy smoke that’s blanketed the Okanogan Complex for the past week.  Those winds posed a challenge for firefighters working to hold the line on the southeast corner of the Tunk Block Fire, along Highway 155 near Disautel. But with clearer skies, firefighters were able to make ample use of helicopters and water-scooping aircraft on that area.

Despite the flare-up on the southeast corner of the fire, crews made good progress in building containment line.  As a result, the fire saw little growth in acreage and the fire is now 23 percent contained. Work continued today in several priority areas, including the northeastern corner of the Tunk Block Fire, where crews worked to connect a series of fuels breaks.  Crews continued work to secure a line in the Sinlahekin Valley on the northwest corner of the Lime Belt Fire. Efforts there have focused on structure protection south of the community of Loomis. Crews also continued to build line on the southwestern corner of the Lime Belt Fire.  The Twisp and Nine Mile Fires are largely contained and are in mop up and monitoring status.

Firefighters are bracing for a cold front forecast to move through the complex Saturday morning.  That front is expected to bring strong, shifting winds. A Red Flag Warning will be in effect for winds gusting to 45 mph.  The National Weather Service has also put out a dust warning as a result of those strong winds. The combination of wind and dust is likely to cause reduced visibility. Thunderstorms are also possible tomorrow.   

The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team is wrapping up its time on the Okanogan Complex. The California Incident Management Team 5 will assume management of the fire on Saturday.

Evacuations and Closures: The public is encouraged to contact the Okanogan Emergency Operations Center to learn how to register for automated phone messages in the event of evacuation notices being issued for particular neighborhoods. Contact emergency staff at 509-422-7348 or the Colville Tribal Emergency Management Center at 507-634-2105.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Okanogan.County.Emergency.Management

                    https://www.facebook.com/cctemergencyservices

Media Briefings:  Media briefings are held at 11 am daily at Okanogan County Fairgrounds.

Okanogan Complex Fire Statistics:  

Location:  Eleven miles northwest of Omak, WA                   Start Date: August 14, 2015

Complex Size:  302,225 acres                                                 Complex Percent Contained: 23%

Twisp River: 11,831 acres, 85% containment                                     

            Tunk Block: 158,892 acres, 10%                                                                                           

            Lime Belt/Blue Lake and Beaver Lake: 126,782 acres, 15%

            Nine Mile: 4,720 acres, 95%, in patrol status.

Total Personnel: 1,918

Information Sources:

Website: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4534/
Blog: http://okanogancomplex.blogspot.com/

Photos:  http://s611.photobucket.com/user/okanogancomplexfire/library/Okanogan%20complex%20all

Spanish Language Information: (509) 422-2422

Okanogan Complex Fire Announcement

Colville Tribes Emergency Management has posted new closure information for Hwy 155 in the vicinity of the southeast corner of the Tunk Block Fire. Please visit their facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/cctemergencyservices.

Washington Department of Natural Resources Volunteer Program has been Suspended

Available fire volunteer positions have been filled. 
For details and other volunteer opportunities visit the
Washington DNR website.

 http://www.dnr.wa.gov/WildfireVolunteer

Okanogan Complex Fire Update

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team - Todd Pechota, Incident Commander 

Information Center:  509-850-0083

Hours of operation: 7 am – 9 pm

Email: okanogancomplexfire@gmail.com  

,
August 28, 2015

9:00 am

Conditions yesterday resulted in growth of the fire in five priority areas, including the four corners of the fire.  On the southeast corner of the Tunk Block, the fire grew along Highway 155 near the community of Disautel.  The northeast corner of the Tunk Fire, west of the Aeneas Valley flared up in an area between fuels breaks. There was also increased fire activity in the Crawfish Lake area on the eastern side of the Tunk Block. The southwestern corner of the Lime Belt Fire near Bobcat Mountain saw growth towards the Tripod Fire scar. There was also increased activity on the northwestern corner of the Lime Belt Fire in the Sinlahekin Valley.

The clearer skies yesterday enabled the use of retardant tankers to help check the spread of fires in those priority areas. Firefighters have been working to herd the fire away from populated areas and structure protection crews have been working late into the night to safeguard homes.  

Overcast skies, cooler temperatures, and higher humidity are expected to help moderate fire behavior on the Okanogan Complex today and crews will take advantage of those conditions to prepare for an expected increase in wind over the next few days. 

The Twisp River and Nine Mile Fires are largely contained, with patrolling and mop up continuing. Because of the increase in acreage, the percentage of containment has dropped for the complex overall.

The Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team is wrapping up its time on the Okanogan Complex and the California Incident Management Team 5 will assume management of the fire on Saturday.

Evacuations and Closures: The public is encouraged to contact the Okanogan Emergency Operations Center to learn how to register for automated phone messages in the event of evacuation notices being issued for particular neighborhoods. Contact emergency staff at 509-422-7348 or the Colville Tribal Emergency Management Center at 507-634-2105.

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/Okanogan.County.Emergency.Management

                    https://www.facebook.com/cctemergencyservices

Media Briefings:  Media briefings are held at 11 am daily at Okanogan County Fairgrounds.

Okanogan Complex Fire Statistics:   

Location:  Eleven miles northwest of Omak, WA                   Start Date: August 14, 2015

Complex Size:  302,224 acres                                                 Complex Percent Contained: 12%

Twisp River: 11,831 acres, 85% containment                           

        Tunk Block: 158,892 acres, 10%                                                                                           

        Lime Belt/Blue Lake and Beaver Lake: 126,781 acres, 15%

        Nine Mile: 4,720 acres, 95%, in patrol status.

Total Personnel: 1,831
Resources Include: 37 crews, 7 helicopters, 173 engines, 1 ambulance, 38 dozers, 41 water tenders, 1 skidder.

Information Sources:

Website: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4534/

Blog: http://okanogancomplex.blogspot.com/

Twitter: #OkanoganComplex

Photos:  http://s611.photobucket.com/user/okanogancomplexfire/library/Okanogan%20complex%20all

The Rocky Mountain IMT has a Facebook page dedicated to “Thank You’s to the firefighters working on the fire line. Visit the page at https://www.facebook.com/RockyMtn.Type1.IMT.PIOs

Spanish Language Information: (509) 422-2422

                

Okanogan Complex Fire Update

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team - Todd Pechota, Incident Commander 

Information Center:  509-850-0083

Hours of operation: 7 am – 9 pm

Email: okanogancomplexfire@gmail.com  

August 27, 2015

9:00 pm

                       

Current Situation: With the arrival of wind and a rise in temperatures today, crews saw the increase in fire activity that had been predicted for the Okanogan Complex.

Fire activity increased on the southeastern corner of the Tunk Block Fire, prompting the closure of Highway 155 from Mile 60 to 68 near Disautel.  Tankers were able to make a number of retardant drops on that area in support of structure protection. The northeastern corner of the Tunk Fire also saw a jump in activity in a break in the fuels treatment area.

The southwestern corner of the Lime Belt Fire near Bobcat Mountain also saw significant activity. The fire crossed containment lines and is burning toward the Tripod Fire scar.

Fire crews working the night shift will be focused on structure protection in much of the complex. The Twisp River and Nine Mile Fires are largely contained, with patrolling and mop up continuing. Because of the increase in acreage, the percentage of containment has dropped for the complex overall.

Evacuations and Closures: The public is encouraged to contact the Okanogan Emergency Operations Center to learn how to register for automated phone messages in the event of evacuation notices being issued for particular neighborhoods. Contact emergency staff at 509-422-7348 or the Colville Tribal Emergency Management Center at 507-634-2105.

Facebook:       https://www.facebook.com/Okanogan.County.Emergency.Management?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/cctemergencyservices

Media Briefings:  Media briefings are held at 11 am daily at Okanogan County Fairgrounds.

  

Okanogan Complex Fire Statistics:  

Location:  Eleven miles northwest of Omak, WA                   Start Date: August 14, 2015

Complex Size:  292,512 acres                                                 Complex Percent Contained: 12%

Twisp River: 11,831 acres, 85% containment                                     

            Tunk Block: 153,282 acres, 15%                                                                                           

            Lime Belt/Blue Lake and Beaver Lake: 122,679 acres, 20%

            Nine Mile: 4,720 acres, 95%, in patrol status.

Total Personnel: 1,831

Website: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4534/

Blog: http://okanogancomplex.blogspot.com/

Twitter: #OkanoganComplex

Photos:  http://s611.photobucket.com/user/okanogancomplexfire/library/Okanogan%20complex%20all

The Rocky Mountain IMT has a Facebook page dedicated to “Thank You’s to the firefighters working on the fire line. Visit the page at https://www.facebook.com/RockyMtn.Type1.IMT.PIOs

Spanish Language Information: (509) 422-2422

Okanogan Complex Fire -- Announcement

Colville Tribes Emergency Management has posted new closure information for Hwy 155 in the vicinity of the southeast corner of the Tunk Block Fire.  Please visit their facebook page for more information:  https://www.facebook.com/cctemergencyservices.

Okanogan Complex Fire Information Update AM 8/27/15

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team - Todd Pechota, Incident Commander 

Information Center:  509-850-0083

Hours of operation: 7 am – 9 pm

Email: okanogancomplexfire@gmail.com  

August 27, 2015

8:00 am

                       

Current Situation: A Red Flag Warning is in effect today for winds, low humidity and high temperatures.  We expect an increase in fire activity to challenge firefighters on the Okanogan Complex.  Those southerly winds are also likely to help clear the smoke and allow the use of aircraft, both helicopters and heavy air tankers, to make water and retardant drops.

Crews will be focused today on the four corners where the fire has been most active and where terrain and fuels present challenges to containment. Increased fire activity is expected in the afternoon, so there may be torching and short-range spotting of fire in some areas.  If you see a flare-up in the fire area, please do not call 911 unless it is threatening a home or other structure. 

Residents in the fire area are likely to see increased activity by air tankers, helicopters and other aviation resources today and should stay aware and steer clear of that activity if at all possible. Motorists on Hwy 20 and 97 are asked to slow down in the fire vicinity for their own safety and the safety of fire crews exiting and entering the highway.

More than 1,774 fire personnel from 33 states are fighting the Okanogan fire or working to support the firefighting effort.  Crews working last night had a relatively quiet night. One area on the northwest corner of the Lime Belt/Blue Lake/Beaver Lake Fire was active and engine crews responded to minimize the fire’s advance.

Twisp River Fire: Line construction is completed around the entire fire and crews are mopping up to further secure firelines.  Crews have been moved to assist with other fires in the complex.

Tunk Block Fire: Indirect line construction is continuing along the northeast side of the fire and crews are working to construct contingency lines to the east and reinforcing dozer line.  The southeast corner of the fire has been actively spotting in heavy timber and crews are working to re-establish a line around the fire in that area.     

Lime Belt/Blue Lake/Beaver Lake Fires: On the northwest corner of the fire, crews are working to establish line in the Sinlahekin Valley area, where the fire remained active all day northward to the community of Loomis. The southwest corner of the fire saw increased activity and strong growth yesterday afternoon. Mop up and line strengthening work was done in other areas of the perimeter. Structure protection continued in all areas of the complex.

Nine Mile Fire: The fire is in patrol-and-monitor status.

Evacuations and Closures: The public is encouraged to contact the Okanogan Emergency Operations Center to learn how to register for automated phone messages in the event of evacuation notices being issued for particular neighborhoods. Contact emergency staff at 509-422-7348 or the Colville Tribal Emergency Management Center at 507-634-2105.

Media Briefings:  Media briefings are held at 11 am daily at Okanogan County Fairgrounds.

Okanogan Complex Fire Statistics:   

Location:  Eleven miles northwest of Omak, WA                   Start Date: August 14, 2015

Complex Size:  287,704 acres                                                 Complex Percent Contained: 17 

Twisp River: 11,130 acres, 85% containment                                     

             Tunk Block: 149,649 acres, 15%                                                                                           

             Lime Belt/Blue Lake and Beaver Lake: 122,205 acres, 20%

             Nine Mile: 4,720 acres, 95%, in patrol status.

 Total Personnel: 1,774

Places to Get Additional Information:

Fire updates are posted daily on the following information boards:

Safeway, Omak

Walmart, Omak

Pine Creek Area

Conconully Fire Station, Conconully

Tonasket Visitor Center, Tonaskett

Frontier Foods, Winthrop  Carlton General Store,  Carlton Twisp General Store, Twisp Twisp Mayor’s Office Sun Mountain Lodge, Omak Spike Camp, Winthrop Winthrop Market Winthrop Mini Gas Farmer’s Board, Omak Library, Omak City Hall, Omak

Website: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4534/

Blog: http://okanogancomplex.blogspot.com/

Twitter: #OkanoganComplex

Photos:  http://s611.photobucket.com/user/okanogancomplexfire/library/Okanogan%20complex%20all

The Rocky Mountain IMT has a Facebook page dedicated to “Thank You’s to the firefighters working on the fire line. Visit the page at https://www.facebook.com/RockyMtn.Type1.IMT.PIOs

Spanish Language Information: (509) 422-2422

Okanogan Complex Fire Update

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team - Todd Pechota, Incident Commander 

Information Center:  509-850-0083
Hours of operation: 7 am – 9 pm
Email: okanogancomplexfire@gmail.com  

August 26, 2015

9:00 pm

Current Situation: An inversion continues over the fire area, creating another day of smoky conditions.  That blanket of smoke has kept temperatures down but created visibility problems that kept firefighting aircraft grounded again today.  Red Flag conditions are forecast for tomorrow with an increase in winds and that wind is expected to help clear out the smoke.

Firefighters will once again be working a night shift this evening. The weather forecast for the fire area overnight calls for higher humidity and a chance of scattered light rain and dry lightning. However, vegetation remains very dry and ready to burn. Crews will be patrolling areas of active fire near structures and will respond as needed.

The Okanogan Complex Fire remains the highest priority fire in the nation. More than 1,774 fire personnel from 33 states are fighting the fire or working to support the firefighting effort.

Motorists on Hwy 20 and 97 are asked to slow down in the fire vicinity for their own safety and the safety of fire crews exiting and entering the highway. 

Twisp River Fire: Crews completed line construction around the entire fire and continued mop-up operations to further secure firelines.  Fire managers will begin moving crews from the Twisp River Fire to assist with other fires in the complex.

Tunk Block Fire: Indirect line construction continued along the northeast side of the fire and crews worked to construct contingency lines to the east.  These lines will be tied in with contingency lines being constructed from the North Star Fire to stop fire growth to the north.  Crews also worked to reestablish line along the southeast side of the fire where the fire spotted over the line yesterday.     

Lime Belt/Blue Lake/Beaver Lake Fires: Crews burned out along a small section of line along the west side of the fire. On the northwest corner of the fire, crews are beginning structure assessment and protection for the area between the fire and the community of Loomis.

Residents of nearby communities may see smoke both from the burnout operations and flare-ups of unburned islands of fuel within the fire interior. If you see a flare-up in the fire area, please do not call 911 unless it is close to and threatening a home or other structure. If you see a new fire outside of the fire area please call 911.  On the northwest corner of the fire, crews are beginning structure assessment and protection for the area between the fire and the community of Loomis.

Nine Mile Fire: The fire is in patrol-and-monitor status.

Evacuations and Closures: The public is encouraged to contact the Okanogan Emergency Operations Center to learn how to register for automated phone messages in the event of evacuation notices being issued for particular neighborhoods. Contact emergency staff at 509-422-7348 or the Colville Tribal Emergency Management Center at 507-634-2105.

Media Briefings:  Media briefings will be held at 11 am daily at Okanogan County Fairgrounds.

Okanogan Complex Fire Statistics:   

Location:  Eleven miles northwest of Omak, WA                   Start Date: August 14, 2015

Complex Size:  280,267 acres                                                    Complex Percent Contained: 17

Twisp River: 11,129 acres, 85% containment                   Total Personnel: 1,774                      

            Tunk Block: 145,113 acres, 15%                                                                                           
            Lime Belt/Blue Lake and Beaver Lake: 119,305 acres, 20%
            Nine Mile: 4,720 acres, 95%, in patrol status.

Places to Get Additional Information:

Fire updates are posted daily on the following information boards:

Safeway, Omak

Walmart, Omak

Pine Creek Area

Conconully Fire Station, Conconully

Tonasket Visitor Center, Tonaskett

Frontier Foods, Winthrop  Carlton General Store,  Carlton Twisp General Store, Twisp Twisp Mayor’s Office Sun Mountain Lodge, Omak Spike Camp, Winthrop Winthrop Market Winthrop Mini Gas Farmer’s Board, Omak Library, Omak City Hall, Omak

Website: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4534/

Blog: http://okanogancomplex.blogspot.com/
Twitter: #OkanoganComplex
Photos:  http://s611.photobucket.com/user/okanogancomplexfire/library/Okanogan%20complex%20all
The Rocky Mountain IMT has a Facebook page dedicated to “Thank You’s to the firefighters working on the fire line. Visit the page at https://www.facebook.com/RockyMtn.Type1.IMT.PIOs
Spanish Language Information: (509) 422-2422

Smoke near Conconully

There have been a number of calls this afternoon about smoke southeast of Conconully. This is coming from interior burning of fuels inside the fire perimeter and does not represent growth of the fire.

12:30 pm, 8/25/15
Air attack (fixed wing observation aircraft) is the only aircraft up and reports limited visibility and very smoky conditions. As of noon the inversion was still in place. Operations normal.
Steady progress is being made constructing direct and indirect fireline on all divisions. Crews are working to reestablish fire line in places where increased fire activity from afternoon lifting of the inversion crossed containment lines.

Okanogan Complex Fire Update

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team - Todd Pechota, Incident Commander 

Information Center:  509-850-0083

Hours of operation: 7 am – 9 pm

Email: okanogancomplexfire@gmail.com  

 

August 26, 2015

9:30 am

                       

Current Situation: The inversion is expected to lift again this afternoon removing the “lid” on the fire. Residents in nearby areas may see smoke from flare-ups of unburned islands of fuel within the fire interior.  Yesterday, interior burning on the west side of the Tunk Block Fire generated concern. Today, crews working in the same area will be conducting firing operations to remove unburned fuel between the fire and constructed line. Today’s operation will continue to focus on strengthening existing direct, indirect, and contingency fireline. 

Twisp River Fire: Crews have completed line construction around the entire fire and will be conducting mop-up operations to further secure firelines. 

Tunk Block Fire: Indirect line construction continues along the northeast side of the fire and crews are working to construct contingency lines to the east.  These lines will be tied in with contingency lines being constructed from the North Star Fire.  Crews will also be working to reestablish line along the southeast side of the fire where the fire spotted over the line yesterday afternoon.     

Lime Belt/Blue Lake/Beaver Lake Fires: Crews will be burning out along a small section of line along the west side of the fire. Residents of the nearby communities may see smoke both from the burnout operations and flare-ups of unburned islands of fuel within the fire interior. If you see a flare-up in the fire area, please do not call 911 unless it is close to and threatening a home or other structure. If you see a new fire outside of the fire area please call 911.

Crews have completed constructing and are continuing to secure line along the west side of the fire, between the fire and Conconully. The fires continue to grow together on the southwest side.  Crews and aviation resources will be focused on constructing line in the Sinlahekin drainage. Indirect line construction will continue to secure the east side of the fire where the fire is backing downslope in heavy timber.  As visibility allows, water scooping airplanes will conduct water drops of 800-1,200 gallons each to support crews on the east side of the fire.

Nine Mile Fire: The fire is in patrol-and-monitor status.

Firefighters continue to watch the weather closely, as the presence/absence of the inversion can have a significant influence on fire activity. Fire managers are asking crews to remain focused because of the potential for afternoon flare-ups as the inversion lifts, hazards from falling snags, and a continuing problem with vehicles driving too fast on highways near the fire area.  Motorists on Hwy 20 and 97 are asked to slow down in the fire vicinity for their own safety and the safety of fire crews exiting and entering the highway. 

Evacuations and Closures: The public is encouraged to contact the Okanogan Emergency Operations Center to learn how to register for automated phone messages in the event of evacuation notices being issued for particular neighborhoods. Contact emergency staff at 509-422-7348 or the Colville Tribal Emergency Management Center at 507-634-2105.

Media Briefings:  Media briefings will be held at 11 am daily at Okanogan County Fairgrounds.

 

Fire Statistics:  

Location:  Eleven miles northwest of Omak, WA                   Start Date: August 14, 2015

Complex Size:  280,267 acres                                                       Complex Percent Contained: 17

            Twisp River: 11,129 acres, 50% containment                    Total Personnel: 1,345                      

            Tunk Block: 145,113 acres, 15%                                                                                           

            Lime Belt/Blue Lake and Beaver Lake: 119,305 acres, 20%

            Nine Mile: 4,720 acres, 95%, in patrol status.

 

Places to Get Additional Information:

 

Fire Updates are Posted Daily on the following Information Boards:

Safeway, Omak

Walmart, Omak

Pine Creek Area

Conconully Fire Station, Conconully

Tonasket Visitor Center, Tonaskett

Frontier Foods, Winthrop  Carlton General Store,  Carlton Twisp General Store, Twisp Twisp Mayor’s Office Sun Mountain Lodge, Omak Spike Camp, Winthrop Winthrop Market Winthrop Mini Gas Farmer’s Board, Omak Library, Omak City Hall, Omak

 

Website: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4534/

Blog: http://okanogancomplex.blogspot.com/

Twitter: #OkanoganComplex

The Rocky Mountain IMT has a Facebook page dedicated to “Thank You’s to the firefighters working on the fire line. Visit the page at https://www.facebook.com/RockyMtn.Type1.IMT.PIOs

Spanish Language Information: (509) 422-2422

Okanogan Complex Fire Update

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team - Todd Pechota, Incident Commander 

Information Center:  509-850-0083

Hours of operation: 7 am – 9 pm

Email: okanogancomplexfire@gmail.com  

August 26, 2015

9:30 am

                       

Current Situation: The inversion is expected to lift again this afternoon removing the “lid” on the fire. Residents in nearby areas may see smoke from flare-ups of unburned islands of fuel within the fire interior.  Yesterday, interior burning on the west side of the Tunk Block Fire generated concern. Today, crews working in the same area will be conducting firing operations to remove unburned fuel between the fire and constructed line. Today’s operation will continue to focus on strengthening existing direct, indirect, and contingency fireline. 

Twisp River Fire: Crews have completed line construction around the entire fire and will be conducting mop-up operations to further secure firelines. 

Tunk Block Fire: Indirect line construction continues along the northeast side of the fire and crews are working to construct contingency lines to the east.  These lines will be tied in with contingency lines being constructed from the North Star Fire.  Crews will also be working to reestablish line along the southeast side of the fire where the fire spotted over the line yesterday afternoon.     

Lime Belt/Blue Lake/Beaver Lake Fires: Crews will be burning out along a small section of line along the west side of the fire. Residents of the nearby communities may see smoke both from the burnout operations and flare-ups of unburned islands of fuel within the fire interior. If you see a flare-up in the fire area, please do not call 911 unless it is close to and threatening a home or other structure. If you see a new fire outside of the fire area please call 911.

Crews have completed constructing and are continuing to secure line along the west side of the fire, between the fire and Conconully. The fires continue to grow together on the southwest side.  Crews and aviation resources will be focused on constructing line in the Sinlahekin drainage. Indirect line construction will continue to secure the east side of the fire where the fire is backing downslope in heavy timber.  As visibility allows, water scooping airplanes will conduct water drops of 800-1,200 gallons each to support crews on the east side of the fire.

Nine Mile Fire: The fire is in patrol-and-monitor status.

Firefighters continue to watch the weather closely, as the presence/absence of the inversion can have a significant influence on fire activity. Fire managers are asking crews to remain focused because of the potential for afternoon flare-ups as the inversion lifts, hazards from falling snags, and a continuing problem with vehicles driving too fast on highways near the fire area.  Motorists on Hwy 20 and 97 are asked to slow down in the fire vicinity for their own safety and the safety of fire crews exiting and entering the highway. 

Evacuations and Closures: The public is encouraged to contact the Okanogan Emergency Operations Center to learn how to register for automated phone messages in the event of evacuation notices being issued for particular neighborhoods. Contact emergency staff at 509-422-7348 or the Colville Tribal Emergency Management Center at 507-634-2105.

Media Briefings:  Media briefings will be held at 11 am daily at Okanogan County Fairgrounds.

  

Fire Statistics:

Location:  Eleven miles northwest of Omak, WA                   Start Date: August 14, 2015

Complex Size:  280,267 acres                                                 Complex Percent Contained: 17

Twisp River: 11,129 acres, 50% containment              Total Personnel: 1,345                      

            Tunk Block: 145,113 acres, 15%                                                                                           

            Lime Belt/Blue Lake and Beaver Lake: 119,305 acres, 20%

            Nine Mile: 4,720 acres, 95%, in patrol status.

Places to Get Additional Information:

Fire Updates are Posted Daily on the following Information Boards:

Safeway, Omak

Walmart, Omak

Pine Creek Area

Conconully Fire Station, Conconully

Tonasket Visitor Center, Tonaskett

Frontier Foods, Winthrop  Carlton General Store,  Carlton Twisp General Store, Twisp Twisp Mayor’s Office Sun Mountain Lodge, Omak Spike Camp, Winthrop Winthrop Market Winthrop Mini Gas Farmer’s Board, Omak Library, Omak City Hall, Omak

Website: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4534/

Blog: http://okanogancomplex.blogspot.com/

Twitter: #OkanoganComplex

The Rocky Mountain IMT has a Facebook page dedicated to “Thank You’s to the firefighters working on the fire line. Visit the page at https://www.facebook.com/RockyMtn.Type1.IMT.PIOs

Spanish Language Information: (509) 422-2422

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Okanogan Complex Fire Update

Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team - Todd Pechota, Incident Commander 

Information Center:  509-850-0083

Hours of operation: 7 am – 9 pm

Email: okanogancomplexfire@gmail.com  

August 25, 2015

10:30 pm

                       

Current Situation: By early afternoon, the inversion that had been “putting a lid” on the fire lifted resulting in an increase in fire activity. On the plus side, clearing of the air over the fire allowed aircraft to fly and drop water and retardant where needed. The increase in fire activity resulted in an increase of 3,311 acres.  Continued progress is reflected in the 2% increase in containment.

Attention is focused on the southern tip of the Tunk Block Fire where the fire spotted over a dozer line and is backing downhill through heavy timber. Crews are working to reinforce contingency line south of the fire perimeter. This afternoon, activity also increased on the north end of the Lime Belt Fire where the fire is burning in steep largely inaccessible ground in the Sinlakein drainage. 

Progress continues to be made in securing the Twisp River Fire.  As a result of progress made, a hotshot crew and several dozers were moved to other areas of the complex where they are needed. 

Firefighters continue to watch the weather closely, as the presence/absence of the inversion can have a significant influence on fire activity. Fire managers are asking crews to remain vigilant, both because of the potential for afternoon flare-ups and continuing hazards from falling snags and heavy traffic in the fire area.

Motorists on Hwy 20 and 97 are asked to slow down in the vicinity of the fire area for their own safety and the safety of fire crews exiting and entering the highway. 

Evacuations and Closures: The public is encouraged to contact the Okanogan Emergency Operations Center to learn how to register for automated phone messages in the event of evacuation notices being issued for particular neighborhoods. Contact emergency staff at 509-422-7348 or the Colville Tribal Emergency Management Center at 507-634-2105.

Media Briefings:  Media briefings will be held at 11 am daily at Okanogan County Fairgrounds.

Fire Statistics as of Sunday:  

Location:  Eleven miles northwest of Omak, WA                   Start Date: August 14, 2015

Complex Size:  261,650 acres                                               Complex Percent Contained: 17

Twisp River: 10,503 acres                                         Total Personnel: 1,345                                  

            Tunk Block: 135,349 acres                                                                                         

            Lime Belt/Blue Lake and Beaver Lake: 111,078

            Nine Mile: 4,720 acres

Places to get additional information:

Website: http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/4534/

Blog: http://okanogancomplex.blogspot.com/

Twitter: #OkanoganComplex

The Rocky Mountain IMT has a Facebook page dedicated to “Thank You’s to the firefighters working on the fire line. Visit the page at https://www.facebook.com/RockyMtn.Type1.IMT.PIOs

Spanish Language Information: (509) 422-2422

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