Okanogan Complex and Chelan Complex Fire Update   September 5, 2015, 9:00 AM     Okanogan Complex
Size: 148,780 acres
Containment: 60 percent
Estimated Cost to Date: 32 million
Injuries: 7
Residences Burned: 123
Total Personnel: 1,107
Committed Resources: 16 crews, 72 engines, 11 dozers, 21 water tenders, 9 helicopters   Chelan Complex

Size: 93,896 acres

Containment: 75 percent

Estimated Cost to Date: $16 million
Injuries: 9
Residences Burned: 23
Total Personnel: 659
Committed Resources: 11 crews, 42
engines, 5 dozers, 14 water tenders

CURRENT FIRE SITUATION

Firefighters on the Okanogan and Chelan complexes will have help from overcast skies again today as they continue to build and strengthen containment lines around the fires. The clouds and cooler temperatures help moderate fire activity. While the fire is staying within containment lines, fire behavior analysts caution that fuels remain very dry and the fire is burning deep in some areas. When those smoldering pockets are disturbed the fire can flare up, causing increased activity within the perimeters of the fires.

 

OKANOGAN COMPLEX

Lime Belt Fire (132,838 acres, 55 percent contained): Much of the focus of work on the Lime Belt Fire remains on portions of the western and northern perimeter. Weather permitting, crews hope to do direct line construction this weekend in the area west of the Loup Loup Road, between Buck and Peacock mountains. Firefighters are also continuing work to secure containment lines in the Sinlahekin drainage. They are using seven skidgens – specialized heavy equipment for fighting fire in rough terrain – to complete that work.

 

Twisp River Fire (11,222 acres, 98 percent contained) and Nine Mile Fire (4,720 acres, 98 percent contained):

Work to repair areas damaged by fire suppression activities on the Twisp River Fire is expected to be completed today. Fire managers will focus next on repairing areas of the Nine Mile Fire.

CHELAN COMPLEX

The fire continues to burn along Saint Luise Creek on the northern end of the fire. Due to the steep, rugged terrain in that area crews cannot directly attack the fire safely. That portion of the fire is being held in check with helicopter bucket work and being monitored for opportunities for direct attack where possible.

 

EVACUATIONS AND ROAD CLOSURES

· Okanogan County Emergency Operations Center provides information on evacuations and road closures:

509-422-7348, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Okanogan.County.Emergency.Management

·Washington State Department of Transportation provides additional information about road closures: www.wsdot.com/traffic/trafficalerts.