Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update

September 2, 2015, 9:00 PM

Fire Information: 877-568-0458 or 877-574-5148, 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM

http://inciweb.nwcg.gov/

 

Okanogan Complex	Chelan Complex
Size: 148,251 acres	Size: 93,819 acres
Containment: 50 percent	Containment: 65 percent
Estimated Cost to Date: $29.2 million	Estimated Cost to Date: $13.9 million
Injuries: 6	Injuries: 9
Residences Burned: 123	Residences Burned: 21
Total Personnel: 1,293	Total Personnel: 629
Committed Resources: 21 crews, 98  engines, 15 dozers, 25 water tenders, 9 helicopters	Committed Resources: 9 crews, 48 engines, 6 dozers, 22 water tenders, 4 helicoptors

 

CURRENT FIRE SITUATION

With a little more wind and sun and lower relative humidity than the past few days, the fires were more active today. Fire managers got a good perspective on the fires during a reconnaissance flight. They identified which areas are still holding heat and actively burning.

 

OKANOGAN COMPLEX

Lime Belt Fire (132,309 acres, 45 percent contained): On the west side of the fire, southwest of Peacock Mountain, crews were not able to build direct fireline due to steep, rugged terrain and unsafe conditions. However, the fire remains east of the Loup Loup Canyon Road and crews are focusing on holding that line. On the northwest corner of the fire, west of the Sinlahekin Valley, crews secured 12 miles of fireline and conducted defensive firing operations. On the northern tip, the fire did cross the fireline and threatened a few structures. Firefighters defended the structures with assistance from dozers and retardant drops, but they will be looking for opportunities to make that area more secure in the coming days.

Twisp River Fire (11,222 acres, 98 percent contained)and Nine Mile Fire (4,720 acres, 98 percent contained): Crews continued suppression-repair efforts on the two fires today.

CHELAN COMPLEX

Yesterday’s high winds caused the fire to spot over the fireline in a few places on the fire’s northwest tip, and today crews worked to contain those spot fires. Firefighters secured the fireline around Hungry Mountain. A hotshot crew assessed the area northwest of Rainy Creek, looking for opportunities to directly suppress the fire. However, the difficult-to-traverse terrain makes the area too dangerous for firefighters. Fire managers and fire behavior experts are identifying other suppression options for crews to implement.

EVACUATIONS AND ROAD CLOSURES

Information on evacuation and road closures is available from the Okanogan County Emergency Operations Center at

509-422-7348 and on its Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Okanogan.County.Emergency.Management.

Additional information about closures is available from the Washington State Department of Transportation at www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts.